Homeschool Advice... trying to decide which way to go....

[hlthcoachmamma]

Ok.. I apologize if I don't use the correct lingo, this is the first online community I have been a part of and am not sure of all the abbreviations..lol. I will give some background info first then jump into where I'm at now... I was actually homeschooled as a child until 5th grade when my parents then put my siblings and I into public school. I have all good memories of being homeschooled and have often toyed with the idea with my own children except that I have always had a full time job. My 8 yr old attended Montessori as a toddler for 2 yrs before she went to public school in kindergarten. Also, all good experiences. So fast forward to today.. I have a 15 yr old stepson who is in 10th grade, my 8 yr old daughter who is in 3rd grade, 4yr old son, 3 yr old son and our newest babygirl of 6 months and this is my dilemma... I am absolutely fed up with our school district! Between teacher contracts not being settled and the threat of a strike, school board politics and policies (a school nurse can no longer even give out a cough drop) and dealing with teachers that can't even spell at a third grade level, my husband and I are looking for alternatives! We have talked about private (mostly Montessori, there are a couple Christian schools in our area) and homeschooling. Our problem with private schools is the cost. Due to my change in jobs and being able to work from home, we are leaning more towards homeschooling... so these are some of my concerns that I'm hoping some of you experienced homeschoolers can help me with.. I am horrible at math and fear that I will not be able to properly teach them this subject, I am also completely lost as to know what curriculum to use for any of the subjects, and where to even begin the whole process! So any words of encouragement and information I will gladly soak up!

[sapphire_chan]

For the 15 year old, he'd probably be okay if he chose to stay in the schools for another 2 years. That's also likely to be the easiest and simplest entry into university.  Another possibility would be pulling out and going for a GED followed by employment or training or both. What will work best for him is going to be dependent on what he wants to do in the future. If you decided to get a high school curriculum, you could still send him to a community college for any classes that worry you, such as math.

You don't have to stick with one curriculum the whole time (remember you can sell stuff that doesn't work for you, won't get all your money back, but even mistakes will be cheaper than a semester at private school), you don't have to use the same curriculum with all  your kids,

http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/methods_lillian_jones.html by Lillian on this board is an excellent article to get you started in seeing what you might like.

http://www.homeschool-curriculum.org/ might be a good place for you to browse. Find things that appeal to you and then get more opinions here.

http://www.hsclassroom.net/categories/methods-and-systems/ outlines some options beyond curricula

That said, doing things like your parents did would have the advantage of being something you're used to and that might make you more comfortable and have an easier time of things.

[cbyrum]

Not sure if you've considered it or not but we went with the middle ground and use a virtual academy. Both my kids use CAVA which uses k12.com curriculum. Both kids really enjoy it - one is in K doing a mix of K and 1st grade work, the other is in 1st doing a mix of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade work. They move at their own pace and since it's mastery based if they know it we can move on - hence the 1st grader who tested into 3rd grade math at the beginning of the year.

[hlthcoachmamma]

Thanks to both of you for all the wonderful info! I am checking out the links and taking notes!

[MrsJewelsRae]

Not sure about your oldest as I've never hs'd a teen, though I plan to hs all of ours through highschool, but with proper prep and planning, as well as co-operation on his part, it is doable.  The others, I'd definitely give it a go.  Just wanted to say, take it slow  and don't go rushing into any one curriculum.  You can buy a packaged curriculum or piece together from different companies based on your and your kids' preferences for different subjects.  I would highly recommend seeing if you can find a homeschool convention near you.  I went to my first a couple years ago and had SO much fun!!  There were thousands of books under one roof, with reps from all kinds of curriculum companies, it helped so much to be able to see stuff and flip through them before buying, plus chatting with other hs moms, getting their opinions, there were also dozens of seminars to choose from.  I also struggled with math all through school (basic stuff and algebra was fine, but geometry and fractions I just got lost!), despite a very devoted brainiac of a Dad who spent countless hours tutoring me.  My Dad really gets a kick out of me now teaching my kids math, I think growing up and having more life experience and perspective, I am really grasping things that eluded me as a child- I'm having fun!  It also helps that there are SO many amazing curricula options out there!  We are currently using Teaching Textbooks for math, which my ds (8 yrs) loves, he's starting the grade 5 level.  We use Rod & Staff for Bible, Story of the World for History and I piece toghet my own stuff for geography, language arst, etc.  At your younger kids' ages you have plenty of time to make your plan.  If you feel you need to pull him (assuming your 8 yr old is the only one in elem. school) sooner than you have your schoolbooks, let him learn through literature and maybe the nature channel for a bit and get used to being home.  Good luck with whatever you choose!

