Here is my intent letter. Tell me what you think!

[tiredmomfor2]

Thanks to Kivara, bluerooffarm and a couple of you other amazing mama's, the letter is done. Actually I copied and pasted it from someone who was kind enough to share..plus had to add and change a few things.

I am turning it in tomorrow. Thanks for putting up with my freak out posts about this. FYI: I am still nervous as can be, and my stomach was in knots the entire time. I love homeschooling but having to 'prove' myself to the government to be able to do so makes me nervous.

So without anymore freaking out on my part..here it is. (it's long, sorry)

July 30, 2012


This letter is to inform you of my intent to homeschool my son, Alexander A. (last name),
 age 7, who is entering the 1st grade for the 2012/2013 school year. This notice of
intent is in accordance with the Ohio revised code 3321.04.

Alex will be instructed by his mother, My name and address, beginning August 1st, 2012. He will be taught at home on the
same days as Wellston City Schools are in session. His curriculum will consist of:

READING
-         Student will continue to read from a variety of sources, fiction and non-fiction,
for information and for pleasure, both silently and aloud.

-         Student will continue to explore the English language through writing, reading,
speaking, and listening using various medias.

-      Stundent will complete the phonics program 'Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons', and will then move onto 'Language Grade 1' from Abeka Books Curriculum.

WRITING
-        Student will gain more experience with various kinds of writing, both by hand
and on the computer.
-     Student will keep a weekly journal and practice daily copy work from various sources.

SPELLING
-        Student will study high frequency words separated into lists of at least words which he will study over the course of a week culminating with a written test at the end of each week.  *Please see attached list*

ARITHMETIC
-         Student will do mathematics work with Horizons Grade 1, books 1 and 2.

-         Student will use problem solving mathematics skills in daily life applications.

-         Student will conduct his own financial transactions.

-         Student will use mathematical concepts in free play and will use measurement
in cooking and other practical situations.

SCIENCE
-         Student will increase his scientific knowledge through experimentation, observation,
reports, discussion and reading. He will also be studying Exploring Creation with Botany by Apologia Education Ministries.

GEOGRAPHY
-         Student will expand geographic knowledge of his community, his country, and the
world through travel, maps, and stories.

-         Student will continue to use maps and other resources.

HISTORY
-         Student will add to his basic understanding of the history of OH, the USA, and
the world through reading, discussion, field trips, and Mystery of History, Volume 1 Curriculum, including constructing a large, wall sized, timeline.

CIVICS
-         Student will play an active role in his community, appropriate for his age and ability.

-         Student will continue to gain a basic understanding of local, state, and federal government.

HEALTH & PHYSIOLOGY
-         Student will learn about taking care of himself, including the dangers of tobacco, alcohol
and drugs, and the advantages of good nutrition and other health practices.

-         Student will learn about the human body, at a level appropriate for his age and ability. He will also be studying the Science Action Labs, Health Science Curriculum.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
-         Student will have regular physical activity aimed at developing health, coordination and strength.

MUSIC
-         Student will be exposed to a variety of musical styles, through recorded music and some live performances.

·         Student will have the opportunity to pursue his own musical interests with Piano Lessons, once a week.

ART
·         Student will create art using a variety of media. He will also learn to draw using the Teach Yourself to Draw Dvd series. Student will also complete crafts that coordinate with his read aloud books.



If any further information is required, please advise.

Sincerely,

tiredmomfor2 (I removed my name)

*spelling list*

Spelling List
Broken into weekly lists
- the, and, is, on, to, in
- it, he, was, says, have, with
- where, from, there, that, of, put
-  two, them, both, you, went, we
- what, their, want, said, your,so
- who, see, or, for, she, her
- does, why, one, were, my, are
- Mr., Mrs., Dr., too, walk, talk
- again, out, pull, next, my, friend
- goes, anything, begin, down, know, after
- mother, father, only, even, look, gone
- love, very, some, none, more, held
- would, could, should, brother, sister, baby
- many, animal, while, together, people, other
- above, here, move, these, against, now
- every, neighbor, behind, once, come, about
- please, follow, saw, everything, under, whether
- nothing, over, almost, children, write, number
- because, its, first, red, blue, yellow
- orange, green, purple, brown, black, white
- January, February, March, April, May, June
- July, August, September, October, November, December
- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- second, minute, hour, day, week, month, year, time, clock

________

Did I miss anything?????

[mem82]

You still need a material/book list and also the kids' birthdates. 8)

Remember. You don't have to DO any thing you put in the letter except teach 900 hours. You just have to send the requirements. They CAN'T hold you to the curriculum list. Your child only has to improve 25% each year to be considered ably homeschooled. 8)

Quoting tiredmomfor2:

Quoting mem82:

Wait Mem! Did I cover all that? Or do I still need a material list as well?

[January1964]

Quoting tiredmomfor2:

Quoting January1964:

Looks good! What is copy work? (...and practice daily copy work from various sources)

 

Copy work is basically we pick paragraphs out of books he is reading, or scripture verses, or I write a few sentences on the white board and he copies it onto his notebook, or onto the white board under mine. Basically it is just writing practice. Maybe I should word id differently..Charlotte Mason calls it copy work.

I think you should word it differently, "writing practice" sounds better. Leave out the part about the scripture verses, that part is personal.

[mem82]

Eh, copy work is the accepted term for it. 8) It's a bit more than writing practice. A lot of the time it is used to memorize things.

Quoting January1964:

Quoting tiredmomfor2:

Quoting January1964:

Looks good! What is copy work? (...and practice daily copy work from various sources)

Copy work is basically we pick paragraphs out of books he is reading, or scripture verses, or I write a few sentences on the white board and he copies it onto his notebook, or onto the white board under mine. Basically it is just writing practice. Maybe I should word id differently..Charlotte Mason calls it copy work.

I think you should word it differently, "writing practice" sounds better. Leave out the part about the scripture verses, that part is personal.

[tiredmomfor2]

Quoting mem82:

I thought Copy work was an accepted term. Thanks mem. I just finished typing up the materials list. Now to keep it safe before I turn it in tomorrow. Maybe I will do it today so it doesn't get distroys between now and then.

[mem82]

LOL Every year I end up printing those things two or three times because something always goes wrong. The kids spill something on it, or the baby eats it, or something.

Quoting tiredmomfor2:

Quoting mem82:

I thought Copy work was an accepted term. Thanks mem. I just finished typing up the materials list. Now to keep it safe before I turn it in tomorrow. Maybe I will do it today so it doesn't get distroys between now and then.

[Danielle163]

 Wow, that is very detailed! Looks great to me.

[avonleajules1]

How do they judge 25% improvement? or is it just on parents words?

[tiredmomfor2]

Quoting mem82:

Yep..just as I feared the entire thing went missing (courtesy of the toddler) by the time I went to turn it in on Wednesday morning. Had to print it all off again before walking out the door. Still haven't found the original copy.

[tiredmomfor2]

Quoting avonleajules1:

How do they judge 25% improvement? or is it just on parents words?

I am pretty sure they go by the childs test scores at the end of the year. Either that or the teacher who grades the portfolio and signs off after assuring they are on track for their grade level.