[kittywilbur]

Hi, I have a 5 year old that was going to start school this fall. I got the papers today saying when orientation was going to be and it hit me, I dont want to send him to school. We were actually going to homeschool and then I got nervous that I would get lazy and not teach him anything and he wants to learn and hes so smart. I just dont know where to start. I dont have a car so the library is out. I dont have a lot of money but I do have the internet at home. I cant afford a fancy pantsy cirriculum but I want something exciting for my 5 year old. We are enviromentally savvy, we love nature and all animals. Its overwhelming and I dont have enough time in a year to sit on this computer and do research. 3 kids uner 6 if you know what I mean. Thats another thing, the other kids, I dont want them to feel left out either. My son is excited to go to school and I know he is bored at home with me. Please help me, oh and how do I get my lazy but up and do something? lol. Thanks, Tabby<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">:

 

[Thalia the Muse]

Well, I think (and I would say this if you were sending him to school too!) that you really need a lot of books. Not "schoolbooks," just fun exciting BOOKS! so if you can't drive to the library, can you take the bus? Is there a bookmobile or other service? If not, can you afford to buy him lots of picture books, "how things work" books, real-life animal books? Between books, a bunch of art supplies, and nature stuff, that's a pretty good year of kindergarten right there.

 

[kittywilbur]

We have lots of those kinds of books and lots of crayons and markers and paints but not any other types of arts and crafts stuff. To be honest with you, I am afraid of wasting money, buying stuff that my kids wont like. I dont think I have any type of nature stuff, I want to get some garden stuff for the kids. I have something I should admit to, I dont have the get up and go like some moms, Nothing sounds like fun and im just plain lazy. No I dont sit and watch tv all day but I dont play either, I have always pushed that on to their dad. Thats why I was thinking of using some type of cirriculum, that maybe that would help motivate me and keep me going like a routine kinda thing. I just dont know.

 

[OTMomma]

If you want a relaxed curriculum- Five in a Row might be a good choice- not expensive exactly- the book is about $20, and then you can buy each book that goes with it as you need to. Its got a nice structure that might appeal to you.<br><br>
I would also go to the dollar store and see if you can get things like a magnifying glass for exploring the yard/bugs, and other goodies. I also recommmend playdoh and some paints for your art supplies (these are cheap). Oh, and one of my favorite things we've done for homeschooling this year is getting magazine subscriptions- We get both Click and Ladybug magazines- either one alone would be great though. And that comes to the house, with new stories to read and new ideas to explore each month- it has a game or craft in the back of each one.

 

[Callimom]

Some suggestions:<br>
Check out Charlotte Mason. A good place to start is <a href="http://amblesideonline.org/" target="_blank">ambleside</a> which is a free on-line curriculum guide, but you will need to get some good books and a math curriculum if you want to go that way.<br><br>
Miquon is a good inexpensive math curriculum and you can often buy sets on ebay quite inexpensively.<br><br><a href="http://www.starfall.com/" target="_blank">Starfall</a> is an online reading program. They have pages you can print out for free to go along with the online program.<br><br>
I don't think you need a lot of stuff to homeschool (although you would never know it looking at my shelves <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> ) but I do think there are some essentials. ~ Access to a variety of good books, (and I agree a bus trip the the library once a month is a great outing for kids if you can make it happen)<br>
~ some tools and manipulatives to make math and science investigation more available to kids (cuisenaire rods, counters, measuring tools, magnifying glass, bug containers etc.)<br>
~ a globe or wall map<br>
~ art supplies - these are great things to ask for as birthday/holiday gifts - watercolour set and decent brushes, clay, acrylic paints, plastercine, waldorf pencil crayons and pastels are all things that are big hits at my house and they aren't expensive if you build up your supply over time.<br><br>
I think that the most important thing is a commitment to explore the world with your child and introduce them to interesting things. I started homeschooling when my oldest was 6 and I had 3 y/o twins and a 1 year old. I know it can be challenging with younger kids, but it's not impossible.<br>
Good luck<br>
Karen

 

[bwylde]

bookcloseouts.com is a great site to get a lot of cheap books. They also have a lot of "extras", such as manipulatives, educational games and more.<br><br>
Is there any way to get to the library? Most are open 7 days a week and you can go online to reserve books. Many libraries let homeschoolers have books extra long, so even if you could only go every two months, you could reserve a ton of books and do it all periodically. If I can do this in my rinky dinky behind the times town, I imagine it is similar in most places <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">:

 

[pookel]

Don't forget to check ebay! You can get pretty big lots of kids' books cheap - I know because I sell books and I never make any money on those. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[frogguruami]

Just a note on the library. Most libraries have an online system. You can go online and reserve your books and they will call you when they are ready. Maybe hubby can run by on his way home from or to work each week and pick them up for you.<br><br>
I second Five in a Row. It is a great program and most of the books you need can be found at the library.

 

[kittywilbur]

My husband rides a bike back and forth to work which isnt a prob and I could have him stop by the library, thats a great Idea. I dont know why I am making such a big deal, my oldest is 5, what we do now I am sure is enough. He is smart as can be. Thanks for all your responses.

 

[coldfeet]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lurk.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lurk">: OoOoooOOoo Keep the ideas coming! I was going to ask a similar question except I have a 5 year old and an 8 year old.<br><br>
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I was going to ask the same thing! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[4evermom]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kittywilbur</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8004838"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I dont know why I am making such a big deal, my oldest is 5, what we do now I am sure is enough. He is smart as can be. Thanks for all your responses.</div>
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You might find the unschoolers' support threads reassuring <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> .

 

[elizawill]

<a href="http://www.amblesideonline.com" target="_blank">www.amblesideonline.com</a> ... <a href="http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com" target="_blank">www.tanglewoodeducation.com</a> ..... <a href="http://www.coreknowledge.org" target="_blank">www.coreknowledge.org</a> (click lessons) .... <a href="http://www.letteroftheweek.com" target="_blank">www.letteroftheweek.com</a> .... these are all free. CK is my favorite and is what i use to teach my dd. but any of these are a great place to start and are free. i love unit studies.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br>
i have also posted links to free math curriculum laid out for the whole year...so if you don't want to buy math books. also, walmart has great big fun curriculum books for very cheap.<br>
hope this helps you.

 

[elizawill]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>bwylde</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8000510"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">bookcloseouts.com is a great site to get a lot of cheap books. They also have a lot of "extras", such as manipulatives, educational games and more.</div>
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<br>
THANK YOU!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> great site!

 

[frogguruami]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>elizawill</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8008744"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">i have also posted links to free math curriculum laid out for the whole year...so if you don't want to buy math books. .</div>
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It is probably because I am REALLY tired and need to go to bed, but I can not find the link you have mentioned. Would you mind reposting it? Pretty Please!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kittywilbur]

I am confused about coreknowlege, Is it free? It sounds like its just for the classroom. Maybe you could help me navigate the website. I just cant seem to find what you are talking about. Thanks, TAbby

 

[Callimom]

<a href="http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/lessons/index.htm" target="_blank">try here</a><br>
The lesson plans are listed by grade level on the left<br>
hth<br>
karen