So, homeschooling.

[pinusresinosa]

I'm a mom to two girls, ages 6 and 3. My 6 year old currently goes to the area public elementary. She's doing well there, likes it and likes her teacher. But, due to some personal issues with public school and how social lives are handled in schools these days, I've always heavily considered homeschooling as an alternative. Not religious or anything, I just want my kid to get the most out of her young years in terms of her learning and experiences.


Here's the thing. I've never taught anyone anything before. I know nothing about homeschooling and how it works, where to get materials etc. Where do I find this info?

I think we're on the right track here at home really. I do a lot with my girls, and I wish I could do more. Some guidance would be good in terms of how to tie in everyday experiences like watching a caterpillar hatch from an egg to cocoon to butterfly (did this last year) etc, just as an example. I can't do more now because I work from home, but my husband and I have talked about it and if I were homeschooling I wouldn't be working which gives me some more time.

Thank you!

 

[Faith Hope]

I have been homeschooling my girls for quite a few years now. We love it!

A really great place to start looking at materials is rainbowresource.com. They carry a huge variety of materials from many different publishers along with detailed reviews of a lot of the items. Also, this time of year there are often homeschool fairs and conferences where you can look at all kinds of material (a bit overwhelming at times!). Also, most areas have homeschooling groups that get together and exchange ideas.

Hopefully, that will give you a few ideas to start with.

 

[pinusresinosa]

Yes, lots of help! Thank you!

 

[Rainier]

I have homeschooled my children for many years. We tried a variety of different routes depending on where we lived. Different states have different "rules" about homeschooling your own children.

My oldest (22 now) was homeschooled from the age of 8 until he graduated at 15. He received his certificate in IT (something or other) at 17 and now works full-time and helps to take care of his dad in a different state.

My girls I started homeschooling in 8th grade. Up until then they did online public schooling but it was a lot like homeschooling in that I was able to tweak what they did, graded tests and kept track of homework. When they hit 9th grade the online no longer really worked for them so I again went to traditional home schooling. They are graduating from high school this May and have been accepted at a private Christian college. Here is the link to what we used up until high school. http://www.k12.com/

My youngest is on the spectrum and we really needed the flexibility to teach him in a way that he could learn so again I did "traditional" home schooling. I found almost all of teaching material either free or low cost online. I stocked up on educational computer games (especially helpful for math) and bought Homeschool tracker to help keep track of everything.

Homeschooling my kids was the best decision I ever made about and for them!

Here are some links that I used and found very helpful.

Free Learning material:

Khan Academy (free) - https://www.khanacademy.org/

All in One homeschool (free) - http://allinonehomeschool.com/grades/

Not free but worth every penny!

Complete Curriculum - http://www.completecurriculum.com/

Home School Tracker - http://www.homeschooltracker.com/

Time For Learning - https://www.time4learning.com/

I don't read this blog however she has a ton of resources for homeschoolers -http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2012/12/free-online-educational-resources/

Legal resources:

Advocates for home schoolers - http://www.hslda.org/

Hope that helps!

 

[Rainier]

I do a lot with my girls, and I wish I could do more. Some guidance would be good in terms of how to tie in everyday experiences like watching a caterpillar hatch from an egg to cocoon to butterfly (did this last year) etc, just as an example.

Going to the grocery store is several lessons. A lesson in reading by them reading the labels or you read the labels to them. Math by having them figure out how much it cost per oz/lb, etc. Social studies by looking at the different ethnic foods for sale and talking about it. History by later talking about how food was sold in the past. Writing/Grammar by having them do a report on what they learned.

I used to be a dog trainer many moons ago and one of the many lessons I learned over the years (and used to teach my students) is this; "every situation is a training/learning experience or one lost."

*ETA*
Adjusted the above by your children's ages. Reading you read the labels to them. Math have them count how many they put in the basket. History and social studies you could do as above. The writing and grammar is probably not their level, yet.

 

[nayeli]

I haven't personally home schooled, but I think I probably will choose to when I have children... another good option is K12 it is an online school so your child will have teachers but you will set the rules, be able to give them food you make, be able to set their schedule ETC. I graduated from an online school so I can say they can be better than public.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Been homeschooled since 1st grade, and we use Sonlight. They provide really nice books with good stories.

 

[pinusresinosa]

Thank you all, very helpful.

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Have you ever considered "unschooling"? I feel like a lot of people on this forum live a life that is conducive to successful unschooling. I'm not an expert on it, just very interested. Might be worth your time to look into it.

The Wikipedia page for homeschooling seems pretty decent for introductory information.

 

[pinusresinosa]

Looking now, thanks!