We started our journey with K12.com at the beginning of September 2014. While it took many hurdles with immunizations as my daughter has a legit fear of shots and the doctor lost her records, we got approved and started on September 2nd; over a week behind everyone else.
As a public school, K12 sends you everything you need. If you qualify for reduced lunches they even send you a computer and printer (I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to use the printer, so I used my own). We received books, paints, musical instruments, science tools (like a beaker and magnifying glass) as well as teachers books and student activity books for each course.
The courses she was required to do for kindergarten were:
Math
Common Core Math
Phonics
Handwriting
Language Skills
Lit and Comp
Music
Art
Science
History
Social Studies
Seems like a lot. But when you break it down it's not.
At the beginning of the year we did the recommended schedule, each day doing 1 core, (1 math, 1 phonics, 1 hw, 1 language skills, etc) and didn't test out of any lessons but we soon learned that by doing that we were hurting ourselves because of our struggle with phonics. we eventually switched to block classes and choice. This stopped many arguments and we got things done faster and at our own pace. Our schedule at this point looked like "Monday- 5 math. Tuesday 5 Phonics Wednesday- 2 music, 2 art, 1 social studies. Thursday- 2 history 2 science, 1 common core math. Friday- 5 language skills. Handwriting and Reading were done almost daily.
It was easier focusing that way than one of each subject.
In addition we also had class connects on Monday and Tuesday. Class connects are like Skype sessions where they connect to the teacher and other students. The teacher would put them in groups, they'd read to the class, answer questions. Very social (for those worried about socialization)
There were MANY days we fought, many days we breezed through. Some days yes were 5-7 hours, some days we were done in 2. Depending on the subject, the activities and how cooperative she was.
We also had her set up in the living room. Something I'm hoping to change this year if she receives a wireless computer from her school. It was a huge distraction. We had all her school supplies and books in one place and my books in a basket put away with some of her supplies (like the art supplies and science supplies)
Socialization: Other than her class connects, me and her brother, socialization depends on the parent and what they're willing to do. Children do not need school to be social. They can get socialization in many other ways. There are activities just for students that are home schooled at discount prices, girl scouts, YMCA, community center, town sports, going to the park and getting together with other homeschooling families. All of these circumstances still enable your child to get socialization. Just because they're home schooled doesn't mean they're hermits.
"I don't have the patience for that". It's actually not about patience, you know your child. You know how they learn, what they like and it's one on one. Different methods help with the patience. There are days we have our struggles at which point we walk away, do a different subject and come back later.
After our first year our verdict is: We still LOVE it. I love being a part of her learning and what she's learning. If I don't want her to know something or I want to put our beliefs into it, I can. It also helps with me being able to teach her. My daughter loves it still as well. She likes her short days, the limited structure and being able to go anywhere we want, whenever we want.
We look forward to starting 1st grade in August.
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