Questions for NC homeschoolers

[busybee4]

I've just recieved my card letting me know that the state received my notice of intent form! YAY!! But as I am now planning our school year a few questions have arisen.

I am praying about schooling year round this year (9 weeks on, 2 weeks off and 6 weeks between manuals -four day school weeks). It seems like it will work out fine but once it's all added up it comes to 144 days of actual school. One of the forms said that academic instruction must be on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months (check) but it is suggested to have 180 days of five clock hours daily.

Does this mean that my plans won't fit the bill?

I'm wanting to spread Beyond and Bigger out into three years taking two weeks to finish a unit (is that too slow a pace?). I will still do math, reading and phonics four days a week however.

I don't want to start off on the wrong foot here!! Does any one have an answer?! Should I go five days a week instead of four? Will it be a problem if I don't finish each manual each year?

Will taking the manuals at half speed put my daughter at a disadvantage when State Testing comes around? Will she miss out on info. needed to know? I thought that state testing was just for Reading and Math here in NC but I might be mistaken.

Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank you!!

[my3sons]

I've just recieved my card letting me know that the state received my notice of intent form! YAY!! But as I am now planning our school year a few questions have arisen.

I am praying about schooling year round this year (9 weeks on, 2 weeks off and 6 weeks between manuals -four day school weeks). It seems like it will work out fine but once it's all added up it comes to 144 days of actual school. One of the forms said that academic instruction must be on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months (check) but it is suggested to have 180 days of five clock hours daily.

Does this mean that my plans won't fit the bill?

I'm wanting to spread Beyond and Bigger out into three years taking two weeks to finish a unit (is that too slow a pace?). I will still do math, reading and phonics four days a week however.

I don't want to start off on the wrong foot here!! Does any one have an answer?! Should I go five days a week instead of four? Will it be a problem if I don't finish each manual each year?

Will taking the manuals at half speed put my daughter at a disadvantage when State Testing comes around? Will she miss out on info. needed to know? I thought that state testing was just for Reading and Math here in NC but I might be mistaken.

Any suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!
Thank you!!

I'm not from NC, but I will try to help. I don't think it is too slow of a pace to do Beyond/Bigger over 3 years (in fact I'll be doing it). I wouldn't go 5 days a week unless you want to. Can you make up the rest of the days counting some things you'll just naturally be doing on Day 5? I'm guessing reading independently, maybe computer time, outdoor recess/p.e. time - whatever you may be doing on Day 5 anyway? As long as your dd is in the appropriate age ranges for Beyond/Bigger (and you are doing math/reading/phonics 4 days a week as you've said), your dd should be fine with testing. Hopefully, other moms will chime in here too

In Christ,
Julie

[vicgurganus]

I am in NC and have been homeschooling for 10 years now. NC law only REQUIRES 3 things from you as a homeschooler (1) keep an attendance record, (2) keep immunization recorders (if you immunize), and (3) annual national standardized test. The "regular" 9 month schedule, the "180" days, and the "5 hours" per day are just suggestions. Depending on the age of your child(ren) you may not have 5 hours of instruction per day. Only my high schooler has that many hours per day and just barely.

With all that said, do keep in mind you will be doing things that count as field trips - i.e. a school day. Do you have plans to visit the zoo? Family in another state/city? We count parts of our vacation as "school". We visit Dollywood and discuss the blacksmithing, the eagles,etc. We also visit the aquarium in Gatlinburg. 2 and 1/2 days of school there. Plus if we visit Cades Cove - another day. These are all things public and private school kids do for field trips and it counts toward their 180 days of "instruction". Trust me, as a former public school teacher, if field trips did not count toward the 180 days and we had to add an extra day of instruction time for every field trip, we would NOT have taken any field trips:o)

If you want a great book to help with turning ordinary errands into a field trip, check out A to Z field trip ideas (I think that's the title, I know it starts A to Z and then something about field trips). It has all sorts of forms and discussion questions for turning the trip to the bank into a field trip.

Regarding testing. You are correct in thinking NC only requires testing in reading and math. You give a nationally standardized test such as the Stanford, Iowa, or CAT not the "EOG's" like public schools. Here is my personal approach to testing - the state requires I test, therefore I test. I know what I have covered during the year. The test may or may not reflect this as it is normed by the "public" school standards. I know what my kids know, I don't need a test to tell me. However, if you are nervous or anxious, the woodcock johnson might be a good test for you. It is very different from the other tests and will give you a more accurate picture of where your child is academically.

Sorry this is so long but I just want you to relax and enjoy your years homeschooling your child. The years go by fast!!!! NC has some very friendly homeschooling laws. Just do the 3 required things and let the rest go.

Vicky in Durham

[busybee4]

Vicky,

Thank you so much for your detailed answer! That does set my mind at ease! I'm am very thankful that NC is homeschool friendly! I am going to print your response out and keep it! You've really cleared a lot up for me!

Thanks again!!

Blessings!!!