I need help finding a homeschool program for my son?

Question

My son will be entering second grade, I am a work from home mom with a limited income. I want my son to have the best education with a price I can afford. He is good with a computer and I have had experience with distance learning so I am open to that. I prefer a Christian based program but will hear alternatives. I have no idea how to really look into these programs even though I have been doing searches . I keep finding schools with yearly tuition of $2000. I can not afford more than $600 a year, and thats if they take installments. I dont undersatnd the difference in ACE or BECCA, I dont know how to find out local information for instance is there a local program for homeschool kids. Can I buy the materials and do my own homeschooling, or just purchase the curriculum? I dont understand why homeschool is so expensive if I am the one doing the work. I know this is the right decision but I dont know where to start or how to make this work. I live in freeport illinois-61032.

thanks

Answer 1

You can teach him yourself through workbooks (you don't have to do any of the preparation) like lifepacs from "Alpha and Omega". They also have computer programs you can order.

As for price, the Lifepacs are definitely under $600.

I was homeschooled on this curriculum along with two of my sisters. It worked very well for us but I know each family has different needs and you should do what God leads you to do.

As you can tell by the name it is a Christian based curriculum.

We focused on math and english (language arts).

The other subjects we spent less time on or even only ordered 5 instead of the full year of 10 workbooks.

We spent practically no time on science.

Also for legal protection while you're homeschooling, look into "Homeschool Legal Defense". They're a good company and for a yearly fee (not very expensive at all) they will offer their services if ever anyone brings anything against you concerning the education of your child.

Answer 2

For 2nd grade, you can easily homeschool for well under $600 per year.  My son is 10, started 6th grade a month ago, and is at a high school level for math and science (which are expensive), and we get away with under $600 per year :)

First, you need to figure out how he learns; does he prefer text and workbooks, or is he a more hands-on kid?  Does he like something quiet and routine-oriented, or is he always on the go?  Does he respond better to visual information, or does he retain what he hears?  This will help you pick the best curriculum for him.

If he's a workbook kid, I'd go with Bob Jones.  It's well put together, middle of the road as far as cost, and doesn't give unreasonable amounts of busy work.  (If your child grasps a concept well, feel free to not make him do all of the practice.)

If he really enjoys literature, Sonlight might be a good way to go.  They're a Christian company and offer incredible literature - most of which is available for free at any decent library :)  You can order the Teacher Guide, any supplemental things you like, and any books that aren't available at your library (they're all lined out in the free catalog) and then just borrow what you need when you need it.  Even if you order their full program wih all the bells and whistles, it's still under $500.

If he's a hands-on kid, Konos and/or lapbook units would be my suggestion.  This takes a bit more prep on your part, but it's well worth it.  Hands of a Child is a good lapbook company, they sell premade units with all of the research, activities, graphics, list of extra resources (library list), full instructions, and even answer keys with daily planners.  I've done both of these extensively with my hands-on kid with excellent results.

For science, I really recommend Apologia.  BJU is also good, and there are lapbook units at Hands of a Child to extend both for anything he's interested in.

Your library is an incredible resource - I'm surprised we haven't been asked to pay rent at ours, lol.  You can get all tons of stuff for free there, and the librarians are often more than happy to help kids find books they'll love.  My number one tip for homeschooling is to make good friends with your librarians!

Here are links to the companies I mentioned:

http://www.bjupress.com/page/HS+Home

http://sonlight.com/

http://www.konos.com/index.html

http://www.handsofachild.com/shop/Defaul...

http://apologia.com/

Have fun!

Answer 3

In Illinois, the only free online public school is the Chicago Virtual Academy, and you have to be a resident of the Chicago school district.  So that "free" option isn't available to you.

Tuitions of $2000 or so are because you are looking at private *schools*, not homeschooling curricula.  You can HS on less than $600 per year if you use free resources like the public library, the internet, and used HS'ing materials.

