Calvert School Blog

Hi Gretchen,

I am new to “homeschooling” and gald to see you have a blog there. I have 3 kids and all are studying at local school. There is nothing wrong with their schooling so far, just want to see what I can help further via homeschooling materials.

Looking forward to hearing your sharing!

Regards

Fion

Hi Fion: I would be delighted to walk you through the particulars so you can consider the options and make the best choice for your family. Consider joining one of our info sessions: http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/about-home-schooling/information-sessions.

Calvert homeschooling curriculum stops at 8 grade, what do I do with my kids after 8 grade, do I switch to another curriculum?

Hi Arthur — presently Calvert is weighing all the available options for providing a high school curricula. The organization just wants to make sure it is done right the first time and provide you with the best possible materials. In the interim, we do have some options to offer you. Email me and we can discuss them. (And it doesn't hurt to keep your fingers crossed that Calvert will be able to work out a HS curriculum — I have a vested interest in their doing so — with a 4th grader and a preschooler!!)

may i suggest a forum for parents with children at each grade level to ask questions and get advice from other parents who use the program

Hey Kiri,

We actually already have a Parent Discussion forum! Check it out here: http://group.calvertschool.org/Community/forums/

Thanks for the suggestion!

Glad you know have a blog. Wonderful idea!

Hello Gretchen,
This is my first year homeschooling my 12 year old twin daughters. I just started a new job that requires more work from home than I anticipated. The girls are doing great staying on task with
their daily lesson but I am getting behind with their Lesson Test(s)..I have let them plunge forward
with their school work but I feel guilty during review, how should I set it up so I don't confuse & overload them?

Hello Disqus Team!
 
  Please, I will like to know about other optional curriculum that I might use for a high school student. I am writing in response to an e-mail I recieved from you. Thank you for the good job, keep it up!
 
  Arthur Wilson.

Hi Arthur: Please feel free to email me at groe@calvertservices.org and I will be happy to share some data with you.

Hi Arthur: Please feel free to email me at groe@calvertservices.org and I will be happy to share some data with you.

Hi Veronika: Perhaps you and the girls can devise a schedule for review that allows you to review portions of the materials daily, rather than everything. As long as they are staying on task for their materials, then perhaps you could designate Mondays for language arts, tuesdays for geography and science, etc. I do recommend that you review reading with them daily, and my favorite thing to do regarding mathematics is to choose 5 problems from their daily work to have them show me. The key here is that the problems change by the day — and since they don't know in advance which problems I will call for, they must do all the work to see that they are staying on task. Task completion to my satisfaction = privileges and social adventure. I have to work before I can play, and I have tried to teach my children the same. Some days it is easier than others =D

Dear Fion: It sounds like Calvert's enrichments were tailor made for you. You might want to consider some of the reading materials. If you raise a skilled reader, the rest of it can follow. Best wishes to you and to your brood!

I am not a parent yet, but I was homeschooled using Calvert School's curriculum as a child in Saudi Arabia in the '90's. I owe Calvert so much for what I am now. Because of Calvert I was very much ahead of my classmates when I went back home to the Philippines for high school when it came to reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and usage and other language skills. I was also ahead of them in world history and literature! Modesty aside, I spent only three years in high school (instead of the required four). Now I am an English and Humanities instructor at a state university in my area. I believe I would not be where I am right now if I wasn't blessed with the Calvert experience! Thank you so much, Calvert School!

Hey Gretchen – I just filled out a new survey re: high school curriculum possibilities that Calvert is considering. Any ideas on if & when these plans will come to fruition?

Mike (Scott’s Dad)

Gretchen, This is my second year home-schooling my son with your curriculum. My son is currently in the 1st grade. I used the pre-k course as a supplement because my son was in public school that year. Oh My Never Again will I go that route in my current city of residence. Yesterday morning we were working on the math assignment for lesson 12 and my son said something that was too priceless to not share. His comment was , “I just love this, It is so educational” . I just had to smile while at the same time thinking “That is the whole point-it was school”… Just goes to show that you never know what children will say. On another note: please help…I am having a hard time getting him to do his writing assignments ( short sentences) Please share some ideas oh how to motivate him to do his writing. He says that his hand are ‘tired’. I don’t know what to think or do. Please help.

I am getting back into homeschooling my 7th grader, and will probably do the 8th grade too. I need the textbook exchange and am having trouble locating the items offered. This is my first post to the community. Maybe that will do the trick? Any help is appreciated.

Hello Gretchen, I am brand new to homeschooling and not sure if I am doing an adequate job. I have a child in the pre-K program and one in the 2nd grade program. Some days go well and we finish all the lessons other days not so well. Is it important to stay on schedule or to make sure to grasp all the concepts well. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I’m not sure were to draw the line and move on to the next lesson. Any help?

