What kind of homeschool programs, curricula, styles do you use?

[mzteris]

5. here's a link

to WI HS laws, plus some excerpts:

What Is Legally Required?

Wisconsin has one of the most reasonable homeschooling laws in the country, so it is not difficult to homeschool here. However, it is important to understand what the law does and does not require and how to comply. Some of this information may surprise you. Please take a few minutes to read the information below.

Please note that homeschoolers have worked long and hard through WPA to gain and maintain Wisconsin's homeschooling law, and we are still working to keep it. Read the story behind the law in Kitchen Tables and Marble Halls and join WPA. Your support is needed.

The first official step is filing Form PI-1206 with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on which you agree to comply with Wisconsin's homeschooling law. Instructions on how to file the form are below. However, first let's consider what you'd be agreeing to do.

Homeschoolers in Wisconsin must meet two major requirements. The first is to provide 875 hours of instruction each academic year. You do not need to spend 875 hours at the kitchen table, reading textbooks and completing worksheets, although you can do that if you choose. Children in conventional schools learn through field trips, audio-visual materials, and in other ways. Among the activities homeschoolers can count as instruction:

* Reading books, listening to others reading aloud, listening to books on tape
* Following a purchased curriculum and completing the worksheets provided
* Using computers (with parental supervision as necessary)
* Participating in community activities, including field trips and volunteer service
* Exploring careers through job shadowing, work study, volunteer work, and part-time employment that is similar to work-study programs in conventional schools
* Learning practical skills such as cooking, driving, home maintenance, engine repair
* Playing educational games
* Playing individual sports and on community sports teams

-MORE- http://homeschooling-wpa.org/getting-started/

# Homeschoolers in Wisconsin are NOT required to follow a curriculum chosen by the state; we are free to choose our own curriculum.
# Our children are NOT required to take the state-mandated tests that students in public schools must take. Instead, we can evaluate our children's learning in ways we choose. We can observe them learning, listen to their questions and ideas, and keep records of things they do. If we want to, we can have them take standardized tests that we have carefully chosen because they are consistent with our principles and beliefs, but we are not required to have them take any tests.
# We are NOT required to have school officials review and approve our curriculums or reports we have written on our children's progress. This is as it should be. Homeschools are very different from conventional schools, and we are raising our children according to our own principles and beliefs, not those of the state. So it would not be appropriate for the state officials to review our curriculums or records.

***
If an official asks to see your school calendar or course outlines, politely respond that they do not have the authority to make such a request. If you need more help, see the WPA handbook or call your Regional Coordinator or the WPA voice mail at 608-283-3131.


I used to keep meticulous "time records" (I lived in NC and they were required), but slacked off. They have to give notice of inspection so could do them then if I had to...

I think keeping a log - like a teachers book - or heck even just a spiral calendar with room to write - is a good way to keep track of what you've done. Math Pages 10-12; Worked on handwriting from 2:00 until 2:30. Field trip to (fill in the blank) to study "xxx". Discussed how and why spiders make webs. (Note to self - go to library tomorrow and pick up books about spiders!) Do this list form, btw... Played outside from 3-5 (PE). Saw a documentary on volcanoes on PBS from 1-2. Helped make cookies: read directions, helped assemble ingredients, measured, stirred, watched bake. Discussed why not to eat raw eggs. Discussed how "cooking" changes things. Ate cookies. (OK I just added that last part! ) Played "Math Blaster" on computer for 30 minutes. (Don't know if they still make Math Blaster or Reading Blaster - or Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego . . but I'm sure there is something comparable. "Playing" learning computer games is a great way to learn concepts. They're playing and they're learning. And you get a tiny break, too.

BTW - is used to keep a pocket sized calendar in my pocket to keep track of all of their activities! I had to, to figure out where they needed to be when on any given day. Of course I kept my kids in every sport/activity known to man... the oldest has some slight physical developmental issues that sports helped. Helps with that PE and socialization thing, too.