My 4th grade son is haveing MAJOR difficulties at school and I'm considering homeschooling him.Any ideas?
83112
I went through a very similar situation and after months of being told by the teacher and the principal that there must be a problem at home, I found out another child was having the same problems mine was.  The other mom and I got together and came up with a plan.  We each got our child to tell us why the other child was having so much trouble.\n\nTurned out there was another child in the class bullying and intimidating ours so badly that there were days they spent all their time huddled under their desks.  \n\nWhile I still could not get the school to admit to a problem, I did find a sympathetic vice principal who allowed my child access to her office at any time he felt he could not handle being in the class anymore.  \n\nIt wasn't the perfect solution but it got us to the end of that school year and I made sure I had some say in what class he went into the next year.  Things improved after that.  \n\nIf you truly are not having discipline problems at home and the only place there really seems to be a problem is at school, then I would be looking very hard at why there is a problem at school.  Don't take the teacher's word for anything...that teacher may very well be the problem.  Talk to other parents and find out if anyone else is going through something similar to what you are.  Make sure your child understands that you know there is a problem and you are doing your best to help.  Let him know he has you on his side.  \n\nGood luck.  Sure would like to know the outcome of this one.
1116025
First, don't worry about defending your decision to those who have already made up their minds about this issue.\n\nYour first step is to find out what your state requires from homeschoolers - some are very lenient (like Texas), others are very strict, even to dictating the books you need to use, tests you are required to take, and making you submit lesson plans.  Go to the HSLDA website to see the general rules for your state.\n\nNext, find a homeschooling group in your area and talk to other moms and dads who are in the middle of it.  They can give you suggestions for dealing with the local school district, unhappy relatives (especially the grandparents), socialization, co-ops, and maybe even let you borrow some curriculum to try before you have to buy.\n\nYou'll need to look at the different methods - classical, unschooling, eclectic... this will help determine which curriculum to use (if any).  There are also several guides to curriculum, such as Cathy Duffy's "100 Top Picks...", Mary Pride's books, Rebecca Rupp's books, and "The Well-Trained Mind", by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise-Bauer.  See if your library has any books ABOUT homeschooling.\n\nI've actually found socialization to be the easiest part of homeschooling - just knowing other homeschoolers has opened up opportunities for my kids to meet with others on a much more flexible schedule.\n\nYour son may need some time to 'decompress' from public school and find out that homeschool is NOT public school at home.  You can work on your own schedule and not be tied into someone else's.  Start slowly with just one or two subjects, then add another every 3-4 weeks until you're doing all you want to.\n\nAnd realize that some curriculum choices will be trial and error - I can't tell you how much I've 'wasted' on curriculum that just didn't work out for us.  Fortunately, I've been able to recoup some of the cost by re-selling things (eBay and used curriculum sales).\n\nBest wishes for a happy homeschooling adventure!  Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
507502
i home school my daugther and find it alot better but it will be time consuming at times. there's a website for $8.95 a month etap.org  good curriculum. then theres also American school that will give him credits and graduate. if your children decide to stay in homeschool you will have to notify the school superintendent that you are establishing a bonafide school for ________ and it will be based at this address. also another book is Homeschool your child for free theres more than 1200 smart, effective and practical resources for home ed. on the internet and beyond. i wish you and your children the best of luck and feel free to email me.
583080
School is a great playground for kindergarten-age children. I remember having a smart 4-year old in my class when school started in September, and he was shy but brilliant. At first it was a little rough for him socially because he was afraid to open up, but I'm sure that with some motherly encouragement he'll make it through.\n\nIt will benefit him if he gets an early start to his education! I graduated among the youngest in my class and it was nice to be younger while accomplishing the same things as your peers, because you have a sort of head start. \n\nI think it's best to go on your gut instinct on this one. Good luck!
924944
Be involved in your son's daily school activities to personally see what's going on.  Have you actually talked with the teacher?  Sometimes kids will make up stories to avoid talking about their discipline situations at school.  Being there will allow you to make up your own mind about what's happening.  (Taking off work or whatever your personal activities are will bring the quiestions to answers sooner and well worth the effort so it doesn't go much farther.)
