Anyone Homeschool?

[cjnix29]

I have been tossing around this idea and have just started looking into it. I'm not crazy about my DS6's school, and his personality may lend more to homeschooling than traditional school. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[hereyago]

Hi
I can't be much help, because I don't homeschool.

But, over on the family board, there are some Diser's that do homeschool and they have a chat thread and they are very helpful.

Good luck

 

[laurie31]

I am starting my 3rd year of homeschooling my 8th grade DD, and we both love it.

Each state has its own requirements.

The Home School Legal Defense Association is your best source of info for your state's requirements. I'd start by checking out their website. http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1


I would like to talk more about it, but we're about to leave for homeschool band practice. (they play for homeschool football games, and also some local college basketball games). In addition to the 9 subjects she is taking this year, DD also plays flute, piano, takes ballet, tap, jazz, and ballroom dance, teaches preschool ballet, and does horseback riding. There is NO WAY she could do half these things if she were in traditional school (public or private).

You might enjoy reading these threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840970

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1787845&highlight=homeschool

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2212001&highlight=homeschool

There are LOTS of homeschoolers on the DIS!

Good luck!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Research.

Review your state homeschool laws (some states are more particular than others with what you have to do.)

You can go to www.hslda.com to review the various states. It will also help you find support groups.

If you can find one in your neck of the woods, that would be a great way to solicit ideas and what to consider in regards to homeschooling.

I have a 4th and 1st grader. My 4th grader finally got up to about 3 hours of school work per our syllabus and my 1st grader only has about an hour.

There are a variety of books about homeschooling in general. I'd go to the library and get some immediately. If anything, they will give you an idea of what to expect when you homeschool and provide you some information on the various methods/curriculums used.

Abeka
Sonlight
My Father's World

Are a sampling where you can get curriculum in a box (meaning, you buy everything from them.)


I tend to ignore the "state standards" By that I mean--I looked them up and all the things this-grader or that-grader gets to know. If I were to try to make sure I covered all of that, I would have complicated things. I use it to see where they are at, but do not consume myself with teaching strictly to that if that makes any sense. We have chosen to do standardized testing and my 4th grader is above grade level in most areas (surprisingly including science. She is way above. She reads and performs experiments at her leisure and up until this year, it really wasn't included in her curriculum.)

There are books in the "What your ___ grader needs to know" series. Those are helpful if you are designing your own curriculum.

Personally, I find it better to use a model from somewhere so that you can feel your way around and learn what works for your family.

The basics that I find that need to be "tought" in some way in first grade are math, reading, and handwriting. We also have religion and poetry memorization for our curriculum. But that is pretty much it. You can add beyond that, though. In my experience--science at that age is better lived by exploring the world and reading books. I have added in grammar using First Language Lessons. We spend about 5-10 minutes a day doing a lesson in that book. But it isn't necessary at that age.

The biggest mistakes parents make when considering and then removing their children from public school is trying to mimic what goes on in the classroom (including at times making sure school lasts from roughly 8-2 Monday-Friday.)

I do not "unschool"--but at that age, the child will learn a lot more with some help from you for the basic (reading, writing, arithmetic) and then living the rest. Playing games, field trips, park days, et cetera.

Often--kids who were public schooled and pullled out need a de-schooling transition time. (from what I have heard from folks in my homeschool group.)

And yes--there is a homeschool thread on the family board.

Best of luck!
But for now--check your laws, read some books.

 

[Buckalew11]

2nd year homeschooling---10th grade and loving it. Good luck!

 

[DawnM]

Join us on the hs board!

We are in our 7th year of hsing.

Dawn

 

[npmommie]

I would say read up on the homeschool laws in your state, hslda has good info for that, find a support group in your area, there are some links on hslda, if you can't find one, ask your local librarian, they usually know who the homeschoolers in town are.
once you have an idea of what books you want or curriculum you want to try, check out www.rainbowresource.com
they have everything, also amazon, and barnes and noble gives homeschoolers an educators card that gets 20% off

good luck, we love homeschooling!

 

[binny]

we are diubg the K12 program and so far have been impressed. We start actual school on Monday but the kids have logged in and have done a lot online already.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

This is our first year homeschooling, and I wish I had pulled my oldest out ALOT sooner. I was just too chicken before. I still have lots to learn, but I know its the right choice for my family. Good luck!

 

[metime]

Been homeschooling for almost 6 years. Oldest one, now in 7th grade, just started back to Public school last year and is doing great. Youngest (9 ) is still homeschooled and loves it.

I enjoy being with my children but I also ended up having to start a local support group because I couldn't find any homeschooling groups that weren't also some sort of cult like entity.

I guess 20 some odd families felt the same way.