Hello

[Ohio Mom]

Hi, I am homeschooling my 10 yo grandson. He is in the 5th grade. We use Abeka - DVD's. I have been reading post here for some time. It seems like I know most of you. I pray with you and smile with you. My problem is my grandson hates school of any kind. When he was in K, he was in a Christian school and ran away 2 times. I have hs him since the middle of K. I put him back in Christian school for 3 months last year and it was disastorus. He was the class clown and his grades were terrible. This year I am back at hs. Some days are better than others. I am thinking about the virtual academy (computer schooling). I work parttime out of my home and need him to do some of this on his own. He plays with anything he can find, torn paper, fingernails, pencils, etc. Not sure what to do HELP!!!!

[CrystalB9]

Welcome!! This is my 4th yr hsing my gang, I have 8. Sounds like your grandson can give you a run for your money. I have a girlfriend that uses a virtual school, works well for her, but not for all. If your grandson has that much energy I dont know if sitting in front of a computer for hours would be a good thing. Sounds like he may do better hands on.
We all have good days and bad days, keep it up. I am sure hsing is best for him.

[JenPooh]

Hi Ohio Grandma. My question to you is this (sorry if I'm too personal), where are his parents? Are you is legal guardian? The reason I ask is because he may feel angry because he thinks his parents don't love him, etc. and that sort of thing when custody changes happen. I don't know if this has anything to do with your grandson, but I was just looking at all the possible factors for his behaviors. Once you find the source, it's easier to deal with...most of the time;).

Another thing to look at is his routine. A consistant routine is very important with all children. Does he have an appropriate bedtime, etc. Also his diet, does he eat healthy foods and does he get exercise to get out his energy?

I guess without knowing all the factor's that lie within it's kind of hard to give some suggestions on what to do with him.

From what you described though he seems like he needs a lot of hands on learning. Not just sitting at a table doing work, but real hands on stuff...science experiments, etc. Active learning might suite him best. That is a great thing about homeschooling, you can make it what you want for each child. Schools can sometimes be one-sided and not meet the needs of all the different kinds of learning techniques. You need to find out his interests, and find out how he learns best (hands-on, auditory, visually).

Welcome and God bless! I am sure you'll find this site very useful and theraputic (sp?) as well:)!

[Ohio Mom]

My grandson has been adopted by my husband and I. Very longggg story. Mother still sees him (at her convenience) Father ? We do belong to a hs group and he has friends there and at church. My husband is very active in his life too. He is on a strict routine as far as bedtime and when we do school. We do take a few days here and there and not have school. I'm not real good at science projects, etc. I am "a do it myself" type of person and it is so hard to change at my age. (52). As far as his eating habits. We tried the healthy approach and he resents that. He likes to draw, make things out of clay and play board games. We do a lot of that. He is really a happy chid, he just hates school.

Thanks for the reply and I'm sure we'll make it through. Today was a really hard day. He is now sitting and drawing, all is quiet.

Thanks Ohio Grandma

[Jackie]

Hello, Ohio Grandma! I"m Jackie, from central Ohio. What part are you from? Ohio is a pretty good place to homeschool. My kids are 11, 9, and 6, and I knew I wanted to homeschool before I was even married! Are you a member of CHEO?

I think Jen hit on two important things. First, you are probably dealing with feeling of rejection from his biological parents. (I won't say "real" parents, because we all know that the "real" parents are the ones that are up all night when he's sick, that shares his joys and disciplines him when needed!!!) But, not matter how wonderful and loving you and your husband are, he probably still feels that rejection. That's something only God can heal.

The other thing she mentioned was the idea of "hand on". Abeka's pretty "bookish", isn't it? Why don't you try some more active stuff? History and science that is more DOING, and your language arts based on what is going on in those subjects. Talk with the other hs'ers at your church. What do they use? I'm a firm believer in borrowing stuff to see if it "really fits" before investing in it! You might check and see what your library has. I've borrowed a great many HS books from there, some I went on to buy and others I decided there's NO WAY I could ever use!

Anyway, welcome. Am glad to find another Buckeye!

[JenPooh]

Ohio Grandma, how lucky he is to have two such loving people in his life who want to see what is best for him. When he is older, he will see that if he doesn't already and appreciate what you have given him.

About science, I am horrible at it myself. That is why I am always stealing (not in the literal sense) ideas from others and various websites. Try out www.stevespangler.com. It is an awesome website filled with science experiments and do-it-yourself kits at a low cost. Very neat stuff. They even have science fair type things.

If he is really into drawing and art then let him explore it as much as possible. Let it filter into the other subjects as well. I think Jackie mentioned a good point about exploring other curriculums. Find one that is very hands on for him. I myself am a very hands on learner as well. I hate "book work" and love to do experiments, large projects, etc. My son on the other hand loves worksheets. I say "phooey!". I'd rather make a large scale model of a building than do a worksheet. You'll find something he'll enjoy more, just take a look at all your options.:)

[Ohio Mom]

Thanks for the replies. I knew I would get some great help here. I do have to finish this year with A Beka but next year, I will try something different. I will go to the library and check out hs books. I will also ask at the hs group. Thanks again.

[Ohio Mom]

Thanks JenPooh, this is a really great forum. I appreciate all the help I can get. He is in bed now. 8:00 - He told me today, he couldn't work because he was tired. He went to bed last night at 9:00, so I told him I was sorry for keeping him up so late - He would go to bed at 8:00 - He then realized what he had said and told me no, I really didn't mean it. Well, he is in bed right now. My dh is a real support to me and helps all he can.

