Homeschooling

[Starlite9711]

I know there are MANY scrapbookers here that Homeschool their kiddos. Could I pick your brains about curriculum?! What works for you? What doesn't work for you? Tanner will be in the end of his Kindergarten year when we start (in march) and Rilyn is just 3. I'm neck deep in researching curriculums and what I need vs what I don't need. We do have $$ budgeted for Homeschooling but I don't want to blow it on something we will never use. Any advice is appreciated!!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

This is such a tough one, Bailey. Every child (as you know) is so different and will respond differently to the various curriculum options. We've opted not to use a packaged curriculum, but rather go with individual companies for each subject matter. My family has chosen a more classical curriculum, so "The Well-Trained Mind" is a major reference. Of course, I've adapted the suggestions to work with my child.

Here's what we use with Jack (2nd grade):

History: Story of the World (currently on year 2)
Grammar: First Language Lessons
Writing: Writing With Ease
Spelling: All About Spelling (he has been VERY successful with this approach)
Science: R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (Earth & Space) (this is new for us and we love it)
Math: Singapore Math Primary Mathematics Standards Ed.
Reading: Various resources, touching on Well-Trained Mind recommendations, supplemental materials recommended by History and Science texts, and general library selections of interest. Audiobooks are VERY popular in this house and they are great for Jack's learning style. We definitely got our money's worth from our Audible.com membership.

As you know, you'll get a variety of responses from homeschoolers because everyone has their favorites. I just thought I'd give you mine so that if, after researching, you decide you're interested in one, you'll know someone you can talk to about the practical use of the curriculum.

[KarenC]

We used Ambleside Online for a base for the elementary years. It's wonderful and free! Most of the books were available at our library or public domain and could be printed out.

Ambleside Online

We added math and grammar.

Have fun and try not to get overwhelmed with all the choices.

[Joey_M]

Hey Bailey!
I am on my 4th year of homeschooling, and I love it! Morgan is in grade 4 and Tucker is in 2nd, getting ready to move to 3rd. There are several schools of thought on homeschooling. Have you read any books on homeschooling ideas and beliefs (unschooling thru traditional)? Do you have a direction that you feel led to follow? I find that I don't totally follow one school of thought, but instead I pull from areas like Cassie.

Do you have a homeschool community in your area? Are you going to teach art and music? There might be a homeschool group that can help you cover the arts if you aren't comfortable teaching them. I use Photoshop a lot to teach art to my kids. I figure they are learning how to use a great tool while learning the principles of art.

I have enjoyed Saxon math and phonics, but I take their info and make it my own. Saxon does a great job of giving the teacher the EXACT words to say, but it's so repetitive that it gets boring at times.

I have used Bob Jones for reading, history & science. I like that it is Bible-based, but I think there is something better out there for my family.

When I first started homeschooling, I was nervous (even though I have a teaching degree) and started our journey using k12.com. Holy smokes they are expensive ($2000ish)! There is no reason to spend that kind of money!

I am sure you know this already, but make sure and check your state's requirements and regulations.

Also, don't feel like your school day needs to be as long as the public school's day. We get our work done in 4ish hours.

Let me know if I can help at all! Good luck in your journey!

[Starlite9711]

Thanks Cassie, Karen & Joey! Cassie, The well trained mind has been recommended to me by a BUNCH of homeschoolers already...I have it ordered. Many of your suggestions are similar to what I've been looking into.
Karen, I will look into Ambleside online. At first glance it looks like a good resource to draw from.
Joey, I haven't read any BOOKS yet...but Ive done a TON of reading articles and websites online. As I mentioned, I have ordered The Well Trained Mind. I think like you & Cassie (and millions of others..), I fall into a middle ground. I don't think "unschooling" is for me in a whole form, however I am not opposed to exploring subjects that THEY want to explore WHEN they want to do them...
There is a few homeschool groups in my area, my next step in the next week or so is to contact them, and see what it takes to get involved. I started my exploration at k12.com but quickly realized it isn't for my family. ( And I didn't even know it was so expensive, lol)
Thanks again for sharing with me!! I'm sure at some point I may be coming to each of you with a question or two!!

[kb7496]

Hi! I've been homeschooling six years and now I've got boys in 5th, 1st, and K.
I tend to like fairly traditional curriculum for teaching reading and arithmetic. I use Saxon for math (I was a math teacher at the middle school, then high school and finally college level) and LOVE how it is set up. It does have repetition, but I am comfortable cutting out what doesn't need to be done. For example, we only skip-count certain days, or count money or do calendar work---instead of everyday like Saxon schedules.

