So you mean to tell me it's possible to homeschool my kids?

Question

here's my situation:

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt=AvfksRjEPbPG4V_oArKtHdl47hR.?show=cccGQkX4aa

and here's my question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqsMq78oyfyRxER8.1Q8bKrsy6IX?qid=20070810114225AAfBoJr

i want to homeschool them, and if it's possible, i need someone to tell me step by step the things i need to do to make it happen. public school starts on the 20th so it has to be done before then (i'm guessing...). i've never been a teacher before, so i am clueless. please, i will welcome all advice on how to get this going. thank you.

Answer 1

I'm the third oldest (15) out of 7 kids. We all homeschooled, I see that you are very religious. If you would really like to do this, and are wondering if it's a good idea. Ask God to show you, if it is the right thing for your family, ask him to show you a way to make it happen. He will.

You could have your older kids help with your younger children, if you sign up with a charter school they will usually give you a certain amount of money per-child, they will assign the work, and have a teacher visit once a month or so to check up on their work.

I've been homeschool from the beginning and I'm now in 11th grade. Right now, I pretty much do all of my school work on my own, I use books like Saxon math which lets me teach myself, of course my Mom has me take a test every couple weeks, to make sure I'm keeping up. I get all As. But that's how most of my school work is. In the beginning the younger kids will have to have someone there to help them out. As you are helping them, try to teach them how to look things up on their own. So that when they are older they can pretty much teach themselves- as I do.

Don't try to push it too hard though, if you 'aren't capable of doing such a thing- making sure they all get their work done, and not slacking off- Then public school 'might' be better. You don't want them to get behind in school work, it'll make things even harder.

Like I said earlier, pray to God to show you the right thing to do, to give you the strength to deal with this all.

-God bless.

Answer 2

homeschooolmom is definitely on the right track with the suggestion of the Robinson Curriculum.  It is a great curriculum that is largely self study.  However it recommends the use of Saxon math, and in my own experience Saxon does require the parent to be there teaching math.  I suggest you check out http://www.teachingtextbooks.com for a program very similar to Saxon but more geared to independent study.  Other than that the Robinson Curriculum would probably be your best bet for all other subjects.  The lowest level available right now in Teaching Textbook is Sixth Grade, but for grades lower than six your older ones could help your younger ones with Saxon.  (Saxon is an excellent math program by the way, I have just found that it does need to be taught.)

Legally, you need to contact http://www.hslda.com for info on the laws in your state.  Even if you don't actually begin teaching the subjects right away, you should file as a homeschooler if you are required to do so in your state.  That way you won't have to worry about truancy.

BTW- I think you are amazing just for trying to do this in your situation.

Another curriculum that you might take a look at is ACE PACES  http://www.aceministries.com

or Switched ON Schoolhouse from Alpha Omega

http://www.aophomeschooling.com

Answer 3

First, please let me say that I am sorry for your loss and appreciative of what you're going through.

The short answer - yes.  It is possible to homeschool your kids, especially if they are completely on-board.  Having a large family, hopefully they are already pretty proficient in working together to get things done; otherwise, your home would be complete chaos.

The long answer - how.  This is where you have some options, and should include your kids in the discussion (at least the 10 and up kids).  My son, 9.5, is a homeschooled 5th grader, and is responsible for about half of his subjects - completely independent.  I could hand more over to him, but honestly I enjoy it too much!  Each year, I sit down with him and ask him what he would like to focus on.  We figure out a basic schedule, then I find curriculum and co op classes that would fit the bill.  We sit down again, about halfway through the summer, and pick out curriculum that works for both of us.

Obviously, as a full-time working single father of 14, this wouldn't be feasible; the main reason I included this info was to make the point that after about 4th grade or so, the kids can be largely responsible for their own work. After about 7th grade or so, they can be almost completely responsible.  

For the younger kids, pair each of them with an older brother or sister that can work with them a couple hours a day and help them with any questions.  With most elementary curricula, the teacher's manual lines everything out in very plain language; and if they've been through that grade themselves, it won't be hard to help a younger sibling through it.  Things like helping with math, listening to them read, working together on a model, or helping with an easy science experiment are things that older brothers and sisters can easily do if they're on board with the process.  There may still be things that you need to step in on - helping with a child that truly doesn't get a concept - but the older kids can help with the majority of it if they're willing.

I'm assuming that you already have either a preschool or a nanny to help with the kids who aren't of school age yet; I really suggest that you keep this in place.

