Homeschooling on a budget

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

We have decided to homeschool our 8 year old starting in January. I don't know where to begin or have alot of money for expensive kits. He is possibly ADD, according to the school, and having math trouble.

Any advice is more than appreciated, but please no debates on whether this is the best option. That has already been decided. Thank you!!!!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

I have many links I can send you. It would help if I knew what you imagine your homeschool to be. Are you wanting all book work? Hands on? More of an unschooly approach? What are his interests? It always helps if you can bring something he is interested in, into the lesson.

I will PM you my email. Also, what do you want to focus on? Math? And there are many different ways to teach math. I would be happy to chat with you about any questions you have.

Terri

 

[sweet maxine]

Sent you a PM.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Make full use of your local library - I think they all can order books from other libraries for you so you can probably get almost anything you need.

Check for homeschooling consignment stores and use craigslist for materials.

Have fun - homeschooling is great!

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Check your area for local home school groups also. I know we have a wonderful one here, most will be more than happy to lend out things that they don't need at the time. If nothing else you can check things out before buying. Definitely make use of your local library. Ours isn't very good, but I know many people that use pretty much just the library for their school books. There are a lot of things you can find for free online too. Just have to search to see what is fitting what you want to do. Check out these forums: (hope I'm allowed to post it)

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/index.php

I found them this summer and have found tons of websites and ideas from the lovely families there!

Good luck!! I have an 8 year old boy and 5 year old boy (also probably add) I home school. Most rewarding thing ever Much easier than I originally thought, but I'm a very relaxed hs'er, that probably makes a big difference.

 

[hsmamato2]

Make full use of your local library - I think they all can order books from other libraries for you so you can probably get almost anything you need.

Check for homeschooling consignment stores and use craigslist for materials.

Have fun - homeschooling is great!

this... libraries are awesome,many towns have more than one within a short drive.....google for homeschool support groups in your area....our library has lots of curriculum to check out and try also

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Definately get active in one or more local homeschool groups. We do lots of (free) activities with ours and look at each others curriculum, etc. (We actually don't use many materials.) We use the library a lot too.

 

[poohguys]

I just wanted to say good luck to you. I have a DS 11 who is ADHD and we have switch from regular school to a charter school, much better, but he still has problems. DH and I can see where home schooling would be an advantage, but it is not something we can swing at this time.

I also put in a vote for the ibrary. Ours has a magazine called Homeschooling that I has lots of ideas in it.

 

[scrapquitler]

I have gotten a ton of stuff on Ebay

 

[npmommie]

You got some great ideas here, I can add Rainbow Resource as a good source of curriculum and supplies at good prices. Their catalog is huge, has everything you can imagine!

Also check local homeschool groups for curriculum sales. Great way to get stuff cheap.
Good luck! We love homeschooling!

 

[disneymom3]

Apologia science is very reasonable as is Singapore math. Read a lot and have him tell things back to you and write short summaries. Keep a nature journal. Plaid Phonics is quite inexpensive too and very thorough.

Us borne has great interesting books on all kinds of history and science topics.

Be active in his learning. Play dice games for math, go from room to room to pick up cards with matching questions and answers, get him things to fidget with or a yoga ball to sit on while you read aloud. Get books on CD of good classic novels and historical fiction to listen to in the car. Have fun!

 

[Macprincess]

Try www.khanacademy.org for Math. It's a free site and it's awesome!

I have three kids 8th, 6th and 2nd. All three use this site often. My 2nd grader is homeschooled. If she had her way she would do all her Math via this site. My older two kids use this site to help teach what they don't understand in class.

My 8th grader has ADHD and Math use to be a huge struggle. He was barely able to keep up. Seriously, if the kid brought home a C in Math I was doing the Happy Dance. We started this program this summer trying to get him caught up with his classmates. When he took his placement test at the start of the school year we were shocked to see the school offer to place him in advance Math class this year. We did go ahead and place him in the advance Math class and his current grade is a 96.

 

[carwel]

Try www.khanacademy.org for Math. It's a free site and it's awesome!

I'm a homeschooling mom from Ontario, and I just wanted to thank you for posting this link!

 

[ccgirl]

Try www.khanacademy.org for Math. It's a free site and it's awesome!

I have three kids 8th, 6th and 2nd. All three use this site often. My 2nd grader is homeschooled. If she had her way she would do all her Math via this site. My older two kids use this site to help teach what they don't understand in class.

My 8th grader has ADHD and Math use to be a huge struggle. He was barely able to keep up. Seriously, if the kid brought home a C in Math I was doing the Happy Dance. We started this program this summer trying to get him caught up with his classmates. When he took his placement test at the start of the school year we were shocked to see the school offer to place him in advance Math class this year. We did go ahead and place him in the advance Math class and his current grade is a 96.

I thank you for posting that link as well! My DD is in 3rd grade and struggling with math a bit. I can't wait for her to see this website!

 

[carierraine]

I second and third Khanacademy.org for all their videos... nice explanations.

8 years old means about 3rd grade which means multiplication tables. My homeschooled son's salvation was "memorize in minutes: the times tables" He is a cool teenager now and still falls back on this method in his advanced math. Love it!!!!

Also, I have homeschooled cheeply for the last 7 years- I take advantage of my city parks and rec dept for "afterschool" classes. Target dollar spot has many appropriate resources. And thrift stores are my friend.

Carie

 

[disneymom3]

I'm a homeschooling mom from Ontario, and I just wanted to thank you for posting this link!

I will second and third that? I have home schooled for ten years and never heard of that site! My daughter is taking the PLAN test on Monday and a lot of things ride on those results. We will be reviewing that site this weekend!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am overwhelmed by all of the material out there. I knew there was alot but wow! I am feeling like I can do this , but also like I am so afraid I will leave out something important

 

[Pixiedust34]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am overwhelmed by all of the material out there. I knew there was alot but wow! I am feeling like I can do this , but also like I am so afraid I will leave out something important

It's overwhelming at first, but you can break down the planning into chunks which will make it easier. Focus on one subject at a time. Once you decide what to use for one subject, shop for the next one. Make sure you are familiar with your state requirements and that you will meet those. I echo the suggestion to get out and meet some local homeschoolers. They can give you good advice, and it'll provide social opportunities for you.

For math, Teaching Textbooks is great! It is pricey, but worth it if it helps your child understand math. www.teachingtextbooks.com

 

[Mommyto1andtwins]

This is our first year homeschooling too and I started out with a different approach and we have settled on the k12.com program to make sure we got the building blocks that my children's education desperately needed. All three of my boys are in third grade and the oldest is still struggling with his math. If he needs extra practice with a certain concept he will use http://www.aaamath.com/. The site works for him and will keep throwing problems at him for as long as he wants to work on it. Good luck! I have loved having the boys home and watching them learn.

 

[Trying to Plan]

First let me say I am not a homeschooling parent, I didn't want to deceive. I am not sure if this suggestion will work for people who home school but I have two children who have learning disabilities...One of whom has issues with math. Our tutor suggested I look into JUMP math books and we did and they helped a lot. They are by grade level, and break the work out in steps so that you mastered step one before doing the next. Really helped me be able to explain math to my girls since I have issues in math myself. Books were not overly expensive, thinking about 15-20 a level, from memory.

Thanks for all the links, I am sure these will help me with helping my own girls, even thought I don't offiicially home school.