Hello Gretchen, I am brand new to homeschooling and not sure if I am doing an adequate job. I have a child in the pre-K program and one in the 2nd grade program. Some days go well and we finish all the lessons other days not so well. Is it important to stay on schedule or to make sure to grasp all the concepts well. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I'm not sure were to draw the line and move on to the next lesson. Any help?

I am a first year homeschooling mom. My daughter, Fiona is in the first grade. She was in a public and then a private school before I took her home for first grade. She’s doing very well. We’ve both adjusted well and are loving the Calvert Curriculum.

So now I’m wondering about my 7th grader. Feeling like he may be better off at home. He was an “A” student in public school up until the fifth grade. Worrying that he wasn’t being adequately challenged, we then switched him to a private school, where he has been for sixth and now seventh grade. He struggles with organization and remembering books and homework materials. It’s a pretty BIG struggle. His grades have suffered – not because he doesn’t get the concepts, but because he can’t “keep it together,” hand in stuff and remember to bring home materials to study . . . I worry about switching him so “late in the game.” He really wants to go to DeMatha High School (a block away) and we would like to him to go there as well.

So, is it crazy to take a kid out of school for only one year? Are there particular challenges I may not realize, or benefits that he’d receive?

After looking at the virtual classroom and considering the benefits, I wonder if bringing him home for eighth grade would be a better choice than negotiating carpools, homework that lasts until 10pm, arguing about materials he left at school or forgetting to hand in assignments.

Would love to hear advice on our quandry . . .

Thanks

I am a first year homeschooling mom. My daughter, Fiona is in the first grade. She was in a public and then a private school before I took her home for first grade. She's doing very well. We've both adjusted well and are loving the Calvert Curriculum.

So now I'm wondering about my 7th grader. Feeling like he may be better off at home. He was an “A” student in public school up until the fifth grade. Worrying that he wasn't being adequately challenged, we then switched him to a private school, where he has been for sixth and now seventh grade. He struggles with organization and remembering books and homework materials. It's a pretty BIG struggle. His grades have suffered – not because he doesn't get the concepts, but because he can't “keep it together,” hand in stuff and remember to bring home materials to study . . . I worry about switching him so “late in the game.” He really wants to go to DeMatha High School (a block away) and we would like to him to go there as well.

So, is it crazy to take a kid out of school for only one year? Are there particular challenges I may not realize, or benefits that he'd receive?

After looking at the virtual classroom and considering the benefits, I wonder if bringing him home for eighth grade would be a better choice than negotiating carpools, homework that lasts until 10pm, arguing about materials he left at school or forgetting to hand in assignments.

Would love to hear advice on our quandry . . .

Thanks

Hi Michele — My apologies — I have not yet gotten the hang of replying to the blog posts — in the midst of homeschooling, maintaining my responsibilities for Calvert and life in general, this is a detail that has escaped me heretofore! I will get in the groove soon!! I have a couple of suggestions for you — first of all, have you contacted the ed counselors? Their wisdom has been something I have come to depend on. Second (and I think they will tell you this as well) you could offer to scribe for him part of the time — Frankly, I still do this for my 5th grader. He is very bright but his fine motor skills are still behind, despite a couple of year’s of PT/OT. So we have a deal — 50% of the time I write while he dictates — I make him spell the words, and punctuate — so it IS his work… but otherwise we would be doing school for HOURS. The other thing I have done is had them record their ideas into a tape recorder (yeah, we still have one that works…) and then they can play it back and write it down. When you write slowly, it can be frustrating to keep the thought in place until the mechanics of writing are complete.
Please do call the ed counselors. I have every confidence that they can assist you…

Dear Jahara — I am so glad you wrote. It is so helpful to see stories like yours — not a week goes by that I don’t speak with someone who was educated with Calvert and in many instances they are educating children or even grandchild. That, to me is the power of the program! Congrats and do keep us posted. Best wishes to you!!

Hi Peggy — Frankly, I know more families with your situation that I can recount. What you are talking about your son struggling with is the skill of executive function. My eldest son took a very long time to get it together so to speak — but now, at 21, I know that he does indeed have it together I am not clear — is he in 7th grade this year or in 8th grade? Calvert can assist you either way. You will want to engage the ed counselors in devising ways to help him learn those critical organization skills. Feel free to email me at Calvert for more direction.

Hi Robert — you homeschool life sounds pretty normal to me — keep in mind one day will not a competent adult make (!) Even after 17 years there are some days that I am just grateful to say that everyone is still alive, has hair, etc. The question becomes, are you having more good days than bad? Remember, especially for your 2nd grader, if this is a new world for them (and they were in public/private school before) there is as much about role changes going on as there is about academics. Celebrate the things that are successful — and don’t sweat what is not successful. You are creating a life with your children and it will all come together eventually. One thing you might do at night, over dinner, is ask them a couple of loaded questions: “What was your favorite thing that we did today?” “What did you learn that was new today?” “What are you looking forward to tomorrow?” All of these questions frame things positively and can help them learn the art of viewing the cup half full. Best wishes for your continued adventure!!

