My three oldest are in public school this year, but I am planning on starting HS just as soon as school is finished and we are unpacked in our new house. I'm really excited about it and I think the kids will be too (we haven't told them yet because the oldest is a worrier and just knowing about the move is all she can handle right now. Better to just tell her when it's time than to let her worry about it for months before). So, I've been looking online at curriculum for a couple of months now. Up until this December I was a teacher in PS, so I pretty much know what I want-for this first year anyway. I've found a few things that I kind of like, but I'm leaning toward Sonlight mostly. I really want a prepackaged curriculum to get me started. I'm sure I will supplement it a lot but I feel like I need the structure to get me going. I'm a pretty laid back person and I think having a "program" to follow will help me stay on track better. I think it will also help me show my husband and the grandparents that we are making progress as well. DH and his parents are on board, but I think a little nervous still. My mom doesn't know yet-my oldest gets her worry gene from her grandma I am getting a little discouraged though thinking about the COST of it all. My kids are 11, 9, 6, and 4-they will be grades 7, 4, 1, and preK/k. So, if I go with the Sonlight for all of them, I will need to purchase 4 levels! If I buy just the core curriculum for each, that's several thousand dollars! Looking ahead, I can see how it will be less in the future when I can reuse some of the things as the younger ones get into higher levels, but the initial cost is overwhelming me. So, how do you all afford the cost of the curriculum? Especially those who try something that doesn't work out and switch part way through the year? I do feel like God has put this in my heart to do and I keep reminding myself that if this is what He has for me that He will provide a way to make it happen. It's just hard when I look at the bank account and try to make the money appear. (Guess my mom passed some of her worry genes on to me too:lol
I taught previously in the schools, and so did a fair number of people here. I wanted to share with you the biggest thing I learned.... Throw away all you knew until now. Yes, that is right. Homeschooling is a completely different planet than institutionalized schooling. Multi-aged, one of one, a whole different world. You will love it!! I have read a lot on things like Charlotte Mason, Well-Trained Mind, Dorothy Sayers, Maria Montessori, Waldorf, etc etc etc.
If you really really want to do Sonlight, you can get the teachers guides used and pick up the books from the library or from used book places. I used to keep the Sonlight catalog in the car and I checked off the books I already had and then when I would be at a used book store, I would look for some of the books and buy them with my teacher discount. I rarely paid more than a couple dollars a book.
If I were doing so many multiple grades I would go with Weaver cur. or Tapestry of Grace(?) These programs seem very well suited to your situation. These are designed specifically for families with different levels and would save you alot of teaching time. It is a little more planning,I think,which is why I chose not to do it(I'm not a planner). But I agree with you with what you said about God providing. when God has laid it on your heart to do this, He will make a way. He just may not make the way we thought He would!
Take this to heart. Personally, I don't say throw EVERYthing away - I find keeping child development in mind is very, very key (something IME PS pay lip service to, but can't really accommodate in any meaningful way). Dealing with one child in a level (or three kids on three levels) is really, really, REALLY different from managing a class. Even a small class. I'm not against a prepackaged curicciulum, if that's what works for you all. But give yourself permission to do something completely different, if that's the direction you're led. FWIW - I did a couple years of research before we started, and I ended up beginning with OFE (a free online curriculum that utilizes many online resources). It has many elements of Charlotte Mason's approach as well as aspects of Classical education (this WTM). Now, on our third year, I still reference curricula like OFE, AO, and Mater amabilis (is that right?), but I find more and more we do what is working for US.
This is something I have been trying to figure out myself this year. I think I have decided to go with MFW next year I have 3 they will be in 3rd, 1st and k-4 respectively. I have looked at Weaver, Tapestry of Grace, MFW, and a couple others I forget right now. Most of these incorporate lessons for all age ranges for subjects like history, science, bible, art, and music that can be adapted for multiple ages. Math and LA are usually based on ability level so each child will be doing something different there. Hope this helps
I will check into both of those-thanks! The time element was also a concern for me trying to do 4 kids in multiple subjects a day. I don't mind a little extra planning. Thanks!
I hs 2 of my kids and I know it can get really expensive. Especially in the begining when you are trying to figure out what curriculum you like and don't like. I wasted alot of $$ on stuff that didn't work for us. I purchased it used off ebay, so I can probley turn around and sell it for close to what I paid (I hope ) My advice would be to buy used books. There are alot of sources online, also hs groups usually hold used book sales during the year.
