What are my options?! I need some insight!

[DelKroemer]

I have been sort of unschooling my little ones for the last 6 months. Actually, I began finding free curriculum online and planning out our schools. but this has become exhausting and I'm very unorganized and need things laid out for me instead, especially with a new baby in our home.

My family had planned to move and the state we were going to has the k-12 virtual public school option. I thought this might be a perfect option for me and my family, but we are no longer moving and with my 5 year old starting kindergarten this year, I am wondering what my options are now because I am getting pressure from others to put her in public school!

I don't want to do this, but I know we cannot afford to pay for the private virtual school available here and I don't believe we can afford most curriculums out there. What might be some good options? Has anyone used time for learning as a complete curriculum for a child this age?

[AAK]

Your location says "Idaho".  Are you really in Idaho?  I understood that Idaho had k12 (or similar) for no cost.  

Not that I think K12 is the best option for you--you had already mentioned it.  

If you want to homeschool, try it out.  Kindergarten is a piece of cake and you can accomplish much with very little $$$.  Tell us what your goals are for your son, and your budget--I'm sure we can help you get a plan going.

Amy

[lmonter]

Yup, if Idaho, there's K12 through the schools.  A friend of mine does it - free computer and all.  Not sure I'd do it for a 5yo though.

You could always see if there's a local co-op for starters, then look up free curriculum like Ambleside Online for a place to start.  Sonlight's catalog is a great booklist (I'm biased, used/using Core K/A this year, plan to do Core 1/B next year).  There's many blogs out there with ideas and activities to do, other free curriculum, etc.

[mattemma04]

I did not start my dd in schooling till she was 6 and I did an online public school that used the calvert curriculum.

There is a lot of pressure these days to put kids in school at 5 or start schooling them at 5 at home. I am glad I waited with my dd. The calvert curriculum was ok.We tweaked it. I would tweak any curriculum I used.

I got pressure to put my ds in ps at 5.It was the worst mistake I made with his schooling. If you think ps is the best option for your child then do it,but do not hesitate to pull your child if you are unhappy. I waited months trying to make things work,and finally pulled my child against family wishes.

Some kids WANT to do lots of school work.Some kids actually like worksheets or workbooks.Some kids like hands on stuff or computer learning games. It is all about getting to know the ways your kid likes to learn,and providing the materials in a way that they will thrive and enjoy it.You can do everything that is done in a public school classroom except ofcourse the 20+ classmates!

[DelKroemer]

Thanks ladies, I am no longer in Idaho. I am in Connecticut. My goal is just to provide my daughter with a well rounded education and curriculum. My budget is just not any higher than $50 a month. I will look into the  Ambleside Online too. Any other recommedations are welcome!

[AAK]

Originally Posted by DelKroemer 

Thanks ladies, I am no longer in Idaho. I am in Connecticut. My goal is just to provide my daughter with a well rounded education and curriculum. My budget is just not any higher than $50 a month. I will look into the  Ambleside Online too. Any other recommedations are welcome!

I have no idea why I kept thinking you had a son. 

$50/month is very doable. . . but, would be able to put $50/month away for the next couple months and ear mark it for school?  Right now, my soon to be kindergartener is "registered" for fall.  But, in case I change my mind, I do know what I would be ordering. 

Here it is:

Singapore Math 1A and 1B workbooks only $9.90 each (I don't know if she would get through both, but I want them around)

HWT "Letters and Numbers for Me" $7.50  (I wouldn't buy any of the extras)

A new Maze book or Hidden Pictures $10.00 approx.

I would order these if I didn't already have them:

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding $25

All About Spelling Level 1   $30 +$30 more for the tiles etc.

I See Sam Books Levels 1 & 2 $40

I will also restock our art supplies.  

We use the library for a lot of things, esp with social studies/history.  I also would expect minor purchases to support science experiments.  Most experiments in K use household items.  I also want to point out that while I would want AAS level 1 and I See Sam readers 1 & 2; I don't think ALL kindergarteners would be ready for them.  I don't know if my dd would be able to complete those in the K year.  I just want them at my disposal because I know my kid.  The I See Sam books are available by free download too somewhere, and you can print them yourself.  There are several places to order them from, the place I like is about $20/set.

Since I like my stuff available for planning, I would try to get the $$ saved up over the next couple months and order at the beginning.  The rest of the year shouldn't cost anything (unless you find new cool stuff, or find that something isn't working for you)

Amy