For phonics and reading I use ABEKA, only in k-2.

I recently read that until a child in in junior high, they forget 80% of what they've learned.... so I focus a lot of reading/math/writing/spelling skills. I've Five in a Row when my oldest was in k-2, but I felt it required too much prep. I've used Sonlight and liked it, but it seemed a bit over my son's head. Now I use My Father's World for history, Bible, science, etc. and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

I do enjoy the book _The Well Trained Mind_ as well. But again, I didn't want to take the time to pull things together myself. For my 3 boys, I spent about $600 on curriculum this year.

Hope this helps!

[hendon]

I ask this question from a simple curiosity point of view since homeschooling is pretty much unheard of in New Zealand . Why do some of you choose to homeschool? I'm not being personal here, just from a general point of view ... do you live in a remote area where there are no schools, or is it a preference over what you want your children to learn? I'm not even sure it's an option here ... we generally just send our children to the closest school, of which there are usually plenty, and are just expected to trust in our teachers abilities .

[Joey_M]

That's a good question, Donna! I truly hope that my response isn't offensive to others.
While I do not speak for all homeschoolers, I have personal reasons why I choose to homeschool:
#1 God is welcome in our classroom.
#2 I have one child that has several special learning habits. I refuse to call them disabilities - she just learns differently than most kids. At the same time, I have another child that has completed 2nd grade in one semester. We can go as slow or as fast as each child needs.
#3 I don't trust the US government - regardless of political affiliation. Show me one government run system that works well and isn't going broke. I think teachers are underpaid, and that the schools play too much of a parental role. I have a hard time letting a stranger educate and influence my child for 6-8 hours per day. (I am not teacher bashing here. I used to be a public and private school teacher.)
#4 I openly admit that I shelter my kids right now. I want my kids to have a carefree childhood. When I taught elementary level kids, it wasn't uncommon to hear swear words or sexual/violent comments - out of kindergarten and first graders! I know my kids will encounter this ugliness someday, but I don't think they need to know it at ages 5,6,7, etc.
#5 I am blessed with a limited number of life hours. I want to spend as many of those life hours with my kids as I possibly can.

I will get off of my soapbox now.

[whatnext]

can i just say, as an "old lady" whose kiddos have long since finished their educations, that i am SO heartened by you energetic young moms who are taking your childrens' educations into your own hands. long may it continue. and thrive.

[mymalloryboys]

Great questions Bailey and Donna! I started homeschooling my oldest son when he was in the 1st grade. We are in our 3rd year and we love it. My husband is a public school teacher - a 3rd grade teacher, at a great school - but we do still choose to homeschool. There is nothing like it. The time together has been so rewarding and not just for me. My kids love the fact that they are homeschooled. They love all the experiences they are given. They are happy, well rounded kids - who have never once said "I don't have any friends." They have so many friends from church and that is a blessing. I was the child who said, "I don't have any friends" - and I was in public school. It drove my mother crazy. Of course I had friends, but the world came crashing down if I had an argument with one of them. I was your typical dramatic little girl. I could go on and on, but my point is - children learn who they are when in school. I want them to learn that they are valuable and special and God made them wonderful. I don't want them to learn who they are 7 hours a day away from me. I am preparing my children for the real world - that is my job - and the best job I could ever have. I raise my children up on a mountain so that when it is time to go down into the valley (the world) they will be ready. Okay like Joey - I'll get off my soap box. I will say that I was a public school teacher and I never dreamed that I would want to homeschool. That all changed the second the midwife placed Caden in my arms.

Curriculum - we are on a tight budget with my husband being a teacher in a state that just slashed the budget.

We too, mix and match - but I will recommend Light Units form CLE. Christian Light Education. This works for us for a number of reasons - Very easy prep work, the "packaging" keeps us organized and we don't lose any of our work. It is VERY afforadble, but you are still getting a wonderful foundation in math, L.A., Reading, etc.

I have bought things that did not work for us - that will happen - don't beat yourself up. Bailey, enjoy this beautiful journey.
Donna - I know I went on and on, but if you have any more questions, please ask!!!

[FlowerGirl]

Have you looked at FLVA (Florida Virtual Academy)? We do COVA (Colorado VA) and love it. They use K12 curriculum, which I think is excellent. It's also a FREE program sponsored by your state. Very structured. My oldest has been in it for 5 years now.