[Jackie]

Grandma, be sure to attend the CHEO conference!!! I can't stress that enough! It's held I think June 22-24 in Columbus. Thursday night they open the Curriculum Hall, and people go just to shop. Friday and Saturday is spent with all kinds of workshops. It's a great place to talk with the vendors about what their programs are (some will have workshops to promote their stuff), get advice from veteran HS"ers, and just generally get recharged. They also have a "Teen Conference" going on at the same time. My oldest daughter will be twelve in June, and will be able to attend for the first time. Ken Ham, from Answers in Genesis, will be speaking this year. My dad is planning on going just to hear him! There's a good chance you could meet up with other homeschoolers that are in your situation.

[Ohio Mom]

Jackie, I will not be able to make those dates. I am involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship and we spend from the 16th of June until the 24th at Cedarville College getting young teens ready to teach backyard Bible Clubs during the summer. I am from Canton and we do have a smaller type meetings in Alliance. I will continue to check around and try and find the best thing for Elijah. I appreciate all your help. Thanks Again

[Lornaabc]

Let him choose something like art and let him research an artist and try to draw in that style. If he likes music let him do some kind of fun music project. If he is into horses or motorcycles do something on those. He needs more hands on stuff to do. Abecka is very hard and may just be too much for him. It is mostly all book work too.

Ask at the library about classes, local musuems, etc. I think he may just be very bored with school.

Lorna

[Jackie]

Oh, I love the concept behind Backyard Bible Clubs! We had them for about three years at my old church, until the "newness" of them died off (I'm sorry to say!). I hosted one that last year, and it was really pulling teeth to get someone to help me! Later a woman said "Why didn't you tell me you needed someone? I would have...." I didn't bother to remind her that it was in the bulletin for three weeks straight!

[Ohio Mom]

Lorna, thanks for the imput, I knew I would get some great ideas from this forum.

[Ohio Mom]

Jackie, I love doing the backyard Bible Clubs (5-Day Clubs). Elijah enjoys them too. He goes with me. Last summer, he wanted to tell the Mission Story. I told him he had to really study the lesson. He really studied and did a great job!! The kids really liked it. Since he isn't 12 yet, he can't go to Cedarville with me, but I can teach him at home and he can help me. Next year he can go, he is very excited. I just got home from a Retreat with last years teens. What a great time we had, they were given a challenge to come back in June. All but 1 is coming back. Praise the Lord!! We need prayers for more young people to want to get invovled and more homes to open up. So many people work and the kids are just not in the neighborhoods, they are at the day cares. We even go to them to teach the children, it's just nice to be in backyards or front yards where neighbors can see what is going on. Many children have come to know the Lord and start going to church.

[Jackie]

One of the families in my old church would hold theirs in the evenings because of the kids in daycare, etc. Mine had only a few kids, but there was one family I had specifically targeted. The kids ran pretty much "wild", but were fairly nice. Her mom was excited about sending Rachel ("I use to go to Sunday School when I was little....."). So when she didn't show up for the second day after not being there the first, I called over to the house (!!!). They had "overslept", and her mom sent her right over. It's exciting that Elijah wants to help! What is it exactly they have at Cedarville?

[Ohio Mom]

Jackie, We take 9 days and the teens spend that time learning how to tell a Bible lesson, mission story, songs, how to lead a child to Christ, discipline, etc. We also go out for 1 afternoon and do Open Air Ministry, we have lots of fun, fellowship and food. We stay at the dorms. We usually have about 80 teens and 20 adults. They have study time and practicums. We also have 12 - 14 year olds that only stay for 3 days. They learn how to sing the songs, teach the memory verse and take attendance at the club. It is very intense with fun thrown in. Many children come to know the Lord through this ministry. During the school year, we can also go into the schools - after school- and teach an After School Club. Because of a Supreme Court ruling, we can go into the schools and teach these clubs. No school can tell us no except if they have no other activities going on in the school. It is very exciting. We have been averaging about 30 children per school. It has been going on longer in Indiana and they have been averaging 120 children per school per week during the school year. This is a very exciting ministry. God is working in the lives of boys and girls daily.

[Jackie]

HOW NEAT!!! Is this done through your church then, or is it individuals from wherever? There's some legal stuff pending right now, BTW, but not in Ohio, where they're trying to say a school can chose which groups can and cannot come into the schools. The reason being a group wanted in that really would NOT have been good (can't remember what group it was!). While I agree it would be very good to keep this group out, I can also see it going against a group like yours eventually. My oldest is 11, and she helps in her 6YO brother's Sunday School class once a month and loves it. She also helps coach his soccer team. This is her last year in AWANAS (SOB!!!), so she's considering asking if they'll let her help in the Cubbies class next year. She would absolutely LOVE getting involved in something like this!

[Ohio Mom]

Jackie, When will she be 12? Will she be 12 before June? We sure could use her. There is a person in the Columbus area - is this where you are near? This is organization is a world wide ministry located in Warrenton, MO. We have a state director and then local directors. Christian Youth in Action is the ministry using young people during the summer months. After triaining at Cedarville, they would go from neighborhood to neighborhood and teach clubs. During the winter, a teacher and helpers teach in the schools. Your daughter could be a helper, when she is trained. All our teachers and helpers are trained, usually for a helper about 2 hours. I know people will try to shut this down in the schools, this is why we need to reach as many children as we can with the Gospel.

[Ohio Mom]

Jackie, the woman in Columbus is in charge of the Columbus area. She does the training. I forgot to put that in my last post.

[Jackie]

Rachael will be 12 in June. Could you send me a PM with the phone number of the woman in the Columbus area? I'd love to talk with her!

[Ohio Mom]

Jackie, just sent you an e-mail.