HOMESCHOOLERS: How do you get started?!?

Question

I'd like to homeschool my daughter for pre-school (and possibly beyond). The problem is I'm so overwhelmed by the wealth of information and resources out there that I just don't even know where to start! I am the kind of person who needs structure and so is my daughter, although I'm going to need a curriculum that I can tailor to her level (she's reading already, so learning the ABCs is a little too basic for her, but she may need more basic materials for other subjects). I'm also looking for Christian material. How do you go about getting started? How do you choose a curriculum, decide on your homeschooling "days" and "hours", and find local homeschooling groups? Anyone?!

Oh, and I'm in Wisconsin, if that helps!

Answer 1

The best place to start is www.hslda.org they will help you with the laws and tell you where to start. After that you need to start looking for a program. I use ACE they have a diagnostic test to tell you where to start but I don't know if they test for kindergarten level. Sonlight is a great program but its a bit pricy and I find it harder to tailor to my kids needs but we really enjoyed it last year. AS for hours we just start at some time hopefully in the morning and go til we're done usually 3-4 hours later but depending on attitudes it may take longer. i home school 2 and have an 18 month old baby so some days are harder than others. There are so many Christian programs out there Sonlight and ACE are just 2 of them. The sites are ACE www.schooloftomorrw.com and Sonlight www.sonlight.com Good luck and remember home school is not only about education but its also about enjoying your kids and having fun.

Answer 2

Homeschooling can be a wonderful thing.  I have two daughters, aged 11 and 8.  We use a curriculum that we get from Alpha Omega Publications.  They allow you to buy a la carte, so you can get only Language Arts and/or Mathematics, or get all the subjects in a package, thus allowing you to tailor it to your child's abilities.  As well, it is Christian-based.  We use it as a basis to insure that we are keeping them up to the expectations of their grade-level.  We do not limit our children to this, however.  If they are progressing beyond the curriculum, then great!

I do recommend finding a group near you, as well.  This opens up a lot of options for you.  For instance, we participate in a group that offers sewing classes, art classes, performing arts classes, and occasional events that encourage the children.  This allows us to utilize the strengths of other parents to teach our children, and share our strengths with their children.  Check out you local libraries to find a group near you.  A lot of groups will post notices or hold events near the start of the school year.  I was amazed at the size of the homeschooling population in our area.

Keep in mind that every thing that you do is a learning opportunity.  As for setting up your days and hours, well you might need to fulfill a requirement due to state law, so check that out.  Otherwise, it can be very free-form or very structured, depending on your children and how they learn.  Homeschooling allows you to spend more time on subjects that they struggle with while allowing them to excel in things that come naturally to them.

We started by deciding on the curriculum and implementing that.  As we got comfortable with that, we added other things in.  Don't be overwhelmed - it is hard to s***w up at this early stage.

Answer 3

I agree that the vast amount of curriculum's, and other home school materials that are available on the market today can be mind boggling to new home school families.

I hope this answer does not put you in information overload as well.

Your daughter is still very young, and this is a great opportunity to simply ease into it.

Homeschooling/unschooling is simply a natural extension of raising our children, we just add academics to the equation as they grow, and show interest.

Your first stop can be http://www.hslda.org and check on your states requirements.

Most states do not require children to attend school until ages 6, or 7, and Kindergarten is not mandatory so you have a lot of time to get the information you need, and find a local home school group that you can join, and participate in some of the activities, and field trips.

These families can be a great source of advice, information, and support.

When your state has a home school convention I would recommend you, and your husband attend; these conventions have many workshops relating to homeschooling, home school methods, and the vendors bring their curriculum's for your to review/buy.

For now I would not buy much at all, if she is interested in learning how to read, I would look into a book called Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons.

Any book that I would consider I would first check out through the library, or use an  inter-library loan to get it.

This gives you time to review it, and see if that's what will work for you; it's a money saver trust me.

Home schooling means adjusting the curriculum to the child's learning style, and more often than not this means trial, and error.

The library can save $, and frustration.

Here are a few web sites I would check out for now, some have many free items, and others are for on line use.

The first two have been my greatest resource while the children were younger, and now wit my grandchildren.

These sites do require a $20.00 yearly fee to have full use of all their printable materials, but it is well worth it.

You can check them out for free, but it is a lot of curriculum in one place.

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/

http://www.abcteach.com/

A general home school information site with a lot of info.

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/



Free computer software; just pay a nominal fee for shipping.

http://www.planetcdrom.com/free-homescho...



Educational games.

http://www.educationallearninggames.com/...

  

Astronomy

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/star...

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

Mr. Donn's history site - unit studies.

http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/



Free Audio Books.

http://www.free-books.org/

  

Free weekly tips, worksheets,lesson plans, resources , and curriculum.

http://www.homeschoolfreestuff...

http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/FreeEdMai...

http://about.com/education/

http://www.freeworksheets.com/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/

http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/ets/Wwwsites....

http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100...

http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?secti...

http://www.starfall.com/

http://www.homeschoolblessings.com/

http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/

Math:

http://www.tlsbooks.com/mathworksheets.h...

http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/ind...