998192
Your child's school system should have some programs in place to start you out. Do not hesitate to go to the guidance counselor,school psychologist or social worker, his/her teacher, and the principal---they have a vat of resources before them. They will probably recommend that you consult your child's pediatrician who will place your child on some sort of medication to start managing his/her behavior. \nIf you have found that you are getting nowhere in the education arena, don't give up---your child can get help elsewhere. The Easter Seals Society, a local Child Study Center, the Mental Health/Mental Retardation(MHMR), your county hospital and any disabilities assistance program in your state are good sources of help. Also, don't leave out websites that address these conditions--just type in bipolar, or obsessive compulsive disorder into the search box and it will lead you somewhere. Don't give up, it is a long road, but you can get the help you need. I used to work with teens who had emotional disorders, and although it was difficult, they were getting help through the program they were in. It does take a lot of footwork, however. You can get to the place of normalcy,it just takes time.
1073277
education in its ideal form would be tailored to each indivdual so that each students needs are being met.  It sounds like your child has special needs in that he/she is so far advanced that he/she may get bored by staying home.  My son is pretty close to the same criteria as your son and I know I am sending him to kindergarten because of his social interation, cognitive and problem solving skills.  Some kids mature physically faster than others as I sure you know, but I think they can do so mentally as well.  Send your child to school, he/she will benefit from the interaction with others and reinforcing what you have already taught him/her.
413273
I had a similar problem a couple wks ago. My sons teacher was labeling him and picking him. I was getting notes every single day just about from his teacher. I was really sure what was going on because he had been making A-B honoroll. Anyways I went up there and spoke with her, found that she had moved him and ONLY HIM to a different part of the class room so he could pay attention. I was not having that since he was making good grades all year long and still is. He said he wasn't misbehaving or disruptive, so I didn't know what the hell the problem was. I also spoke with the principal and asked that my son be moved or we were taking it to the school board. We just put our foot down(husband and I)and let them know that we were serious and wanted it to be resolved. Because he wasn't gonna learn if he's getting discouraged by his teacher. I don't know what grade your sons in, but my son is in 2nd grade. And don't think that you guys are being a pain in the butt or an inconvenience to the "school", because that is your son. I was getting on to my kid every time that I was getting a note, but it wasn't him, I guess the teacher decided to pick on him. And as far as the school staff, who cares what they think of you, but once they start picking or being ugly to your son. Id take it a step further and contact the school board. Good luck!!
278934
I homeschool my two boys and the lady I sit for pays me extra to hs her dd for preschool.  I HIGHLY recommend you hs if you have the will and the ability.  Two big things to remember with hsing at ANY level is: one day at a time...you're not talking about geometry and calculus yet.  Second...it's not forever unless you want it to be.  She can re-enter public school when she is ready.  You can email me, I started hsing my now 4th grader when he was in K.  He has TONS of confidence, he gets ONE  ON ONE education, I teach him the way he learns best, rather than plunking him down in a group of 30 kids and droning on at a chalk board...I use manipulatives, pc programs, games, baking to learn fractions, printouts from sites like enchantedlearning.com etc etc.  When he needs a break, he gets one.  We hs year round, so he doesn't forget half over the summer, but our hs days are short.  He learns things he WANTS to learn about.  When he showed an interest in pirates, we got books from the library, coloring pages from the internet, we built a ship, made our own course on a map, created a flag, etc etc.  HSing is the BEST at your dd's age, because you can take ALL the pressure off of her, and teach to what she needs, one thing at a time if you like.  If she is currently crying over math, take a break from the usual math stuff, and play dice games instead!  Just because it's fun, doesn't mean you can't use it for school.  Think outside the box, teach her fast math skills by having her play games!  Teach her spelling by only drilling in the car, and make it fun!  See what I mean?  And don't let the folks that know NOTHING about hs except for the freaks they find on tv worry you about socialization.  There are hs groups in your area to help.  There are groups online.  There are church groups and public sports and music lessons and play groups for socialization.
1005759
i had my son home schooled for awhile all i did was go to the public school that was in my district and let them know. from there the school may help you w/ material but if not you have to supply it yourself and you have to report to the school what your teaching the child(ren) and they grade him or her to see if your educating him or her successfully or not.thats what i had to do where i live it may very but this is the idea of it i hope it helps you out.