A.C.E. and Abeka (not BECCA) are two Christian HS'ing curriculum suppliers.  You can purchase their product as a homeschooler and teach it yourself, or you can enroll in one of their "acadamies"...which are *not* needed in Illinois - we don't need an "umbrella" school that's accredited to HS our children.

The only "local program" you'll probably find is a local HS'ing group for activities, field trips, an educational cooperative, etc.

If you purchase a curriculum (of any brand), then you'll be the one doing the teaching and doing your own program.  I'm thinking you're wanting to find a program that teaches your son for you???  To do that, it *will* cost a lot of money - either private tutoring or a small private school - which is not HS'ing.  There are the online and correspondance options also.

The market for HS'ing materials is fairly small in the much larger realm of textbook publishing.  Have you see how much K-12 and college textbooks cost???  You're going to see the same thing with HS'ing materials.  Just because you are the one teaching doesn't mean there aren't a lot of development costs in publishing the curricula.  As for "programs" like the private academies some HS publishers have available, you are paying for the convenience of the record-keeping, oversight, and accrediation - all of which are *not* necessary in elementary...and only minimally so in high school.

Here is the best place to start for HS'ing info in Illinois:

http://www.illinoishouse.org/

I recommend you join this Yahoo Group also:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschool...

Answer 4

For 2nd grade, you can easily homeschool for well under $600 per year. My son is 10, started 6th grade a month ago, and is at a high school level for math and science (which are expensive), and we get away with under $600 per year :)

First, you need to figure out how he learns; does he prefer text and workbooks, or is he a more hands-on kid? Does he like something quiet and routine-oriented, or is he always on the go? Does he respond better to visual information, or does he retain what he hears? This will help you pick the best curriculum for him.

If he's a workbook kid, I'd go with Bob Jones. It's well put together, middle of the road as far as cost, and doesn't give unreasonable amounts of busy work. (If your child grasps a concept well, feel free to not make him do all of the practice.)

If he really enjoys literature, Sonlight might be a good way to go. They're a Christian company and offer incredible literature - most of which is available for free at any decent library :) You can order the Teacher Guide, any supplemental things you like, and any books that aren't available at your library (they're all lined out in the free catalog) and then just borrow what you need when you need it. Even if you order their full program wih all the bells and whistles, it's still under $500.

If he's a hands-on kid, Konos and/or lapbook units would be my suggestion. This takes a bit more prep on your part, but it's well worth it. Hands of a Child is a good lapbook company, they sell premade units with all of the research, activities, graphics, list of extra resources (library list), full instructions, and even answer keys with daily planners. I've done both of these extensively with my hands-on kid with excellent results.

For science, I really recommend Apologia. BJU is also good, and there are lapbook units at Hands of a Child to extend both for anything he's interested in.

Your library is an incredible resource - I'm surprised we haven't been asked to pay rent at ours, lol. You can get all tons of stuff for free there, and the librarians are often more than happy to help kids find books they'll love. My number one tip for homeschooling is to make good friends with your librarians!

Here are links to the companies I mentioned:

http://www.bjupress.com/page/HS+Home

http://sonlight.com/

http://www.konos.com/index.html

http://www.handsofachild.com/shop/Defaul...

http://apologia.com/

Have fun!

Answer 5

We was considering home schooling ourselves for our son, but then it kinda dawned on me that doing so may hinder his socialization skills that he will need later in life from interacting with other children, and it will be more fun for him as well.

As far as your original question is concerned, try calling the local board of education & I am sure they can point you in the right direction.

Answer 6

Try Landmark Baptist Curriculum

http://www.landmarkbaptistchurch.org/mod...

I live in NC, so our laws for Home School differ.

For 2nd grade you can just buy what ever you think is best

for your son, like Workbooks, or you can order from many

Home School curriculums, like Rod and Staff.

Google " Home School" and you will find a lot of helpful information.

We use and like Rod and Staff Curriculum, they are

Menonite based books. just Google them for links.

http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php

http://www.rainbowresource.com/other.php...

can help, they have wonderful prices too.

You may also want to join a local Home School

support group in your area, or a Yahoo group.

