I've been lurking here for a little while, and now I'm ready to share. Please give me your feedback, suggestions, ideas--oh, and of course, encouragement! My dd4 has been in preschool 2-3 days per week for half days for two years. She is very attached to me, not interested in taking classes where I'm not involved (gymnastics, ballet, etc.). I am a former public high school teacher (I'm mighty brave to admit that, here, huh?!), and I now work part-time for my school helping kids who are having trouble graduating (I telecommute). Having the kids in preschool gave me some time to work and gave dd some experience away from me in a safe place. I am considering home schooling her for K next year. I have several reasons: My instinct tells me to feed into her attachment to me while she's little; no need to throw her to the wolves at the tender age of 5. Also, I strongly feel that being away from home/family and in a highly stimulating environment for 40 hrs per week is way too much for a 5-year-old. Finally, as a school teacher, I would love the opportunity to teach my own kids and to get to see them learn. Right now, I'm leaning towards joining a co-op so that dd can have opportunities to be with other kids away from me and to follow directions from another adult. The amount of time she's spent at preschool has been perfect--just enough for her to feel comfortable and make friends, but not so much as to make her not want to go. I'm not sure how to find a co-op, much less how to find one that fits us. My fear is that many of them (esp in my area) are strict or didactic about what to teach and about incorporating religion. I could go on (about my fears that my peers will think I'm betraying the public school system, about whether it's possible to hs and work part-time, about feeling overwhelmed choosing curricula/activities, etc.), but I'll leave it here for now. I'm not really sure why I'm writing; I just feel compelled to. I have all of these ideas, questions, and thoughts running through my head, and I haven't found anyone here yet to talk to (well, other than DH, who trusts me and supports whatever I decide, but who knows less than I do). I sure would appreciate your thoughts on anything I've said. Thanks for giving me a place to share-- Christine
Hi Christine. Welcome to the Spot. I have no experience with co-ops, but my advice would be to contact a local hs group or check your library to see if they have a list of local co-ops. Then, you can call & get info on them and ask if you can visit to see if it might be a good fit for you & your dd. Also, feel free to ask any questions, opinions on ideas, etc. This is a very friendly & helpful group of people. BTW, I'm pretty sure there's a few others here who used to be ps teachers.
This is our first year homeschooling and so I'm really not sure how to find a co-op, but I can help with some of the other things. For curriculum you can check out www.homeschoolreviews.com and www.cathyduffyreviews.com both will give you reviews of popular homeschool curricula, also search out a convention in your area this way you can get your hands on some curricula to look at it. Now as for the working and homeschooling I can tel you it's possible...I work full time and so does my dh and we still homeschool our two boys 4 days a week. Also you are not betraying the public school system, you know your daughter better than anyone else and therefore you are the only one who can decide what's best for her. You are only doing what you feel is right at the time. That's all any parent can do for their child. Hope that helped
Hi, Welcome to THE Spot! Yes, there are quite a few that have been teachers before and are now homeschooling (including me), so you're definitely not alone there! Many of the ladies here work part to full time and homeschool as well! So you're in good company! I watch a 5yo and do some K stuff with her (just starting), which brings in enough to help us out a little. You must know that there are stereotypes for homeschoolers--people think they stay home all the time and get no socialization, etc. Those stereotypes are typically NOT true at all! In fact we have a saying, "I son't know why this is called homeschooling, when I'm NEVER home!" People will think you're rejecting the ps (which you basically are, for a GREAT reason--the well-being of your dd!), will think your kids get no socialization (so totally not true), think they won't learn as well as at ps (another that is so totally not true!!!), wonder what they'll do when they get back in the "real" world (actually, hsers get more REAL socialization and activity than kids in school. Where in "real life", other than school, do you sit in a room with 20 or more others all your same age doing all the same thing??? NOT real life!!!), etc. You're right about that. Many of us here have been through that. But, if you make the choice to homeschool, then do it and don't look back. Don't let others influence you negatively. Just find what's best for you and do your best at doing what's best! :lol: I'd look on the internet for local places, coops, etc. Look up HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) for laws in your state as well http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1 I need to go now, but hope things work out well for you! Stick around, we'll be happy to encourage you and help if we can!
Welcome! Last year was our first full year homeschooling. We began with 2 months remaining in the previous year (when we moved). Last year, my kids were in K, 2nd and 4th. Teaching my K son to read has been the highlight of the last year....not that I haven't enjoyed working with all 3 but my girls learned to read at their Dept of Defense school and although I helped in the evenings, its just not the same. We are members of a small co-op (where all the mom's help out and that keeps the costs down). It meets once per week for 2 hours. It is held at our church but we have lots of members that are not members or attenders of our church. There are also other secular co-ops in the area but we like the small size of the church one for now (plus the kids have friends there already). Many homeschool moms are former public and private school teachers.....our kids previous teachers were very supportive of our decision to homeschool when we left that duty station. Most teachers (pub/priv/hs) can see the advantages (and maybe a few disadvantages:shock to one on one instruction :lol:. Rhonda C.
