WHERE DO I START?!?!? SOMEONE HELP!!!

Zoe - posted on 01/28/2011

Hi Mellisa, there are different ways to home ed, just to confuse you, some peopel do school at home some peopel unschool, no time tabel, no marking no structure, this is my choice, you will find the one that suits you. there is so much on the internet, i have been looking into the different kinds since before my 4 year old was born tell i found the way that spoke to me.

maybe spend so time looking into all the different kinds of home ed, you can always change your mind if things dont work but its nice to no what you can do.

good luck

Tammy - posted on 01/02/2011

Hi Melissa and welcome!
A few resources that I think would get you off to a good start:
1) Mary Prides Complete Guide to Homeschooling gives a real good step by step on how to begin and what to look for.
2) www.hslda.com has a place where you can see what the laws are for your state so you can follow whatever there might be.

Hindsight being what it is I will mention a couple of things I wish i had know or learned sooner.

1) A good education isn't about how many facts you can recite on command. Your basics are language (reading, writing, comprehension), Math, basic life lessons. PLUS, and this is the big one that is usually forgotten in public school, knowing HOW to learn. If you can read and you know how to learn than there is absolutey nothing beyond your reach.

The cool thing is you learn right along with your child. So even if I'm not all that great in higher math, when my kids get to that point I can find someone who is and learn right along with them!

Since your son is older he can help you decide on what to go for when it comes to curriculum. Another thing to keep in mind is that "Curriculum" doesn't have to mean all the same stuff from the same supplier. What kind of a learner is he? Find something to match up. You can find a scope and sequence for the "grade" levels all over the place so just get stuff that covers what needs to be covered. I like the Charlotte Mason approach as it pertains to living books. That is really how we all learn best! I mean, if you have a choice between a textbook that talks about Einstiens theories or a book written by Einstien himself?!

www.aop.com has some computer based programs that are pretty good and you can get different grade leves in the subjects so if he works at one grade level for history and a different one for science you can do that. They have a diagnostic test to help you to find which ones.

Right now we are using:
Spell to Write and Read
Apologia Science
Switched on Schoolhouse
Life Pac
and I like what I've heard about Mystery of History

Deanna - posted on 11/27/2010

I think it is a great time to start at anytime. Everything can be worked with from curriculum to the child. (sounds weird I know but trust me I have 3 homeschooling) Anyway, We floundered through 2 years of elementary before DH agreed that she still hadn't learned anything and that we should consider homeschooling. (plus they wanted to start combining grades-real bright idea there) I am currently using the Rod and Staff curriculum (most of it) but we plan on changing, hopefully, to a more unit based curriculum next year. I don't think you are getting in over your head and always remember that when one thing doesn't pan out for you and your son you can always try another curriculum.

good luck

Belinda - posted on 11/18/2010

Nothing is "over your head". If you love your children and enjoy spending time with them, then it will be worth it. One piece of advice that I was given when I started homeschooling 4 years ago (that I didn't listen to) was to NOT go and buy a ton of books and materials to start out with. Let the kids lead their learning by letting you know what they are interested in. Your older son seems to be at a good age in that he can most likely use a computer to look up things that he wants to learn about. Look up Cover Schools in your area. It has to be a church. They all have different rules and regulations. Look for one that suits YOU! For example, I am very laid back and let my daughter chose what she wants to learn about. She is in the 5th grade now. Not a great speller, but I am working on it. The cover I chose is $50 a year and requires one parent to be a Christian, to teach a Bible course (Sunday School could be it), and to send in a piece of paper twice a year with their subjects and grades. That's it. And the covers can go the whole gambit. Meaning they can cost a ridiculous amount and can have very stern regulations. Such as: Use these books and we will test you every 6 weeks to make sure you are learning what WE want you to learn. As you can tell, that is not for me. But you do the searching for yourself and chose a cover that fits you, not one that you will have to work to fit into their mold. If you want, you can get back with me and we can chat about it sometime.