My question: Does anyone know of any good children's storybooks, chapter books, or novels geared specifically to homeschoolers? That is, instead of stories about characters who attend school, it'd be nice for my kids to read stories about children who are homeschooled. Thanks in advance.
Do you have a ping list for homeschoolers here? If so, would you mind pinging them? Thanks in advance.
Here's a couple links for you concerning famous people that were homeschooled, or stories about people who were homeschooled.
http://www.sharebradenton.homestead.com/Famous.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761522557/102-7162718-1171323?v=glance
PLease add me to your ping list. I've just graduated my first; she'll start college next week. That will be the proof of the pudding I guess !
One of my HS resources is a collection of articles saved from FR posts. Whenever I read an article that "nails it", I paste it to a Word document and save it in my Homeschool Reading folder. These articles are then required reading when the kids reach the junior high or high school level.
I notice on that one link they talk about a student who is involved in a "dual credit" program with her local community college.
For parents of older homeschoolers, if this kind of program is available in your area, I would strongly recommended it.
We decided to try it out a couple of years ago, and without pushing too hard, my son finishes up his last 3 hours needed for his AA this next term (he's 17 and would be a senior in high school this year, but has been in the dual credit program since 10th grade.)
The best thing about it is that in many states this type of program offers free tuition.
Here's a link to our local program. I know they have the same type of program in NC and I imagine in many other states.
http://www.spcollege.edu/ac/dc/
One really positive advantage is that while taking these "core courses" that many times exposes them to liberal thinking, they are at home, where you can discuss the courses and material with them and head off any misconceptions that are being pushed on them by liberal professors.
mark and ping
Hi Ho!
I'd love to be on any ping list dealing with homeschooling.
Just dropped our 3rd grade son and 2nd grade daughter oout of a Montessori school because they would accelerate the kids!
We're gonna keep em home and teach em, and couldn't be more excited!
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts is a fantastic resource.
I can't say the same about Girl Scouts-they have been sucked deeply and irretrievably into the political correctness vortex. There is a new group called American Heritage Girls that sounds pretty cool though.
Boy Scouts supports homeschooling by allowing charters to specificall target certain demographic types. I help run a home school Cub Scout Pack in Southeastern Michigan. We also have a Boy Scout Troop. All the leaders are dads because our wives take on too much to lead Cubs and it gives the boys positive role models. A freeper recently described Cub Scouts as Manhood 101. I cannot agree more.
If you're a homeschooler in Macomb/Oakland County area, Freepmail me if you want your boy to check us out.
Do not hesitate to home educate your children.
You may have to give up some amenities in your life, but it will eventually enrich, enhance and improve the lives of your children. Do it for them and get them out of inner city public schools asap.
My only recommendation is not to let them read the Harry Potter series of books and other books that you, alone, will know whether they will poison the minds and spirits of your children or not.
And always keep a vigilant eye on them. Know where they are and with whom at all times.
And much luck to you and your children.
This is our 4th year homeschooling and 3rd year using Abeka - we like it well enough that we keep ordering it every year.
Also for beginning reading (we didn't use Abeka in kindergarten, just put our own together) I highly recommend a book called "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons."
I am starting my 12th year of homeschooling with two more years to go until my son is graduated.
There are plenty of great materials out there.
Some things that I have used that we really enjoyed -- Play' n Talk for phonics and spelling, Explode the Code also phonics and spelling (in workbook form), the McGuffey Readers, the Little Britches series by Ralph Moody, Rainbow Science (jr high science), Singapore Math for elementary years.
This year for 11th grade, we are using the new Stobaugh's American Literature; the new and improved Bob Jones Chemistry program; TruthQuest History Age of Revolution I, II, III, for American history; and Analytical Grammar.
I believe there is a series written for homeschoolers. I think I saw it mentioned in Practical Homeschooling magazine years ago. I don't remember what the name of it is though. The best selling book Eregon was written by a homeschooler. I think it was a fantasy adventure (like Lord of the Rings). I don't think there were any homeschoolers in it.
My grandsons (grades 5 and 7) will start their US history homeschool course this year with David McCullough's fantastic book "1776", compliments of their doting Mimi. See what a blessing home education is?
I get an updated,emailed, list of shows and links to PBS shows and online lessons. I can TIVO programs ahead of time, get activity guides and lessons for free. I copy some of the lessons and shows onto disk to use when I have one child in a activity- so instead of empty down time we can school in the car or waiting room..all from the laptop.
ping!
This is a wonderful site for ordering materials at fairly good prices, don't have everything, but darn close. Plus if your order is 150.00+ you get free shipping.
Our kids enjoyed a series written by John Bibee called "The Home School Detectives".
Fiction/ages 8-12
If there is a homeschooling ping list may I please be added. This is my first year and I need all the I can get!!!