Please help me choose a homeschool program - I am new !?

Question

I don't know anybody who homeschools so I need your advice in helping me choose a program for my son.

I prefer an online school (satelite) because I like the idea that my son is in a private"school" and he gets legal paperwork from them if I will decide to send him back to public school . I also like an online school or a satellite school because it gives me more accountability .

I cannot use K12 because my son is 2 weeks short to be eligible for Kindergarten this year (he will be 5 in Sept) , however I consider him advanced and I want to start K this year.

He started to read short vowels words( cat , sam , men, pig ,work , will ) .

He loves books and listening to stories.

He has a very long attention span but he does not like too much writing . A little is ok. though . So a program with a lot of writing would not work for him.

He likes educational software and computer sites w/educational games.

He doesn't like crafts,painting,drawing,etc

He can count about 15 items and counts to 30.

Answer 1

Different states have different requirements.  In Florida where I live, kindergarten is voluntary unless you are sending your kids to public school.  But to prove kinder garden I only needed a portfolio which by Florida law is a log of activities kept contemporaneous with activities (I used my calendar).  A list of books (I use books I read to the child as well as books the child read to me or to himself).  I do have friends that keep their library receipts to keep track of this requirement. And last samples of the child's work.  Many people go overboard on this one but samples are just that one or two photos or drawings or worksheets or books that were done by your child.  All of these items fit in one folder.

If you just keep doing what you have been doing your child will continue to progress and will be doing just fine for first grade.  It seems like he is ahead of the game for entering kinder garden now so be sure and keep having fun.

Each of the states have there own requirements so you really should check for your own laws.

Answer 2

Seems to me you're doing a fabulous job without a bought curriculum!  You've just about finished kindergarten already.  Reading is advanced for a boy or a girl of 4 years old.  I'm glad you've already figured out his learning styles, you're one step ahead of me!

And don't listen to some of these people that tell you to stay away from the computer, or that you're pushing your child too hard (I didn't see any indication of you "pushing" him, in fact it seems you're going with his flow)...sometimes people forget there are more ways than their own (opinions included here) to homeschool.

I hope all goes well!  Good luck!

Em

Answer 3

Got your email. While I have never followed a program like what you are looking for, there are some that I've heard of or just found that you could look into:

http://www.connectionsacademy.com

http://www.thecambridgeacademy.org/

http://homeschoolacademy.com/

That's all I can find that has an online format. There are others (just try a search for "homeschool academy" which have a correspondence type approach where you mail things in rather than do it online; you could try that, too, if you are open to that style).

To stay away from:

Anything by Mimi Rothschild, a woman who's got a questionable reputation. Here's just one thing about her. http://aha.typepad.com/aha_news_blog/200...

This includes all of her schools:

http://www.learningbygrace.org/ Why does she have so many? Ah, now THAT's a question to be answered, isn't it?

ADDED: Just saw your addition. Other than an online public/charter school, you will not find something for less than $300. What you pay is tuition and shipping costs and everything. $300 for a year of that just isn't going to happen. Take the $300 and spend it on resources that look good to you, membership to a museum, or something else. It sounds like you know him well--you would easily be able to create a program for him that matches his needs instead of being accountable to an outside school. Besides, the paperwork from a private school is often meaningless to public schools because the curriculum is often completely different. There's no advantage in that regard.

SECOND ADDITION: I just had a look at Christian Liberty. I guess I have to take back my words about nothing out there being under $300! I have never, ever heard of a program that costs so little. If they meet everything you are looking for (and Christian Liberty is a highly regarded company--I've used some of their wonderful resources), then I'd say go for it.

Answer 4

Hi, and welcome.

I don't think you are going to find an online program for the amount of money you can spend.

However, you can put together your own program using the Internet and the library.  This will be just as legitimate as any program you can purchase.  Your home IS your child's private school, and any paperwork you file holds the same weight as anything from an online school.

Check out these two websites, which will provide you with many links for your child:http://www.homefires.com/curriculum.asp  be sure to join the clickschooling email list.

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/webl...

Answer 5

I understand how you feel.  My children were reading chapter books, adding basic numbers and already knew how to interact with their peers at age 4.  So, when they entered Kindergarten it wasn't a learning experience, it was more like a public daycare.  

When my children were pulled out from public school I enrolled them into a charter school.  The charter school has a credentialed teacher that is assigned to your family for any help or advice you may need with schooling.  It also has co-ops available for families to get involved with other homeschooling families, and do field trips.  They also give a fund for curriculum that I can choose (so basically any kind I want at the level of education my child is), for school supplies, and for extra curricular classes such as music, dance, swimming, and sports.  It is definitely something to web search for in your area and call about if you’re serious about homeschooling and feel you may need some help.

Answer 6

He's a boy and he's only 5. You need to read Miseducation by David Elkind. Relax and stop pushing him or you will turn him off to learning. By pushing too early you'll destroy his natural curiosity. Save your money. Provide creative toys such as Legos, drawing materials, books with lots of illustrations and your time. You can get all of these at tag sales and K-Mart...cheap! Stop worrying what others will think of his progress or lack of. He's a boy...boys are wired differently than girls. He's only 5...let him be a child, not a scholar.

Answer 7

Calvert School is well known.  Your guy is advanced.  At that age, he can be taught his letters and numbers and possibly how to read and sound out simple words using consonant-vowel-consonant  method.  But it seems you've done that. Writing?  His little paws probably aren't ready to properly grip a pencil.  He's smart but certain parts of him are still little kid -- small motor functions and coordination for instance. Don't rely on computer programs. Teach the old way. Good luck and good parenting.