[addieamama]

Please check out Time4learning.net! It is awesome! Reasonably priced and discounts for siblings. Try to free 14 day trial, I really loved it and they made it very easy to unsubscribe. I only did because we are low in finances right now.

Good luck to you!

[kirstenis]

I just have a preschooler, and had awesome success with the free curriculum on this website: http://ourpreschoolhomeschool.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

It is a list of homeschool supplies and lesson plans for preschoolers.  The family that created the blog uses free resources from Brightly Beaming.   Since it's all planned out, I just printed the weekly lesson plan and incorporated those things into our day.  We usually worked on the numbers and letters while the baby was having her nap. The other things could be shared activities.

[hlthcoachmamma]

Thanks! I will definitely check out the sites.. they both look like great ways to pick up some tips!

[AAK]

Don't worry about the math.  There are many options.  Some curriculum is entirely scripted for you, some isn't.  Some are taught with videos, etc.  I am actually a "math" person, but I am so amazed at how much I learn from teaching my kids English.  I imagine it will be the same for you with math.  Read the lesson first, and then teach it.  You aren't throwing yourself back into a college math class, but an elementary one.  So, you will fill any gaps in your own knowledge along the way.  As you get into more advance courses there are online courses that your kids can enroll in as well.  

Check out: http://www.khanacademy.org/  It is entirely free and covers everything in math from elementary through calculus.  Whether you use it to further your own understanding or to help your kids understand it, it is wonderful.  

Also check out:  http://www.homeschoolmath.net/  This is done by the lady who created math mammoth.  I use this link to make up worksheets for my kids when they need a little extra practice.  The site has lots to offer though (I just love it for the worksheets--the generator will provide an answer sheet too)

Amy

[sarajonah]

We are new to homeschooling this year. My daughter is 4. We do Classical Conversations and we LOVE it! It's a once weekly class where kids learn together in small setting with the parent in the class. The younger kids would need a phonics/math program at home but they cover eveything else in class you need. Just use the information from class to plan your school the rest of the week. Older kids get the math and grammer too. By high school, they are taking very challenging classes during the once a week class. THis is a method to teach children to become natural learners and they become independent learners. Check out the website and see if they have a program in your area. THey also have free classes for parents to learn to teach in the classical style and to teach the tutors how to lead the classes. So much support! It is based on evangelical Christian beliefs so everything they teach relates back to God. Read 'The Core' by Leigh Bortins. She started Classical Conversations and her newest book describes the program well. You could do this style at home without joining CC also. She tells about all the resources you would need in her book. Good luck with your decisions! 

[AnaB]

I haven't started homeschooling yet, but have been researching and reading a lot about it for the past two years since my daughter was born. Just like other recommended, I think K12 would be great with this number of kids, or at least for the oldest one - where he could pretty much be completely self sufficient. 

I subscribe to this blog called Simple Homeschool (with 9 homeschooling contributors), and I highly recommend reading their articles. It has helped me immensely by taking away all my fear and concern about homeschooling. They share a lot of the real, day-to-day homeschooling stuff. One of my latest favorite posts is "What the 'Experts' Would Do Differently". The reality is, you don't need to know everything to teach your own children. No teacher can possible know everything too. What is crucial is not taking away their love for learning so that when they want to , they can learn anything their heart desires. Too many of todays teens have no desire to learn, read, or create - I believe that's mostly a product of public school. I hope everything works out for you with homeschooling!

[hlthcoachmamma]

I can not even say thank you enough to everyone for all their help and suggestions!!! My husband and I have decided to start next year for sure (still undecided about our 15 yr old though, he wants to go into the military) and are exploring all the info everyone is giving. A little overwhelming at times but so worth wading through and discovering what will be best for our children. We are so excited to get started!

[marybright1]

If you do end up homeschool the high-schooler he may still be able to ROTC. I belong to a local homeschool co-op and they offer ROTC for the teenagers. You may look around for a co-op in your area and even it they don't have a ROTC program going, there may be others interested it starting one.

[SBrown]

There are so many curriculum's out there. It can be overwhelming at first. The only thing we used all the way through, once we found it, was Math U See. (You can go to www.mathusee.com and watch a demo if you would like to more about it). I too did go to a Homeschool fair when I started and it helped me so much. We were also a part of a Homeschool co-op that was a great help to.

I did Homeschool from 2nd grade all the way through and can say it was wonderful. I was so nervous about the High School year. I'm not going to say it was a breeze, without its hard days. But for us...it is all family memories that I never regret. Now my daughter is grown and starting her own family. We talk about our many happy times of the fun things we did together and I have no regrets. I thought, how can "I" do this. But one day at a time...it worked. I have never been sorry. Remember, about the time I thought I just couldn't do it anymore.... there was always someone to help, when I looked for it! If I can do it, I'm sure you can too.