Hello, I'm not only a newbie here on this forum. I'm a complete newbie to homeschooling. I have two daughters in Christian school and believe I'm being led to homeschool them instead next school year. With school re-registration coming up in March, I want to be prepared. My biggest question so far is where do I even start? The amount of curriculum available is so overwhelming. I would really appreciate your advice. BTW, my daughters would be starting second and fourth grades next school year. Thank you in advance for any helpful suggestions.
Welcome! Step 1. Relax. Take a deep breath and accept that if God is leading you to HS your children, He will give you guidance and wisdom. Step 2. Attempt to identify their learning styles. The curriculum you choose with be based on how best they learn. Step 3. Research the laws of your state. CA might have specific requirements that will also narrow down your curriculum choices. If you don't know where to look, visit the HSLDA website. On the left is a list of links that includes "state laws". Step 4. Ask every question you think of. And this is a great place to do that. Be warned, though, this forum can be addicting We're happy to have you.
Welcome! I have a dd starting 2nd grade too! You'll get lots of great answers here from experienced homeschoolers. A couple of things that have helped me out is figuring out what my teaching method is and how my DD learns. We have bought some curriculum that did not work for us because the teaching style/learning style was not conductive for us. So, maybe some questions to ask yourself is: 1) Do you like to teach 'hands-on' or would you like self-teaching curriculums? (I'm liking the 'self-teaching' stuff myself!) 2) Are you crafty? Like science experiments? Computer-based? Literature-based? Work-book based? (I'm not crafty, but am TRYING to get into science now. ) This blends with #3, too! 3) How do your children learn? I still don't have my kids 'learnig styles' down, but I am getting a better idea about this--this usually is broken into auditory, visiual, or kinetic--and kids can be a blend of the these, lol! (My oldest is auditory--I think!) 3) There are many different styles of HSing--classical, Charlette Mason, traditional, electic, and unschooling--reading up on styles might help you answer the first few questions! (I'm an electic kinda person so far.) Also, know that with HSing it can take some time to get your 'sea-legs'...I'm going on a 1-1/2 of schooling and still adjusting things. AND research, research, research curriculums--there are so many good choices--and so many prices!
My best advice is don't buy anything yet!!! There are too many stories of parents dropping hundreds of dollars on curriculum before they do much research and realizing it's not at all what they want or doesn't interest or suit their child or they don't want to even use curriculum. ActressDancer knows what she's talking about so do what she says too. Also, get some coffee and popcorn and go through these two sites when you have some free time: A to Z Home's Cool Jon's homeschool Resources Those are the two biggest and best sites for starting your research. I'd also suggest you read email lists, message boards, blogs and every homeschooling book you can get from your local library.
The beginning! Sorry, couldn't resist. Might be a good idea to find out what curriculum the school is using. Some (like Abeka, Bob Jones, etc.) Also do school curriculums. Beyond that, determining your childrens learning styles is important. I just borrowed "Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Homeschool Picks" book today from the library. Looks like it has the different styles. There's also a book by Cynthia Tobias on learning styles which might be a good way to start. You can decide that you want to homeschool by March and not yet be decided on curriculum yet, and still be okay!!! Also...find a curriculum fair in your area as well...there might be one nearby...love those, t hey give you a chance to touch feel look etc.
