I homeschool my children and am looking for an affordable curriculum for all of them. Any suggestions?

Question

I homeschool my children and am looking for an affordable curriculum for all of them. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Without knowing your ages and academic levels, the type of education you are considering (traditional, classical, hands -on, unit studies, etc), and what you consider affordable (from $100 - thousands per child),  it would be hard to make a recommendation that would fit exactly what you are looking for in a curriculum.

So I will make a wild stab at what would work with all grades.

These are predominately free online programs that cover all grades.

Ambleside Online - http://amblesideonline.org/

Old Fashioned Education - http://oldfashionededucation.com

A list of other websites that you can piece together for a full curriculum could go on forever as the Internet is vast and full of great resources.

Answer 2

What are the ages? What kind of curriculum? Are you looking for Christian or Secular? For a couple of good Christian programs try these www.sonlight.com Kind of on the pricey side but if they are close in age they may all be able to use the same program with a few modifications for the older or younger ones and www.schooloftomorrow.com they have a free diagnostic test to tell you where to start and they run about 40 a month for 7 subjects each work book is about 2.75 each and contains enough work for a month

Answer 3

You can actually find a lot of materials for homeschooling on ebay.  Also, check with your local school district.  A lot of times they are giving away or selling cheap their used material.  Personally I use LIFEPAC curriculum from Alpha Omega.  I've found it's the best for people like me who are just starting out.  They provide a set of 5 subjects (math, science, social studies, language arts, Bible) with everything the student needs and the associated teachers books for a pretty reasonable price considering it's for the entie year.  Plus they have detailed instructions on how to go about presenting the material, keep track of what was taught etc.  www.alphaomega.com.  Also, you can check with your public library as well.  A lot of times they'll have textbooks in the reference section that you can use.  You can also get helpful materials at flea markets and dollar stores (more for basic supplies like paper, pencils, etc. but you never know you might get lucky!)  Also, check out yardsales, and local support groups in your area.  A lot of times homeschoolers will sell off their old materials, or simply give them away.  Hope this helps!  Good luck!

Answer 4

We use Christian Liberty Press as our basic foundation.

We have found them to be both academically sound, and affordable which is important when you have several youngsters at different levels.

I have also never had a problem reselling their materials when we were done with them.

http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/

If you prefer a more secular approach this web site may have what you are looking for, or at least a link that may help.

http://www.angelfire.com/or/mtdewbydo/se...

or,

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

On the upper right side of the page there is also a link to a home school buyers coop.

The following is a link to a yahoo group that is very active in buying, and selling used and sometimes new home school materials, and other curriculum, take a look see.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1001books/

This is a link to web sites I have posted previously for those who would also like to have some free resources available on the web.

Some web sites require a nominal yearly fee, others are completely free.

You can almost put a complete curriculum together for any age with the information you find on the.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Hope this helps a bit, good luck.

Answer 5

We use library and internet.  We use borrowed material from friends.  We buy used books at second hand stores.

It is very affordable.

Our biggest expense is gas for car and internet connection.

Answer 6

You can also homeschool for free by using the public library. They have books, DVDs, CD-Roms, audiobooks, some have downloadable mp3s, and some have subscriptions to learning websites like Rosetta Stone for Foreign Language and Brainpop.com.

Here are some free learning websites we enjoy:

Elementary:

Starfall Phonics

http://www.starfall.com/

Social Studies

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/

Time Magazine For Kids

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/

Science

http://www.everydayscience.org/index.htm...

Literature Units

http://www.mce.k12tn.net/units/units_wit...

Virtual Dissections

http://biology.about.com/od/onlinedissec...

Typing Lessons

http://typing-lessons.org/

Greek Mythology

http://www.wingedsandals.com/

Astronomy

http://www.cosmos4kids.com/

NASA SpacePlace

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/

Virtual Field Trips

http://ldshomeschoolinginca.org/vft.html

High School

Hippocampus (Math, Science, History)

http://hippocampus.org/

Writing Fix

http://writingfix.com/

Many links

http://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/high...

Answer 7

If you are looking to save money you should go with an on line charter school that will provide you with the curriculum..( books , computer, printer, teachers to help assist you etc ) Your options really depend on where you live. Here is one that has several locations all over http://www2.k12.com/getk12/index.html I use this one but like where I live in Ohio there are many online schools to choose from

Answer 8

Do you have a local homeschool support group?  If you do, a lot of times other homeschool families swap/sell their curriculum.  There also may be families using a particular curriculum that you are considering and would be willing to let you look at it before you buy.

Answer 9

You want the best for your child, so choosing the best home school program that there is out there.is very important. I have found a book on how to become a great home school professor. This book is very affordable and may be what you are looking for. A few point in the book are belows:

Making a schedule

Keeping records

Reporting to the right agencies, if any

How to provide socialization for your child

Fitting in everyday life with school

Establishing a school identity

Good luck to you and your child with homeschooling.