To homeschool or not?

Question

I like the idea of homeschooling and teaching my kids Christian values , but after reading a few books on homeschooling and researching about curriculums I am really overwhelmed ; I don't know where to begin . There are so many curriculums and most are more than what we can afford. Also , I don't have any exp. as a teacher . Although I know my state's standards , I am not sure what to teach first and how to send the paperwork to the school district , I don't know how to test my child and I am even worried we can't afford to pay teachers to test 3 kids when they will all be school age . My oldest will be in Kindergarten next year and I have 2 other kids under 3 , it seems like a lot of work with homeschooling and getting all the things done around the house , not to mention I work from home over the phone as a medical interpreter (only about 60 min /day) .

Any advice about how to start and what curriculum to purchase would be appreciated .

Answer 1

Maybe you can find others who have done it and are doing it and learn from them.  There are christian schools you can send them to for Christian values. Home schooling doesn't teach them interacting social skills.  Maybe there is a teacher that lives in your community that can teach them in your home and show you the ropes and set the course of action to follow.  Your kids are quite small and not in the higher grades with more complicated things that would be hard on you now a learner and it wouldn't put to much of a strain on a teacher who is busy now with the school year.  Your kids don't need a full day of school at there age.

Answer 2

Oh, the first thing I want to say to you is relax...relax...relax.  Take a few deep breaths and remember that your children are still just babies.  It's not like you have to worry about physics, calculus, algebra, and the like at this point.  

The things you can be doing with your children now are things like reading Bible stories and other books, doing puzzles, drawing pictures, nature walks, nature journals (with you doing the writing for now), simple kitchen science, math with cheerios or other inexpensive manipulatives, and other simple things like that.  I can't imagine why anyone would purchase a curriculum for Kindergarten or Preschool, when the most important things at that age are the things a good mom is going to teach her child anyway (like the love of books, and the love of learning for its own sake, and the intrinsic reward that comes from figuring stuff out on their own!).  

Also, there are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschoolers, and you have plenty of time (like as in years and years) to find the ways that fit you and each one of your individual children.  

As to your fear of "getting it all done," first of all, may I please be the first (and certainly not the last) to tell you that no homeschool mom "gets it all done," and anyone who says they do is lying!  Also, with regard to the actual time you need to put in, it will, of course, vary depending on what you're doing with your children, but keep in mind that a homeschool family can most often get done from around 9-12 what it takes public schools from around 8-4 to accomplish.  With that in mind, what would a half-day Kindergarten program really take in terms of actual time spent?

I have three children, age 10, 6 and 4, and I run two small businesses from home, so I don't have a spare minute.  I am not organized, nor am I supermom.  What I do have, though, is such a strong love for my children that I am not willing to allow the State to raise them.  The other, and most important thing I have, is the power of prayer.  Use it, and He will help you daily, hourly and minute by minute.

I hope this was helpful.

Answer 3

While public school seems horrible and anti-Christian, that's the real world and your children will have to face it someday.  I, personally, feel that it's better to allow your children to see the real world and learn to live in it, but at the same time teach them your values at home.  I didn't agree with many of the things my sons saw at school, but I knew that although I wanted to protect my children, sheilding them from reality was only going to set them up for a rude awakening at a time when they would most need worldly experience - going to college.  I just continued teaching them what I felt was right at home and told them to behave at school and we dealt with individual problems as they came.  I'll always remember when my youngest was in 4th grade he came home one day and said he now knew why you weren't allow to swear at school and I asked why and he said because people look at you weird.  Apparently some boy swore in class and everyone turned and stared at him. I still get compliments from my sons' teachers because they were so well behaved and good students.  They never went though terrible twos or difficult teenage phases.  Some people say I was lucky, but I really think it was because I took the time to teach them the difference between right and wrong and let them see what the real world was like in a safe environment.  I used to work at that same school after my sons left and saw many home schooled children have difficult times adjusting to being in the real world.  In the end, it's your decision and there are many support groups for home school parents.  If you do a Google search for home school support group and put in your zip code, you can find people who will be able to help you with all the things you mentioned so you don't feel so overwhelmed.

It's your choice and I wish you all the best.

Answer 4

Is yearly testing required.  I feel you only need to test about 4 times between grades 4 and 11.  Tests, like the Stanford one, are expensive, but worth it to get an idea of how your child stands in the world.

You don't always have to use programs unless the state requires it.  There are books you can buy from Barnes and Noble or the thrift store or borrow from the library.

A ciricculum is easy.

Grades 1-3 deals with writing, reading, counting, numbers and eventually simple math.  Plus art and music.

Grades 4-7 deals with more advance math leading to fractions and decimals.

History of your local region leading to world history and geography of your country and the world.

General Earth Science, weather, astronomy, etc.

More art and music leading up to 3-D perspective and choir or group singing.

