Home Schooling | ExpatWoman.com
 

Home Schooling

35
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 February 2011 - 15:16

I have two chidren and both are now school going age here, but not if we were at home. I have had my eldest in school here and now that her sibling is due to start am seriously worried that we are not going to be able to afford sending both of them if there is another hike in the fees (no help from the company) I dont want to leave my DH here and head home with the children as we are a very close family and the possibility of DH finding work elsewhere or at home is slim to none at this stage. Is there anyone else out there who home schools their children and what are the pros and cons to doing this. Should I leave the one child in school and home school the other as in our home country they wouldnt be going to school until they were six turning seven, so another three years away for the youngest. I dont know what to do and am worrying myself sick about it.

40
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 08:17
Has anyone had any experience with Interhigh? It's an internet homeschool (UK/Welsh curriculum). We are thinking about home schooling our DS who is currently in year 8. I'd like to hear from anyone who has or is home schooling teenagers and if there are any other options for UK curriculum. TIA I am sorry to ask a personal question but if your son is in school right now, what would be a good enough reason to withdraw him? I am only curious because my DD hates school. Millions of reasons. But i prefer to keep her there, as she is already in the system.
40
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 08:15
Has anyone had any experience with Interhigh? It's an internet homeschool (UK/Welsh curriculum). We are thinking about home schooling our DS who is currently in year 8. I'd like to hear from anyone who has or is home schooling teenagers and if there are any other options for UK curriculum. TIAIt looks great. I like the idea of one subject per day. The study time is 8.30 - 11.30 GMT, not bad. And if they miss a lesson they can review it later.
93
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 06:03
Has anyone had any experience with Interhigh? It's an internet homeschool (UK/Welsh curriculum). We are thinking about home schooling our DS who is currently in year 8. I'd like to hear from anyone who has or is home schooling teenagers and if there are any other options for UK curriculum. TIA
5
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 17:08
There is a wonderful teachers supply shop in the beach centre on beach road but have to warn you that they can be rather expensive with some of the things on offer. I was home schooled for a short while and I loved every minute of it (I was alot older). My parents tried the boarding school (there were no secondary schools with space available) with my sister and I but we were very unhappy and never settled, so my mom opted to school us at home. This was the best thing she could have done for us.
124
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 22:06
There's a shop in Karama, but I can't remember the name of it sorry. They sell everything you will need for arts/crafts/stationary. There's also Dubai Library (I think) on SZ Road.
774
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 22:03
This thread as been very helpful. I'm considering home schooling my son who will turn 5 this Nov. I'm just not 100% comfortable with putting him in to KG 2 which age wise is where he would go and I feel like KG 1 is going to be too easy for him as he's already reading simple readers, rhyming, and doing patterns in Math . Plus the idea of putting him in a school with 22 children in a classroom doesn't thrill me either. I taught Kinder and 1st grade for 10 years so I know how to teach him and I shipped quite a bit of my teaching supplies over there (unifix cubes, teddy bear counters, pattern blocks, science equipment, all my calendar supplies, and over 750 children's books and my listening centers) but how do you find the availability of teaching supplies to be in Dubai in case there are other things I need to use?
124
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 21:48
I'd say go for it! I homeschooled when we were in Dubai and looking back, it was the best thing.....there were also many days when I was pulling my hair out wondering what the heck I was doing!!! But reassuringly, everybody that homeschooled had those days too. There's a homeschooling group in Dubai who are all a wealth of information and ideas. The age groups vary from little one's up to teens. I sure you could have a chat with them about it. You'll always get your critics, but I learnt more about my two children over the 1.5 years I homeschooled than I ever did when they were in school back home. Here's the link to their website. http://uaehomeschool.wordpress.com/ <em>edited by Margarita on 08/02/2011</em>
697
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 20:54
I teach reception age at the moment and I agree that homeschooling can easily be done and in a much shorter time than an actual "school day" because you find ways to incorporate "learning" into every day activities and games. At their age, "Learning through play" is preferred anyway so it is a win win. And yes, there are so many resources online that I use every day in my classroom that you could use as well. Also, everything you need to know about the UK National Curriculum, etc is online.
542
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 21:48
We switched to K12 last November and have not looked back since. Although my DS has a tutor provided by K12 (additional cost - shared with 2 other kids), I find the curriculum very good as I know what my son does on a daily basis. I only do French language as an extra curricular activity at home with DS but it allows me to understand how the whole project works. The support network is excellent. I had no prior experience in teaching and the prospect of teaching my own son sounded quite daunting. The course material whether online or material is very good. Kids love learning using a combination of computer and traditional methods. He goes everyday for 4 hrs and has learn much faster than he ever did at school for a fraction of the price!
436
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:40
I believe to homeschool here your only choice (program recognised by the KDHA) is K12, which is american curriculum. I home schooled for a short period, I did some, but then found we needed a tutor as well, as DS did not want to "work" with me, just do fun stuff. Also I didn't know where to start when it came to teaching to read. You will probably find you spend alot on materials....but K12 should be offer you guidence on that.
13
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:21
I would go for it, I did it for a term with my son and it was a huge success -just do your research and be organised! Lots of great websites and downloads on most topics.
132
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:16
I home schooled my older ones until they were 7 and 8. Personally I found having two (especially close in age) was good. We could work together on things, It was somehow more fun, games more interesting and sharing of ideas. However, you would have to consider the impact leaving school would have on your eldest. You definitely need to do more than 20 mins a day to keep up! I think we did 8-11am formal schooling time, not all intense with planned activities and social events etc. in the afternoon. You need to be very organised, your friends need to understand that you are not just at home with preschoolers and therefore necessarily free etc.
1511
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 11:13
Gabsgirl if your children are young then home school, a mere 20 mins a day will take them above what their peers are learning in school, you can make up the social side out of school. Presuming you will not be staying long term in the UAE just don't worry about it. Keep life simple avoiding debt, for this year and next they can home school and when the time comes that you feel they need to attend school you then re evaluate the situation. There are some home school programs available and recognised here in the UAE, but they can be quite expensive. There are also some home school networks, try finding them and speak to mums in the same position. Teaching your LO's at home is not difficult there are loads of free resources on the net all to help you.
447
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 10:55
Which place to do you call home?
353
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 10:50
Bump for gabsgirl please
 
 

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