Getting started

[One_Girl]

I never envisioned myself as a homeschooler, but my dd is not happy in school. Her teacher really doesn't treat her very well and has said nothing but negative things about her all year. Her teacher is telling me that my dd is struggling to do academic things at school that she has no problem doing at home. I have never talked about the teacher when my dd is home, but my dd has asked Santa for a new teacher and she is miserable. I have had a conference with the teacher, the principal, and many e-mail and phone communications and I feel like it things are just getting worse and I want to pull her out of school and home-school her for the rest of the year at least.

How do I get started? My dd is in first grade and I feel confident that I can teach her (I will graduate in December with a degree in Elementary Education and teaching first grade curricullum isn't that hard). I know almost nothing about home-schooling except that there are a bunch of extra-curricular activities for home-schooled children to attend in our area. Is there a good book that I can read to help me get started? How do I find curricullum on a limited income? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[Savoir Faire]

Well first, let me say that I'm sure one of our more experienced mamas will chime in here very soon.

If you don't mind sharing, which state do you live? That's going to give you help on laws and such and what you're going to need to do. When it comes to homeschooling and curriculum, well, ideas on this run the gamut. I've finally (after months and months of searching) have decided to "unschool" for Kindergarten and start more formal schooling at the age of seven.

Some people want to do "school at home," though I don't really see that too often here on the message boards.

I'm feeling a little under the weather today, so my brain isn't functioning the way it should (too much information clouded with sinus problems)....so....basically....YOU CAN DO IT.

Take her out after Christmas break. You're probably going to want a period of "deschooling" (I'm sure others will chime in on that) and you can use that period to decide what it is that you want.

[One_Girl]

I live in Idaho. I am looking for homeschooling material though rather than unschooling material. I want to transition her into another school in the fall so I would like her to have an education that lends itself well to that in a comfortable and loving environment. Her school is neither comfortable or loving.

[AAK]

Singapore math is great and will def. keep her up to speed with other kids. Maybe a bit ahead of the others. They have a website: http://www.singaporemath.com/Primary...US_Ed_s/39.htm

I also like math mammoth. Her is their website: http://www.mathmammoth.com/

Both these are inexpensive. You can use manipulatives if you need them, but I don't think you need a curriculum that is geared for them (esp if you are only homeschooling for the rest of the year.)

As far as reading goes, it really depends on where she is at. I have to focus on dyslexic friendly stuff so I will let other people fill you in on reading curriculum.

Science for first grade (in our school district) isn't a curriculum but is 3 topics studied in depth. However, if you want a curriculum (I use the physics level 1 for my fourth grader and have been very happy with it) to use: http://www.gravitaspublications.com/..._I_(Grades_K-3)



Social studies is communities and families. They include basic map stuff.

Grammar/writing is basic. Capitalization and end marks are taught, but no "curriculum". They should be able to write a story with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. Penmanship is a biggie.

Since she asked Santa for a new teacher, maybe wrap up a textbook and tell her your plan at Christmas. It could be the best present ever!

Amy

[EXOLAX]

[QUOTE=One_Girl;14791461]I live in Idaho. I am looking for homeschooling material though rather than unschooling material. I want to transition her into another school in the fall so I would like her to have an education that lends itself well to that in a comfortable and loving environment. Her school is neither comfortable or loving.[/QUOTE

Have you looked into k12 at all? Idaho has a cyber charter school:
http://www.idahova.org/dg/dg_id.html...FcZM5Qod3Fxcrg

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by One_Girl

How do I get started? My dd is in first grade and I feel confident that I can teach her (I will graduate in December with a degree in Elementary Education and teaching first grade curricullum isn't that hard). I know almost nothing about home-schooling except that there are a bunch of extra-curricular activities for home-schooled children to attend in our area. Is there a good book that I can read to help me get started? How do I find curricullum on a limited income? Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Here are some suggestions I posted in another thread on how to get started. Homeschooling is so different from classroom teaching that the elementary ed training might actually get in the way a bit. Here's a thread where that's discussed - How many of you are (were) teachers?

And I'll add a link to this thread on decompression/deschooling - because a child who's had a hard time in school will be very likely to need such a break. She may surprise you with a sudden reluctance to go along with ideas you come up with or things you want her to do, and that's perfectly normal, but it doesn't mean she'll get behind.

All the best - Lillian