NYS Loves Paperwork

Yes, we live in the Empire State but not in NYC. I did grow up there however. If there is one thing, the government of NY loves, it's paperwork. Any and all kinds! I'm told by friends that homeschool in other states that they really don't have much if anything to do in terms of reporting.

This is the part I was most nervous about. So, I googled for paperwork samples which was quite helpful. So, in an effort to pay it forward, I'll copy and paste the version of the Letter of Intent and the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) that I sent in. Both of which were approved earlier this month. If you are a NY state homeschooler, you will have to find out where to send your Letter of Intent and IHIP. I was able to email mine so I was happy to streamline the process. I understand if you are a resident of NYC, your child is also eligible for a metro card too!

We also have to send in quarterly reports which I haven't done yet. I don't mind those so much as I think it's a great way to track her/ our progress.

The Letter of Intent:

To Whom it May Concern,

We are sending this letter of intent as required of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education.

We intend to home school our daughter; #2. She will be entering grade 4 , for the 2014-2015 school year.  Please note that she does have an IEP. 

Sincerely, 

Mrs H & Mrs. H.

The IHIP: 

IHIP for #2

age:10

date of birth: 

grade:4

2014-2015

Date Submitted: 6/26/2014

Please note that #2 does have an IEP in place.

We intend to provide a rich, varied educational environment at home, as well as taking advantage of the library, immediate and surrounding communities and internet resources available. Due to the individualized nature of homeschooling, materials may be adjusted as necessary to elicit the greatest learning response from #2. Therefore, the materials we will use may include, but are not limited to, those listed below: 

______________________________________________________________________________________

ARITHMETIC

Understanding place value and using it to add or subtract

Fluently adding any combination of whole numbers

Solving for an unknown addend

Fluently subtracting any combination of whole numbers

Solving abstract and real-world problems involving addition and subtraction

Materials planned: Math U See Beta and Math U See manipulatives

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

READING

She will strengthen her independent reading skills. Books will be chosen to compliment other parts of her curriculum as well as what she is interested in.

Materials planned:

 Chapter Books, Various E-books,  Library books,  and Magazines

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPELLING

She will continue to strengthen her spelling skills.

Materials planned:

All About Spelling Volumes 1 – 3, Explode the Code Volumes 1 - 3

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

WRITING

She will learn to write in cursive.

She will learn how to type on a computer keyboard

She will use writing skills to complete written responses to daily work. These will be from 1-2 paragraphs long.

Materials planned: Handwriting Without Tears, Keyboarding Without Tears,

Dance Mat Typing : http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY

She will learn world geography and ancient history this year. She will complete a history portfolio as outlined in History Odyssey Ancients Level 1.

Materials planned: History Odyssey Ancients Level 1 Pandia Press

Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia World History

A Child’s History of the World

The Story of the World, Volume 1: Ancient Times

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations _________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCIENCE

She will learn the life cycle of the butterfly.  She will do various experiments relating to weather and nature. She will also learn about the planet Earth and the Solar System.

Materials planned: REAL Science Odyssey Earth & Space level 1 Pandia Press

REAL Science Lab Kit, Live Butterfly Kit

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL EDUCATION    

She plays on a soccer team in spring and fall. Additional activities will include (but not be limited to) swimming, Wii sports and Wii dancing games, walking the family dog, etc.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

HEALTH

She will learn about nutrition and meal planning. She will also begin to learn about puberty and physical development.

Materials Planned: Cookbooks, “The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls”

ART

She will participate in a weekly community art class. She will also use art to connect to her daily learning through various projects.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

MUSIC  

Weekly instrument lessons with a teacher of our choosing and daily practice. Music videos, live performances and concerts.

_________________________________________________________________

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Spanish

Materials Planned: www.duolingo.com, Spanish music and tv shows.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the subjects listed above, She will continue her studies in: practical arts, library skills, health education regarding alcohol, drug and tobacco misuse,

highway safety & traffic regulations including bicycle safety, fire & arson prevention and safety.__________________________________________________________________

#2 will attend the substantial equivalent of 180 days or 900 hours of instruction.

Quarterly reports will be submitted on or about the following dates:

First quarterly report..................November 15, 2014

Second quarterly report............January 31, 2015

Third quarterly report.................April 15, 2015

Fourth quarterly report..............June 30, 2015

She will take the PASS exam in May. It will be administered by us at home.

 Mrs H & Mrs H

An Introduction

To put it simply, I'm Mrs H. Wife to another Mrs H (hereafter referred to as Wife).  (Yes, you read that correctly) and mom to 3 great and crazy kids. Until I can think of clever nicknames, we'll just say 1, 2 and 3.  1 and 2 are girls and 3 is the youngest and only boy in our household (unless you count the pets). The wife has a job that requires pretty extensive travel and that has put me into the position of SAHM.

Currently, all 3 kids attend a local charter school in our area. A school where we love the teachers and staff but is not able to meet the needs of  #2. Upon learning that their recommendation was moving her to another school with other special needs kids and more staff, we decided to venture onto the homeschool path. That, my friends, is where we are now.

Not something I ever thought I would try or would even want to try. #1 and #3 will be staying in their school at this time as they do not have the same issues or needs and are progressing. So, I have spent the last few months googling, adding things my amazon wish list, searching ebay, talking to teachers, talking to friends who are teachers, and rearranging furniture. Our 1400 sq foot house does not allow for a separate homeschool space at all.

School for everyone starts in just about a month! In the meantime, we are enjoying our summer and doing review work here and there.