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/creekvalley/s...

http://www.rainforestmaths.com/

Geography

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world

http://www.dltk-kids.com

http://www.dltk-kids.com/color.........

http://www.weeklyreader.com/kids/games/g...

Typing-keyboarding

http://www.auntlee.com/easytyp.........

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/



Grade Level Core Knowledge site.

http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/l...



Other:

http://www.funbrain.com/

http://www.brainpopjr.com/

http://www.iknowthat.com/

http://www.kidzone.ws/

http://kidsites.com/

http://www.spellingtime.com/

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/...

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/month...

http://www.extremescience.com/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids...

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_...

http://parenting.leehansen.com/kids/kids...

http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/ind...

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/index....

http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100...

http://www.nsa.gov/kids/

http://www.surfnetkids.com/

http://4kids.org/games/

Answer 4

I know this doesn't give you an answer, but lady comeon  this is the 21rst century this is social suicide for your child. She will grow up as a nerd. Do you want your child to be a social outcast. Maybe pre-school but dont do it for beyond.

Answer 5

this info will help you alot !! I have been home schooling my children for years, had one graduate. If you need anything else just email me

http://www.homeschoolinganswers.info

Answer 6

I used Alpha Phonics and Teach your child to read in 100 easy Lessons. Worked great. I researched them online then found them for a great deal on ebay.

All mine are strong readers.

We work in the mornings and stay on the same lesson until they absorb it. They are really all becoming independent learners.

Charlotte Mason's philosophy is a good one, too.

http://www.charlottemason.com/

The 3 R's  is a good one.

Just relax.

You are doing a good thing for our daughter. Public schools are going down down down. I've home schooled and done the public school thing. If you are able to home school DO IT.

Good luck to you,

D

P.S. About socialization, there are numerous homeschoolers across the country. Just find one in your area. My kids are very 'normal' only my teens don't drink, smoke, or seem to be self destructing. :)...They also have a ton of friends are  great people and fun to be around.

No worries!

Also what "Mom" said about living your life and teaching your lil ones that way. That's how it was done for centuries until about 1946 when public schools were introduced.

Answer 7

YEAH!!!  Good for you!  Please don't listen to the negative comments.  I was homeschooled for my entire schooling, K-12.  I have turned out just fine.  I have owned my own business for 12 years (I am 27).  Socialization is a non-issue.  I'm a single foster mother by choice, working on adopting my current children.  

Wisconsin has a wonderful group:

www.homeschooling-wpa.org

There is a conference every year in the spring - I highly recommend it.  

Sonlight is Christian based.  It's nice because it's based on real books and not textbooks.  

As far as days and hours go... live your life!  Learning doesn't just happen at scheduled hours!  A routine is nice so kids know what to expect but also keep it flexible enough so that you can take advantage of opportunities as they arise.  

At the preschool age play is very important.  Expose them to a variety of experiences.  Talk about everything you do.  Explain how, where, why.  Read... a lot!  My mom would take us to the library every week.  Each year she had a pass to a different museum - public museum, children's museum, art museum, zoo, etc.  Volunteer places that you can bring your daughter.  

Basically an education should teach you how to learn.  Children are born with a love of learning, keep nurishing it and it will continue to grow!

Answer 8

no!  just send her to regular school!  i know homeschooled kids, and they are a *little* out there, even though they're now in college.  if you want her to learn that christian stuff, send her to a parochial school ...  or just stick with a public school and send her to sunday school.  please.  for her sake...  i went to a catholic school for high school, and it was an amazing experience...  even though i'm not catholic, or even religious at all really

edit: hah!  look at all my thumbs down.  i guess there are a lot of homeschooled kids on yahoo answers lol

Answer 9

These answers about "just send her to school" just make me laugh because they are written by people who have no clue.  

Number one, take a deep breath.  You are taking pre-school which doesn't have to be hard.   Structure is okay but that doesn't mean you need "formal".  Those are two different things.

Take a look at Five in a Row.  www.fiveinarow.com    They have a program for pre-schoolers.   It's based on literature.   You can cuddle on the couch, read great books and learn science, social studies, language arts, geography, etc. all while having a great time.  

Math U See is a wonderful math program.    I love Explode the Code for learning to read.  

As for hours of preschool - you can be done anything 'formal' within an hour.  The rest of the time you an spend playing together, playing with friends, out for walks, etc.  I think even homeschoolers are pressured when we see the school systems starting formal learning programs earlier and earlier these days.   It's totally un-necessary though.  Kids that age will learn more from being read to and playing then by anything on a workbook page.    

To find homeschool groups just google wisconsin homeschool support and I'm sure lots will come up.

