I Know We Have Had This Thread Before, but There Are so Many New

[jenniferlynne]

I know we have had this thread before, but there are so many new people on here now. I was just wondering how many of you all homeschool. My son is 6 and in the 1st grade. My MIL is not supportive of homeschool at all. She keeps saying that I am ruining him. I had trouble getting him to pay attention last year, but he is doing really well this year. We are having a lot of fun.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I do not homeschool, I admire those of you who do though.....that's got to be a tough job! My DS is in Kindergarten this year and my goal is to earn enough $$ with PC to put him in Private School.

 

[jenniferlynne]

Yeah, I would like to just homeschool through middle school then send him to a Christian school for high school. I better start selling more PC, because it is not cheap!!

 

[pamperedlinda]

Yeah, I would like to just homeschool through middle school then send him to a Christian school for high school. I better start selling more PC, because it is not cheap!!

Tell me about it! I looked into it this year and it is anywhere from $6500 - $11,000 in my area.....and that's for Kindergarten and the first few years of elementary.....one school tops out at over $20K for seniors (well, it's one of the top private schools in the nation, but still ).....and that's just tuition....not including fees and registration, and applications and uniforms and whatever else they add on......I'm truly making a push at this biz so I can afford it and still have the ability to stay home.

 

[DebbieSAChef]

Fourth yearThis is our fourth year homeschooling!!!

My daughter turned 10 today and is in the fourth grade! My son turns 11 tomorrow and is in the fifth grade! We will start school Monday, after their sleepover and birthday party.

My three year old will be doing pre-k work this year. I would like her reading by next school year. At least little baby books and Dr. Suess type books!!

My family was a little afraid of the idea because they didn't understand. After I explained the reasons why we do it, they now think it's great. Of course my kids are wonderful and very social. Unlike many public school kids who stay about a mile behind their parents in the mall or stores because they are embarrassed of them. And I don't mean all public school kids, because it's how you raise them. But I want my kids to be loyal to each other and most of all to us as their parents.

The main reason we homeschool is to teach them the Word of God and pray one day they will be born again. :love:

We also have more time to spend on certain things they are having trouble learning. We have fun field trips planned each year with our homeschool group and of course holiday parties!

Lord willing, I will homeschool all the way through the 12th grade!!

Debbie

 

[jenniferlynne]

Ok, suddenly $3000 per year doesn't sound so bad. I think that is about what it is at our nearest Christian Academy.

 

[chefkristin]

I am paying $2000 for full day Kindergarten. It isn't even a private school. So for $3000- I think that is a deal!!:thumbup:

 

[blessed4life]

This is our fourth year homeschooling!!!

My daughter turned 10 today and is in the fourth grade! My son turns 11 tomorrow and is in the fifth grade! We will start school Monday, after their sleepover and birthday party.

My three year old will be doing pre-k work this year. I would like her reading by next school year. At least little baby books and Dr. Suess type books!!

My family was a little afraid of the idea because they didn't understand. After I explained the reasons why we do it, they now think it's great. Of course my kids are wonderful and very social. Unlike many public school kids who stay about a mile behind their parents in the mall or stores because they are embarrassed of them. And I don't mean all public school kids, because it's how you raise them. But I want my kids to be loyal to each other and most of all to us as their parents.

The main reason we homeschool is to teach them the Word of God and pray one day they will be born again. :love:

We also have more time to spend on certain things they are having trouble learning. We have fun field trips planned each year with our homeschool group and of course holiday parties! :

Lord willing, I will homeschool all the way through the 12th grade!!

Debbie

Hi Debbie and all,

I also homeschool! This is our thrid year and my daughter (Jaikyla) is 9 and is in the fourth grade. Actually, we just started this school year yesterday and it's going very well thus far

I LOVE being able to work one on one with her and most importantly, teaching her the Word of God, and morals and values we would like for her to have as she blossoms into a young Christain woman!

We have a great homeschool supprt group! This is the 1st year with a support group and we are both VERY excited about all the field trips, enrichment classes, and meeting new families and making new friends

We are also starting our own girls club...Girls of Virtue-a keepers at home club! She was doing girl scouts, but decided that she would like to have her own club where we can focus more on building Godly character!!

Okay, I could go on and on! Anywho, we love it and look forward to homeschooling through 12 grade, as the Lord so blesses.