[Starlite9711]

Thanks girls!! I so enjoy hearing about everyone's reasons & any info I can get my hands on.
Donna, first off, I will say...New Zealand Schools & US schools are VERY different. The priorities here are skewed to say the least.

Our decision wasn't easy on one hand...on the other, it's a no brainer for us.
The idea of homeschooling was something I NEVER thought I'd be interested in before I had kids. Then I had kids, and I thought we'd chose a private school, then we couldn't afford it. So we chose a small Charter school. 350 students k-8th. I'm with Joey on not trusting the US government to educate my kids. After all this time of running the public school system our newspapers & publications still have to be written at a 2nd-3rd grade reading level. Because that is what the average person can handle. FAIL.
We sent Tanner to Pre-k and I thought I LOVED his school, I loved his teacher and he enjoyed school. Then we started Kindergarten. Whole new ball game. His school (and many other public schools in our area) cut recess out completely. These 5 year olds are expected to do school work for 6 hours. No break to just do whatever they want. They do have PE every day, but there is no "brain-break" they are expected to stay on task and do scheduled activity for the whole day. There is no "make believe" centers, or dress-up, no puppets, no play kitchen. There are worksheets. Lots of worksheets...printed from the internet. There is computer time, there is "quiet reading" center...(THEY ARE 5). There is HOMEWORK. Busy-work, to keep the parents involved. I like his teachers. They aren't allowed to do their job the way they want. They must follow the rules. They are not teaching well-rounded kids. They are teaching kids how to hate school. Tanner doesn't like to go to Kindergarten. He likes his teachers & he is making friends, but he still says he'd rather stay home. So home is where we will stay. I can print worksheets from the internet, and sit him on the computer. I wont teach this way....but my point is they aren't doing much, besides instilling a hatred of school.
There are other schools, there are other options...but none of them include God, siblings, flexibility, Family time, whole learning. After much prayer, we know this is right for our family. Am I scared sick to take this on? You bet! Am I excited? You bet!

[emfullante]

I'm a little late to the conversation...but I'll jump in with a few words anyway! It's fun to talk about something you love and/or feel passionate about!

We decided to start homeschooling almost a year ago. Feb. 1, 2010 was our very first day and that morning I woke up very nervous and "scared sick" too! I felt that way even though, like several others here, I am a teacher and have taught in public and private schools! It was a huge decision to pull all three kids from the school they'd known to embark on this journey. Our reasons for homeschooling were partly financially based (they were attending a private Christian school) but largely based on our dissatisfaction in the education they were receiving (we were paying a lot of $$$)!

We haven't looked back and now I can't imagine life any other way. My kids are still pretty young (9, 6, 5) and I am loving spending so much time together. They are too! And I am continually amazed at the stuff they want to talk about/work out as we sit around our table during school. I've noticed that they want to talk about spiritual things, or things that bother them, or conflicts they have between each other, much more than when all 3 were at the private school. There are bad days, hard days and really fun, easy days! Each of them learn so differently...I didn't realize how hard that was going to be for me because I was used to teaching a 6th grade class of 34 students with only slight variation.

It sounds like you've got your curriculum dialed in, Bailey - that's awesome! We've used Saxon so far, but I've had to supplement and skip some because it gets really repetitive. Next year I want to switch to Singapore Math. Also use Abeka which I love for my 6 year old. We are liking BJU for 3rd grade science but we also do a lot of Backyard Science sorts of projects in addition. We do a lot of unit studies too! Co-op and church activities, Awana, tae kwon do, gymnastics...all of those extras are so much fun and keep things from becoming dull.

I could keep rambling on and on (obviously) but I'll put a lid on it already. Best wishes to you Bailey, I can't wait to hear how it goes for you - I'm sure it will be great!

[ajfetzer]

Wow I love reading all of your reasons for homeschooling! I am planning to homeschool my two boys ages 4&5 we have started this year with a little preschool work for fun and a little structure to our day. We live in Wisconsin and in the winter we are inside a lot. I have found a lot of good preschool resources that I thought I would pass along since you also have a 3 year old. I purchased Bright Beginnings preschool Curriculum because it was inexpensive and a complete curriculum therefore easy to use and plan. I have supplemented it a little but overall I do like it. I have also used some rescources from Confessions of a Homeschooler she has a great letter of the Week program that you can either search through her site and download or purchase, very inexpensively, and download all at once. I may use this next year for my 4 year old it has lots of great hands on ideas! Good Luck Bailey it seems like you are very passionate about your decission and I am sure your kids will benefit from it!