I have decided to homeschool my 5yr old.?

Question

I live in ohio and Ive made the decision this year to homeschool my oldest through kindergarten. Can I have any suggestions, or books i should consider buying to help us along?

Answer 1

Look up the standards of the curriculum in Ohio. This site maybe able to help guide you http://www.ohdela.com/PPF/category_ID/5_...

You may also want to talk to a local kinder garden teacher and ask her about what your son should be able to do by the end of this year.

Go to your local bookstore and pick up extra kinder garden work books. Make sure you dedicate a space just for the school and make sure you stock it with supplies that every classroom would have. Such as crayons,markers,file folders for the different subjects, etc. This area is only for school and not for play so make that clear when you start.  

Make sure you feel comfortable in teaching your child these very important first skills.  And although I hate to say this, it not against you and not meant to hurt your feelings but also consider why you are homeschooling your child. For his benefit or is it because you are not ready to let him go (He is your oldest so he is the first to do alot of new things that you may not be ready to let him do because he is growing up and therefore not 100% dependant on you). It sounds like you do have is social life in tact but make sure that threes at least one activity were you are not there because this is were children get that little Independence and security that they can do things for themselves.

I truly honor a parent who chooses to take the time to teach there child at home.

P.S You also mention that this is your oldest child make sure your other children are not to much of distraction for your son or you.

Answer 2

Hanging out with his friends, and being away from parents on a daily basis having to learn to socialize with many others on his own are two completely different things.  He will, no matter how many playdates you make for him, park trips or library trips, lose out on crucial social skills.  He'll be behind in that area as long as he is homeschooled.  When he does get to public school, he'll be behind the other kids as far as adapting.  Is it the fear of letting him go, be out of your control, or are there other reasons for not wanting him in school?

Answer 3

i would suggest that u send ur child to regular schooling, because for 1  you are going 2 want some time alone for urself, and besides there are some good schools out there. and another thing, he needs 2 be around other and more kids his age. but don't forget that at the end of the school yr., if u want him to have home school, u have to give him the EOG Test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Susan Wise Bauer, Author

Answer 5

http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool/... this site should help you set up a curriculum, schedule and supplies. But don't forget children need to be social. I advise you sign them up in an activity they like to get them around other kids their own age. If not they might suffer in the long run. I can speak from experience. Good luck! Hope this helpped a little.  

Answer 6

Playdates and library aren't the same. At school, children learn largely how to be independent, how to handle situations with a wide variety of other children, and how to act when in public and away from parental supervision. Even if your schooling is better than being in a classroom, he will still lack in social skills. Enroll him in a school, at least for a couple years, and teach him what you want him to learn at night or on weekends.

Answer 7

Don't homeschool. Its not fair on your child, children need to learn how to interract and mix with other children. They need to learn social skills.

Answer 8

You have had a few good answers already, I will tell you what has worked for us.  

We recently finished kindergarten with our ds, and have had success with Handwriting Without Tears (this seems to be a good choice for boys, based on reviews I've read from other homeschoolers), and Math-U-See (www.mathusee.com).  He was already reading (I taught him phonics when he was younger), but the BOB books are good for beginning readers, if your son has not already started on his own (www.bobbooks.com).  The Kumon books are quite good, albeit costly if the child goes through them quickly (www.kumon.com, they carry these at our local bookstore).  We also used workbooks from the dollar store as fun activities, as my son loves to do worksheets for some reason.  ;)

We also do unit studies.  Whenever my ds is interested in something (such as space or dinosaurs), we go to the library and take out a lot of books on that topic to read.  Then he often writes a letter to his grandparents, telling them what he has found out.  

If you want to follow a more in-depth classical method, then check out Susan Wise Bauer, "The Well-Trained Mind".  If you want to follow more the unschooling method, John Holt is good.  Ruth Beechick also has a number of good books.

Good luck with this and enjoy yourselves.  

Answer 9

Please ignore all the socialization trolls that think they know what is best for every child in every family in every situation!

We went to Walmart and bought the workbooks for math and phonics and used teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons. For Pre K. For kindergarten we used Handwriting Without Tears, Explode the Code, and Math U See Primer and he was involved with his sisters History, Science, and Bible Lessons. This year we are doing basically the same thing for his first grade stuff and adding his own Science and making him do more with the his sister in History. We are planning to buy his 1+2nd grade curriculum in February (when we get our tax refund)  where he will be picking up a full days work.

You can get Explode the Code and Handwriting Without Tears at www.sonlight.com The Math U See primer at www.mathusee.com

Good Luck!

Answer 10

Good for you! Your descision is the BEST a parent can make!

I am currently homeschooling my 5 yr old daughter!

Ok I reccomend this website.

http://www.abcteach.com

it has PLENTY of worksheets for basic math, Letters, and numbers!

Also if you want a set curriculum go with ALpha Omega It has all the subjects and what he needs to know!

For penmanship go with

Penmanship to praise or A reason for handwriting!

Both are great

A reason for spelling for his spelling!

Please DO NOT listen to all the ignorant people who say stuuf about socilization!

They do not know anything!

Homeschooling is the BEST and your son deserves it!

Hope this helps!

Answer 11

A great general book is called -What Every kindergardener Needs to Know. Read, Read, Read, play, play, play. You are making a great decision for you child!

I would also look at Ruth Beechicks, A Strong Start in Language and an Easy Start in Math. And another book called For The Children's Sake.

For math there's a great website, http://www.livingmath.net

If you need a good book list, request a Sonlight catalog at, http://www.sonlight.com

Best of Luck!

Jana

http://www.purehomeschooling.com/

Answer 12

I loved being home schooled! I don't understand why people think home schooled children are shut in a house for days at a time with no human contact other than their parents.

Anyway, each State has their own set of laws regarding home schooling. I was home schooled in Indiana and I know my mom had to follow certain curriculum guidelines and I had to take a State test in Indianapolis at the Dept of Education every year in order to be able to go into the next grade.

The Home School Legal Defense Association has information on each State's home schooling laws. Might be worth reading through Ohio's laws and guidelines before you officially start schooling your son. You can also do an internet search for "Home Schooling in Ohio" to get more information about State required curriculum, support groups, activities for home schooled children, and other home schooling families in your area.

Good luck!

Answer 13

no. your child needs as much freedom as they can when they are still young. let them socialize and make friends!  

Answer 14

why would you do that he needs to meet new people so he can be prepared for the future

Answer 15

Please reconsider.  If you don't agree with what is being taught in public schools find some like-minded parents and at least home-school together.

So much of what they learn at that age is from interaction with other children DURING LESSONS and the school environment and I think your child will miss out.  You are the most important influence on your child's life but you should not be the only influence.  I know that as a parent you have your child's best interests at heart but teachers are Education Professionals who have studied and qualified to be in that position and who undergo regular professional development.  However much you read up, do you think you can replicate years of classroom experience?

Edit- Note to self, do not try to write post on importance of teachers whilst also on the phone, you make too many mistakes and undermine your argument!