English Grammar and light Literature.

Sentence diagraming.  Punctuation usage.  The Bible can be used as literature.

Grades 8-12 is college prep

Algebra, geometry, trig, statistics

Advanced world history leading to civics, politics and economics.

Advance grammar, compositioni, writing essays, vocabulary building.  Classic literature.  Dickens and such.

Learning to write in a style, such as APA or the Chicago Manual.

Advanced science including 1 year biology and some Earth Science more in depth and math oriented Chemistry or Physics.

A second langauge is helpful if you expect to send them to private colleges.

Answer 5

Find a homeschool support group where you live--either in your city or just in your state. There is bound to be something in Yahoo Groups or at the very least a website for a state-based group (just do a search for _yourstate homeschool_). They will be able to tell you about the most affordable testers (do you HAVE to test where you live?) and the ins and outs of how they go about it. And do you have to send paperwork to the school district?

Also, you don't have to buy a curriculum. Most people I know don't buy a full curriculum, just things here and there.

Answer 6

Only you and your husband can decide whether homeschooling would be right for your family.  I homeschool an only child, so I don't have any insight on homeschooling multiple young children.  I can tell you that you don't necessarily have to use a curriculum; you can make your own, nor do you need any teaching experience.  

Regarding affordable curriculum, Christian Liberty Press has some very good curriculum for the price.  Also, you don't have to order everything for a particular grade; you can order what you need.  The link is below:

http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress

Answer 7

My mom home schooled my brother and I for many years we used the curriculum Abeka. I really enjoyed there math books because each day it just built on what you learned the day before. The older we got the more we could do on our own too. She had me go to school in 7th grade and my brother in 9th grade and  we fit in fine there.

We were almost always involved in homeschool support groups as well as different things at church so we got our social aspect from there. She would have us go to the library at least once a week and get books to read it was so much fun. I really liked being home schooled!

Answer 8

Visit your public library. They will have the curriculums available. There are also churches and home schooling organizations that will assist you. The local public school is suppose to help you as well. They probably will spend most of your time trying to talk you out of it.

Getting started is the most difficult part. Preparing a lesson plan for 3 kids is not overwhelming once you understand what is required.

The amazing part to home schooling is how little time it actually takes. One-on-one, you can teach much more than what your children will learn in publc school. You also will find you do not need to spend all the time from 8am-3pm teaching. You will cover the lesson plans in a fraction of the time.

If there is a subject you are not especially fond of teaching. Another home schooler might be willing to tutor your children in exchange for you tutoring theirs.

You need to find someone already home schooling to show you the ropes. Your church is a great resource.

Your spouse needs to be active in their education as well. Make some lessons taught when everyone is home together.

Answer 9

That's a tough spot to be in. My mom homeschooled her kids all the way through, and she also ran a program to supplement and support homeschooling families for years... so I've gained a huge mass of knowledge on this stuff listening to her at conferences, etc.

Just take it one step at a time. One piece of advice I would definitely give you would be to get involved in a local support group. Secondly, I *strongly* suggest that if you do homeschool, you also get your kids involved in some sort of extra curricular activity, where they will be in a classroom setting and be around other kids on a regular basis. Keeping them at home 24/7 would put them at a disadvantage, since they wouldn't develop average social skills, and transitioning to college and adult life would be so much harder.

You know, there are tons of random pieces of advice I could give you. But if you just want to talk to someone with loads of experience in this area, feel free to shoot me an email. We can talk over the phone or IM, and I'd be more than happy to answer whatever questions you have, to the best of my ability. Actually, that offer goes out to anyone who is struggling in homeschooling. I've listened to my mom counsel probably hundreds of people, and I went through the process myself. Kids today are our future and there is nothing more important than ensuring that each one gets the best childhood and education possible!  

Anyway, best of luck to you! I definitely respect anyone who cares enough about their child's education, to consider taking on the incredible workload and sacrifice involved in homeschooling. Kudos to you on putting the kids first!

Answer 10

first,start with the really basic needs, then tie it to what your children are interested in.

Need to teach reading? Do it while you clean, or cook, or sort clothes. Have your kids read from books that they are interested in.

King Tut an interest? Research ancient egypt, write thier names in Hyroglyphics, map the changes in the nile, and how it changed Egypt.

This is how you do home schooling. There are GREAT sites online for this, including the treasures from Tut's tomb.

Get someone to help you with the paperwork, there are homeschooling associations(or groups) in almost every state to help you.

Don't sweat it. it's FUN.

Please note: this answer comes from my mom, who pretty much taught us everything, even though we did go to public school (waste of time, usually, we learned more from the books, and research my mom had around.)

My mom tied in lessons on math with cooking, which taught us counting, AND we learned how to cook(devious,my mom).