 

[jasmar139]

This is my ninth year homeschooling. My oldest DS graduated last year, and I have a 15 yr old DD and 10 yr old DS. I agree the first year was the hardest, trying to get them use to it, as well as getting in the sync of it myself. In high school, we decided to go with a correspondent school, so that they can get an actual diploma.Jennifer, I think we have the same director, even though I haven't been able to go to meetings this year due to my part-time job. Is Cindy your director?Robin
Indiana

 

[Jewel]

I homeschooled my kids for 1 1/2 years. I had to put them back into public school a couple years ago, b/c of some personal and business issues. I couldn't give them the attention they needed. Now my daughter is in middle school and in the Honors program! Her teacher last year said it was b/c we worked so far ahead at home. My MIL was the same way. (Actually worse all the time, in every decision we make) I think it is wonderful that you can do that.

 

[krzymomof4]

This is my ninth year homeschooling. My oldest DS graduated last year, and I have a 15 yr old DD and 10 yr old DS. I agree the first year was the hardest, trying to get them use to it, as well as getting in the sync of it myself. In high school, we decided to go with a correspondent school, so that they can get an actual diploma.

Jennifer, I think we have the same director, even though I haven't been able to go to meetings this year due to my part-time job. Is Cindy your director?

Robin
Indiana

Hi Robin,
Jennifer is my recruiter so I can answer for her. Cindy is our director. Didn't we meet you a year or so back at one of the kick off meetings?

 

[Darcia]

This is my third year homeschooling and I also want to impart the word of God. My ds is 7 and is in 2nd grade. I also enjoy the flexibility and the ability to dig deeper when necessary.

 

[priscilla]

I unschool my almost 4 y/o, and plan on continuing as long as it is mutually beneficial. We are part of a secular homeschool coop which offers great classes, but basically everything we do is an education!

Robin

 

[SilverCeladon]

I unschool my almost 4 y/o, and plan on continuing as long as it is mutually beneficial. We are part of a secular homeschool coop which offers great classes, but basically everything we do is an education!

Robin

What is unschooling? I have heard that term before but don't know anything about it.

 

[MamaChef]

This is our 2nd "official" year of home school. My DS is in 1st grade this year, and our DD is 3yrs. Outside of being frustrated with how the public schools are portrayed in the news, I've thoroughly enjoyed actually getting to SEE my son learn! It was hard to see how having everyone up at the crack of dawn to get the kids to school, have them there all day, and then only get to see them for a few minutes before bed...after getting homework done was going to allow us to really be a part of the kids lives. At our co-op's meet n greet a couple weeks ago, several of the mom's mentioned that they didn't want someone else getting the best hours of their child's day as their reason for homeschooling. We've been lucky to have support from both of our families in our decisions...my parents are VERY much hs'ing supporters, they homeschooled both my brother and I when we were younger.

 

[pckelly]

This is my 2nd year homeschooling and actually my husband and I are talking about putting him back in a county school here (I don't like the city schools here). We are going through some financial difficulties and I need some more income coming in. My hubby pays ALOT in child support and PC is alot, but it fluctuates and I need some regular income coming in. My heart is broken because I love homeschooling, I love being with him every day!! But I have to do what I have to do to take care of my family. If I work another job, then my PC money can towards debts and another car!! We only have one car, so we really need another one. If you are considering homeschooling, I say GO FOR IT, if you can, you just can't beat that time with your kids for anything!!
Maybe I will get to do it again someday!!

 

[iamtamnur]

We homeschool as well. We do it for educational and not religious reasons. My oldest is 14 (DS) and in 9th grade and this is our first year homeschooling high school. I also have a DD (13 ~ 8th GR.) and two other DS's (8 ~ 3rd GR. and 5 ~ 1st GR.). I love, love, love spending time with my kids and appreciate that I am able to homeschool them. The oldest two started in public school but the youngest two have known nothing other than the homeschooling way of life.

 

[Carissidy]

Nice pic jennifer! And I am envious of your ability to home school!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

I have known many families from my church that home school and with their very organized routine their children were very successful. I am a teacher with a masters in education. I have also seen the the opposite side, with parents having no idea how to teach and students mainstreaming back in, way behind. My advice is to ask questions when you need help. There are many groups for home schooling that are very supportive. Also, because you pay taxes, your child has access to reading specialists,Speech, PE classes and Music classes, in the public schools. They can come during short times. If you are able to home school and are organized with it, go for it!!We home schooled our son for awhile (5th grade year) because the district we lived in wasn't doing their job. Now he is my district.As a Christian, I want those of you who are discouraged in the sec. world's teachings, to have some assurance, that some of us make known our beliefs and continue to uphold moral standards while teaching in the public schools. Students CAN bring a Bible to read during reading time!! No law says they can't. When kids ask, I say yes. I still put the Christmas tree up in my room, we listen to Christmas music (the real stuff!) and I read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It gives me a chance to teach the true meaning of Christmas.

