First time Homeschool Charter...input and experiences, please!

[riversmommy]

I'm in northern California. A little background: Homeschooled DS for the first half of Kindergarten and lived in tiny rural area, did my own curriculum, could not afford outside classes or activities, husband working more than full-time, I burnt out. Eventually put him in a really lovely little public school where he thrived and finished kinder.

Now we have moved to city, and our public school is...I guess what I feared public school would be! Teacher-student ratio of 1:33 in first grade. So, we are enrolling in a homeschool charter that allows us to choose curriculum/activities, also has support network, assigned teacher, etc.

For those of you that have done this:

How did you spend your money? The school has a resource center where I can check out books for the year for free. Is it worth spending most of your money on a complete packaged curriculum(i.e. Calvert)? Or should I go inexpensive with the texts and spend $$ on activities/classes/field trips?
Did you ever try those package deals from textbook suppliers that put together the curriculum for you(i.e. Core Curriculum of America)?

Ideas, info, tips appreciated very much! Thanks!

[yippityskippity]

Originally Posted by riversmommy

How did you spend your money? The school has a resource center where I can check out books for the year for free. Is it worth spending most of your money on a complete packaged curriculum(i.e. Calvert)?

It's worth it to get the curriculum that fits your teaching style and your DS's learning style. The right curriculum isn't necessarily expensive. I think that, altogether, we've spent $300 of funding on core curriculum for both our kids... and lots more on extra books and other fun stuff

Or should I go inexpensive with the texts and spend $$ on activities/classes/field trips?

Get the curriculum you need FIRST. It doesn't have to be expensive, but the wrong curriculum just makes everything harder. I know this from experience You'll be so much happier and less stressed out in the long run if you don't skimp and get the curriculum you think will work best for both of you.

Also, consider how many activities you and your DS can realistically handle. I like the *idea* of each of my kids doing scouts and dance and sports and martial arts and so on. But, the reality is that having more than 2 days shuttling to structured activities just stresses us out and gets in the way of the schooling part of homeschooling, not to mention time for free play.

Did you ever try those package deals from textbook suppliers that put together the curriculum for you(i.e. Core Curriculum of America)?

I haven't.

[mama2mygirl]

We do a charter homeschool in Northern CA too. There are quite a few good ones. DD is in second grade now and I use almost all her money for her classes. In K, I had a ton of money left over so I bought up gorgeous art supplies and craft project-y things and a computer and printer we get to use until she's done with the school.
Last year, she took a couple classes--ballet and theater. This year she wanted to add more tap so with ballet, theater and tap for the school year, her money is gone.
I use a math book she likes, get her reading books from the Sonlight list and just look online or talk to other homeschoolers for the rest. It works out nicely.

[riversmommy]

Thank you for your answers! I did a learning style survey with my son last week and I think that will help me focus on the right curriculum for him. Of course, he's all hands-on, kinesthetic learner.... surprise, surprise!

So, we'll be saving some money for a science camp here and there, and maybe a cooking class, or craft/art class. Again thanks for the input. I agree about the shuttling around being a bit much. I like our play time!