Hi everyone! (wave) I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Diana, and I am in South Eastern GA. I have two children DD 7, and DS 5. My husband and I have decided to home school this year. We just moved back to GA from PA. My DD attended a "Blue Ribbon" public school in PA. She was happy there, and did well. Upon coming back to GA, we were thrust in a public school education system that was less than ok. Then with some huge health issues going about...meningitis...and the public school trying to force us to give up social security numbers and violence in the school, we feel that home schooling is best here. I am so very glad we have made that choice! I didn't realize that public schools were getting so bad! I am extremely over-whelmed with the home schooling curriculum, the rules, the fact that my kids are going to be in different grades and how to best support that. And I must also admit that the "feelings" of others including family members and their opinions thrust into my face on what they think I should do, is very daunting for me. Also have been treated very poorly by the Dr. we are to turn our letter of intent in to. Also, very over-whelmed with trying to figure out if I should try to make my own curriculum or buy a "ready-made" one. Lots of feeling bubbling around in me!! Basically, with all of the digging I've done, research has shown me that this is the very best thing for my family. I am looking forward to giving my children tools that they will be able to use for all time. Even over-whelmed, research has shown me also that the school system here needs a serious make-over! I want the very best for my kids and I know between myself and my husband that they will get that! Even with certain issues set aside, this feels right! I hope to get to know everyone here a ton better.
Welcome. I know there are a couple ladies here from GA. Ask whatever question you may have. If we don't have the answer, you will still find tons of support. This is a great forum.... just jump right in!
Welcome to Homeschool Spot! I have two daughter, ages 6 & 4. You might want to consider going ahead and buying curriculum this year, just so you can get a routine down. You'll be more comfortable with the concept of homeschooling and you'll know how it works best (and worst! ) for you next year, and THEN - if you want to - you can start doing your own curriculum. Here are a few of my favorite resources for getting started in homeschooling: When we were starting out (just last year!), we found Mary Pride's The Big Book of Home Learning, Volume 1 (the newest edition is re-titled Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling) in the library and it helped immensely! She has a website, too: http://www.home-school.com/ Cathy Duffy's Homeschool Reviews was also very helpful: http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/ She has a book called 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum, which goes over a lot of different options and gives you the strengths and weaknesses of each option. We found it at a Half-Price Books, but you can check to see if your library has it, too. I hope that helps!!
Hello and welcome! Even if you do nothing formal this year, you will be amazed at how much your kids will learn when they're in a safe and loving environment. You'll also quickly discover how many things can be taught together - saving your sanity. I met my husband in Georgia (Fort Benning), but still managed to convince him to live in BRRRR Minnesota. Have to admit that walking along a flowing river on New Year's Eve was amazing though!
Your children are also close enough in age that you can teach them some subjects together. Science and history work well this way, but others can be done, too. I'm Jackie, in central Ohio. My kids are 13, 11 and 7, and I teach history to all three at once, and until last year, science. Now my younger two do science together, and my older two do language (in addition to all doing history!) Confused yet, lol?
Hey there and welcome!! I'm a GA girl too!! Born and raised in Augusta. We now travel with my DH all over the U.S. with his job. We go "home" every few months. I'm new to this site and homeschooling too. This is our second year hs and I'm still figuring it all out. This site has been so helpful already. Because our "home" is in GA I "report" there. It hasn't been that hard working with the local school system yet. Just make sure you keep copies of your attendance forms!!! I received a call about a week ago that they "lost" DD April attendance. So all I had to do was fax it in. HS hasn't been welcomed in our family either but you have to do what's best for you and your family. We buy ready made materials right now too. It works best for now. One of the first books I read when deciding to hs was "So You're Thinking About Homeschooling" by Lisa Whelchel. I really enjoyed it. If you ever need anything not sure I'll be a whole lot of help but I'll gladly try!!
Oooh, Oooooh! Me too! Matter of fact, what got me thinking about hsing in the first place was an interview with her on Focus on the Family. I bought that book the next day and read it cover to cover. Her interview and book were God's thump on my head. I think I read half of it to DH and he was sold right away.
I'm from Ga too! Hi Diana, my name is Amy and I live in Northeast GA in Hall county. We have two broiler farms with 11 chicken houses. I am in my 2nd year of hs my 12dd(7th grade, as grades go.....). I also have a 7ds that attends ps in 2nd grade, but may not much longer, lol!:evil: I feel the same as you about being overwhelmed, and it will get better as you choose curr. and set a schedule. I am soooooo stressed out, but I know after doing it for one year, that it will get easier! With summer break, it is hard for EVERYONE to get into the mood to teach and learn. My family is not so supportive either, and our ps system STINKS! I have just found this board and have fell in love with it. The advice and support have been such a blessing to me! I will help you in any way that I can. I have gotten so much help here myself!:love: Amy
Welcome sure glad you found us.. the first year will be overwhelming.. buy a box curr. that will help the first year go smoothly and give you more time to think and check out other things for next year.. Don't worry what other people say, I know it's hard I have been through and still going through it.. with my family they think I am hurting the girls so bad.. it came to the point I don't even talk to them anymore.. it was a hard choose but I had to chose my dd's.. My dh travels with his work so we live in RV and travel fulltime.. seen alot and love it.. Hang in there, take a deep breath, have a cup tea, and it will all work out. Come here any time and ask away and someone will lead you up the right path.... once again welcome to hs spot..
Welcome! I am Patty and homeschool my daughter Emma. The first year we purchased a box set. As the years went by, I started mixing and matching. Last year I put some of our subjects together myself and am doing the same this year. It is often easier to purchase a boxed set to start with because it has it all printed out for you and you can follow the teachers guides for help. As time goes by, you can change things as needed. Patty
Thank you all so very much for the warm welcome! I sooooo appreciate it!! Can tell you how wonderful it is to find such a wonderful resource at my finger tips! I'm looking forward to learning all I can, and discovering a brand new world in which I can give my munchkins a better way.