Here is the registration link to the textbook exchange: http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/calvert-community/parent-community/textbook-exchange This should get you started. =)

Hi Mike — I do know it is in process, and with a 5th grader and kindergartener, I want to see if come to fruition… but it is a more complex process than I first conceived of, and unfortunately, I do not know the debut date. Keep your comments coming and hopefully I will have good news to share for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Hi Mike — I do know it is in process, and with a 5th grader and kindergartener, I want to see if come to fruition… but it is a more complex process than I first conceived of, and unfortunately, I do not know the debut date. Keep your comments coming and hopefully I will have good news to share for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Hi Gretchen, I am still in decisive mode for my 6th grade son to attend Calvert. I ran across your webinar but came in on the Q&A Session (which I found to be very informative) However, I will try to catch you on Dec. 20th. I have a son 6th grade in public school. He's been struggling for the last three years but manages to pull it together to complete the CRCT test! However, this year has been a bigger challenge with organizing and homework (at least 2-3 hrs. a night) and he's failing. The sad part is my son love his school (friends) and doesn't want to attend home school. Although, he's coming around to the idea of homeschool I have made an executive decision to get him out of public school. My question: Does Calvert have pass and successful stories like me and my son's situation. I'm looking for sincere hope and help. Thanks.
Yoli

Hi Gretchen, I have a 3 1/2 year old boy that I intend on homeschooling. He loves to learn and has an amazing attention span. I wanted an opinion on if I should start with some sort of prek curriculum? He is learning sight words right now and I just wasn't sure if getting something for prek was necessary.

Hi Jill: I am a BIG fan of preschool. All six of my children have done a formal preschool program, each beginning at a different age — in other words, when THEY were ready, but I think it makes a tremendous difference. I have only had the pleasure of doing the Calvert PreK program with my youngest — we thoroughly enjoyed it together last year. My only regret is that I did not do it with the older kids. I would encourage you to contact the ed counselors at Calvert (1.888.4887.4652, ext. 4 to speak with them and glean their knowledge about how preschool can help.

Thank you so much for the response. Can I ask you a couple questions? Have you always gone by a curriculum, or maybe used it as a guide? I am just not sure where to start. I go to homeschool meetings, but most of the children are school age and what they are talking about doesn’t really apply to me yet(filed trips for older children, etc). Maybe I am trying to do too much too early. It is just that my son is so receptive and I worked with young children for a long time. When you went with the Calvert curriculum for prek, was it something that you kept track of in a portfolio, or did you start that with kindergarten?

Hi Jill — my apologies — my 11 year old has his tonsils out, and I have been full time Florence Nightengale… I am not sure where you reside, but in MD, there is no requirement for maintaining a portfolio until your child reaches Kindergarten. If your child is younger, I suggest that you do LOTS of fun things with him — it doesn’t have to be a formal curriculum, and you are freed from the tenets of documentation at this point. What WOULD be beneficial is for you to look at the info on our website that indicates a readiness for a preK level curriculum, and use that as a gauge. And as always, please do not hesitate to contact the ed counselors and use them as a resource to help decide when your son is “ready”. Don’t forget however that our unprecedented sale will now end on March 5th — so you only have a little more time to take advantage of the cost savings of ordering at a discount.!

Hi Gretchen, thank you so much for responding. I hope your child is doing well. I live in FL, and no, there are no requirements for PreK. I just want to be prepared. I just have one question, if my son’s Bday is July 31st, when should I do the notice of intent? He is 3 1/2 right now. If Kindergarten would have started right after he turned 5, I thought that was kind of young. Should I do it the following yr? Thanks again.

Ms Gretchen,
I saw on a online review comments about the Calvert Math not being user friendly — this was from 2004 to 2008.  Has the math curriculum been modified since that time??
Thank You

Hi Gretchen,

I have a question about transferring credits from the Calvert School internationally.  We  are thinking about starting a Calvert program at our school in Taiwan, but the parents are all worried about whether or not their children will be able to get accepted to a middle school in the U.S. once they have completed their schooling.  There is not a lot of information available about this on the local Chinese internet discussions, and the few institutions that are using the Calvert program in Taiwan are not sharing much of what they know,  except to say “Of course it’s great!  Of course you can get into any school!”

The Calvert system does indeed look excellent, and we are all excited about the possibilities.  But this is an expensive investment for parents in both time and money, and they need to know that their children will in fact  be qualified for admission in the U.S. with a Calvert diploma.  Of course all the local ‘official’  schools are telling us “No way, don’t get ripped off with this home schooling, it is much safer to send your kids to Taiwanan public school!”  We are hoping to begin the K-Age 3 stage this September…so the questions are ‘What level of Calvert elementary instruction does an international student need for acceptance to a U.S. middle  school?  How can we be sure that  they will be accredited to do so? And how exactly does the student go about applying to an American school once they are ready to do so?’

Thank you so much for your time

John