Homeschooling. I want to home school my 9 and 7 year old.?

Question

Does anyone know how to go about homeschooling when you are far from "teacher material"? My girls currently go to a private christian school, that is burning a hole in our pocket. We despratly need to pay off some debt and taking them out of private school is the only option (cost is $8000 a year). The public schools in our area are awful. It would be like feeding my kids to the wolves. How do I go about homeschooling with out messing up their education? I need help!

Answer 1

Nine and seven are easy. Next thing, you *are* teacher material. Think of all the things your children learned before they ever started school....how to walk, how to talk, how to take care of themselves, colors, numbers, probably the alphabet. Kids are BORN learning, and it's our job to facilitate that, not spoon feed them knowledge!

We unschool seven kids, and I always say homeschooling is free. You don't have to buy any curriculum to keep them learning, when i was really concerned about academics, i followed the PASS for our state from our local school, very easy to follow http://www.norman.k12.ok.us/088/index_fi...

When you look at second and fourth grades, you'll see that it's quite easy to do this. Took us less than an hour a day, in four months we were on to the next grade. We just maintained our usual schedule, lots of play time, and put this in two hours a day. When I was put on bedrest, I thought there was no way we could continue. But lo and behold, the kids were STILL learning! They would come up and share the most amazing stuff, and that's when I was sold on unschooling. They DON'T need a bunch of books and worksheets to be amazing, smart people. What we have spent money on we probably would have done anyway, memberships to the zoo and science museum, the art and history museums, etc. We spend a bit on gas (although nothing near $8000) to drive to festivals and open houses for businesses and manufactories to see how things are made or done, or were done years ago.

Think of it as a vacation year...if nothing else. Public schools only take 13 years because of the way they are set up to serve everyone. Homeschooling takes so much less time that you could teach them an entire year in a month. And DON'T try to be a teacher, you are a mom who's teaching them, that's all. Being a teacher will ruin your relationship.

Answer 2

The first place to go to is the HSLDA site--this has general information about the law of each state and links to each state's specific laws which can greatly differ.

Here's a link:

http://hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

You may want to do UNSCHOOLING for the first few months while you research your other options--my children were already burned out on traditional schooling when I pulled them and we all needed this transition to find a whole new way to actually enjoy learning.

For me, the first few months were allowing them to be children and have fun and for all of us to reconnect in a new way.

I am sure God will give you the wisdom you need and the direction He wants you to go ....God Bless.

Answer 3

I don't know about specific Christian curriculums since I'm not a Christian and I don't use a curriculum, but a lot of people use Alpha Omega and seem to do quite well.

An online school is a good bet because they have all the subjects and teachers. The downside is that you probably don't want your young children to be in front of the computer all day.

The biggest education fallacy people believe is that children must be taught, in the sense that you must provide them with a certain set of facts. You don't need to fill their heads up; let them explore.

I would recommend finding some sort of Bible study program, Saxon math homeschool versions -easily found free or cheap through a homeschool group- and then ask your girls what they want to learn about. A quick Google search and a library card will do wonders.

I have never used a curriculum. I'm 15, and in my first graded class. On every test I've taken, I've scored at above-college level. I only have one tutor and that's for math, 90 minutes once a week.

Curiosity is innate. They will end up with the education they need for the lives they're going to live.

Don't stress about it too much.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

the truth is you can get BRAND NEW books on ebay that look BRAND NEW with no writting in them. they are atleast half the price. also dont just go with one cirriculum. i am in the 7th grade and this is my 1st year as a homeschooler because our public school got horrible. also if your child needs a certain type of learning book/cirrriculum go with it, some kids need hands on, and others books.

make sure u still go on field trips and take them to a co-op or mettings with other homeschool kids there age/grade. You can also order books of the internet. for math i like A BEKA if that helps. (it is a cirriculum)

Answer 5

Why aren't you 'teacher material'? If you're really not, it's not a good idea to teach your own kids- you'll subject them to your own weaknesses AND it's really hard to teach your own. If schools are really that horrible and dangerous,  (most schools aren't) "homeschool" them, and hire a tutor.  You can get a knowlegable college student (education major- junior or senior) for a couple days a week (2-3 hours) for a hundred bucks or so- weekly. Buy a curriculum made for homeschooled kids - there are many 'christian' curriculums- then sit by and watch her and learn.

You could be totally honest with her and tell her you don't have a clue, but are willing to learn for your kids, and have her teach you what and how to teach them between her visits.

On the days she doesn't come, follow up with easier parts of the curriculum or your own specialty (art, math, music, culture...), and take them to places where they'll learn, like museums, worker's unions, lakes - and you don't have to be a trained 'teacher'.

Lastly, google 'home schooling support' with the name of your state, and you WILL find groups that can help you.

Answer 6

There are many curriculum's that basically require you to do nothing but grade papers. Try Switched on Schoolhouse, or Bob Jones stuff... there are countless other curriculum's that are awesome for new teachers. Good luck!!!

Answer 7

try www.k12.com a free program

Answer 8

I'm afraid you will get a lot of naysayers on here but ignore them you can do it!    I took my three kids out 5 years ago, thinking I couldn't do it but we love it and now I'm so glad we did.  

There are everything from boxed curriculums to a more eclectic way to teach.   I just choose what I think will work for each individual child.

If you search for homeschool material you will find a lot of online stores. Ask for their catalogues.  Spend time looking through them and you may get excited about what is out there to choose from.  *grin*



There are a lot of great online support groups that can help you out.   Take a look at www.theswap.com   It's a Christian support group.  A wonderful place to get a lot of great info.  

Plus, I'm sure you'll find a physical support group in your area to get involved in.  There are so many hs'ers out there.  :)

Answer 9

There is a wealth of information here online.  I don't know if we could have taught 5 years ago, but internet has given us resources for support, resources for learning material, and access to library catalog.  

You can get much information and support just by reading past questions and answers here in this section.

You can do it.  

All homes are schools.

Answer 10

If you put 'homeschool resources' into your search engine, you'll get tons of information about homeschooling. There are some excellent Christian homeschooling programs - and the school your children are attending may even be able to put you in touch with a local Christian homeschooling group.

It takes dedication, but it is well worth doing and the interesting thing is that home schooled children learn how to learn - and are often better educated than those who are only one of thirty kids in a class.

Good luck with it.

Answer 11

1. Make a list of all the subjects they are being taught at school.

2. Use encyclopaedias. Picture and colours with text generally make an interestin read.

3. Do you have a PC at home? Then I suggest the following CD-ROMS available at the Discovery Store. Look in the kids category.

http://shopping.discovery.com/

4. http://www.homeschool.com/articles/advic...