End of the School Year!

For those of you in New York State, June 30 is the end of the school year, with July 1 starting the next one.  Just a reminder about the paperwork that's due at this time -

June 30, your End-of-Year Assessment or test scores

July 1, your Intent to Homeschool letter (for the 2014-2015 year)

Both of these documents are due to the Superintendent of Schools for your district.  Our district also has a liaison for homeschoolers, so I send her a copy as well.

If you are just starting homeschooling next year, you should receive a packet from the school district with regulations and sample forms.  Your IHIP (education plan) is then due four weeks later, or August 15.  Anyone who has been homeschooling, the IHIP is due on August 15 for the following year.

Happy Summer!

IHIPs Due Soon!

Hello - all of you New York State homeschoolers.  Just a little reminder, here - your Individual Home Instruction Plans are due to your local school district on August 15.

New York State Capitol Building, Albany, NY

So, who has a plan this year?  Our plan is changing up a bit from last year (actually I'm still tweaking it - panic!) because I started subbing at the local school district two days a week.  It works well, because Hubby is home then, but also not so well, because I basically have to  prepare sub plans for him to work off of while I work off someone else's sub plans in the school.  Oh, well.  At least it's something!
So, because of that, I'm trying to plan specific subjects for specific days (making sure Grammar does not fall on Hubby's days - you live and you learn).  This is different from what I have done in the past, which involved running through the list, and then starting over, no matter what day we were on.  I like that way better, because it allows for various days off, and you still have time for everything.  But I've decided that we'll have to be more structured in our vacation days, too.  I guess structure isn't always a bad thing.

That said, we are planning on continuing our Ancient History, using "The Mystery of History" volume 1.  My 5th grader has requested to study Chemistry, so we'll be using Apologia's "Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics."  We also plan to study the sea for American History, using a Kaleidoscope Kids Book called "LIghthouses of North America,"  "Carry on, Mr. Bowditch," "Seabird" by Holling C. Holling, and "Treasure Island."  We'll also be studying Davy Crockett, and the Santa Fe Trail ("A Tree in the Trail" by Holling C. Holling).  Adding in Bible, Math, Spelling, Grammar, Music, Poetry, Art, and Reading, I guess that makes a pretty full schedule.  My Kindergartener will be working on basic math, reading, writing, and phonics, along with piggybacking with her older brother on the other lessons.  This is the first year I'll be really trying to teach both of them at once - my little one has been doing "school" on her own schedule up until now.  So, I really do have to plan a little more strictly to get everything in.

So - your turn - how do you do it?  Especially with multiple grades, and/or working while homeschooling?  Please share your ideas in the comments!

Until next time - Happy homeschooling! - Robin

Don't Forget Your IHIP!

Just a reminder to all of you New York State homeschoolers - your Individual Home Instruction Plan is due by August 15th if you've already submitted your notice of intent to homeschool for this year.  Here is a summary of the things that need to be included, as outlined in the legal analysis by HSLDA:

1.  The childs name, age, and grade level

2.  A list of the syllabi, curriculum materials, textbooks, or a plan of instruction

• I tend to submit different items for each subject, depending on how I teach - i.e. math has a specific workbook, history has a list of subjects covered.
• You are also supposed to include the publisher for any books or curriculum you list.
• It is good to include a paragraph somewhere that curriculum is subject to change at your discretion.  You can always change in the middle of the year if something is not working for you.  Just note it on your quarterly report.

3.  Dates for submission of quarterly reports

• You choose these dates.

4.  Names of the persons giving instruction

• Probably you!  A parent does not need to be certified, only "competent."  You are deemed competent if you follow the regulations.

So that's about it!  If you have questions, please leave a comment and we'll get back to you, or plan to attend our support meeting on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at the Second Baptist Church of Dover for hands-on help.  

- Robin

Free New York History Curriculum Offer

It's time to think about curriculum for the next school year - those of you who are new to Homeschooling in New York, your IHIP (plan of instruction) for next year is due August 15.  One subject that is required in New York State is New York State History.

For a limited time, I am giving away my New York History curriculum.  You can find the details on my personal blog, Music of the Heart.  If you are interested in reviewing the curriculum for free, please leave me a comment, or use the contact form to send me a message.

If you know of anyone else who would be interested in reviewing this for me, please get the information to them, also!  Thanks alot! - Robin