Sample Consultation Form

Sample Consultation Form Getting to Know You and Your Family

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1. Please list the ages, grades, and first names of each of your children for the upcoming school year. Include if they are currently home schooled, transitioning from public school, or an infant or toddler. Also note if there are any learning d isabilities. Kyber,, 8yo girl, 3rd. homeschooled ages 4-8/Pre-K-2nd Kyber Konor,, 5.5yo boy (6 in Dec.), K, gentle homeschool PreK Konor Nathan, 2.5yo boy, 3 in Sept., overactive toddler Josiah or Lily-Ann, due in Nov/Dec., newborn 2. Is each child working below b elow,, at, or above grade level in basics (math, reading, spelling)? Kyber- above in math, needs remediation in some topics, doesn't know her facts, advanced reader, average speller Konor- just entering K, has a math mind, at level with reading-- short words, not yet spelling Nathan- almost ready for K3, counts to 11 or 12, can ID upper and lower case letters, some sounds 3. What curriculum and/or method is being used for each child in all subject areas? W hat do you like or dislike about it? What does your child like or dislike about it? my specifics here are more or less the results since I've a lready been through this process with myself, so I'll hold out till the end to share our specific curriculum 4. Do you follow a certain method/approach or combination of methods/approaches? (i.e. Charlotte Mason, Classical, textbook, living books, “better late than early”, Computer-based, etc.) I have used textbooks and classical and a little Charlotte Mason. 5. What do you like or dislike about this method? Are you looking to tweak, keep, or combine this method/approach with another? In what other methods/approaches are you interested? Are you open to suggestions of curriculum using other approaches that I feel might f it your family? Textbooks don't work for us. All Classical will take up too much of my time right now with a toddler and newborn. I'd like to tweak it and combine to have a more CM flavor. I'm open to any suggestions. I most like living books, short lessons, free afternoons, and for math, I like short, hands-on lessons that make them think. Ky needs some supplemental review in in math or a change all together. together. Have used Rod and Staff grammar with oldest and really like it, but looking for something more gentle. 6. Would you like to keep your children separated in all subjects or combined as much a s possible? (i.e. together for history and science but basics such as math a nd language arts on their individual levels) I would like to combine as much as possible. 7. If you'd like to combine any subjects, which subjects do you hope to combine? I would like to combine history, history, science, Bible/Character, Bible/Character, and everything I can. Only separate for child to have his own level of math and language arts. 8. How much time commitment can you accommodate and would you prefer to have afternoons free? My time will be very limited this school year. I prefer to have afternoons free.

Copyright © 2009 Grounded Upon The Rock - All Rights Reserved

9. Do you desire a four or five day school week? What other activities does your family have that take up a school day or afternoons? (i.e. sports, co-ops, clubs, music lessons, etc.) I would like to have a four day week or at least a light fifth day. We have no day time activities that interfere with our schooling at this time. 10. Do you desire any of your children to work independently in any particular subjects? Ky would prefer more independence in any subjects. She would like to also have an independent Bible study and I'd like one that focuses on Character Character.. 11. Do you prefer a day-by-day plan that guides you in what to do for each subject, each da y? Or do you prefer a plan that tells you what needs to be done for each subject, each week leaving you to choose how much in each subject to do each day of that week? I'm open on this at this time. I've tried both and both have pros and cons. 12. Do you like hands-on activities (crafts, experiments, pa inting, building, clay, clay, etc.) I like them but I'm not good at coming up with them on my own as we go and tend to skip those I find too involved. 13. Are you the creative type that likes to have many hands-on activities to choose from each week that range from fairly easy to rather involved? Or like many of us, are you “creatively- or time- challenged” and prefer to have activities planned in that are generally easy to implement without several choices to choose from? I find I might be too overwhelmed with too many options. Usually like to just have a couple easy ones to do each week that are planned in for me. 14. Are you interested in “extras”such as nature study, picture/artist study, study, music/composer study, modern or classic foreign languages? I am interested in picture, art, poetry, poetry, and nature studies. Also, Also, we'd like to learn Latin but I'm more familiar with Spanish right now, now, so I'm not sure. I'd also like to find something to help Ky with her communication/social skills. 15. Would you prefer books you can get from the library or would you like something allowing you to purchase all needed books in a package? Or something that gives you the option for either? I'm open to either either.. 16. Is there anything else you can tell me about your family that will help me decide on the best suggestions? Husband is a full time student and out of the home a lot, but he will be teaching the main science and Bible. He would like to have something separate from whatever we are doing. My toddler makes schooling very difficult for all of us. I'm currently pregnant and will have a newborn this winter. I'd like to break for the baby around Thanksgiving until after the new year, so I need something that is flexible and easy to implement with two children, a toddler, and a newborn.


