Okay, I know y'all have covered all of this, so if you will point me in the right direction I will read up on it and then come back with the stupid questions. I am fixing to take my 5th grader out of school. I also have a 4th and kinder, but so far I will let them stay (they wont last long I'm sure- not once they see Brett doesnt have to leave the house at 6am anymore) I've been trying to read all I could, but end up more confused than ever. Here are some of my questions: I'm in Texas- so no big rules on Homeschooling. I know to keep a journal etc. Are there any programs cheaper than a grand a year? I really hate to leave him in school just because of financial issues. Plus, for that much money I could drive all 3 to a decent school and not send them to our towns PS. Do they need to take a placement test every 3 or 4 months, make sure they are learning ? Does he need to start out at a school that gives 'diplomas'? or can we save those for later years when grades actually count towards college acceptance? For the computer, do you have to use one? I do have one (duh..) matter of fact I have 3 that work, but only one is hooked up. We have dial up, and only one can be hooked up at once, so can I only teach one kid at once? that will drag out the days pretty bad wont it? Giving each kid 2-3 hours a day on the computer? Plus and possibly more importantly- when will I get my facebook/farmville fix?? LOL (sorry, being a SAHM stuck on a farm 5-6 days a week makes you find lots of stuff to keep you busy and I HATE cleaning house.... LOL ) Do we have to take TAKS tests? I know the schools dont actually even teach stuff anymore, they just teach TAKS problems, so do I have to subject the kids to that still? I think these are the only questions I have right now- and the only ones my husband has posed that I couldnt answer. thanks!
Welcome to the Spot!! I am not in Texas so I can't answer the questions about the TAKS, but I can answer some of your questions. 1. You don't have to spend a grand a year to homeschool. There are all kinds of curriculum out there. I spend under $100 a year on curriculum and that cover 4 kids. I am more electic in my curriculum choices which means I pick and choose and I don't stick with 1 brand name or do curriculum in a box. 2, If I remember correctly from others who have posted, Texas is one of the most relaxed states for homeschooling. I do not think you need to do any placement tests or diploma schools, but to double check you will want to check HSLDA http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=TX 3. My kids do not use the computer for any school work. Except my son who is 9 is starting to learn to type. Everything they do is with paper and pencil, and hands on learning. I hope this helps! If you have more questions just ask, we love to help!
There are tons more options out there than you are aware of. You can order gobs of curriculum from hundreds of publishers, not just the BIG ones. You don't have to have a computer at all. I spend about 500-600 a year on my 4 kids. You can also buy tons of stuff used (especially teacher's manuals that are really expensive). Now if you are looking for a DVD/online curriculum, that can be pricey. But if you are willing to work a couple hours a day with your child that shouldn't be necessary. Did you know that many curriculums are scripted, telling you word for word how to teach stuff?
I'm new to HSing too, and am going to pull my 4th grader out of PS next week!! I've put together a curriculum for her (language arts (grammar, writing, vocabulary, and poetry), science, social studies/history, math, and typing) for around $200 - it can be VERY overwhelming though!! I decided it was like shopping for a wedding dress. I had found stuff I liked and that I could afford. I needed to stop looking!
Welcome Farminmomof4, You can certainly spend less that $1,000 a year. I spent about $200 this year. Some of the curriculum was carried over from last year. Usually I spend about $400 a year. I do use the library a lot, which saves money. As someone mentioned in an earlier reply, you may want to check out HSLD regarding your state's homeschooling laws. I do not think you need to do a placement test or even give your child a diploma. When our daughter was applying at colleges, they did not ask about a diploma. They did want to see her transcripts which I made. We only use a computer for school to learn typing, to learn some computer programs as in Power Point, and the math program has lessons presented on the computer. I would encourage you to read books on homeschooling, which sounds like you are doing. Cathy Duffy has a good book. Also, I would order Rainbow Resource catalog and read about all the stuff out there. You can find Rainbow Resource on line.
