I admit, while I'm not particularly fond of it, homeschooling Aaliyah is relatively easy. She is extremely bright, and I don't just say that as her mom, she really picks up on stuff and has a stellar memory. She also excels in science and math... she started 1st grade math when she was still in Kindergarten... and now she has completed her 1st grade math and is ready to move into 2nd grade math while she's still in 1st grade. I emailed her "teacher" to let her know Aaliyah is nearly finished and maybe set up an assessment so she can order Aaliyah's 2nd grade math curriculum... here's the email I get:
Thanks for the heads up on A’s progress, I dint’ realize she was that close. I am trying to get through the end of the semester paperwork so I am kind of behind on that. You are really moving through the curriculum quickly, that is good, but I just want to make sure A. is getting all of the material and having sufficient practice. I want to look at what she is completing more closely. I will contact you next week so that we can chat about things in more depth.
I didn't think we were moving through the curriculum quickly... we might have been a little ahead, but not by a significant amount. The school allots 1 hour for math each day. Aaliyah can do about 2-3 math lessons in 1 hour. So, if we truly spent an hour each day, then she would most definitely finish early.
I was also told that if Aaliyah knows the material that I can go ahead and have her take the assessment and move on. Now, all of a sudden, we're moving too quickly? I guess I'm just a little bothered by the fact that one of the great points of homeschooling is so the child can progress at their own pace... and now we're going to be evaluated because of it.
Believe me, I'm not doing any more work than I have to - again, I'm not particularly fond of homeschooling myself - I believe in it, I just don't like doing it (in all honesty I don't have the patience for homeschooling). What do you think?
This is my first time on your blog and I hopped over when I saw a post you made on http://www.niftythriftysavings.com
ReplyDeleteI saw this post and had to comment! I have been homeschooling for 6 years, my Daughter is 15 now and a Freshman in High school. I didn't see what program you use to homeschool but it sounds like CAVA.
We used CAVA for 5 years! We loved it cause it challenged my daughter most of the time and we moved up a grade or 2 through out the years, We happened to click with our teacher and became friends too so we didn't hear much of needing further assessments. I remember we did have to do one the first time but it seems like after that she knew we went through things fast and my Daughter just like yours sucks in the info and stores it in her brain! Right now we are doing geometry and she is doing great. Sometimes over thinking what needs to be done. She has a logical mind so if the math problem looks unfinished she feels like she has to solve it further and right now thats not what they want.
I am so proud of her, just like you are of your child. Don't stress out about this extra assessment, it is really something the teachers have to do because their bosses make them. It is extra work for them. But once in a blue moon they will have a parent or student just go through the work just putting the answers in the computer and not really doing the work. Those are not REAL homeschooling parents. They are doing a miss justice to their kids and to them self cause they will get kicked out of the program.
Well I just wanted to let you know it really is no big deal and it doesn't mean you or your child are doing anything wrong. I would also tell your teacher that during a 1hour math class she does 2-3 lessons. if you haven't already. Then she will understand why you are doing more.
Also my daughter did better (in JR High) with doing blocks of work so we would do math all on one day then Language arts one day and so on. She didn't like getting into something then the next hour switch.
Anyway! Have a great day!
Lewann
Hi Lewann!
DeleteThank you so much for your comment! Yes, we're doing CAVA (K12). I really love it - the program is very well organized, the course materials are challenging enough, and everything is easy to access.
It's been a year now since I wrote this post... Aaliyah is in second grade now and her sister just finished all her Kindergarten curriculum and is beginning her first grade work now.
We had the same teacher for 2 years - but this year CAVA decided to change things up and instead of having a teacher selected based on the area we live - they assigned teachers based on grade levels. I was a bit disappointed initially with the change - but our new teacher is great.
She did some initial assessments of my girls at the beginning of the year and realized instantly how bright both girls are and was very supportive of us working at a slightly more accelerated pace.
Yes, unfortunately there are a lot of parents/students who are abusing the K12/CAVA system and they're hurting no one but their children (or themselves in the case of students.
Now that I have a few years under my belt I feel super confident in what we're doing and where we're headed. I used to really hate homeschooling but this year I have learned to really love and enjoy it.
I'm glad homeschooling is working out so well for you and your kids. It's definitely a labor of love - but for those of us who take it serious - our kids will greatly benefit from their home based education in more ways then we can even imagine! :D
Looking forward to keeping up with you!
-Serena