_________________________________________________________________________________________ This is my reply to the submitted form above.

My initial thoughts are that you need a simple unit study using living books that combines your K and 3rd grader in all subjects, with each having their own math and language arts. Ideally, it would include many of your “extras” tied in as well. I think your toddler needs something basic and fun to do with you that would allow him some 'mommy time' before you begin teaching your older students. He may be more cooperative after this making schooling easier for you and your two oldest with him contently playing in his room. With Kyber not being ready for Singapore Math 3A, and needing some remediation and more review at this time, I would suggest a program change and possibly use Singapore 3A as a supplement part-way through and move through it slowly. Considering your husband is a full time student, I will also strive to find economical choices without giving up your preferences.

I will email these initial thoughts to you to make sure I have the right impression and I'm on the right path. Then the search begins.....

__________________________________________________________________________ Once I hear back from you, I will do my research and make a report similar to the following:

REPORT:

Nathan, toddler. 1. Little Hands to Heaven. Short, simple, fun. Takes about 30 minutes per day that can be broken into chunks here and there. Well laid out and easy to follow. For ages 2-5. It has activities and book options for older kids and younger younger kids, so you could repeat it the following year using the older kid activities and book options making it very economical. You could also do it over a couple years. You can s tart it anytime of year so if you skip a week or two here and there, you won't be doing easter crafts of the 4th of July. www.heartofdakota.com 2. Hands On Homeschooling. Also rather short, simple, simple, and fun. There are age specific curriculum guides year by year for ages 2-5. It averages about an hour per day. It has monthly themes although you can still start s tart it anytime...you would just start the September work whenever you start and move forward. You would simply skip that Christmas craft in April and find one that is more fitting. You could choose to do the 2yo curriculum over a year with him or choose to do the 3yo curriculum over a couple years to make it more economical. www.handsonhomeschooling.com 3. Preschool Activity Bags. Bags. You could do this this on its own or combine with with one of the above. There is a book to help you design these simple bags. Great for keeping him busy during lesson time with the olders. http://www.activitybags.com/


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Konor, Kindergarten and Kyber, 3rd grade combined There are many unit studies s tudies available and many ways to combine elementary students that fall within the CM and classical methods. I tend to steer away from the ancient histories that introduce gods and myths when a very young child is included and prefer to wait until that are more “Grounded Upon The Rock”-- a strong foundation in God's word is important prior to introducing false gods and myths. So, I feel a unit study that focuses on American History would be best for their ages. 1. Let's Learn About America! unit study series. This is my m y own curriculum that I have written. It's very CM with many living book suggestions. There are a few suggestions for hands-on projects that range from simple to a little more involved, but no so many choices that it will be overwhelming. It ties in connections from most of the extras you want except for foreign language. It also ties in science, note booking, language arts, recipes, map work, character/scripture, etc. Dad could still do the main science and Bible as the science will be very simple, but fun and tie into the history topic and Bible will usually be character based and tie in as well. This will cover every area except math and foreign language, knocking out most of your day right there. You may get almost all the books from the library, or find your own substitutions. You may break at any time and start s tart at any time.......... 2. option 2 with my reasoning. 3. option 3 with my reasoning. Science and Bible With Dad: Dad might like Considering God's Creation, it's multi-level with a CM feel to it. Only need one day per week to complete it, and you can stretch it over two years to make it even more economical than it already is. I would need more info to make Bible suggestions for him, although he may prefer his o wn search for that. Foreign Language: I suggest you start with Spanish since you are familiar with it. You won't have much time right now to learn Latin along with the kids. Although if you really want to do Latin, you might enjoy using a Latin program that teaches just English roots, instead of the full language at this time...... Option 1...2...3 with reasoning. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Konor: Math: I suggest Singapore Earlybird Math 2A and B for short, hands-on lessons that are easy to teach and fun to learn. Then he can continue on to Singapore Primary Math 1 in first grade, or move onto the same curriculum c urriculum I am going to recommend for Kyber. www.singaporemath.com Copyright © 2009 Grounded Upon The Rock - All Rights Reserved

