Calling all Canadian homeschoolers! - Page 2

[Dillpicklechip]

I'm in Southern Ontario with three children (10, 4 and 1). I buy almost all of our books from Amazon.ca--I find they simply carry more titles than Chapters. We get a lot of things from the library too.

I have also used several Canadian online retailers--A Plus Books (for French and Art curriculum, great customer service), Acorn's Journey (great for waldorfy supplies), Mastermind Toys (for Ravensburger puzzles) and Ape 2 Zebra (for educational toys).

We have a Scholar's Choice store nearby which has some nice things, although we don't use many "schooly" things like workbooks and such--since we do Charlotte Mason we basically just have lots of books, some art supplies, and go outside a lot.

[Daffodil103]

Originally Posted by Brisen

Sigh. And I was hoping to get something real done today; instead, it looks like I'll be compiling a book wish list for a while.

I get sucked in all the time They just had their 85% off Scratch & Dent so of course I must place an order. Oh, and just as I finish the order I find interesting looking French resources & there's one of each left & it becomes imperative that I place another smaller order and so it goes....

I've use Corporate Center a few times. No hassle at all. They charge $5/package. They call you as soon as they receive your stuff. Very pleasant staff. My minor issues are a) they open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm b) They charge per parcel received, so if Amazon decides to break up your order, you play for each c) Not a biggie - but they only accept USD$. Now I just keep some so I don't have to go to the bank (Should probably buy some now that the loonie is up). No hassle at all at the border. Just pay GST if needed. Highly recommended Corporate Center. Here's their website http://www.corp-center.com/ They are less than 5 mins from the border.

[moss]

[limette]

I'm still here and all alone in my corner of the universe. I'm trying to come up with a plan for dd1 for fall. She is so ready for more structured learning.

I want to get;

History Odyssey-Ancients
a kids yoga dvd
Creativity Express art program
Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding K-2
Math U See Alpha

What is everyone else up to?

[Bluegoat]

I'm in Dartmouth NS. We are just beginning homeschooling, using Ambleside Online for the most part. We're using MEP for math and my daughter is really enjoying it.

I haven't got any good sites to offer, but I am going to make good use of some of the ones here.

I've also been looking for something for a French curriculum. Nothing too involved, we only do about 10 min twice a week.

[MrsJewelsRae]

We're in south-western ontario, Chatham area. We're somewhat eclectic I guess. I've been homeschooling from the start, my kids are just about 8 yrs old son, 6 yrs old dd and 16 month old son. We love homeschooling! These sites aren't Canadian but they are some of our faves: www.peepandthebigwideworld.com and www.starfall.com - my kids love those places.

I love going to KWHEC- Kitchener Waterloo Home Educators Conference.

[Callimom]

Originally Posted by limette

What is everyone else up to?

We just finished up a crazy busy month. Like insanely busy. Hockey is done, Lego challenges are done, curling wraps up next week, and I am trying desparately not to fill all those spaces in our calendar and give ourselves some breathing room. I find it hard to leave space this time of year because I always get a bit of a boost to focus on academics when I look down the road and realizing that summer is almost here and academic stuff will likely give away to more and more outside time and community based opportunities.

As for buying, I skipped the KW conference this year. I only really need math stuff and maybe science for my oldest and I haven't figured out what way to go with that yet. I'll probably hit the used sale in Brantford and see what I can dig up. I have lots of other stuff for my younger kids already on the shelves. I do wish there was a secular, all encompassing conference nearby.

Is anyone a member of OFTP? Are they still active?
Karen

[katbomumof3]

Originally Posted by MrsJewelsRae

We're in south-western ontario, Chatham area. We're somewhat eclectic I guess. I've been homeschooling from the start, my kids are just about 8 yrs old son, 6 yrs old dd and 16 month old son. We love homeschooling! These sites aren't Canadian but they are some of our faves: www.peepandthebigwideworld.com and www.starfall.com - my kids love those places.

I love going to KWHEC- Kitchener Waterloo Home Educators Conference.

We live very close to each other Mama! We are also very eclectic, lots of library borrowing here We have a small group of homeschoolies that i love that we hang out with on a regular basis. Homeschooling is the best thing that ever happened to this family (dd1 went to ps til gr 1)

Wanna meet up sometime?

[lonegirl]

I am in Toronto right now....but by the fall we are moving back up to Northern Ontario. DS will be at JK age then (but more on par with SK and some G1 learning). I love Scholar's Choice here in Toronto and plan to stock up a bit on some supplies, World's Biggest Bookstore, Mastermind Toys, and Chapters/Indigo have have good resources too.

[limette]

We are seriously considering a move to Nova Scotia within the next 3 years. For those of you homeschooling there, what's it like?

Are there a lot of homeschoolers (secular?) to get together with? How detailed is the report you need to send in?

[Aubergine68]

Subbing

In Alberta, will be homeschooling my 12 yr old dd in the fall, after she completes grade 6 in our local French Immersion, at her request.

I run a home childcare and have been using homeschool materials for my own and my daycare preschoolers for a few years now.

My middle child will enter grade 1 in French Immersion in Sept. My youngest is 3 and will be home for a bit before we make any decisions

We may be moving in 2011 to a very rural area and homeschooling all 3 of them may be in the cards then.

[Callimom]

Originally Posted by limette

We are seriously considering a move to Nova Scotia within the next 3 years. For those of you homeschooling there, what's it like?

Are there a lot of homeschoolers (secular?) to get together with? How detailed is the report you need to send in?

I have an internet friend who lives there. I could put you in touch. My impression is that secular homeschoolers are a bit tougher to come across in rural areas there but that may just be my impression. Are you going to be settling in Halifax or near a university? You might have better luck finding community in those areas.

Karen

[limette]

I have no idea where yet. Whatever job dh can get will partly determine that. I want an acreage so it won't in Halifax but it might nearby.

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by limette

We are seriously considering a move to Nova Scotia within the next 3 years. For those of you homeschooling there, what's it like?

Are there a lot of homeschoolers (secular?) to get together with? How detailed is the report you need to send in?

I haven't been homeschooling here long. but at least in the city there sems to be a mix of secular and religious homeschoolers. There is a group called HomeLearnersNS that you might find useful.

The requirements for reports are not that strenuous. Some people send in very little. I think there can be some possible advantage to being a bit more detailed if you might want to enter school later, for getting into an appropriate grade

[**mom2one**]

I'm in NB (St Stephen) too. I have a couple of friends who HS and I am starting with my 4 yo DD. She loves worksheets - she will do 15-20 and ask for more! I haven't really bought much, but am looking for something to start in the fall. She would be in K this year if I were sending her to public school. We have started Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons which she also LOVES! I also have a 17 mo DD which makes HSing a little more difficult.
Here in NB as far as I know all you have to do is go to the school board office and sign a paper saying that you are taking responsibility for the education of your child and that's it!
I think what will be important for us is to establish a good schedule for the fall. We are busy people, always running here and there for a few days. We are both sort of self employed so our schedules are really flexible and we don't have to use a sitter since when one of us is working the other is home. My DH is not much for teaching but is supportive and will probably enjoy the science end of things when DD gets a little older. I try to use everyday things as much as possible - cooking, shopping, cleaning etc.
Any suggestions or tips would be great as we are new to this!