Need advice for homeschooling

[itutorfortravel]

We are having a horrible experience with our DD's school thsi year and even with a doctor's note supporting why she should have a change of classroom, the school is still not willing to accomodate DD's needs.

What I'd like to do is take her out and homeschool her but I'm pretty nervous. I need to find some good pre-bundled material for 1st grade that will allow me to just teach and not have to spend time prepping.

I work as a private tutor and I need to work. I typically use the time DD is at school to study, email teachers, etc. If I homeschool, my free time will disappear and I'm pretty nervous about that. So I need to have as much ready-made for me as possible for DD's curriculum.

Anyone have curriculums they have used and can recommend?

For other homeschoolers out there, how much time do we need to spend on studies each day? I want to do a GOOD job with my DD.

I'm also interested in hearing from anyone who pulled their kid(s) out of public school for the remainder of a school year but placed them back in public school the next year. DD's classroom is the problem, maybe next year we would get lucky like we did in kindergarten...Anyhow, anyone have any trouble transitioning their kid(s) back to public schools?

DD is probably not going to like the idea of being pulled out of school if we decide to do it. She has her friends and her routine established, even though she is scared of the teacher at times and the teacher is a cold, uncaring individual who is very insensitive to the children. How have others handled breaking the news to the kids that they were not going back to school?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide

 

[Mikelly1221]

I have used Bob Jones curriculums before and they are very user-friendly. Little prep time, tests, everything you need. However, they are a Christian curriculum, very Biblically based. I couldn't tell from your post if that mattered or not, but I've been pleased with them.

Just my .02! Good luck with homeschooling. I've been HSing DS for 1 1/2 years due to his learning disabilities. His school has been great to work with this year-we are slowly transitioning him back into the classroom next year.

One thing I would highly recommend is to find a homeschool group in your area. Ours is very supportive and they have field trips, produce a yearbook, and have a graduation/recognition ceremony at the end of the year. They are also a great source of information and guidance regarding homeschooling.

 

[Nascia]

We began homeschooling our oldest midway through 2nd grade. Long story short, he had some issues with bullies and race and the school did nothing. We ended up using a virtual academy for the next two years until we moved into a new district. He ended up transitioning back into a brick and mortar public school for 5th grade. It was a little rough at first, but he managed it well. He was comfortable by the end of the first quarter. He's now in 6th grade and doing well.

We currently have our middle son enrolled in a K12 virtual academy. We're very happy with the school and the K12 curriculum. It uses more of a traditional approach to learning, but is still very hands on. All of the lesson plans and materials are prepackaged and are also available online. It uses a lot of interactive media and technology to make learning fun and interesting. For what it's worth it is a nonsecular curriculum, but does touch on a variety of religious beliefs. It's also very flexible and can be adapted to each learner's strengths. It can be very time consuming and demanding, but in the end it is very rewarding. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

We are having a horrible experience with our DD's school thsi year and even with a doctor's note supporting why she should have a change of classroom, the school is still not willing to accomodate DD's needs.

What I'd like to do is take her out and homeschool her but I'm pretty nervous. I need to find some good pre-bundled material for 1st grade that will allow me to just teach and not have to spend time prepping.

I work as a private tutor and I need to work. I typically use the time DD is at school to study, email teachers, etc. If I homeschool, my free time will disappear and I'm pretty nervous about that. So I need to have as much ready-made for me as possible for DD's curriculum.

Anyone have curriculums they have used and can recommend?

For other homeschoolers out there, how much time do we need to spend on studies each day? I want to do a GOOD job with my DD.

I'm also interested in hearing from anyone who pulled their kid(s) out of public school for the remainder of a school year but placed them back in public school the next year. DD's classroom is the problem, maybe next year we would get lucky like we did in kindergarten...Anyhow, anyone have any trouble transitioning their kid(s) back to public schools?

DD is probably not going to like the idea of being pulled out of school if we decide to do it. She has her friends and her routine established, even though she is scared of the teacher at times and the teacher is a cold, uncaring individual who is very insensitive to the children. How have others handled breaking the news to the kids that they were not going back to school?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide

If you plan on putting your child back into the classroom then you should follow the core content of your school district. You can usually find it on line, or check with the board in your county, and they can get it for you.

 

[SeeDisney]

There's a large homeschool thread over at the family board. Good luck to you.

 

[mytwotinks]

I feel for you. We were in your position for the first quarter of the year. My 5th grader was in a horrible situation. The principal knew, the superintendent knew and almost all of the parents knew. They couldn't move any of the kids out because if they let one, they would have to let them all.

Honestly, it was such a mess. I was to the point where I was going to take her out for any of the time she was in with her main teacher, but take her up for all of the classes that she had been "leveled" out to another teacher. I was going to be going back and forth all day, but I really wanted her to stay as connected with her school as possible because I knew that she would return. She would have gone up to school for reading, math, band, p.e., and music. I really think that after a while they would have caved and let her move to another class. I can't believe that they would have wanted me up at that school all day everyday pointing out the obvious fact that there was a teacher there who was being abusive to the children.

Have you documented all of your bad experiences. I would strongly suggest that you go sit at the superintendents office and wait all day if you have to for a meeting. Unless they are going to tell you that the behaviour is acceptable, you just have to demand that your child will not be left in that class. She is yours and you choose the quality of care your child will recieve. I don't leave my kids with anyone I don't trust. I don't care if it's for school or for a night out.

Good luck and hang in there.

 

[mom2rb]

I have never found a bundle that I like. I mix and match. I love Usborn for History and Singapore for Math. I also like Easy Grammer. Go to a home school store and spend a few hours looking around. The good news is that it doesn't take that long a day to home school a first grader, maybe an hour and a half a day.

I would also try a few different home school groups. You don't like all the moms in your kid's class, you won't like all the home school groups. Good luck.