H normal mom new home schooling..

Carly - posted on 08/05/2011

We attend a charter school that provides a curriculum. However my children require additional things to do. (We don't have cable). Here's a small list.

We love the Scholatic site. It has tons of printables and mini books for lots of subjects and grades. It has new stuff all the time and lots of themes for holidays. (Fee involved)

My grandmother also pays for National Geographic Kids and once a month we get the magazine and head to the library for additional resources on the topics. That helps cover science and history.

If you have a teacher store near you check it out. Lots of times there are books you can buy that have permission to reproduce as many times as needed for home use. We made a game out of the math drill worksheets.

PBSkids.org and Nickjr.com have good games for the younger one.

Good luck to you.

Natalie - posted on 08/04/2011

Our school situation was nothing compared to what your boys went through, my gosh! But it wasn't a great setting for the boys either so we pulled our oldest after kinder, have been h.s.ing him for 2 years starting our 3rd, and officially starting our youngest in kinder this year. They are both fall/winter babies so they were in the later age group to start.
Starfall.com has some great reading programs, along with mightybigbooksjr.com (I think that's the site name, I can't find my note right now). If you have a Costco nearby they carry some brainquest books which are a full years curriculum in one book (easier work IMO, but work non-the-less). Progressive phonics (another reading site). There's also a math site, something like mydadsmath or mydaughtersmath, a site created by a h.s.'ing dad for his daughters to push them in math.
Have fun, keep plenty of time open for bad days, make time for fun play days w/a hint of learning too (field trips, bug stores, etc.). In my head I want it to be a set schedule just because that's how my little brain functions, but I can't do that with laundry, traveling notary business, parents and only making 1 trip a week to town (an 1 1/2 drive one way) for school trips, groceries, doctor, etc.

Jacqueline - posted on 07/17/2011

Hi! We are getting ready to start our 2nd year of homeschooling. I'm sorry your son had to experiece that stuff in PS! My oldest went to public k kand had some teasing bc of her speech but othing major. We are LOVING homeschooling!

Michelle - posted on 07/14/2011

Hi, my name is michelle and I have a daughter who is 6yrs old called Jessica, I have been home educating since january 2011 and its the best thing I have done. I love it and my daughter loves it even more. I live in Croydon, London, UK. And don't think much of the schools round here. The deputy head teacher was my daughters classs teacher and she bullied her from the moment Jessica started Year 1. So I withdrew her. Im a qualified teacher and gave up working to do it. If you want to get in touch here's my email michellefarley30@hotmail.com. And that applies to any other mums aswell, would love to have a catch up. xxxx

Missy - posted on 07/01/2009

Right now I'm reading Falling Up and Where the Sidewalk Ends with my gifted four year old. It's REALLY good times. We read about thirty poems together today. It's fun for both of us.

Also, if you're doing Christian homeschooling - check out Christian Book Distributors online and click on their homeschooling section. TONS of great curriculum for every subject.

Beth - posted on 04/24/2009

Kelly - I love the idea of copying jokes! I am totally going to do that this summer. I just started homeschooling my oldest this December - due to a bad situation in school as well. We have taken a 'low key' approach - reading, writing, math - but I agree - having a daily checklist with items on it that she knows she is responsible for completing has helped tremendously. It helps her to see what she needs to do and when it's done - it's done!

Kelly - posted on 04/20/2009

Please pardon the double post, but I think this may help you!



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It is great that you are going into summer knowing that you will likely not put your son back in this fall. If he's hating school, you may wish to start with things that don't feel like school, but that you will both benefit from. Let me tell you, in homeschooling, routine counts for a lot. Since he's coming off from a bad school experience, I suggest sticking with Reading, Writing and Arithmatic -- and keep it pretty informal over the summer, while still trying to stick to a routine.



Here's what a routine might look like, using informal methods:



1. Normal morning routine, breakfast, hygeine, chores, etc.

2. Reading: You read to them. (search engine 1000 Good Books for book ideas)

If they like reading, you could take turns: I read today, you read tomorrow. If they now hate reading, you just read to them. Stop when you're tired or at the end of the chapter or whatever.

3. Writing -- copywork. If they're spiritual kids, they may enjoy copying Bible verses or poetry. Otherwise, a joke book would be a fun way to start. Check out a bunch of joke books out of the library and get them each a nice, hardcover journal book for this special summer. Have each child add one or two of his favorites every schoolday. By the end of summer each will have his own jokebook. If he's resistant to copying, you write it in yourself in marker, and have him trace it. It's okay if you don't have the best penmanship. Chances are it's better than his, anyway. You'll see your penmanship improve too if you work at it.

3. Arithmatic. I'd find some math games (Lakeshore Learning or Timberdoodle or a local school supply store) and work on math fact games all summer.



By August, you will have had all summer to research what kind of curriculum you want, and they may find out school is more fun at home, anyway. Then reassess what needs to happen. Don't hold it against them if they needs a little more time to love learning, but a lot can happen in four months, and keep your hopes -- and your chin -- up!



Good Luck!



Kelly

Elayne - posted on 04/09/2009

Thanks for your reply things are going ok so far. Its still early days. We are members of our library. And we have made contact with a home schooling group which meet up once a month. you take care Elayne

Rachel - posted on 04/08/2009

I hope that things are going well for you in your new homeschooling life. I homeschool my preschool age boy who loves to learn and a friends 17 year old girl. I was homeschooled my self through most of my school years. My biggest suggestion would be to make friends with your local library!