Home School Cirriculum?

Question

I really want to start home school this year with my 3 year daughter. She has an auto immune disorder so attending school is out of the question. I am looking for just good basic cirriculum that I can build around. I live in Texas so there are no laws about what I have to teach her. Any ideas would be appreciated.....

Answer 1

For a three year old you do not need any type of curiculum, in fact I would strongly discourage trying to bend a kid that young to something set. However, once she's of traditional school age I would recommend Calvert. They do grades 1-8 (which I did, I was homeschooled k-12) and while they are a little old fashoned they give you a very strong grounding for high school.

Answer 2

For a three year old you can find all you need in the following places:

1. The library.

2. The local Wal Mart, Target, or other similar store (For paints, playdough, crayons, etc.)

3. The world around you.

4. Free online sites:

http://www.starfall.com  (Free learning site)

http://www.handwritingforkids.com (Free worksheets)

http://www.earlychildhoodlinks.com (links to lots of sites)

http://www.kn.att.com (has some learning links)

http://www.first-school.ws  (free preschool stuff)

http://teacher.scholastic.com  (some free worksheets and activities)

http://www.tlsbooks.com  (LOTS of free stuff-no membership required)

http://www.dltk-kids.com (Lots of ideas and activities)

http://www.auntlee.com (Free games and activities)

http://www.funbrain.com (Free games and activities)

http://www.iknowthat.com (Free activities, registration required, but no fee for registration)

http://kidsites.com (links to lots of sites)

http://www.letteroftheweek.com/index.htm...  (Free curriculum for preschool to age 8)

To give you an idea of what to teach for preschool, go to:

http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?cur...

Oh, and by the way, for homeschooling don't worry too much about grade level.  If you start teaching the Preschool level stuff and then she masters all of it, just move on to Kindergarten stuff, then again, if something takes a little longer don't worry.  Move forward in areas she is ready to move forward in, and spend extra time on areas she is not ready to move forward in.

When she is ready for more advanced stuff, check out these other sites.

http://www.rainbowresource.com (ask for their print catalog, you'll never see all they have on the website).

http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com

http://www.abeka.com

Answer 3

Formal curriculum at three years old is a total waste of time and money.  The best thing you can do with any child at that age is to read aloud, actively involve her what you are doing, explaining what you are doing, asking her questions, and getting outside and exploring the great big world.  If you are washing a load of laundry, have her help you, talk about it, explain it, show her how its done, encourage her (even when it's not perfect).  That's just an example, but if you do that with everything in life, you will be setting the stage for cooperation later on when real academics come in to play. Read all kinds of books, not just story books.  Read about anything and everything at a level your child will understand, she can't know what interests her until she comes into contact with it, either in life or through a book.  Read until your throat hurts, drink some hot tea, suck on a lozenge, and read some more.  Turn off the t.v. and the computer, go on nature walks, learn to identify clouds, bugs,animals, trees and flowers (use your library extensively and learn right along with her).  Play simple math games with m&m's (counting, sorting, grouping, etc...)  then eat them!  There are countless resources on the internet for free lesson ideas for that age group.  Just remember to keep the play factor high, don't try to make anything seem like a formal type of lesson at her age, if she seems bored or disinterested, switch gears quickly.

You are very fortunate to live in Texas, many states are very highly regulated.  Seek out a homeschool group in your area, the local school district or perhaps your library might have info for a contact person.  Homeschool groups have families with all ages of kids, parents who have kids doing formal schoolwork and younger kids who haven't started school yet.  They can be an invaluable resource to you, not only for information on curriculum, but for friendship.

You don't need an expensive formal phonics program either.  They are mostly glorified games.  Get a book with big print and as you read, point out the individual letters and say its sound (NOT it's name).  Have her imitate that sound.  Show her how to write that sound (letter) with a crayon or pour some cornmeal on a cookie sheet and draw the letters in the cornmeal, encourage those little scribbles.  Many a child has learned to read with a method that simple, or at least when a formal program is introduced will pick it up much easier.

At this point her world should be filled with a language rich environment; meaningful conversations, children's songs, lots of books, and lots of fresh air.  This takes a committment on your part to be actively engaged.

When you are ready for a formal curriculum, my personal suggestion is Accelerated Achievement.  You will get everything you need for K-12 for $99 on one cd.  You could spend hundreds every year for 12 years, or invest in a good black and white laser printer for less than $200 and print your own books, the same books that students used before our educational system was dumbed down.  Ambleside Online is also good, same concept, and totally free.  If you like to spend money than any major curriculum provider will be happy to take your money and will provide your child with an excellent education.  If you would rather keep your money, either of those two will give you the same, or better, results.

Blessings on your efforts!

Angela - homeschooling mom for 12 years

Answer 4

This is a wonderful site with many low-cost ideas for you and your daughter.http://www.universalpreschool.com/how-to...

Answer 5

It's great to plan ahead and see what's out there.

-You can homeschool and it can be fun!

-Check out Sonlight.com-Great  programs and forums for homeschool moms

-Read- For the Children's Sake

Jana~   www.myfavoritehomeschoolsites.blogspot.c...

Answer 6

You don't need anything formal.  

(In fact, I would advise against it, I've seen many a homeschooler burn out their kids because they did too much too soon!)

At three I would be doing (and did with my now 5th and 3rd grader)

1.  Reading to her as much as possible

2.  Reinforcing colors, shapes and working on counting

3.  Get messy!!!!  Play in play doh, fingerpainting, measuring cups with dry rice and beans.

4.  Did I mention reading to her?

5.  Learn nursery rhymes

6.  Play a lot

She'll have lots of time to do "real school" when she's 5.

Sonlight is a christian homeschooling company.  Their main strength is literature.  If you want to get a broad base in preschool stories, I would start here and check out the books from the library from the preschool section that you can get and read them to her.

If you absolutely want to do something concrete, you might check out Themes in the Mailbox.  They have them based on all kinds of subject and it mirrors a preschool curriculum but I found many of their projects worthwhile.

Hope that helps.

Homeschooling has been a joy to our family, I hope it is for yours as well.

Answer 7

Alot of people love A Beka.  I am going with LifePac but that is because I am pulling my kids out of public schools and think that A Beka is a little advanced for them.  But that is my goal for next year to have them doing A Beka!!   Im not sure what kind of preschool program A Beka has though.

Horizons also has a GREAT preschool program!

Good luck and I will be praying for your daughter!!!

Answer 8

At three years old - the most important way that she learns is through play. I wouldn't start a cirriculum at this age. I would just do fun activities. They can learn a lot from that.

Answer 9

For a 3 year old I would try an online curriculum like brain pop or compass. Later, in Texas there is Texas Virtual Academy

Answer 10

Hey sorry to hear about your daughter but your shouldn't worry coz she could still do great stuff like art, literature, music and many other stuff.  All you have to do is expose her to all choices available and let her take a pick but remember to support her in any choices she makes unless of course if you do not think it is appropriate.  Hope this helps.