Yikes! Just found out we have to have 1000 hrs...

[MistyP]

Found out yesterday that Missouri ( moved here last week) requires 1000 hrs of homeschooling per year; 600 in core subjects. We did LHFHG last year and it took us about 2-3 hrs per day; so this seems like a lot for 1 & 2nd grade. WE are doing Beyond this next year and I am thinking that I will have to add stuff in to get all the required hrs in We don't do sports so can't count any of that.... I am thinking I may need to do required reading and storytime and PE over the summer and count the hrs.....

I am sure their is someone else that has been here Any tips or ideas???

Thanks!

[Mom2Monkeys]

count chores as life skills, cooking as math and home ec, any time they spend writing letters or stories as handwriting and/or creative writing, recess or outdoor time as pe, takke a walk and and call it a nature walk for science or safety skills if you talk about how to cross the street/not talk to strangers, etc, craft time as art, listening to classical music or any music for that matter as music appreciation, computer games that are educational,...

no one saysa those hours have to come from a book or be done at a table...learning happens all the time!

[Mom2Monkeys]

a trip to the store could count! conversation skills, math, health/nutrition, etc.

[Sue G in PA]

PA requires 900 hrs. or 180 days. We just log days. We count just about everything as "school". Cooking, nature study, nature walks, park days (PE), computer games, educational TV or DVDs, chores (domestic education), trips to library, church activities like AWANA or Royal Rangers, etc. Having had my 3 oldest in ps this year and realizing exactly what goes on there (or doesn't go on!) and what they actually count as days really put my mind at ease that we are doing plenty and that standards and requirements for homeschoolers are WAY more than for public school around here.

[happy@home]

KY requires 1062 hours. But my papers say "the equivalent of" 177 six-hour days, so take into consideration how much time is spent in public school that isn't actually instructional time. Such as taking roll, discipline issues, lining up for lunch, lining up for recess, etc. The only think I am required to do for this is keep a log of attendance. Well, let's see, are my children here today? Yep!! We are going to do Beyond next year as well and I'm not worried. I don't know what you're required to have as "proof" though.

[LynnH]

We have to have 900 here in Ohio and I was worried also until I started keeping track. In the summer I counted any trips to the zoo, museums, summer reading, swimming in the pool, educational dvds. Then in the school year church group on Wed. nights, karate, music lessons, trips to the park, playing basketball in the driveway etc. It really isn't that hard. Considering both my kids have been in public school most of their lives I know they spend days watching movies, having pizza parties, waiting for the other kids to stop acting up etc.

[my3sons]

We don't have to log hours, but if I did, I'd take the amount of days I was going to homeschool (i.e. 34 weeks times 5 for Beyond = 170 days). Then, I'd divide the number of hours I had to log homeschooling and divide that to figure out how many hours I'd need each school day (i.e. 1000 divided by 170, which works out to be about 5.9 hours a day). I'd make a general schedule that logged 6 hours a school day and call it good. For example:
8:30-9:00 AM: Life skills (chores and get ready for day)
9:00-9:30 AM: Shared reading (Bible time for all, including mom )
9:30 - 12:00 PM: Do Beyond and just list out the box titles from the plans with the time it takes to do them making sure to add a little time for getting out supplies and putting things away (see this link for times):
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4390&p=32417
12:00-12:45 PM: Recess (playing outside or inside)
12:45-1:30 PM: Lunch with Music Appreciation (listening to Christian radio or classical music) or listening to a Book on Tape/CD
1:30-2:00 PM: Handicrafts/Creative Time (i.e. art time/creative things, playtime building legos or any type of building with toys, etc.)
2:00-2:30 PM: Educational video or educational computer time

I'd list the first titles for my logging (but what's in parentheses is for you). Here is a link to some actual school schedules teachers have for third grade, just to give you an idea of how general they are:
http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/show ... hp?t=39078

Whatever you do, I'd make it as easy on yourself as you can by just having your log be routine. You can easily separate out some of the things I listed above to, like have Music appreciation be a separate time from Book on Tape for example, and then just play some classical music during play time. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

[sueginpa]

Been homeschooling in MO for 6 years, we aren't really required to provide proof unless asked. I just keep track of the days we did school, field trips, karate, swimming, keep a hold of the weekly schedule showing what was done each day. No, everything didn't require an hour, but it could have; that meets the requirement for one hour of instruction in whatever subject. PS=1hour, HS=15min; that's how I've always looked at it. I keep all of their notebooks and any writings that they do, especially in the older grades. K, 1st, 2nd; I just plan on keeping a schedule and a portfolio of their work, examples; not everything they do!!!

My middle school and high school student, I keep their schedule, Math, Science, Lit., Grammar and History Notebooks for proof of time spent. I figure we got through an entire Algebra curriculum and Science curriculum, we're probably good. I also keep a book list of any books they read independently or that we read together.

I don't worry about it too much, the only way we have to provide proof seems to be if someone reports you for not doing school and letting your kids go feral. LOL.
I think I'm good on part of that.

[MistyP]

Well, after talking with some HS moms at the convention today, I am hoping I can get by with not counting my hrs at all this year since DD #1 does not turn 7 until Aug. 31st. The compulsory age for schooling is 7 here. I am going to contact the HSLDA after we get all our paperwork to make sure I can get by with that.....

Such a pain to keep track of!!

[water2wine]

We have to have 4.5 hours a day and 180 days. I never worry about it. I think we are always way over with all the extra reading and crafts we do, devotions, Bible reading and all that. Then there is "life training" and that is happening all the time with things like kitchen time and cooking from talking about life and God. I think all that counts. But in truth my kids do so much craft stuff and extra recreational reading we never worry about it. I did in the beginning but now I see they do really well being hsed. It is just so much better than public school by a long shot. Hope you got some answers to put you at ease.