I love this! ^ Mine didn't start on the computer (except for typing) until 7th grade. They USED the computer alot for word processing, doing power point presentations for 4H, our encyclopedia is on the computer, ect. But I didn't buy a computer curriculum until 7th grade math. That and Rosetta Stone are all that they do on the computer. I don't spend very much on curriculum (books) at all. Probably a few hundred dollars a year. The library is our favorite place. But, I do spend a good bit of money on other things like lessons and extras that I consider educational. Piano lessons, art, drama, museum trips, day trips to historical sites, ect. But, I'd probably be paying for at least some of those anyway even if they were in school. One example of extras that we do...a theatre company is putting on a 3 hour behind the scenes class about Macbeth (that time in history, Shakespeare in general, and how they developed the staging ideas for this version) 3 days before they put on the play - which we already have tix to see. Some would say it's pricey to go to something like that, but I think it's going to be SO worth it. Things like that, you can always look at your budget at the time and decide yes or no. In fact, about 3 years ago our whole family went to Washington DC for 5 days and we still spent less than $2000 on our entire year of school ~ including this trip for 4 people (even the gas to drive there and hotel stay), piano and art lessons all year, all our other little field trips, and all the books and supplies we used. I kept a very detailed list that year because we were trying to figure out exactly how much we were spending. It can be overwhelming. Just remember, homeschool doesn't have to be school at home. Best wishes!
I don't have many more answers than everyone has already given you... but if you search on this board, there are places you can get a tremendous amounts of school things absolutely free. It is possible to homeschool all the way through for free... but I do reccomend you go with a DSL or cable internet connection.. just think of it as money you are spending on school.
well you have alot of good advice here already, there are tons of things you can do. go to goodwill's looking for use books along with half price. Library is our main sources. Also, there are alot of use books on line. Ladies even sell things here, ebay is another one to look. It depends on how your child learns and how you want to teach. there are many ways to do it. Sam's Club also have great books that under 10 dollars with all the subject in it up to 8 grade I think, and they even tell you for each subject what books to go with it and give you time to find them. Welcome to homeschooling I love it and wouldn't do it any other way. Here's another site you might want to check out. http://www.thsc.org/defaultpage.asp
in TX,no placement tests , no TAKS (yay) you are pretty much free to do your own thing. My curriculum is made up of $9 workbooks and the library. I did purchase a science program for the first time this year but it was around $30 so I think I did 2 kids for about $200. that also included a museum membership and a printer. don't forget about all those free things like field trips,nature walks,etc. abcteach.com has free worksheets you can print and I know there are others like it.you just have to look for them. Dont forget your farm;lots of science there! just have fun and relax. Keep us posted on how its going for you.
ONE big thing to be aware of: You DON'T ever need to go throught a certain program to get a diploma for your child. You can give them your own homeschool diploma. HSLDA has a way to do that and other places too (and it will be professional quality). You DON'T need to go under an accredited organization-EVER, even in high school. Some public schools aren't even accredited. There have been many homeschooled students admitted to colleges without any "acceditation" or a diploma from a "regular" school. I was worried about high school (which we started this year). I was anxious and tied up in knots. I read a lot of stuff by Barbara Shelton and it reassured me to the nth degree. It was so refreshing to know that a LOT of the stuff we worry about is totally unecessary. Here is a link to some great articles by her (and others): http://www.homeschooloasis.com/article_chart.htm there is a great article on accreditation, also check out the one titled Animal School.
My brother was homeschooled for 7-12th and he never got a diploma when he graduated. The college he applied for was impressed with his grades and he got in without a HS diploma...in fact he got a scholorship.
As mentioned earlier, you probably don't need accreditation or a diploma from a "regular" school for your child to be admitted to college. Our daughter was homeschooled from K - 12th. She did not get a diploma. She applied at three colleges. We were very upfront with those colleges about her being homeschooled. What those colleges were interested in was a transcript which I made, her SAT score, and the paper that they wanted applicants to write. She was offered a substantial scholarship at each of those colleges. Those colleges were Christian colleges. It may have been different from a secular college. Look into the colleges your child might be interested in attending. See what they require. Looking into a specific college will help to ensure that you cover all the subjects necessary.
