HS Indiana

[Casha'sMommy]

As I begin this post the baby is waking so I'm going to make this as to the point as possible.

Can anyone tell me what I need to know in IN?
Any laws or policies I should be made aware of?
Good reads re: hs in IN?
I'm hoping to get some reading done this summer in an attempt to get things in order this fall to "practice" for the real deal next fall when dd will be 5.5yo. I'm really hoping to get a ton of information together so feel free to overwhelm me.
OH! Also, how do you know where to start with your dc regarding learning level and choosing curriculum/resources.

TIA ladies!
Off to get ds.

[Nitenites]

Gosh, you don't want to know much, do you?

Homeschools in Indiana are considered private schools. As such, the law requires that homeschools provide "equivalent instruction" to public schools. Since equivalent instruction is not defined in the statute, it has been interpreted to mean that hs'ers must keep attendance records, starting at the age of compulsory attendance. (The school year in which the child turns 7, you have to start taking attendance.) Upon request of the superintendent (of your district, or the State Superintendent of Public Instruction) you must provide attendance records. The schools cannot legally ask you for anything else. No lesson plans, no list of materials you've used or subjects you've covered, no samples of completed work, nada.

I just keep a piece of grid/graph paper, and fill in a date for every day we "do school." When I have 180 days of school done, we're finished for the year.

As for how to pick out curricula, well... I wouldn't really stress too much for K. Kindy & 1st grade (IMO) are pretty straightforward: learn about adding and subtracting, learn how to read. Supplement with whatever fun stuff you want to: trips to the Children's Museum or zoo, crafty projects, finger painting, FUN STUFF! For math, we've used Math U See, and for reading, we used Explode the Code and Bob Books, with lots of reading out loud (me reading to them) just because they LIKE to be read to.

What part of Indiana are you in?

[sbgrace]

Can anyone tell me what I need to know in IN? In a nutshell: Indiana is super easy to homeschool. You must start education (what/how/etc. not defined) by age 7 and must school the same amount of days as public school children (I believe 180). Again, what defines a school day is not specified nor is curriculum. No reporting, no testing, etc.

Any laws or policies I should be made aware of? Easy peasy...
Good reads re: hs in IN? HSLDA will have a blurb on the law which I summarized above. They classify green/easy laws/no restriction.
I'm hoping to get some reading done this summer in an attempt to get things in order this fall to "practice" for the real deal next fall when dd will be 5.5yo. I'm really hoping to get a ton of information together so feel free to overwhelm me.
What type of information are you hoping for? I'm good with supplying overwhelming amounts of information so just give me the "what" and I'll supply!
OH! Also, how do you know where to start with your dc regarding learning level and choosing curriculum/resources.
I found Homeschoolreviews.com to be a nice starting point. You can look at say all the phonics materials and read reviews from those who have tried them. The same with math materials. I like to read on the WellTrainedMind about particular material as well. Because it is the most active homeschooling board it's a wealth of information. I see a Cathy Duffy book mentioned a lot for curriculum selection. http://cathyduffyreviews.com/
I think you have to take into account both your child and what your needs as a teacher are as well. Does the child need hands on/active learning, does he or she have a long attention span for books or sit down work, what does the child enjoy? Do you want something that is planned for you and open and go or do you love planning and can do it consistently day in and out? Do you want to take a play based approach to early years or something more structured? Those sorts of things will influence your choices. If you know you want something planned and hands on the recommendations are different than if you hate being boxed in or the child loves art, fairytales and free exploration or whatever else. So think about the two of you as you look at reviews or as you ask for suggestions. What's been right for us might not be right for you.
You don't "need" much if anything for K honestly though I've loved most of our choices. Where are you? We're in Southern Indiana near Bedford/Seymour areas.

[Casha'sMommy]

We're in North Central IN, Hamilton county.

One thing I meant to ask in my op is how does one determine what a Kindy or 1st grader should be doing/learning? For instance, I know we should work on early math and some reading but where do I start and what's appropriate? Once I have a starting off point I can follow dd's lead but where to start. I am slightly nervous about being the teacher but I realize I'm already the teacher and the reason she knows what she knows now so I'm not worried, just nervous. That being said, I have no idea what I'm doing! lol
I think we need more structure around here. We don't have a regular schedule and while I realize that isn't necessary I do find that dd is getting bored and searching for things to do. This is telling me she needs a little more structure to her day. I'm hoping to get some things in place and implemented by this fall. I plan to set up a workbox system of sorts with play/craft/game/puzzle materials for the different boxes. I want to give her a direction for her day that I think is missing now. I'm hoping implementing something like a workbox system of sorts will get her used to the process and make the transition to using it for learning materials a little easier.
I think I'm hoping there's a book called "How to Provide the Perfect Amount of Structure for you Perschooler."

[Dakota's Mom]

I just mark down on a calendar what we do each day that could be considered "schooling". Each state has different laws about what is required. Indiana is not very specific. I moderate a parent group in Indiana if you would like to contact me offlist to discuss any questions you might have.

[sbgrace]

Indiana will have K and 1st grade standards on the Indiana Department of Ed website. But you'll cover them without even trying and I'd do what you think she needs when you get there personally.

Whenever you start anything my suggestion is follow her lead. There shouldn't be tears. You want her to enjoy learning. If you find she's not ready you back off. If she's plowing forward you go with her. But remember that at the young ages play is the best thing for her brain and other development! Countries that start academics at seven have better outcomes than countries who start early. So continue to follow her lead essentially and prioritize the important stuff even when you do begin academic things.

Mailbox magazine http://www.theeducationcenter.com/tec/ has some envelope center (ie workbox folder stuff) books and preschool teaching ideas if I remember right. I know they have at least issues of the magazine at many libraries if you want to look through to get a feel and their are samples on the websites as well. That said, I really like the preschool/K ideas Lillian from this site has put together. She posts links often if you search preschool on this forum. She has a very good perspective on it I think. You can add structure and still keep it developmentally appropriate.

Five in a Row might be really fun to do if she enjoys the books used for it at her age. If you're into planning (it sounds like you are?) there are so many neat additional ideas for that curriculum available online. MEP math (free online/you can google MEP math and will find it) has a reception year program you could print and use in your boxes. You could add in a book (FIAR book lists are great for book selection) and activity in a box. You could have something fine motor in a box (I purchased a program for that because my son was so weak but you could come up with so many ideas). A finger play and/or song to do together in a box. A game to play together. I purchased some really neat preschool curriculum books with fun ideas based on a theme but never really got my act together to use it consistently but could recommend a good one or two if you want that planned for you. There is a free Letter of the Week curriculum available online. Lillians ideas as I mentioned above are wonderful. You could have so much fun!

[Casha'sMommy]

I haven't had a lot of time to check back here the past few days.
Thanks so much for the information ladies. I'm hoping I'll have time tomorrow to look further into your suggestions.

Thanks again!