Welcome! This is our first full year (started with 2 months to go last school year when we moved). My kids are 4th grade, 2nd, and K. I "second" the don't buy anything yet. Best advice is to read every homeschool book you can get your hands-on....the library is your new best friend. One reason to read different HS books....everyone does it a bit different and its nice to see several different points of view....from school at home types to complete unschoolers (if you don't know the jargon yet....read a few books and you'll catch on quick). Check into the laws either thru HSLDA (which someone already mentioned)....and I'm sure there are a few state HS groups (here in Virginia we have 2 biggees). If you can figure out how your kids learn....that's a bonus. I thought I had a pretty good feel but am realizing that my middle child wasn't as clear cut as I thought...so we've tweaked things here and there and will be making some changes for next year but she's still doing great. We go to a church that has a small co-op for a few hours each Tuesday (not a drop-off...all the mom's teach or help in some capacity). The area where we're stationed (hubby is Army) has about 1700 homeschoolers in a 30 miles radius from us so there are lots of opportunities for park days, etc. These type activities might appeal to you as well. For us, it was wonderful because we were new to the area, new to homeschooling, and my kids wanted to make friends since our new neighborhood didn't seem to have many their ages. Sorry for the book....but I'll add that I honestly believe that NOT putting them in school here when we moved was the best decision we have made for them. They're doing wonderfully and its greatly reduced a lot of the outside stresses and has given us a lot more family time. Since my hubby has been in Iraq and Saudi for A LOT of the last 5 years, we really needed the family time. Rhonda C. Ft. Monroe, VA
First things first, you should get acquainted with CA homeschooling laws. California has four options to homeschool under. I agree that HSLDA is a great place to check. I, too, am in Southern California and homeschooling here is simple enough, depending on the option you choose. I also agree with dawninns, that is great advise. Patty
See if your area has a local homeschool group you might fit into (there might be a bunch but only one you really fit in) Discover your library. when you start, sign up for educator discounts before you start buying all of your supplies. Places like staples, office Depot, Border's book store, etc......... it never hurts to ask...... EVERYWHERE! People will want proof, so you may want to think up a name of your homeschool and also use your intent to homeschool papers. (or what ever they have in your state) I'm a member of www.learningpage.com --- its free and www.enchantedlearning.com --- its $20 but there are so many other sites, just type in your search and write free printable worksheets math worksheets
You've already gotten some great suggestions but I'll throw out one more. . . Have you considered using the curriculum your Christian school uses? Lots of Christian schools use the same curriculums that are available to homeschoolers. In some ways, that might make the transition easier bc your dc will have certain expectations and/or the pattern will be familiar. Of course that's not the only way to go. . .just thought I'd throw it out there. Sometimes for newbies, it's easier to stick w/something familiar rather than venturing out on your own.
I am also a Newbie here and you have definitely found the right place to be to get the best answers. I have learned so much in the the 5 or so days that I have been here. ---Just a quick question, that came to mind while reading this thread. Maybe there could be a new Topic added to the Content list dedicated to "new people." Maybe call it Newbies, or Getting Started, or Rookies or something else like that. When I did a few searches on various subjects, I found a ton of posts regarding brand new people wanting to know what to do, where to go etc. Just a thought anyway.-- BTW, another big thanks goes out to the wonderful ladies (and men), on this forum, they have helped me not only get started but ease my mind, and eliminate the stereotype I previously had about HS.:love: P.S. Yes, this forum is VERY addicting!!:wink: Candace
Candace, I think that's a great idea! I know we are often repeating the same answers. Maybe if we had a FAQ page......? I would agree not to rush into buying anything. If you have homeschooling friends, ask if you can borrow some of what they use. I know I have lots of stuff lying around the house that I would be more than willing to "lend out" to a friend who wants to see what that curriculum is like. Also, I am blessed with access to a library system that has some of the more popular curriculums. I'll check them out and get a real "feel" for it, then decide if I really want to buy it or not. You said your girls are grades 2 and 4. I would strongly suggest teaching some things together. Obviously, they're not going to be on the same level for math, but subjects such as science and history can be done with both. There are curriculums designed for this. Look at it this way. If you want to teach SPACE, who's to say if that's a "third grade" or "fifth grade" topic? You read to them both from the same text book, you can assign reading from library books based on what their individual abilities are, you can have them each research a different planet, both can make a model of the universe.... It doesn't matter if one is older than the other. As far as registration, you've already been told to check out your state laws. There are several on here from California that can help. I think right now, all you need to do is tell them your children won't be returning in the fall.