Answer 7

You don't need to sign up for a correspondence or distance education.  Just buy the books and start teaching.  For $600 you can buy way more than you need for second grade.  

Accreditation is not necessary even at the High School level (a lot of people don't know this, but MANY public schools are not accredited), Accreditation is certainly going to be a waste of money during elementary school.

I prefer to pick and choose from a variety of publishers, but if you want to get everything in one place try Christian Liberty Press, you don't have to enroll in the school just to use their materials, including their teacher's guides, and you will save tons of money just teaching your child and not worrying about enrollment.  

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

Here is a link to CLP's complete second grade package, it only costs $163.00

http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/grade2/

This will tell you more about the legality of homeschooling in Illinois, but basically, in that state, you call the shots.

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?St...

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Illin...

Here are some organizations to contact in Illinois for more information:

http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp?Or...

http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp?Or...

Here is a listing of links by county for homeschool organizations in Illinois:

http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp?St...

Answer 8

I use Bridgeway Academy for my son.  They have the child take a placement test prior to sending you your materials and literally build the curriculum around your child's strengths and weaknesses.  You can choose to have it integrated a little a lot or not at all with religious material. I pay $895 per school year. It was costing me more than that just to drive him to and from school.  And they do take installments.

The cost incurred is because while you are the one teaching theya re the one's providing the material and grading the material and keeping all of your records for you for when your child may need them later on to prove graduation or if he was to be placed in public or private school down the road.  Now I can tell you that you can contact your local school board and find out what the requirements are in your area.  When we lived in Ga.  I only had to turn in an attendance sheet. That was is.  So I purchased my own materials and we worked on those. When we moved here to Guam, he went one semester to public/DODEA (we're military) school. I hated it so I removed him and back to homeschooling we went.  However here they require it to be fully documented and so I pay for the peace of mind knowing I am doing everything by the book so to speak.  I much preferred doing it on my own.  I just think there's so much more kids could be learning besides just  what they want you to teach.

http://www.homeschoolacademy.com/

Answer 9

I think that most people who start out with homeschooling have the idea that you must teach the way the public school teaches and that you must use a government prescribed curriculum.

If you live in a state where you can create your own curriculum, then start researching and  supplying your son with resources.    

I would recommend that you find a Yahoo support group in the group section.   You could even put in your city and state and find a local group that would give you local resources:i.e,

plays, theater,park activities.

I work outside the home and my son is older.   Our biggest expenses  are internet connection (using only free resources) and gas for library trips.

Here is a great video on children's creativity.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

Answer 10

If you only want to spend the amount of money for toner and paper, you can follow a wonderful curriculum that is FREE (aside from paper and toner, which is by far cheaper than buying a curriculum set!). I am doing this and so far have loved it! My daughter is in first grade, and this program goes from K-12. It is a Christian program, as well!

http://oldfashionededucation.com/

On the left hand sidebar at the top is a link called "Full Curriculum." If you click on that, it will link you to the weekly schedule (it's a 40 week curriculum guide, complete and amazing!) for each grade, and above the schedule is a link that has the links to all the free books.

The one thing I will recommend doing is actually buying a McGuffey's Reader full set and a Ray's Arithmetic Full set, as they end up being $7.50 per year from Christian Book Distributors (for one child using it 1-12, gets cheaper for each child!) and can't be cheaper printing it off at home!

Also, if your son is already reading and you want to start him into grammar lessons, there is a fun, printable, free guide for 1-6 graders here, just click on the book you want. ;) : http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.h...

If you have any questions about this, please don't hesitate to email me. pursuer (at) gmail (dot) com.  I LOVE homeschooling, was homeschooled for most of my high school years, and I love doing research and helping others. I also have a lot of links encouraging homeschool parents, but especially for Christians (being one myself).

Don't be freaked out! It's much easier than most people think it is. ;) Has it's ups and downs, but so does anything in life.

As to socialization, don't worry.... lol.... http://nhen.org/printfriendly.asp?ID=415

-Jess