Yep, Momofafew is right! I've heard again and again from hs'ing friends who use to be in the classroom that their experience is oftentimes a HINDERANCE rather than a help. It's just so difficult to get out of the "classroom" mindset. It wasn't quite as hard for me, because I taught special needs, and there was NOTHING available to fit the individual needs of my kids, so meeting the individual needs of my children wasn't that much different. The big idea to get into your head is that you are HOMESCHOOLING, NOT SCHOOLING AT HOME! Don't try to bring the classroom into your house! (Now there are those that thrive doing that; if that's you, disregard everything I've said, lol!!! Do what works best for you!) Because of my experiences, I've never used a boxed curriculum. But if that's what you feel more comfortable with, it's fine. Boxed curriculums are more expensive, and you are more confined. I'm a big one for unit studies. I love having the flexibility of staying with a subject until they feel done with it, or the freedom to go off on tangents. My girls are 15 and 13, my son 10, and we do a lot of stuff together, especially history and/or science. Though that is becoming less and less, as my girls get into high school. And it keeps things a bit cheaper!
I am REALLY enjoying Tapestry of Grace!! I add the kids level from CLE for Math & LA. My favorite part - I can get a lot of the books from the library.... and I can order 1 unit at a time so I don't have to pay a TON upfront..... I can commit to 9 weeks of my time to try it out and if it doesn't work I'm done. Having them do even 1 subject the "same" at different levels makes my studying easier TOG gives you a 3 week sample to "play with" and try it out.
Referring to the cost of the curriculum. We used Abeka from K-12 which was pretty expensive. We were able to afford it by not going on vacations and scrimping in any way possible with just one income. Good luck!
I agree with Mamabear. We have to make sacrifices to do this but it is well worth it!!! I buy used when I can and save everything so if it works for the next one it helps offset the cost! Happy Homeschooling!!
You know that for some things like history and science your six and four year old can do the same stuff with some slight adaptations. I will have a 3rd and Kinder next year and we will be doing their science and history together, with adjustments for learning capabilities. Look for stuff secondhand; also the rainbow resource company has great prices, and their service is great too. Use your library alot to help trim costs too.
Here is something interesting on the cost.... not of homeschooling.....but PUBLIC school in our county for a high school student. Note - this does NOT include FOOD.... Pass to Park (if you drive) - $250 (went up from $25 last year) Wanna play a sport? - $100-150 Field Trip? - avg $10-35 Driver's Ed? - $150 Club? - avg of $100 per year on various things Spirit Wear (t-shirts etc) - $15-80 Now if you do let your kids eat lunch - it's $2.55-$3.45 per meal then they charge extra if you want fruit or something.... I dunno.... healthy! On top of all this - we have to send in "stuff" for teachers even at these levels. Now I know that not all kids do all these things.... but it's expensive to send a kid to PUBLIC school!! I know in Elementary school I was forever giving $$ to my kids for "this and that" - plus sending in paper.... crayons.... tissues... So I think part of my point is this..... I spent on 2 children this year (I'm working on taxes so I know this stuff) ~$1200. That includes my screwing around with various curriculum and enrolling my oldest in a "school" that we did at home. My goal for this year is to spend this: ~$175 on Tapestry of Grace - maybe the $275 and get it in print as well I'm not sure.. ~$300 on books for BOTH kids... but less if I can get a bunch from the library and used ~ $160 on math and LA for both kids including the teacher guides if I need them That's $317 per kid per year. On top of that - I plan on enrolling at LEAST Jake in an IEW (writing) class and they both want to take sign language again so that is $600-$800 for the year They both take a musical instrument and Alexis has voice lessons.... that is $266/month for 2 hours every week (1 hour per child).... we get 1/2 off because we homeschool and we do it during regular "school" hours or else we couldn't afford this. So $317 year per child is acceptable - especially if I can spread it out or "whittle" it down by using the library. I found almost all the next "round" of books for Alexis used.... Finding stuff used is a HUGE money saver - and being able to resell stuff that just didn't "cut it" ok - I need more coffee - LOL but I think you can get the point. It doesn't HAVE to cost a fortune to homeschool....
Try Rod and Staff you will have to purchase for different grade levels but they are very inexpensive, I like their English and Math. For history and science look into unit stuides that can accomodate several levels. Konos unit study is one. I have not used either as I am just beginning my journey, but I have heard great things. Also if you know the specific intrest of your children you can search online for unit studies. (Example My son who will be hs kindergarten next year loves Legos. I did a unit study search on Legos and found some cool lessons I will incorporate in our school year.) I am also using sites like www.currclick.com and www.atozteacherstuff.com these sites you can purchase items in pdf format so it saves money when a younger child is coving the same thing just print the pdf package agian. Good luck. Try this site www.homeschoolingbooks.com they have complete curriclulum packages at a very reasonable rate as well. Good luck