Younger kids who homeschool (K-3rd) generally only need 30-45 minutes (K) to 2-3 hours (3rd) of instruction each day, since they are not in a classroom with empty time and distractions.  The 2nd and 3rd graders are able to do some of their work independently, so it shouldn't be a huge strain on the older kids.

I really suggest something like the Robinson Curriculum http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/ as it helps the kids learn to work independently quickly, and is all-inclusive.  $195 for a K-12 curriculum isn't bad, either!  There are also options like K-12, but it looks like you'd be looking for a Christian curriculum.

I'm not sure what the viewpoint is on their science curriculum (creationist or evolutionist), so you may want to look into something like Apologia for science. http://www.apologia.com/  It's incredibly easy to use; the elementary texts are multi-level (K-6) and read like an engaging narrative, and the upper level texts (6-12) are very well written, designed for homeschool, and come with CDRom and MP3 supplements to help the kids.  My son has been using this for 3 years now and almost refuses to use anything else!

If the kids need audiovisual instruction on math, there are several options:  Math U See is excellent and very concept based http://www.mathusee.com/ and goes K-12, all lessons are presented on DVD by the author; Saxon is good for kids who work well with a spiral approach and workbooks, there are CDRoms called DIVE that are available to teach all the lessons.  I suggest you look at Rainbow Resource Center as they carry most of the items at a good discount http://www.rainbowresource.com/search.ph... .

As far as reading/literature/history, Robinson has a great collection of works on the CDs that come with the curriculum.  Past that, I suggest the library.  Most libraries are extremely helpful to homeschoolers, and will be happy to assist you in finding whatever you may be looking for.  Many of them are also really helpful to homeschool kids, working directly with them (as they would any other kids) to find out what they need.  

If your kids are willing and eager (which it sounds like they are), yes, you can do this.  I do suggest you hire an adult to be there during the day, so that the older kids can have time to do their work after (or before) the younger ones have school time, but it really can be done.  Work with them to figure out a basic schedule, responsibilities, and who will do what.  

I also suggest you contact some homeschool support groups in your area.  They will have specific knowledge of what resources are available to you, and they will be able to answer the many questions that will come up.  They will also be able to encourage you when you reach the "am I doing the right thing?" moments.  Rest assured, you are :-)

God bless you in this endeavor!  And any more questions that we can help with, please ask away.  We're here to help :-)

Answer 4

The Oldest GIRL has to go along with the program.  That is required.

SHE has to be the supervisor/teacher/mother.

YOU are the DEAN who reviews the important stuff and decides (and based on YOUR CREDENTIALS you can certainly do that job, but it will mean extra work) if things are working out right.

If SHE cannot control them, it won't work.

They have to RESPECT HER and GO ALONG WITH HER without making her go Psycho!

If necessary YOU have to back her up and discipline.

You were an OFFICER you know how it works.

If the CHAIN of command doesn't work and you get SLACKERS then it's a NO GO

They go back to brick and mortar school

The CHAIN of command has to work and the next down from her has to be HONEST and point out any problems and you have to resolve them.

You WILL have to review nightly or weekly, the work.  AT least the CORE OF IT.

If the oldest girl hesitates or gives in.  Then it's a NO GO

SHE HAS to be on top of it.

It will WIDEN HER PERSPECTIVE

Doing the SCUT work will make HER a better person, don't you agree!

But if she SHRUGS IT OFF then it's a no-go

She has to be a GOOD Lt.

If she can't be a good Staff Sgt (he can't be an OLD FAT TOP Sgt. who is a COOL DUDE) it's a no go

YOU may have to work with her and watch her like a hawk!

She BETTER darn well know Geometery and Trig and Pre-Calc

YOU have to be HARDER ON HER than on the others.

SHE has to be harder on the others.

SHE is the one who has to help with Algebra

She is the one who has to help with Sentence Diagraming

AND IT WILL MAKE HER BETTER and STRONGER

She will come out of this a SUPER WOMAN if she really does it!

It's going to be taxing on her

BUT IN GRAD school YOU ARE EXPECTED TO WORK YOUR REAR END OFF

Heck, in COLLEGE you are expected to do 100 hours a week (or did YOU sluff off and buy tests and papers and turn them in!  SLACKER if you did!)

You are getting her ready for college

In a MASTERS program the student TEACHES UNDERGRADE CLASSES

You are going to put her through a MASTERS PROGRAM at age 16.