Christine, Welcome to the forum! Perfect place to share what you did. You'll be amazed at the support here. First let me say that is so cool your screen name is "Teacher Mom", and we have another mom here whose is "TeacherMom" (no space). You will likely see lots of posts from her.:angel: Anyway, do check the HSLDA link for a concise description of your state requirements. Many states do not have requirements before age 7 (in which case, you can take the K year to figure out your long term plans.)Even if you were going to send her to public school, and even though they have K in pubic school, it is NOT required. Secondly, look at www.ghea.org for info on homeschooling in GA, including a list of cover schools. Some of the links and/or co-ops & groups may be Christian, but that does not mean that their curiculum requirements are strict. Many times a homeschool group is formed as an outreach of a church because they naturally have resources (classroom space, meeting space, storage, office, funds, human resources, etc., etc.) They vary greatly in their individual requirements for parents and curriculum. You do NOT have to be in your immediate area since you will not be driving there that often. I am sure that as close as you are to ATL, you will find more that one option of a cover school that will allow you the freedom you are hoping for in curriculum. On the other hand, some parents need and/or like ultra-structure, so there exist those type groups. Where we live, a cover school is not required by law, but you must be registered as a "private school". Some parents do all the paperwork necessary for that, but I'd say better than 90% of families here are under a cover school. The main benefits of a cover school are networking, support, workshops, book resources, co-ops/outsource class offerings, and things like SAT testing, competetive organizations(Speech& Debate, sports, etc.) As for co-ops, that can mean anything from ...outsourcing your entire curriculum to other teachers...to... 2 or 3 moms who decide among themselves to rotate their kids together while one Mom teaches (for instance) Science, one teaches Spanish, and one teaches Art...or anything in between! I'd also see if there is a homeschool convention nearby you can attend. They have huge curriculum fairs where you can look at everything first hand, as well as learn a lot of information. Most of the teaching and materials is NOT area sensitive, so, you can go in another state. Here in Birmingham, we have one in May. Don't worry...no matter what decision you make re: your children's education, there will always be someone criticizing it behind your back. No one will know better than you & your DH what is best for your babies. Happy researching. Let us know what else we can help with Miller
Another former teacher here! I taught special ed for about ten years. My husband just left for his first day with kids at a public high school. He was switched back to teaching computers; the last two years it was Algebra. Each co-op is different. I was blessed with a wonderful first experience with one in my church. It has since folded, and I wish there was one for my youngest (8yo). My older two (14yo, 12yo) will be going to a rather big one this year, taking one class each. We're doing it because I want my oldest one to have a more formal lab science (biology this year!), and there was another class perfect for my middle one at the same time. Some kids come and spend all day at co-op!
Welcome! It's a big step and sometimes even after a year it's scary - but with your background you might have more confidence than someone like me and know what to look for in your child and what it means when you see it (took me awhile and a couple curriculum choices to figure it out) We are JUST joining a coop for American Sign Language this year. Other than that - I figure dance, PE whatever else I sign them up for can count towards them taking instructions from another adult. I just can't teach sign language cause I don't know it I wish I could go back in time and give myself the confidence when I wanted to homeschool them in kindergarten.
Christine, welcome to the spot, you found a wonderful place here with a bunch of wonderful ladies. First thing I would say is take a deep breathe and relax. Like any other job you take on there is going to be some good days and bad days. Yes there are going to be alot of people who don't understand why you do what you do, but hay, it's your family and you know what they want and need. Yes, it's scary but its so rewarding and fun too. Just remember at the age of your child to have fun with her and make school fun. Don't stress her out with tons of school work. Do alot of hands on. Google your state and homeschool groups and alot should come up. If theres any in the area.
Welcome! The other ladies already gave you wonderful words of wisdom so I will chime in about throwing your dc to the wolves. We could be sisters, that is exactly how I felt about my boys. I also did not want them to attend kindy 8 hours a day, 5 days a week because 40 hours is a hardy full time job for a five year old! Blessing!
Welcome Teacher Mom! Glad to have you here! You are at the begining and I am nearing the end of home schooling years but let me tell you that you have a lot of fun ahead of you and some hair pulling nail biting moments as well! How's that for a run on sentence? I am really good at writing them! I am sure you will find a lot of support from folks who were able to teach in High School as well as folks who are starting out with Pre-K and K here so join in and ask away!
I could cry right now with gratitude. Everything everyone has said has brought me relief and hope. My little bit of research right now is overwhelming me. After the kids are in bed, I hit the computer, and I haven't been getting to bed myself until 1 or 2. (I'm an 8-hr/night kinda gal.) As soon as I learn a little more, I think I'll start posting some random single questions. Thank you, thank you-- Christine
I found that reading actual books from the library or the bookstore was better for me initially than looking online. Online makes it REALLY overwhelming. Head to library and see what they have....you'll still get to bed late (I still do) but at least it's just from ONE book (or 2,3, 4) but not 2000+ hits on Google :lol:
That's a really good idea. I have Well-Trained Mind and haven't gotten too far into it. I think I'll pick it back up and try to immerse myself. It's going to be hard not to dig around online, though!
I don't think that it's odd that you're a teacher and you homeschool your kid. Because you're a teacher, who could teach her better than you? I'm a gymnastics teacher and I teach my stepdaughter at our house. She participates in the tumbling team but she gets private lessons from me because who could teach her better than me? I think most parents would love if their kid could have one-on-one learning. That's the full benefit of homeschooling, that beautiful one-on-one time and knowing that your kid isn't going to get lost among 20 other kids. I figure, it's so much easier to herd 1 sheep than 20 sheep toward the pasture and so homeschooling goes faster. Your daughter is very lucky! She will get a great start.
