I would like to start homeschooling my 7 year old but I don't know where to start, help......?

Question

It seems like there is so much on the web for homeschooling and I am overwhelmed. I would like something structured, that even I wouldn't mess up lol. I did look into A beka and so far I think it could be a great avenue, I like it because it included everything all cirriculum and a parent key. But the on the down side of that is it costs a little more than I was prepaird to spend. If anyone knows of a well structured program like this, maybe at a better price please let me know. Thanks!

Answer 1

I am homeschooled and i do Pa Cyber Charter school. I really like it i mean it is structured they basically tell you what has to be done.

Answer 2

This site has a list of well known programs that are similar to Abeka.  Check them out to see if one would better fit your budget:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

You could also consider buying a used curriculum.  Here are some tips for affordable homeschooling:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Good luck!

Answer 3

www.thehomeschoolmom.com

this 1 is free www.bellaonline.com

Answer 4

well i am 13 years old and i am homeschooled at the azva.

you dont have to go anywhere or do much

they give you the equipment you need like the computer and keyboard etc... but if you break it then you have to pay for it. go to google and type in (arizona virtual acdemy)

homeschooling in whtever state you live in .

i think that will maybe help

i dont know

or just type in homeschooling at google!!

rofl

Answer 5

I LOVE HOMESCHOLLING!!!!! I am going to Odyssey Charter School in Las Vegas. My teachers are very nice and I get my work done early. I would definitly reccomend it.

Answer 6

Been homeschooled all my life and tried a variety of programs- some of the best have been: Connections Academy (Its an online school, I go there currently and love it)

or you could try PACE (not a fave of mine) or Calvert (did it in 4th and 7th grade)....

Answer 7

Well I cant help you but I think its great and honorable of you to home school your child. I heard the classes on tape with the parent books are very well.

Answer 8

try www.k12.com

Answer 9

Can I recommend against homeschooling? The child won't have a social life...well I'm sure you've heard all this before. A better question to ask if why homeschool at all?

Answer 10

If you email me privately, I can connect you with a mom who has home schooled her kids for the last five years. I am sure she would give you pointers

Answer 11

One option to get started is to use a public online school.  They will send you all your curriculum and you teach with it.  Connections Academy and K12 are both this type.  

You can think about what your student is interested in and go with the unit studies approach . . . study one thing across all subjects.  (Read books about snakes, graph different snake lengths, make models of snakes, make maps of where snakes live in the world, and so forth.)

I have done both and right now am more of the unit study variety.  There is a lot of information about homeschooling out there.  First off, ask yourself if you need a really structured program and support to get started, or if you feel comfortable jumping in feet first with a basic knowledge of where you need to go.  From what you said in your question, I get the feeling that a bit more structure might be what you are leaning towards right now.  (And there is nothing wrong with that.)  The leap to homeschool gives parents a whole different job description and the first little while can feel like a roller coaster ride until everyone gets settled into the new roles!  But, is it worth it?  Yep!!

One thing that I really suggest is to call scholastic and ask for their book club catalogs as a homeschooler (educator).  You can get some great buys on books!  I do know this, between the library and our many bookshelves, we can't have enough books!

Do a search online and find some homeschooling groups in your area and visit them.  They will be able to help with the laws of homeschooling in your area and be a resourse and support to you, and have some friends for your child that are also homeschooled.

One area that my daughters love to get together with friends is at our homeschool coop and our homeschool girl scout troop.  See if there is a girl or boy scout troop for homeschoolers, and if not, join with one at the school, or start your own.

If you find that one method isn't working for your family, don't be afraid to tweak it until it does!  You know your child best, and if math works best over cheerios in the morning, then so be it.

Homeschooling is a journey, and well worth it.  Take time to reflect each day on why you chose this path.  Live, love and learn . . . your family will be stronger for learning together.

Best of luck!

Answer 12

Wow I thought about home schooling mine but now that I have three, public school isn't so bad after all.

Answer 13

Prepared curriculum, like Abeka, does tend to be pricey.  Especially if you are looking to buy it brand new.  Might I suggest that you consider buying used curriculum instead?  

If you contact some local homeschool support groups, you can ask about if and when they have used curriculum sales.  These are a great way to get prepackaged curriculum at much low prices.  Or look online for homeschool sales groups.  (You used to be able to get such things on eBay but can't anymore since they no longer allow teacher's materials to be sold there, but there are places like vegsource.com that do allow it.)

Joining a local homeschooling support group may be a good idea not only for leads on where to get curriculum, but for pointers in how to get started.  Since each state's laws are different, and since there is such an overwhelming amount of information online, they can be a good place to start.  They can show you the materials that they use and you can decide if they look good to you or not--rather than just buying material in the dark.

And doing worry about "messing up."  You want the best for your child, so you are more motivated than any teacher to helpd your child do well.  You know your child better than anyone else and can work on your child's interests to reach him, which a classroom teacher can't.  You can go at your child's pace, which a classroom teacher can't.  And you can provide one-on-one attention that a teacher can't hope to provide.

Answer 14

You really do have no idea about education, do you. Your child needs he experience of going to school and being with other people his on age. What happens after school is over. He finds a nice little job he can do a home? Not on.  

Do not implant your own phobias onto a hapless child who knows no better. Schooling also involves social contact and

peer involvement. You cannot get that in a course. And is not

your schools system free? What are you trying to do, lady?

Answer 15

I've written some articles about homeschooling younger children plus I have 4 of my own that I am homeschooling.  Anyone that I have known that has done Abeka for more than a few years has burned out.  It does make you feel good to know that everything is laid out for you, but you can do well with some great resources.  

Here are just a few tips to get you started:

1.  Read to your child at least 30 minutes per day.  It doesn't sound like much, but this is huge!

2.  Answer their questions.  If they don't ask questions then help them develop a sense of wonder noticing things around you and talking about it with them.  Notice the color of flowers or wonder why someone designed a building a certain way.

3.  Start some flashcards with them.  Count everything around you. Count M&Ms or raisins and eat them for subtraction.  

Remember homeschooling is mostly about relationships between parents and children.  You can't "mess up" their learning if you are working on your relationship with them.  

Hope that helps!

You can find more resources here http://www.hjresources.com

Answer 16

a beka is a great place to start, and as someone already suggested, you can buy used curriculum at home-school conventions.

  my mom did not know thing one about homeschooling when she started, but a friend suggested a beka, and it was really great.  

usually there is a local church that sponsors a homeschool convention yearly in most towns.

Answer 17

Have you looked into Sonlight? It has the lesson plans and everything you need for all of her subjects.  It is a little n teh expensive side but you can use it for 2 years and then buy the next one. I spent just over $900.00 for core 3+4 but if you have more kids to home school later this becomes a great investment because you can use it for each one. We also use Math U See for their math. But Sonlight offers math and science curriculum to use with it.

Answer 18

With my younger kids we didn't do quite as structured a program.  

We used Five in a Row, a math program and a reading program like Explode the Code.   That's it.   I love those early years and I'm so glad we didn't just sit and do book work.  

Five in a row is about cuddling up and reading award winning books, together, studying, sometimes,  other cultures and countries, doing some neat science, and studying relationships.  

http://www.fiveinarow.com/