OR DO YOU GO EASY ON YOUR TROOPS!

Is this a Boy Scout camping expidition or is this DESERT STORM

EVERYONE has to get behind this

The smaller ones are the PRIVATES

The older ones the NON COMS

The Oldest the COMS and PLATOON LEADERS

IF THEY CAN'T HANDLE IT, cancel the program.

YOU are the BASE COMMANDER

They are the Company

She is the Captain

Next down is 1st Lt.

Next down is 2nd Lt

Next down is SSgt

THEY BETTER PULL THEIR WEIGHT or back to brick school they go!

You have to rely on the 13-16 year olds.

They are the officers in charge

You just look at the results and THEY BETTER MAKE SURE THE RANK AND FILE PRODUCES

Make that clear and if SHE is the ONLY hold out, you have to MAKE her understand what RESPONSIBILITY IS

If she isn't responsible she isn't ready for marriage and babies.

This is her training ground.

This is her BASIC her AIT, her FIRST COMMAND.

LIKE IT OR NOT she has to do it for the day she gets PREGNANT is the DAY SHE WILL HAVE TO DO IT, like it or don't.

And YOU have enough smarts to know what is expected.

What is progress

What is NOT

If not, then YOU were a slacker.

Now, I just assigned YOU to be base commander and TRANSPORTED all of you to IRAQ

MAKE THEM JOB READY as fast as you can or get replaced as a commander and do a dull desk job forever!

Do you and your junior officers have what it takes to make the troops battle ready.

Did you learn nothing in College and the Millitary.

SHE HAS TO LEARN.  She is breaths away from making babies.

SHE HAS TO LEARN

You better have some $$$ to arm her with TOOLS to do the job.

Or it's BRICK SCHOOL

It doesn't take a lot.

A telescope

A microscope

Some books

A black board

Some paper

The Bible

And LOTS of work

Don't you remember what making the pipes behind the urnals and toliets was all about in BASIC.

I do!

There better be FOOD on the table and a CONCISE report from your COMPANY COMMANDER as you sit in the CADRE table.

And you better un IG inspections and query the troops and then ASK the COMPANY COMMANDER why they don't know this or that.

OR do you not want her to succeed in the University.

That is you pep talk for the night, General!

If you can't handle this invasion, we'll find someone MORE competant than you, like a REAL TEACHER with a BA degree.

Oh, and you better make sure your OFFICERS know they are SUPERVISORS and the RANK AND FILE WORK, including DINNER is done by the RANK AND FILE not the high ranking officers whose job is to TEACH and SUPERVISE.

And you better spend some quality time with HER teaching HER what YOU know.

A good General teaches their lower officers.

Answer 5

Fourteen kids?  That sounds like a full time job in itself.  

I am glad that you want to homeschool your kids but that will definitely be a large undertaking considering the age range, books that will be needed, and time that would need to be spent with the kids.  With fourteen kids you could almost hire someone to come into your home and teach them.  You said something about not being able to afford private school for all of them.  You may want to check around and see if any of them have special discounts on multiple students before ruling that out. (At the school I work at it is pay for four students and the rest are free except for book charges.)

If you were able to do it you would need to report to the government that you are homeschooling all of the kids.  You would have to look up on line the rules for your state concerning this.  I believe most states must have documentation from a certified teacher that each student at the end of the year has made "adequate progress."  School supplies and books would need to be purchased.  Video courses may work for you though.  It really depends on how responsible the oldest children are and if you trust them or not.

If I can help you with anything else please let me know: [e-mail]

Answer 6

Hmm - since your kids are obviously interested in helping make this work, I'd have to say the opposite of ProfessorC. Since public school  is always there, you could establish a trial period of a semester or two and if its not working well, re-enroll.

That aside, the first thing to do will be to check out the homeschool laws in your state as Glurpy advised. HLSDA's list is here:

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.as...

A search for 'your state' homeschool laws should bring up any additional info you need. Obviously, the most important thing you need to do initially is ensure that you're in compliance with you state laws. Everything else you do can be done at a more leisurely pace.

Something that might be really helpful in your situation is to find an active homeschool support group nearby. In addition to being able to give you information on your local laws, they'll be a wealth of resources insofar as curricula, co-op classes, activities, etc. and odds are there will be a few people very willing to help get you and your family organized and started.