Language Arts: The focus here is on handwriting and phonics. 1.Reading Made Easy with the workbook CD. It's fun, effective, and has short lessons. There is built in review and the worksheets can be used for fun, reinforcement, or additional review if needed. Print only the ones you need. The author is considering a 2nd volume to more advanced skills as well. As Konor K onor moves into first grade, use his phonics words as spelling words. For K you can use us e his phonics words for copy work by letting him write them with colored dry erase markers on a white board. www.valeriebendt.com 2. Option 2 with my reasoning 1. Bob Jones University Handwriting 1- This is a pleasant handwriting style, Christian material. No need for the teacher manual. You can also download their font for extra practice or printing out phonics words, etc. Easy transition to their cursive or any cursive. www.bjup.com 2. option 2 with my reasoning ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kyber: Math: 1. Mastering Mathematics- Very pinpointed skill placement, helping you cover just what you need to. It will help master her facts, she can do it independently 3 days per week, then do the games and facts practice (which is fun!) with you 2 days per week. It's topical and you'll need to get the full set up front, but it covers grades 1 through most of 8. It I t has short lessons that are easy to teach or easy for the student to do independently. Very economical choice. c hoice. www.masterypublications.com 2. Singapore Math 3A (save 3B for next year)- as a supplement to the above if you would like to still progress through this series. It I t is a very strong, conceptual math and you could do 2-3 15 minute minu te lessons per week and still make progress. Be sure to include manipulatives. Not a must have. 3. option 3 and reasoning Language Arts: 1. Primary Language Lessons with or without the guide book. Since you have already done some of Rod and Staff English, you may be able to move through this more quickly. Don't let the simple look fool you, it is a very complete curriculum that is very CM in style. You may need to adjust the amount of writing. If you move more quickly through this, move directly to Intermediate Language Lessons. Plan to finish PLL by the end of 3rd grade. 2. option 2 with reasoning Bible: A great series of independent Bible study is TrainUp Studies. Character based, economical, and encourages students to search through the scriptures for answers. Copyright © 2009 Grounded Upon The Rock - All Rights Reserved

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------At this point I would ask you to review my suggestions and email me back with any questions and feedback. If you don't find a suitable option in any area, let me know more specific preferences and I'll try again. I'll walk through this with you and I'll be available to answer questions via email. After some s ome decisions are made, I'll I 'll provide links to groups in your area, links to online support groups based on your decisions, homeschool laws and some general planning tips based on your decisions. I can also provide some tips dealing with toddlers and new babies when trying to homeschool. Keep in mind that this is just jus t a sample, and the one you would receive would be tailored to you and your family with the information about each suggestion that you are specifically interested in. The number of suggestions will vary. I'll help you with your curriculum search in any way I can. My goal is to help you keep your family Grounded On The Rock through a solid, well-rounded, well-chosen home education. Thanks, Tamara Thomas Grounded Upon The Rock


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