Learn at Home book?

[ktmeyer]

I'm planning to homeschool my son next year, using Sonlight. But on the off chance I pull him from school this year, I want something easy and cheap to use for a few months. I want to be able to focus more on hands on stuff, State History, etc and just cover a bit of math and grammar. And like I said, don't want to spend a bunch because honestly he's ahead of grade level already. Anyone know anything about the learn at home books? They have them on Amazon for under 15 dollars. My son is in 4th grade.

[ktmeyer]

I should add that the reason I am not pulling him out immediately is that I have a 4 week old baby, and don't have much time to devote to homeschooling. ON the other hand, it would give us more time together overall, and our relationship is suffering since the baby came. Also, I sit home watching public television and realize I'm learning more watching these incredible tv shows than he is learning at school. Just this week I've watched a biography of Dolly Madison as well as shows on epigenetics, dinosaurs, and I don't even know what else. I figure some public television and some math each day, and some reading books, and heck, we've got it covered for now, and by next school year the baby will be older and I will be more able to teach him.

[AAK]

I don't know about those books, but if you really just want a book for math and grammar you could try out math mammoth (www.mathmammoth.com) or go to the sister site (http://www.homeschoolmath.net/) for freebies. Lots of websites allow you to make your own math worksheet (which would be great to reinforce/review and it would be free) For grammar, get a basic grammar workbook ($5-$15). We like Easy Grammar (we only got the workbook). A lot of people do Mad Libs to review/teach parts of speech. Use a journal for writing. Do the rest via library, public television, and fieldtrips.

You could totally do the rest of the year for under $15.

Amy

[marimara]

I have a good friend who uses the Learn at Home series for her 2 kids. She loves it but does supplement w/other stuff. I'm planning on using it as a backbone with my daughter. I will also use HOP (hooked on phonics), T4L (time4learning.com), and a separate math program (don't know which yet) for kindergarten w/dd. I've looked thru the books and IMO is very much worth it for the $. They give daily activities for all subjects. It's a little weak in math and IMO just good enough for a base and then branch out from there. But for $20 you can't beat the layout.

[Ruthla]

When I pulled DD2 out of school in the middle of 5th grade, they sent me home with her textbooks and workbooks that she'd otherwise have used in school the rest of the year. If your child's school does the same thing, you may not need to purchase anything for this year.

I do want to point out, however, that DD2 was in a private school at the time, and the books were provided by the school district- I'm not even sure if the textbook office was aware that she didn't complete the year at school. A public school might not send you home with textbooks.

However, workbooks (that they'd buy new for each child and can't re-use anyway) they'd have no other use for, and will most likely send you home with them. Workbooks alone might be enough to guide you through the material you want to cover, even if they don't actually cover everything you need.

I'd suggest not buying any materials until you actually pull your child out of school, and see what materials the school lets you take home. Then, if it's not enough (or if your school doesnt' provide anything), you can purchase stuff.

[KristyKricket]

I plan on using the Learn At Home workbook with my 5 year old son this fall for Kindergarten. Several moms on here recommended it to me and I think it is just what I am looking for especially how it is all planned out for me for each day of the week. The workbooks go all the way up to 4th grade too.

Good luck.

Kristy
Mom to Rebecca (15) and David (5)