You'll have to establish a household routine, and decide on curricula. Since you know your children best, it'll be up to you to decide exactly how their learning environment and process will work best for them. This is by no means any easy process, and do not be afraid to try something different if you find your first plan is not working as well as expected (I don't think there are many homeschoolers that can honestly say that they have been schooling exactly the same as day one and its been perfect). Plan on spending reveiw time each week with each child and regularly 'meeting' with the older kids to find out whether things are working smoothly or not.

There are a myriad of online resources insofar as curricula, schedules, online learning, etc., etc. If you're feeling overwhelmed or confused ask locally for opinions (or post a question or two regarding materials for grade X here at yahoo answers) Once again, don't be afraid to try something different, take a break, or a whole different educational approach if something isn't working

Honestly, the first couple months are going to be the hardest as you try to get everything in place. Take it easy on yourself and the kids, try to keep your perspective (missing a few days or weeks here and there is probably not going to endanger their chances of getting into college), and keep things simple to start out with. If you have any questions throughout your experience please post - I'm sure any one of the number of wonderful, informative posters here would be happy to help!

Absolute best of luck to you and yours!

Answer 7

Given the ages of your kids, if you are comfortable leaving your oldest kids in charge or you have a really good retired neighour or someone who can check in on them or something, then yes, you could have them homeschooled.

You'd need to find out about the homeschooling laws where you live. While HSLDA has some information, it's not always updated and it's probably better to look up "homeschool laws [your state]" or directly at your state education website.

Other than that, you'd need a curriculum that the oldest kids can do on their own and that they'd be able to help the youngest kids with. This might be something highly structured like K12 or other virtual program that is available where you live, or you could do something like Robinson Curriculum.

With this information, you need to go back to your kids, talk to them about the legalities and issues like safety and the oldest being in charge of the kids all day, schedule and EVERYTHING; basically, you all have to discuss what it would take to make it work. (And I'm going to assume that your non-school age children have been in some form of childcare and will continue to be so; it's too much to ask of a 16yo to act as full-time parent to 13 others). You also have to consider how your children are and whether or not they will actually be able to do it. Because you are working full-time, the kids are going to have to homeschool themselves. Some families could do this no problem; others, no way it'd work. You really have to consider everything and talk it out with the kids and determine what requirements have to be met for them to be allowed to start homeschooling and to continue homeschooling.

If you can't get it all in place by the 20th, they won't have truancy officers after you or anything. But do act quickly.

Answer 8

I would suggest that you take this year to consider this.  If your children are mature, etc they will understand your hesitancy.

To be honest: I have a negative view of home schooling.  It is because of two areas, my own niece was home schooled (badly) and I find that the majority (NOT ALL) of HS students don't have the right skills when they get to me in college.  

I am not saying don't ever do this.  Some parents are good at being teachers.   This isn't something you can decide and do in a few days time.   Teaching is not every ones forte.   You are overwhelmed with just being a parent right now.

Answer 9

I'm so sorry for your loss.  I'm also humbled by your desire to do right by your children at no small sacrifice to yourself.

What you are asking about is not impossible, however, it does require plenty of planning and organization.  The founder of the Robinson curriculum was in a similar situation - his wife was homeschooling their 6 kids (ages 12 years -16 months) when she died and he didn't want to put them in public school.  He created a "schedule" for them to follow that involved 5 hours of "self-teaching" each day - about 1 hour of math, 1 hour of writing, and 3 hours of reading great books.  For more info on how to do it, visit their website at: http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

Answer 10

I agree with glurpy...

Here are a few ideas:

Find a local hs group in your area get together and brainstorm with them...I am sure that you can come up with ideas for keeping your children out of public school.

I know here that there are a few moms that would take on your family for a little cash since they stay home with their own children and can use extra income.

Also if your state has charter schools (although for me I'm not a fan, but they do work well for some) you would get a teacher assigned to each child of school age and they would come up with the curriculum and meet with the children etc that way you are not totally on your own (which I could see would be overwhelming with 14 different kids)Plus you get funds for each child enrolled for classes, field trips, books, equipment etc

Please keep in mind that when you say that you have "never been a teacher before" that you are forgetting the fact that as parentswe are teachers from the day that they are born.  Also keep in mind that children learn from just being....you don't teach them to crawl, they do when they are ready....you don't teach them to walk, they walk when ready.....you don't teach them to talk---you get my point

You as the parent may help them along the way but they only do those things when ready.

Also, how do you care for the preschoolers in your family?

Someone is caring for them.  I would say that you will still need some outside help of some sort and not expect the teens of the family to do all the work of raising the younger children.