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We didn't start h/sing until Joseph was in 5th and Clare in 8th grade. There is so much stuff out there for h/sers, you can choose a curriculum, or put things together yourself. I used the ideas from the book "The Well Trained Mind" to guide me, though I'm now using a curriculum called TRISMS which follows the idea of WTM, studying everything by starting at the beginning and coming up through time. The TRISMS program covers all of the academic disciplines except the middle and high school Math and hard sciences. There are programs for teaching those at home, as well, or you could find a tutor or a co-op program for them.

The programs I use are secular ones, and I add on the Catholic education with books I've chosen myself.

If your daughter has some good friends now, just keep her meeting up with them after school when possible or on the weekends. They don't have that much time to visit during school hours anyway; most don't even have lunch together because of the way they schedule groups in school nowadays. You might also find a local homeschool group and let her visit with some of those kids before beginning as well. That way she can see that there are kids her age doing this, and she'd likely have some fun! Check your state homeschool message board; Google a search for homeschooling and your state, and you'll find something. Dittos on the letting her just get used to being at home first. You don't need to push the academics right away; let her do some reading or do some activities that she's always wanted to try, but never had the chance to with her school schedule. When you do get down to doing the actual work, you might find that it takes her a LOT less time than that in a normal school day to do the work.

You can pull her in the middle of the school year, if you feel it's necessary, or you can just spend the remainder of this year getting all your duckies in a row. It might be fun, though, for her to help you with the planning, if she's willing, and not having to go off to school every day gives y'all lots of time to do that! ;o)

Another source/supplement that is good is the E.D. Hirsch series on everything you need to know. I have the "Cultural Dictionary," "What Your Kindergartener Needs to Know," "What Your First Grader Needs to Know," and "What Your Sixth Grader Needs to Know."

Also, as far as I know, Texas state law does not require any formal notice of intent to homseschool other than withdrawing your child from the current school.

IOW, If I wanted to homeschool elf-boy (which I was >this< close to doing this year) next year, all I would have to do is not enroll him for next year. I would not have to report to anyone, or notify the public school (he has never attended public school) or anything.

We didn't start h/sing until Joseph was in 5th and Clare in 8th grade. There is so much stuff out there for h/sers, you can choose a curriculum, or put things together yourself. I used the ideas from the book "The Well Trained Mind"

I LOVE the Well Trained Mind curriculum. I am so eager to get it started, especially the Latin and history. I took Latin in high school, and while I cannot even remember one declension, it helped my language immensely.

though I'm now using a curriculum called TRISMS which follows the idea of WTM, studying everything by starting at the beginning and coming up through time. The TRISMS program covers all of the academic disciplines except the middle and high school Math and hard sciences. There are programs for teaching those at home, as well, or you could find a tutor or a co-op program for them. The programs I use are secular ones, and I add on the Catholic education with books I've chosen myself.

I will take note of that one...what is its full title? I have a friend who also recommends the Seton Catholic Homeschool. Do you know much about that?

If your daughter has some good friends now, just keep her meeting up with them after school when possible or on the weekends. They don't have that much time to visit during school hours anyway; most don't even have lunch together because of the way they schedule groups in school nowadays. You might also find a local homeschool group and let her visit with some of those kids before beginning as well. That way she can see that there are kids her age doing this, and she'd likely have some fun! Check your state homeschool message board; Google a search for homeschooling and your state, and you'll find something. Dittos on the letting her just get used to being at home first. You don't need to push the academics right away; let her do some reading or do some activities that she's always wanted to try, but never had the chance to with her school schedule. When you do get down to doing the actual work, you might find that it takes her a LOT less time than that in a normal school day to do the work.

Fortunately, Texas, and my county has a HUGE network and rather strong presence of homeschoolers. some of hubby's co workers also homeschool, so I think he is becoming aware of the fact that it isnt just some oddball kooks deciding to be rebellious.

Your words of encouragement mean so much!!! Thank you!