When I was interested in astronomy, she brought out Cosmic Connection by Carl Sagan, I love his books. Though my sister HATES Margaret Mead after reading her, she says she was boring.

My sister and I are gifted, she got a fully paid scholarship to Johns Hopkins and earned her Doctorate there, and now is working on her post doc in Washington state.

And if I sound normal, or even smart to you....

I have survived 43 brain surgeries since I was 13. Yes, I'm telling the truth. I just love reading, learning, even if my memory IS swiss cheese.

Answer 11

Homeschooling can be very challenging.  My advise is to talk to parents who have had kids go it.  They can give you alto of advice.  And there are oppertunities to homeschool with a group.  That way you do not have to be the only one who has the answers.  Each parent can teach to their strengths.  At a younger age this is not as important but becomes very helpful as the kids reach middle school and high school.  But remember that you must make sure all you paperwork is filed or your kids could lose accreidation for college.

Answer 12

Look into a homeschooling support group. I found one through yahoo groups and they belong to H.E.R.I. http://www.herijax.com/ Maybe there something like this in your area. Also, look into a homeschooling co-op. Parents swap classes..."You teach my kids Science, I'll teach your kids English"

I don't have experience either... my dd is only 13 months and I already feel like I need to do a lot of reading / research to get ready for when she's old enough for school age activities.

Also, I haven't done any research yet, but a few people have been telling me about charter schools. Don't know anything about them, but just thought you should know about that option.

Answer 13

I think you are experiencing panic from information overload.  Yes, you are wanting to do the right thing for the right reasons and you are starting out correctly.  You are fortunate to be starting from scratch with young children so you don't have to undo any habits or research where to start.  You can simply start at the beginning and teach exactly what you want.  Don't panic.  You can teach your kids.  You know everything they need to know for kindergarten so you could teach them without any curriculum.  Just make up your own, or go to the dollar store for workbooks.  In the meantime, link up with local homeschoolers so you can look at their curriculum or go to  homeschool conventions.   You don't have to buy an expensive curriculum in a box.  Research the Robinson curriculum, it is cheap-you print it off yourself, it is a whole different philosophy.  Many people make up their own for next to cheap, some (like me) cobble together the curriculum using different materials.   For multiple children look for the words "reproducible" when you are looking to buy materials so you can use them over again.   Also, don't spend a ton on materials, they may not be right for you.  Don't be afraid to change what you are doing if it doesn't work.  Keep it simple. Keep it fun.   Don't panic, don't despair.  You'll do great!

Answer 14

I found an affordable Christian option is ACE the site is www.schooloftomorrow.com it runs us about 40/month/kid! not to bad when you compare to others. What you get is 12 workbooks for each subject you want but you can order the whole thing running about 180 or so per a kid or you can buy by the month its a little more expensive that way in the long run with shipping and all but I just can't put out the whole amount at once. We've also used Sonlight which we loved it looks really expensive when you first look at it but you have to realize that your getting a bunch of books and very few consumable products. If you copy every thing before you give it to your child then you are only buying any part of the ciricullium once and since you have 3 kids you can use it with each one! My sister did that she has 5 and puts out about 1000 every year for the oldest (who is in high school now) and the younger kids use the ciricullium when they get too it. Another thing to think about with them is that for the first 6 years you only buy it every other year. You use it for 2 years! There is so much matieral for them with it! The only thing is with that program is you need to love reading to your children b/c it involves a lot of reading! I really enjoyed it but my daughter was boredwhich is why we switched to ACE. Another thing too think about is that since you youngest isstarting Kindergarten you can go to Walmart or somewhere like that and get workbooks that teach basic math skills and basic phonics and reading skills. That's what I'm doing with my kindergartener. We just do the 2 workbooks and Ipick an art type project off of www.crayola.com pretty simple but its effective and it keeps him out of his older sisters hair while she work and it only takes him about 30 miniutes to be done with the work books and on to the art project! You don't need a home school ciricullium for that age!

It is a lot of work but we've found it so rewarding! Also I recommend that is the house always seems to be a mess try www.flylady.net her program is free and it really works if you impliment it in your every day life. My house is more of a home than it's ever been. the best part is its completely free to join!

Another thing is your worried about sending in paperwork in. Have you been to www.hslda.org? it gives you the requirements you have to complete and the options you can teach under. I'm in Louisiana so I have 2 options I can use Option 1 is too work under the school system Option 2 is too run a private school and all I have to do is send a letter to the school board every year to inform them that I will be home schooling and I give her name and age for the compulsary age laws. She's nine so she has to be in some sort of school while my son is 5 and does not have to be listed. hope this is enough for now If ou have more questions please fell free to e-mail me! Good Luck and God Bless!!! The spell check is having fits so if I misspelled forgive me!