I recommend Rebecca Rupp's "Homeschooling Year By Year". When we got started HS a year ago, I thought it was the best resource for knowing what they need to know when. I knew that I didn't want to be locked into one curriculum when I didn't know what would work for my kids. So, using Rupp's book as a rough guideline, I've pieced together my own curriculum through resources online, used books, finding things on eBay, etc. As the kids get older, I feel that I'll need something a little more structured. But for now it's working for us.
Also, order a catalog from www.rainbowresource.com. I get almost all my stuff from them (except for my oldest's Sonlight stuff....www.sonlight.com ) They've been extremely helpful and have about the best prices. The annual catalog is like a phone book so don't be intimidated. I normally look and search online but I like the paper copy too. I've also gotten items from CBD (www.christianbook.com) and a local homeschool store...ebay, etc. Just start requesting free catalogs....you've got plenty of time to browse thru them. Rhonda C.
FYI, if you have a Mardel near you, they often carry HS curriculum. And if they don't have what you want, they can order most things so you don't have to pay the shipping ordering online.
Oh wow, I am just thrilled at the amount of help/info/advice/wisdom sent my way! Thank you so much!!! :love::love::love: I reserved Cathy Duffy's book from the library, so when it becomes available I'll get started on that. I had read Cynthia Tobias's book when youngest DD was in kindergarten - the school principal actually recommended it to me. I'll have to check it out again. I can't remember the names of the learning styles anymore. I'm off to the library webpage again. Thank you all for taking the time to be so helpful.
I just want to second the curriculum fair idea. I know here in Virginia, our HEAV convention has a free first day that has seminars about what the law is here, how to determine your child's learning style, what the diferences are in curriculum and how to pick one, and a general "what homeschooling is all about" seminar. I think lots of conventions around the country do the same type of thing. I know when we were thinking about this whole homeschooling thing, it helped my dh and I a lot. And welcome! I'm new to the forum, but I'm loving it here!! Dana
If you go to the convention, leave your checkbook at home....seriously.... it can be very overwhelming and you see a million wonderful things and you'll want them all!! Actually, this year I went to a smaller "expo" in Norfolk, VA and then ordered the MP3 of the HEAV convention (because I couldn't make the conference in Richmond, VA).....listening to the classes was awesome and I got all of them for $80...cheaper than visiting and I couldn't have made all of them personally had I attended....although I do hope to make one in person soon....it has a huge used sale. You might check and see if your state has a similar thing or go to HEAV.org. The MP3 is still available and has lots of speakers...only one course had to do with VA laws in particular I think....just an idea. Enjoy Cathy's Top Picks.....I was just flipping thru my copy the other night trying to decide a few things for next school year. Rhonda C.
This coming year will be my fifth year! And I JUST am reading the Cathy Duffy book...I think you're going to like it...it has some brass tax ways to pick a curriculum that's right for you the teacher, and them the student. I'm really happy that I borrowed the book from the library...it's made a difference in just 24 hours!
Now I am interested in reading the book! We will be starting our sixth year next school year but it is never too late. Patty
recommended book The first book I read about homeschooling was: So You're Thinking About Homeschooling - Lisa Welchel She gives you a "day in the life" of the different styles of homeschooling. It is a very quick read - and really got me hooked on the idea! You will realize that as long as you are following your state laws!, you can make homeschooling fit for YOUR family / style. I would say that the number one lesson I have learned is to be flexible, and willing to change curriculum, schedules, teaching methods, etc. until you find what works for you and your children. A curriculum that may look fantastic to you, may end up being a dud with the kids...some families have a very relaxed schedule, some can't RELAX without a specific schedule, etc. Experiment!! Oh, and...you don't have to do every problem on every workbook page. And, when you feel overwhelmed take the day (or 2 or 3) off!! These are the things I wish someone told me before WE started. Best of luck - and remember that you are doing this out of love for your children (I have to remind myself about this occasionally - but I have an almost teenager here!) You can do it!