Answer 10

Obviously online is a wealth of info....   being in California we now have a ton of charter schools to choose from, but if I wanted to forgo any help from "authorities" I could file an R4 form directly to the state office in Sacramento (the captial) and do whatever I wanted as long as they received 180 days of instruction, never unsupervised, kept current attendance records, and some work samples.  I chose to use a charter school that allows me several hundred dollars to be used on curriculum and/or vendors.  Vendors are private music lessons, martial arts lessons, gymnastics, ballet & tap dance, or a lot of other things if we wanted that.  I found the vendors and they got approved by the school.  These are things that I was paying for before finding this particular charter school.  

So, you need to research each and every program, charter school, or homeschool group locally to choose what is best for your family.  One big christian online source is the Bob Jones University which I found to be great for the lower grades, just haven't tried the upper grades.  Its more expensive than most, but is highly regarded.  

Having said all that, I think you are making a great decision for your family.  Its much easier to start younger than have to unlearn all the bad things they learned in public or traditional schools.  Learning is fun and lifelong, not to be associated with the dreaded "homework" of traditional schooling.  So much time is also wasted in that type of schooling because of the sheer number of kids to be attended to, hence the number system....

Answer 11

I am homeschooled right now and i've never been happier. Homeschooled since grade 9, got sick of the "regular" school, preferred to work part time too, but mostly got sick of paying for it myself and not getting anything in return. Decided to take matter in my own hands. Your daughter is gonna socialize on her own no matter what, so don't bother with all the negative comments and believe when I say you are doing your daughter a favour. Don't worry, by the way, you seem to be lost, but so are all of us when we start. It took me like 3 months to figure out HOW to study, submitt material, contact, and all that. Once I enrolled, they pretty much provided me with all the information, and i'm still guided throughout. My mom helped me find my high school online, and so I don't really know about per-schools. Just wanna tell you that you are sooooo on the right track and good luck.

Answer 12

Find a local homeschooling support group by doing a search for _yourcity/town homeschool_ through Yahoo/Google and in Yahoo Groups. You could also try doing a search for Wisconsin homeschooling and you might find more groups that way. Then find out what's going on that you could participate in. There's nothing like being able to sit with other moms at some activity and just listen to their stories and ask questions. And even look at their resources.

Answer 13

We do a virtual academy, which has a sister school in Wisconsin.  Google Wisconsin Virtual Academy and see what comes up.  It's an online charter school with a pre-set curriculum that is free because it's public; you also receive a computer and printer to use while you're enrolled.   It has attendance and tracking pre-programmed into the system and a teacher that is assigned to you to help you out.  While there are Bible stories as part of the literature curriculum, there really isn't a religious curriculum, but I like that because I want to teach my kids our beliefs without worrying how to undo someone else's teachings (we had a pre-school with a teacher who taught them some interesting prayers...it changed my mind about religious education.)  The history curriculum is exceptional and we've really liked it.  We need structure too, or we'd be waking up at 11 a.m. and going to bed at midnight -- we have to be breakfasted and in our seats by 8:30, but we're usually done by noon or one.  Our school has a weekly day -- "Community Day" -- that's optional where the kids can go for three hours and have class and recess; my kids just wanted to stay home and get their work done so we could do things together.  You'll never regret homeschooling -- it brings your whole family so much closer together and you don't have as much outside pressure tearing at your family.  Be sure to get involved in Scouts or sports or a church group so you can put on a fake smile and say thank you when people are concerned about her socialization, which you're doing by having her meet polite human beings of all ages all day long.  (It gets ridiculous after awhile, but until then it makes you second guess yourself.  Don't!  Just get them out there and travel and play and have a great time!)

Answer 14

Read to her.

Play with her.

Turn over rocks and look a bugs.

Best thing you can do for her education, is to inspire her to love learning.

Talk to other homeschoolers over some coffee and watch their kids, flip through the materials they use. Don't be afraid to try different things.

You cannot mess this up, unless you get too stressed.

It is a natural process.

I also want to say that narrow minded people have always been quick to classify extraordinary people as "weird". Issac Newton, Agatha Christie, Claude Monet, Irving Berlin, Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers were all homeschooled. Maybe some people find it a shame that they turned out to be such 'nerds", but I don't.

After all, the geek shall inherit the Earth.

Answer 15

Do her a favor and just send her to school, where she will learn how to socialize with other people, with different personalities, etc. otherwise she could grow up with socialization issues in the future.

Answer 16

Not to sound mean but i do not think that you should homeschool your daughter beyond preschool. The reasons being that she would make friends in elementary school that would last for a lifetime. Also it exposes her to the real world little by little. Other than that order some asssment tests to see where she is at.

Answer 17

i was homeschooled from kindergarten to 2nd grade (i live in calif.), and there was a school where my mom would pick up all the materials, schedules and books. i had a teacher i was under, that i would turn in monthly assignments, however my mom taught me everything in the books. its a lot simpler than you may think. look online, im sure there is a school site to make it possible for you to homeschool your child. good luck! what your doing is great :)