982392
if the school is not willing to help you on this problem then go higher up take all your reports to the school board or board of trustees and be tough with them. keep going higher up and screaming louder that your son is falling between the cracks. sometimes teachers choose to single 1 child out for their own stupid reasons. as far as the self esteem just keep telling him that you love him and you know that he is doing the best he can and you are on his side. Talk to other parents who may have had this same teacher in the past and see if they have had a simular problem. hope this helps and good luck
950618
www.gethomeworkhelp.com\n\nor ask your counselor at school if any teachers tutor on the side\n\ngood for you for finding some extra help!  you should be proud.
1020384
Go to http://hslda.org  They promote LEGAL, RESPONSIBLE homeschooling.  You can find out what is required to legally homeschool your child in your state.  The laws are different in every one, but it is legal everywhere in the USA.  Especially find out what the "compulsory school age" is in your state.  That is the age that you need to either put your child in public school or offically home school your son.  You may not be required to do anything official until he is 6.  Then you can just keep up the good work until then.  Include your little one in the reading, but otherwise, simply allow your youngest to play quietly or nap while you have school time with the older one.  With homeschooling, your scedule is very flexible, so do what works for you!   \n\nIf you do need/want a curriculum, there is an ocean of curriculums out there, and it can be intimidating to wade through them.  I would recommend starting with a guide by either Mary Pride or Cathy Duffy.  They are experienced homeschoolers that review curriculums and publish their well-informed opinions about them.  Look for books and websites by them.  After choosing a curriculum, you can often get used books on e-bay, and several websites like www.christianbook.com have good prices on new curriculum.
586295
First you have to make sure s/he enjoys school... Does s/he complain when coming home about friends, teachers, bullies?  If so remove those problems... homework my daughters teacher doesn't believe in forcing students to do home work if they choose not to do it they choose not to watch a movie at the end of the week with class mates....(shes and A student now from failing and threats of being held back)if those things don't work then don't hold him/her back maybe they are a late bloomer and it doesn't really matter if they fall behind in the early years because their minds are little sponges and they can really catch up fast... I would say that if by the end of 3rd grade they are still failing to succeed then hold back and make repeat a grade but summer school is fun and I make mine go(even this year with the A's) and all other parents should to... It's to much time off and they forget and we don't have time in today's society to stay at home and keep them school lvl educated we have to work....so over all make school fun  and the rest will follow ( and yes you have the control of if your elementary child proceeds to the next grade)
865686
Find a good tutor, check into homeschooling co-ops, get a good teacher's manual...learn right along with your kid.
1075873
I never thought I would be advising someone to KEEP their child in school, but I might make the exeption here. If you want to homeschool to give your child a better education, then go for it! But, if your only reason is because the teacher is young, that's not going to work. Homeschooling takes EXTREME dedication to your child, lots of work on your part, it takes patience, and persistence. You have to be willing to do whatever is necessary to learn what you need to teach and how to do it. You have to enjoy your children enough to have them with you 24/7! You have to be willing to taxi them to the different opportunities for social engagement like sports or dance classes, whatever. A lot of homeschooling is done outside the home, in the form of educational outings, where they learn hands-on about the world around them and social engagement with ALL age groups, not just their peers. All of this is GREAT for them, but it's a sacrifice on your part, and you have to be willing to do it. See, it's not just a simple decision to be based on the fact that a teacher is young, that really has no bearing on anything. Plus, you have to take into account how your child is going to react. It's a lot harder to pull a child out of school then it is to have never put them in in the first place, this can cause resentment and I don't feel it should be done unless the parent feels it's necessary, and feels that the fight is worth it in exchange for the better education. Good luck to you, but I suggest you think about it some more, do some research, get to know the teacher and see if you still feel he/she is not adequate as a teacher, then go to the principal if you still have concerns. If the principal is unwilling to help, then go to the school board. Try some other options first, because it's not an easy job. It's a very rewarding job, and most beneficial to the child, but it is a sacrifice.
348708
yes it is a bad idea but what would be the solution ? have you tried getting involve in the school and to offer reasonable solutions ? if nothing works and you are concerned enough then wait to take your child to school just in-time for class or have someone else do it for you. you could also try another school. lol.