 

[MicheleC]

Julie,

Thank you for sharing with your students. It is a blessing to have teachers like you in our public schools. I have gone back and forth on homeschooling and had some discussions with my husband this summer but while the idea is attractive to me I don't feel that pull to make the change at this point. Of course we are fortunate to have a wonderful Christian School and be able to afford it. I only work two school days a week at an accounting job and more than pay for their schooling which leaves me with extra money from the job and extra time to spend at the school and on other ministry work in our church and community. I LOVE being the mom that can go on all of the field trips and go help in the class on a regular basis. :love: I end up spending about 8 hours a week in the two kid's classrooms.

Linda,

You need to move out to Helena, MT where private school is affordable! For TWO children in school I pay $500/month and that includes all activity fees, registrations, etc. There are very few extras asked for. A couple of times a year we try to do something special for the teachers but that is it. Of course you do have the fundraising side as well which plays a big part in keeping the costs down. We do three fundraisers a year which isn't so bad.

 

[smallfarmmom]

We are in our 4th year of homeschooling. We have a 4th, 2nd, K and then a 3 year old and a 23 month old to keep busy

 

[tx_deputyswife]

This is our 6th year hs'ing. Our oldest (17) is winding up a few high school courses while also attending the local jr. college, and working almost full-time. My middle child (13) attends school again because my ex....well, it's a really long story. And my youngest (3, almost 4) is doing a mix of K and 1st grade work.

 

[jenpottratz]

I believe this is our 4th year homeschooling too

All my boys (ages 5, 6, & 8) are active in homeschooling now. I also have a daughter (age 2) who would just love to be doing what her brothers are doing.

I also do daycare during the day so it can be challenging at times. I'm excited this year because of the different things we are doing. Our first science unit is insects (gasp!). We are getting an ant farm, a ladybug farm and a mealworm farm.

The boys are oh so excited Maintaining it all and a successful PC business is a challenge - but I've always been one to enjoy a challenge (most of the time). Take care and good luck to all of those out there!

Jen

 

[janetupnorth]

Tell me about it! I looked into it this year and it is anywhere from $6500 - $11,000 in my area.....and that's for Kindergarten and the first few years of elementary.....one school tops out at over $20K for seniors (well, it's one of the top private schools in the nation, but still ).....and that's just tuition....not including fees and registration, and applications and uniforms and whatever else they add on......I'm truly making a push at this biz so I can afford it and still have the ability to stay home.

YIKES!!!! You have got to be kidding!!!! I just wrote the check to put my daughter in the local Lutheran School (vs. public school) and it cost me $389 for the ENTIRE year including 2 milks a day! That is registration, technology fees, books, you name it. All we had to get was school supplies (about $15-$20 worth, a paint smock, and gym shoes).

 

[janetupnorth]

This is our 6th year hs'ing. Our oldest (17) is winding up a few high school courses while also attending the local jr. college, and working almost full-time. My middle child (13) attends school again because my ex....well, it's a really long story. And my youngest (3, almost 4) is doing a mix of K and 1st grade work.

Hey, what do you use for your 3 year old? What curriculum or books?
My 3 year old (almost 4 too) learns a LOT from his big sister (6) and wants to "do homework" when I'm helping her. He even walked up to her kindergarten teacher from last year and said, "Can I come to kindergarten this year?" She said, "Not for 2 years, you're too young." He said, "Well, I can count...In Spanish...uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis..." (Said it really fast). We were both shocked and then laughed hysterically. My 6 year old taught him to count in Spanish (behind Mommy's back 'cause I didn't know about it!) and he wants to learn more.

I work full-time but spend as much time with my kids and would LOVE some ideas for him for the evenings/weekends (when we're not running around playing!) He's going to learn verses in Cubbies this year, but he's ready for a little bit more...

 

[jenniferlynne]

There is a lot of great curriculum (sp) out there, but I use Calvert (www.calvert.org). It is a little pricey, but you get pretty much every thing you need. You may have to buy a few things for the crafts if you choose to do those. Plus, every lesson plan is planned out for you. My son loves it! He thinks it is so much fun. He bugs me to death wanting to know when we are going to do school. Right now they offer preschool through 8th grade.