Just a few that are WAY under a grand/year: Rod & Staff Christian Light Education Christian Liberty Press A Beka These are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure others on here can add to this list. For reviews, you can go to: http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/index.html and http://www.homeschoolreviews.com/reviews/curriculum/showall.aspx These sites list most of the curriculum providers.
Thank y'all SOOO much! well its official, 2 of them will be home schooled. the 4tha nd 5th graders. The kinder I just hate to push her either way. of course it might not be long, I got the note from the 'truency officer' today. They are deciding that my child with cronic alergies (the poor kid coughs when his alergies act up) has missed too much. he was the 4th grader. And they wont accept MY excuses with out a DR's note. EVEN when the school sends him home the day before for coughing till he puked. And he is under a Dr's care. But our schools are VERY old, he doesnt cough like this at home. Maybe its mold or whatever. Anyway- the last straw was the fact that we had below freezing weather, pipes bursted, and there was ice. it was 20*, (Where I live this NEVER happens. LOL ) and I didnt send my kids to school at 6am. they decided to deem that as unexcused. ITs just past the point of accepting it. This is not the only thing, its just the icing on the cake. And even with 12 absenses this year, my kids make A's and maybe one B each six weeks. I will start on monday. I plan on taking out the two oldest bright and early Monday morning. My plan is to go see the judge (I dont have my 'summons' yet, just the warning letter from the school.) , go to the two schools, and then go to the library. Then its come strait home for our first science/math lesson, weighing the baby chicks and fiquring out how much food out of the 50 lb bag they have used to gain that amount of weight in the last week. Unless its raining, then we will study how many shirts go in the washer vs how many it takes to cover their bedroom floor... LOL I think it will be best- they dont even have time to pick up their stuff the way we live right now. everything is rush rush rush- either to get TO the bus stop for school in the mornings, or to get to bed so we can get at least 8 hours of sleep at night to start over at 5:30 in the morning. I really appriciate y'alls reassurances, I know I will need them. But I think we can do this. And honestly, it will be SOOO nice to not have big brother looking over my shoulder every step I take. And I wont have to worry about my kids forgetting their belts, or me not having washed uniform pants the night before when we only have one pair left with out a hole in the knee till payday!! LOL
It just makes me feel so grateful about our schools. Not that the ps are great or that the kids got a great education..but that they actually work with parents and believe (or at least act like they believe) that parents have some responsablity for the childrens education and treat parents in a respectful and cooperative way. Now, we still are homeschooling, because despite how much they tried, school just didn't work well for son 1. But I never felt as though it was us against them. They just couldn't be as individual as ds needed. And in the short run, son 2 also...in that he wasn't having any trouble but he wasn't being challenged either. I definitely will research hs laws prior to moving anywhere...I am not going to NY and I am not going to Penn. (or California) I have huge issues with authority myself. (now on another note, if they are going to cause you problems with your son (with allergies) and he is under a Dr.'s care for even just regular stuff, his Dr. shouldn't have any trouble giving you a "note" explaining his symptoms and problems which I would think would be enough to "excuse" his absences. I personally have never heard of a school that would not accept a parents note as an excused absence. And if I did, I imagine I wouldn't make a lot of friends. (if they push it you could bring up your mold idea and say you were thinking about calling the local paper about the toxic school buildings....things might clear up quickly.
I saw the judge, he did try to tell me that I needed to ask permission, file papers, fill out their papers, be avalible for home visits etc. I told him that was NOT my understanding of Texas laws, but that if a certified letter were sent to me I'd gladly allow my lawyer to pursue the matters of concern and we would address them as the law dictates. he said I would be just fine and didnt expect any of those problems. IT was just a bluff, and come to find out, even he wont allow his child to attend the local school, she is sent to a private one. And I had no issues, other than tears at the 4th graders school- me and some of the teachers. LOL I have worked with these ladies for 3 years, with the PTA and will miss them somethin awful. But a few did tell me to keep them updated, they were thinking about taking their own kids out next year and doing the HS thing next year..
welcome aboard..... Tx is the easiest place to homeschool. I homeschool for less than 400 dollars a year for 2.
