So I've been wondering, just how to people really get started in homeschooling.
There are so many conflicting ideas about there about what to do, how to do it and so forth.
I look at my hubbies life, and know I will need to continue to work around it. Monday is his day off. we run errands, go to movie, relax, just do NON work related activities, every monday but one each month. Do we school tuesday to fridays? Mornings only? Spread out over the day?
How do I fit in things that i think are really important like community service and church and scouts and so forth? Are they all part of schooling?
What about soccer and music and so forth???
I know the boy is not even two yet, but some of these I want to start to sort through.
What about choosing curriculums? Finding out what works without spending a fortune?
How do I find a local home school support group?
I've looked for homeschool forums but I"m obviously doing something wrong as my searches come up blank (as in relatively useless) time and again.
Any thoughts out there?
Nov. 22, 2006 - You can do it!
There are as many ways to homeschool as there are families out there. Everyone homeschools differently. Homeschooling is just an extension of loving your little ones by teaching them (which you do now every day) and adding academics to their life. Your little two year old is being homeschooled right now. You are teaching that baby every minute of every day, and he (or she) is home where they belong.
One of the many blessings of homeschooling is that you can work around your husband's schedule. You can take Mondays off and just do schoolwork Tuesday through Friday. And, school time really isn't that long! My kids only take about three hours a day to finish all their schoolwork. Then, they have tons of time to help with chores, and do all the hobbies, crafts, exploring, building, and whatever they have a desire to pursue.
At the very young ages, you really don't need much that you don't already have around the house. Beans, cheerios, etc. to learn counting skills. Read tons of good books to them (even ones that include creation science, history, etc.). Read to your child a lot and they will love reading and look forward to reading on their own. Some children teach themselves to read, and some need a simple phonics program. A good book is "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" or Phonics Pathways books. Or, you can teach them yourself by making flashcards and going over the sounds of the letters of the alphabet.
Has god called you to homeschool? He will definitely provide all that you need along the way - especially wisdom!
Go to the Homeschool Nations part of the TOS website and you may be able to find support groups in your area. Also, the HSLDA.org website has information on Canada groups as well.
Also, here is a great brochure that answers a lot of new homeschooler's questions. Copy and paste this into your browser:
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/tosbrochure.pdf
Let me know if you have any other questions. I'd love to help you.
Deborah
Feb. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Sorry, I just realized I never responded to you. I thought I had but i didn't. Sorry about that.
Anyways, I wanted to say thank you. I know I can do this. Still haven't found a local support group, but I have 3 years yet to figure that out.
But I am starting to figure things out more and more as time goes on.
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