 

[pamperedmom24]

I love Calvert!!I homeschool my two daughters 9 and 7 using Calvert. I also purchased the pre-k program this year for my 3 year old who loves it!!! Calvert school is well worth the money, I don't have to stress over their work, everything is laid out for them. Also, with 4 kids I will get plenty of use out of the books.

I chose to homeschool because I can. There are alot of moms who would love to but cannot for financial reasons. How could I be at home and send my wonderful girls to someone else for 6 hours everyday. Homeschooling is not for everyone, but I am very happy with the decision our family has made. If my kids were in a traditional school during the day they would have to give up all but one of their activities. I don't have time in the evening to carpool everyone to a million things and also make dinner. We have broken up 3 activities per week, per child and the times are distributed throughout the day. Believe me they are very social children!

 

[jenniferlynne]

You are the first Calvert user I have found! It is great and worth the money. I'm surprised more people don't use it. We went exploring with binoculars today. It was fun.

I see you are from Maryland. That is where the actual Calvert school is isn't it?

 

[priscilla]

What is unschooling? I have heard that term before but don't know anything about it.

Unschooling is also known as child led learning. I do not choose a curriculum for him, I follow his interests and inclinations. If he asks me what two and two are I will help him figure out the answer is 4, but I do not have defined "math class". When the time comes that he shows an interest in learning to read I will help him, but we do not do any formal reading education.

This is the best quote I can find that describe unschooling:

"Unschooling is trusting in a child's natural curiosity to teach them what they need to know. The parent is there to answer questions, talk, infect the kids by their own curiosity about life! (though curious about what you're interested rather in what you think would be good for the kids to be interested in!), bring in cool resources (that the kids can feel free to ignore if it just isn't the right moment for their interest to ignite).

The hard parts are:

trusting natural curiosity to draw your child to what they need to learn when. (Math is fascinating. Kids only get turned off to it by the boring way school approaches it.)

trusting a child's natural schedule rather than the school imposed one (eg, that the child will read eventually even if they aren't doing so at 7 because reading is always a pleasurable activity not an imposed tedious one, they will multiply even if they aren't doing it at 9)

trusting that it's okay for kids to learn things out of order! It doesn't bother kids at all to pick up interesting tidbits about Thomas Jefferson, knightly armor, Egyptian mummies, WW2 combat planes. They make their own connections as they get more and more things in place. (Later, an orderly approach will be fascinating to them as they can make even more connections.)

seeing real learning that is right there all around you, for example, the things that need sorted, the cookies to divide, the planning for a party that are all real live math. And it's especially tough to trust that those few minutes of real engaged figuring are worth 20 pages of worksheet practice."


Robin

 

[lockhartkitchen]

Thanks MicheleC,

I'm loving my class this year. I have some difficult children last year that weren't being raised in a Christian home. I decided to start the year off with Team Lockhart. Our theme song: We're all in this together. (High School Musical). Corny I know, but the kids are loving it. We sing everyday. Our class room jobs are team based. Linebackers- watch the end of the line; I really wanted to start the year with a strong connection with each other. I am blessed with a wonderful class. No, I'm not in the "honeymoon period" being only day 3 of school. They thank each other, are polite and helpful.

I miss being with my kids, but my job is needed for the insurance. My husband works from home so my kids have never had to have daycare. I got to take my 2nd grade daughter to school on the first day of school for the first time, because her room is across from mine.

FYI- I do hope my students graduate from HS smart. The checker at the store tonight should ask her school for her refund!! 10 minutes to scan a milk, cat food and corn nuts. HA HA!

 

[lockhartkitchen]

portable air conditionerGotta tell a joke. We've been about 80 degrees the last few days. Half our building is no-air conditioner and the other (newer construction) is. Those of us not with air get hot.

Today a teacher told us he emailed the secretary to send down the two portable airconditioners for his room. (joke). Later that day, he found a note on his desk with a paper cup full of ice. The note: Directions for use of a portable air conditioner:
1. Have a student hold cup close to you.
2. Have student blow real hard.
3. Repeat as needed.

Thought you would get a kick out of this.

 

[Joyful]

This is my first year NOT homeschooling. We started in Kindergarten, planned on going through high school. We have always said that we were homeschooling her because we believed it was best for her -- from the biblical perspective as well as the one-on-one opportunity and being able to learn at her own pace.