Answer 15

my advice? don't homeschool. my mom started homeschooling me my very first year of school, and i'm in 10th grade now and still homeschooled, and it's just so lonely, i don't want anyone else to have to go through the loneliness i've went through because they don't make friends at school. please don't do it. at least put them in real school before elementry school.

Answer 16

First start by taking a deep breath.

I understand that it can often be overwhelming since there is so much available.

Your work of an hour a day will have no bearing on you being able to home school your children.

Curriculum's can be very expensive when you buy a complete set.

Remember that often these were originally developed for private Christian schools, and therefore have a very prescriptive schedule.

True home schooling gives you the freedom to set you own schedule, and adjust it to fit your familys' schedule, that's why these "school" schedules should only be used as a guide not gospel.

We take a very relaxed and unschooling type approach; this gives us a lot of flexibility, and it is important to remember that you can accomplish in about two hours a day at home what would take an average of 5 to 6 hours in a regular school setting.

That gives you a lot of time to do whatever your family would like to do.

http://www.unschooling.com/

We use Christian Liberty Press as our basic foundation, but we do not follow their whole schedule, or buy a complete curriculum; although by now we probably own most of their books. ^_^

They do get our vote for solid academics, and affordability.

If you'd rather choose to have their Academy  do the paper work for you, and have on line support they provide that service, as well as testing.

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

http://www.homeschools.org/

Depending on the ages of the children there are so many free web sites that provide all kinds of great educational games, and printable work sheets, you can almost home school for free.

One of these web sites is http://www.enchantedlearning.com/

A large list of these web site that I have posted several time can be found at this link;

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

Good Luck.

Answer 17

To begin throw out your preconceived ideas along with your curriculum. You have been teaching your children all along - to speak for one thing. How did they learn to walk, play, etc? I home educated the youngest three of my six children. The last thing you need to be is a teacher. And why do you think they should be "tested"? School has nothing to do with real education.

Answer 18

I would start by getting on google and googling "homeschooling".  There are lots of clubs and stuff online that you can lurk in or join.   These families will be an enormous help  and support to you should you decide to do it.   If you are in an area where there is a lot of homeschooling going on there will also be clubs within your city or an organization.  These women are really great about helping one another and I'm sure will be more then willing to answer questions you have.   When my kids were young I would have loved to have done it but I am to unorganized and knew it was more then I could keep up with.   Good Luck to you!

Answer 19

I have a 13 year old that I took out of public school last year in the middle of the school year. I had him enrolled in a christian academy the previous two years and they taught him to read and spell. The Christan academy switched curriculum to a new program and that is the one I chose for us. It has links in the lessons that are researched before hand so the content is safe. They also have a Bible subject included in the lessons. They have preschool and to high school. With three children it would only be expensive the first couple of years, because you would be re-using the curriculum.

This is the stuff I use they also have a lot of support and do not let you hang.

Answer 20

Oh! I remember those days and how much stress it is to make these decisions!!

First of all, you don't really need to buy one of the pre-packaged curriculums!!  Take a look at

http://www.cindyrushton.com and

http://www.donnayoung.org

Then take a deep breath!!

First find out what the minimum paperwork requirements are for your state. You can find that if you go to http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

You shouldn't need the hundreds to thousands of dollars for the pre-packaged curriculums!! There should be educational material stores near you. For me, they are 30 - 50 miles away, but I go every so often anyway! When you go, ask if you can sign up for a teacher discount card if you are a homeschooler. In most you can. Some you need the state form showing that you are a homeschooler, others, just your say-so is good enough.

There are so many books out there, not to mention the LIBRARY!! you don't really need textbooks for at LEAST the first 3 years of homeschool. The library children's section should have everything you need as far as books. You should be able to find workbooks at Wal-Mart or Office Max for the early years. I don't recommend that that is all you use, but it does cover the basics and then you can make up your own or get worksheets off of  http://www.edhelper.com or http://www.enchantedlearning.com for math and science.

One or 2 good science experiment books and you should be set. If you want to get a good workbook for math, phonics, spelling, reading, and geography (they may have more, but these I'm sure of!) Spectrum workbooks by McGraw-Hill are available in most teacher/homeschool supply stores at about $10 or less per book. Each book covers one class for one grade. They are no-nonsense books that cover the basics.

Also look at Christian Light Education books.  They are from the mennonite tradition, so some of the teaching doesn't apply to me (I'm not mennonite, but I am Christian). They have books on every subject. They seem pretty cheap, too. I get their things from  http://www.anabaptistbooks.com/ They are very helpful and honest.

I also went to http://www.rainbowresource.com and requested a free catalog. WOW!!! It is thick!! When I ordered from them, I got my package REALLY fast!!  Their catalog is very helpful. It goes into detail on many of the things they sell, so you can find the best fit for your family.

JOIN YAHOO GROUPS for homeschoolers!

Find a local homeschool group.

Hope all this helps and I didn't bore you!!