For anyone who wants to start homeschooling

[Diva Betsy Ross]

It is that time of the year again to decided if you are going to send your child off to public school, or if you are going to take the leap and homeschool. I wanted to start a thread to offer you support and perhaps answer some of your questions about homeschooling by freepers who do homeschool.

Post questions , answers and links helpful to new homeschoolers or curious parents who just want more info about homeschooling.

Best of Luck to all parents and children as we get ready for a new school year!

[Tired of Taxes]

Hahaha! That was great!

[728b]

www.hslda.org

Home School Legal Defense Association

Bump! Don't forget to join the HSLDA. Best $100.00 you can spend when you Home School.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

Since you are looking into Catholic curriculum, may I suggest the Catholic Scholars Online page? It is an outstanding board for information (links to all Catholic homeschooling programs and more), plus they have a message board that is out of this world! I have met some fantastic women who will bend over backwards with advice, information, and support. Our five year old daughter just started with Seton less than 3 weeks ago and she is loving it! Plus their staff is great :)

[Tired of Taxes]

Forgot to mention: Most importantly, check your state to see what you have to do legally. In my state (NJ), nothing is required from HSers, not even notification (unless you're removing them from public school). See HSLDA's website for legal info: http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.asp

Above was probably suggested by someone else and I just didn't get to that post, yet. Sorry if this is duplicate advice.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hello, fellow frustrated parent of an advanced reader. BTDT, and it's not easy. Mine were in public school and the school had a required reading course. There were different levels but our daughter was already past all of them. The school was very strict about following the course so there was no way around it but thankfully in 1st and 3rd grades we had teachers who encouraged reading and understood our dilema. See, our daughter would read half the big thick take-all-year-to-finish reader in one night which freaked the school. The school library was pretty good, but the books the other kids in class were checking out were too simple so I had to send a list of what I thought was more on her level. I had them make me a list of all the books in the library along with each reading level and points (many schools use reward points in their reading programs) and I took a week each year to cull out the garbage and make a list for daughter. Of course the school freaked again that I was limiting her choices - not, since the list had over 350 titles by author, and alphabetized (hey, she learned to alphabetize, how to use the library, and get to know favorite authors which wasn't learned in school). The lists were made up from books I remembered enjoying, her favorite authors, reviews (easily found online at amazon, etc), certain classics, and award winners. The award titles and authors can be found online by searching Caldecott, Newberry, and etc. Yes, non-fiction was included. As you are aware, books on higher reading levels contain subject matters that aren't appropriate at younger ages so I had to consider that in the lists and tried to keep her limited to books at around 5th and 6th grade levels when she was in 1-3rd grades, raised it to certain 7th grade level and more classics with the 4th and 5th grade lists. Of course I included non-fiction.

Anyway, that's my story so take from it what you wish and can use to help your son. Don't forget to use the public library and ask the librarians for help. Good luck, you'll need it.

[mtbopfuyn]

Ack, posted too quickly above. I meant to say that we were seriously considering homeschooling but out in the boonies from a small retirement community, the kids wanted to stay in public school just to have friends. Yes, there are ways to be with other kids (they are involved in activities) but the drive to anywhere here is too far so leaving them in public school for the socialization was right for us. However, the school wasn't giving them all they needed I chose to enrich them with our little version of part time homeschool. Since your son is looking forward to K, you might consider doing half and half. It's not carved in stone that you can ONLY do public/church school OR homeschool, so do your own thing and what works for your family.

[scripter]

Susan Wise Bauer has also written a book for adults "The Well-Educated Mind." It's now in bookstores and it's for adults who want to reeducate themselves using the classical model.

Are you trying to tell me something? :-) Seriously, I've heard of the book and believe it's probably an excellent resource.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I found making my mind up to homeschool while my children were very young not only helped me organize my thoughts and materials, it helped me prepare my kids that we are going to do something different than what they constantly hear and see. That would be " riding the bus to go to SCHOOL". After much discussion over a long period of time My son is now perfectly happy that there are kids who are going to go to a building to go to school, while he is going to have school at home. I encourage peopel to start their research as early as possible. In fact it is never too early. I started collecting materials before I was even married, I did not realize that is what I was doing until I put everything together to start teaching my oldest kindergarten!

I just got a call from a friend I haven't spoken to in a year ,or so ,who is asking for info on how to start homeschooling. Her son should start Kindergarten next week! The word is out!

[~EagleNebula~]

Hey, all! We are in our sixth year of homeschooling this fall. My oldest, 17 yr old, took her GED testing this spring passing with flying colors, and the same week passed her state CNA test with high marks!! I am so proud of her. My other two, 11 and 8 are looking forward to hitting the books and want to start now!! (Mom isn't quite ready yet!)

Because of a move, I am finding I have less room in the new house and am weeding out some of my curriculum. If you are interested in knowing what I have available, FReepmail me and I will get the list to you.

Have a great year everyone!!! I have to get back to unpacking the rest of my boxes to find the books before we can start! ::grin:: For those who are considering it, what do you have to lose? If you try it and it does not go well there is no shame in putting them back in a school system, but..... I think once you try it you will be hooked!

[mrs tiggywinkle]

I'm in total agreement with dawn53's post #25. In addition, I'd add regular visits to the zoo, children's museums and the park. Get involved in a homeschool support group right away. Fellowship with like minded people is so important. Through the group you'll most likely find activities for your child (and you) to enjoy. :o)

[mrs tiggywinkle]

MasonGal's post #29 is worth a peek, if you haven't already seen it.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Oh, I ***LOVE*** that! LOL

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**LOL I do ask for gift certificates to these fancy teacher's stores for christmas. I made a list last christmas of books I wanted for the kids school experience. These were great books. No on egave me one book. I guess they did not understand... I really wanted those books!!! This is so true... ** Same here! They just don't *get it*. haha

[eggette]

I suggest using resources from http://www.visionforum.com/ as a supplement.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

You're a homeschooling grandma? You're AWESOME!!!

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Vision Forum.....yes, indeed :o)

[TxBec]

Thanks for the ping, SLB. My ping list has been tossed to the four winds (otherwise known as "down computer land." )Soon as I get it back up and running, I'll ping everyone to this thread.

We started school last week for my oldest and my youngest this week. We are finally enrolled in Mother of Divine Grace (following the Laura Berquist book/school.)

I hope we all have a fun, productive year!

[knak]

does anybody use Calvert school?

[bd476]

Thanks for the ping, TxBec!

[TxBec]

I have some more links for you!

www.allcatholicbooks.com

www.catholichomeschooling.com

www.emmanuelbooks.com