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Posted by PuddleJumpers

Hi, my advice to you is be very patient with yourself first and with your kids-no one ever told me this. As far as curriculum-it took us 3 years before we decided on what we were going to "use" with our kids. We tried various books/styles/methods/...it was crazy. Also, hang on to some of the moms in the support groups, other HS moms are wonderful! They can also help you with advice on handling relatives who may not be so eager at your choice. We had that as well. Even after 3 years and proving how well the kids are doing...some still say we are making a mistake. I know we are not. Some of our relatives are amazed at how "different" our kids are, yet they are still just kids. So, be patient, get some good friends for support and go with it....you will be amazed at what your kids will teach you. Oh, follow some blogs on HSBlogger-you will glean lots of info there as well...I do all the time!
~Lori
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/henhouse

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Posted by 2boysmom

Thank you so much for commenting on my latest post! I wanted to tell you what I've chosen. I chose not to say it on the post, unless someone asked. I chose Alpha Omega's Switched on Schoolhouse. It is a computer curriculum, which has Bible, History, Lang. Arts, Math and Science. It is basically a textbook on computer, but mixed in with videos, science experiments on video, and spelling games. The beauty of it is that it keeps the grades and creates a lesson plan for the week, based on the calendar that you enter. In the end, they have learned in a consistent manner and you have the record keeping at your fingertips! I bought my kids (just 2) the cheapest laptop I could find, that would hold the curriculum. Now we can travel anytime and still take school with us. Definitely take the way of a structured curriculum. It will save you years of "burnout". Thanks again and come back and visit and let me know what you decide.

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Posted by sudsinthebucket

I decided to start when my oldest was in public school, 4th grade. I did like you, decided to let him complete the year & then we were done. During this time I went to a Christian book store (they were the only place anywhere near that sold homeschool materials) They didn't have a lot, but I decided to buy a couple of things. --A what your 5th grader needs to know book & another book written by a homeschool dad about their experiences. These helped alot. I based our studies on the 5th grader book & bought a series of workbooks called Developmental Math & a pathway reader from timberdoodle.com This is how we spent our first year. Then with added pressure from just about everyone I knew I decided we needed MORE books & curriculum. So the next year I bought something for every single subject. A history program, a science program, handwriting, language arts, literature, a huge set of math books, spelling program, etc. We were so overwhelmed & none of us enjoyed about 4 months of that year. So finally I decided to go with something Bible based. I ordered Rod & Staff for all the kids. We did their reading, phonics, english (only 2 grade & up) spelling, & math. --It's not full of colorful & does not have alot of bells & whistles but we like it.
I still use it with my younger ones but have decided to go with Climbing to Good English which you can buy at the rod & staff sight.
Some of the children also use Practical Arithmetic. -Great books too & cover multiple grades.
I have one that will be highschool this coming year & we've decided to switch him to Switched on Schoolhouse so he can do his work on the computer. It is a bit pricey but I think it will be a good fit for him.
I hope I've not confused you but my main point is you don't need to spend tons of money for a good education. If you prefer a pre packaged, all together program, you may like something like Sonlight, Christian Light, ACE paces or A beka, Alpha Omega.
If you think you want to go with a unit study where you teach multiple grades at once, I'd suggest Christian Cottage.
My children are all very different & so that route just didn't fit for us. Now I just use mostly books that we find interesting.
The best place to order that I have found is rainbowresource.com
I would suggest you just read, read, & then read some more about it. Most of this you can find online & then decide.
I have found that my children aren't the type that you sometimes read about where we all gather around the table everyday happy as can be ready to learn. Most days they would rather do pretty much anything than a language lesson. However I find that even on the days when I think how easy it would be to send them off on the bus everyday that it always comes back to me knowing that this is the right way to be. Homeschooling has made us such a better family.

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Posted by chelesteve

You are an awesome mom. You have awesome children. Don't let any of those friends discourage you - the one friend you need to worry about not disappointing is God.

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