Starting homeschool soon...

[disneypolybride2008]

Hi, i have been teaching my 4 year old since birth, it has always been a part of our day. She is already reading sentences, spelling, and writing, doing addition, subtraction, patterns, and the list goes on. However, she could technically start kindergarten in the fall. We live in Indiana and from what i found online the child just has to start homeschool or real school by age 7. I would appreciate advice from those who have home schooled. We also have a 19 month old.. she makes it more challenging! We have lots of workbooks, wipe off page workbooks, learning games on the tablet and computer. I would like to get textbooks like she would have in school though. I remember seeing a homeschool thread here before. Hoping to get in on the chat about that!

 

[jahber]

First, if you haven't, check out sites in Indiana, like http://www.iahe.net/ and your DoE, to be sure you fully understand the laws for homeschooling in your state. Although you don't legally have to begin instruction until 7, it may be beneficial to notify the school board that you are starting now. Or it may not. It varies by state. I send a letter for each of my kids when they start K at 5 because it makes it easier to keep track of official grade levels when it comes time to use public school resources (my eldest is in band, for example, so they needed to know what "grade" she was in to place her in the correct school). But in some states you may want to stay off the grid entirely or your child may be required to meet standards/take tests at set points--and those points are determined by grade level.
I'll go look for the homeschooling thread and link it when I find it. Good luck and have fun!

 

[jahber]

Hi, i have been teaching my 4 year old since birth, it has always been a part of our day. She is already reading sentences, spelling, and writing, doing addition, subtraction, patterns, and the list goes on. However, she could technically start kindergarten in the fall. We live in Indiana and from what i found online the child just has to start homeschool or real school by age 7. I would appreciate advice from those who have home schooled. We also have a 19 month old.. she makes it more challenging! We have lots of workbooks, wipe off page workbooks, learning games on the tablet and computer. I would like to get textbooks like she would have in school though. I remember seeing a homeschool thread here before. Hoping to get in on the chat about that!

Ah! Here it is:
http://disboards.com/threads/homeschool-chat-part-iii.2533652/page-135

 

[Shanti]

First, if you haven't, check out sites in Indiana, like http://www.iahe.net/ and your DoE, to be sure you fully understand the laws for homeschooling in your state. Although you don't legally have to begin instruction until 7, it may be beneficial to notify the school board that you are starting now. Or it may not. It varies by state. I send a letter for each of my kids when they start K at 5 because it makes it easier to keep track of official grade levels when it comes time to use public school resources (my eldest is in band, for example, so they needed to know what "grade" she was in to place her in the correct school). But in some states you may want to stay off the grid entirely or your child may be required to meet standards/take tests at set points--and those points are determined by grade level.
I'll go look for the homeschooling thread and link it when I find it. Good luck and have fun!

Unless state law actually requires it (most don't), I would recommend staying off the "grid". Plenty of parents homeschool or choose private school. It's a personal choice with no need for government oversight.

I'm a public school teacher by the way. Not putting public schools down- just a huge proponent of school choice.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

Unless state law actually requires it (most don't), I would recommend staying off the "grid". Plenty of parents homeschool or choose private school. It's a personal choice with no need for government oversight.

I'm a public school teacher by the way. Not putting public schools down- just a huge proponent of school choice.

I taught art education for 4 years before deciding that I wanted to be stay at home mommy. I called my local school corporation who said to go during walk-in registration to get a form for intending to home school but then i said that i read on the DOE that for IN nothing is required until age 7, so she said either way is fine. So for other homeschool parents, would you start homeschool at age 7 or sooner? I mean at age 4 we do lessons often, and she's already reading sentences, spelling, writing, and so it's already begun... since birth she's been learning. In two years from now i can only imagine where she'll be at, grade level wise..she's so smart and easily understands everything i teach her.

 

[chris31997]

I taught art education for 4 years before deciding that I wanted to be stay at home mommy. I called my local school corporation who said to go during walk-in registration to get a form for intending to home school but then i said that i read on the DOE that for IN nothing is required until age 7, so she said either way is fine. So for other homeschool parents, would you start homeschool at age 7 or sooner? I mean at age 4 we do lessons often, and she's already reading sentences, spelling, writing, and so it's already begun... since birth she's been learning. In two years from now i can only imagine where she'll be at, grade level wise..she's so smart and easily understands everything i teach her.

Take your cues from your kiddo. Add more complex lesson as she can handle things.

But for me I would focus on reading, hands on learning, and home economics(laundry, cooking, cleaning and helping with baby). Keep it fun for now. Let her favorite things dictate where and what learning occurs. If she is into princesses, then read about them fiction and real life one, draw a picture about life as a princess. Maybe she is into legos, have her build house and characters and tell you a story about it. Show her a picture of something and have her build it with legos.

Maybe 5 or 6 start with book work.

 

[Thing 1]

In our state, they don't register kids until they are 7. It sounds like your DD is well beyond a typical kindergarten course of study. That's the great thing about home schooling, you can meet her where she is. I would just continue to do what you are going, challenge her, but don't frustrate her. Text Books are getting more and more rare in public schools. They do use some consumable workbooks but its going more and more online, virtual books. It sounds like you are doing everything right so far, just keep going.

 

[Duckiedee]

One thing I would do as soon as she is old enough is teach touch-typing. I taught my daughter with online games/programming in Grade 4 (we only homeschooled one year - it was awesome!) And I have to say - she types superfast already - she loves writing stories etc on the computer and it's been a real advantage to her.)