However, this summer I came to the realization that it was no longer best for her. She is very bright, but somehow "her own pace" was slowing down in some subjects! She is very competitive by nature (is also a competitive gymnast -- Level 6/7) and really needs the "competitive" nature of the classroom environment, i.e. being able to see how she is doing compared with everyone else (and realizing that she needs to step it up a bit).

So, we discovered that we could (barely) afford to send her to a private Christian school affiliated with an excellent Bible-teaching church, and that with my "extra" time I can have more time to pursue PC (to help pay for school & gymnastics).

We're now in the second week of school and she is loving it. She also seems to be more responsible about her schoolwork. So I'm convinced we've made the right decision. We had 6 good years together at home and I think she is ready to be more independent.

 

[blessed4life]

There is a lot of great curriculum (sp) out there, but I use Calvert (www.calvert.org). It is a little pricey, but you get pretty much every thing you need. You may have to buy a few things for the crafts if you choose to do those. Plus, every lesson plan is planned out for you. My son loves it! He thinks it is so much fun. He bugs me to death wanting to know when we are going to do school. Right now they offer preschool through 8th grade.

Hi, we're using Calvert too! We just changed curriculums...we were using Abeka and decided to see how Calvert would work.

I'm waiting on the Placement test to come back, but we have already started schooling...we are basically doing review of all subjects.

My hubby really likes Calvert...at first I wondered if he liked it becuase he works in "Calvert" County, but that's not the reason . Anyway, he really like it and we can't wait to actually get everyting...hopefully within the next week !

I plan to have her visit the school sometime this year...it's in Baltimore, MD(we live in District Heights, MD)...about 45 minutes to an hour from us...great little field trip, plus we can visit the Harbor while we're there !

 

[tx_deputyswife]

Hey, what do you use for your 3 year old? What curriculum or books?

I use a combination of things with her. She learns sign language with her big sis, she has some computer software she uses, etc. If I had to name what we do, it would fall under unschooling (Priscilla's post was an excellent description). The actually bookwork we do is from workbooks that you can find at in bookstores, or even Walmart. And we read. A LOT!!! I have a Sonlight curriculum catalog that I use for book lists, as well as book lists from other sources.

Oh, and LeapFrog stuff. We bought her the DVD called "The Letter Factory" when she was 2 and within a month, she knew the alphabet, could recognize the letters and tell you what sound each letter made.

 

[MomToEli]

This is our 5th year homeschooling ds, who is in 3rd grade (we started with Pre-K). We LOVE homeschooling! We use Sonlight Curriculum for most things. We are doing a Kay Arthur study together for Bible which has really been a blessing to both of us.

I am so appreciative that my dh works so hard so I can be home and do teach my son. We started school 3 weeks ago, which is the major reason I haven't been on here that much lately. PC will take a backseat now that school has started.

 

[pamperedmom24]

You are the first Calvert user I have found! It is great and worth the money. I'm surprised more people don't use it. We went exploring with binoculars today. It was fun.

I see you are from Maryland. That is where the actual Calvert school is isn't it?

Yes, the actual Calvert School is about 45 min. from my house, funny thing is that I learned about it from a good friend of mine who lives in Florida . Many of my childhood friends are choosing to homeschool so that makes it easier. When we were growing up nobody ever would have thought we'd end up homeschooling. My friend started and had such good success it's become contagious. The program is so well structured and the amount of money I save on all new school clothes, backpacks, lunches, pictures, etc...pays for the program.

 

[pamperedmom24]

Hi, we're using Calvert too! We just changed curriculums...we were using Abeka and decided to see how Calvert would work.

I'm waiting on the Placement test to come back, but we have already started schooling...we are basically doing review of all subjects.

My hubby really likes Calvert...at first I wondered if he liked it becuase he works in "Calvert" County, but that's not the reason . Anyway, he really like it and we can't wait to actually get everyting...hopefully within the next week !

I plan to have her visit the school sometime this year...it's in Baltimore, MD(we live in District Heights, MD)...about 45 minutes to an hour from us...great little field trip, plus we can visit the Harbor while we're there !

I don't think District Heights is far from me. I live in Waldorf, which is in Southern Maryland. How old are your children? Maybe we can take a field trip together sometime.

 

[tpchefrebecca]

When my son was approaching pre-school age I really wanted him to go to private catholic school. We sent him and we discovered it was the least expensive at the time. It was a great school but then when kindergarten came around we really debated homeschooling. I didn't think I had the disciplin to do it. We didn't have the money but made sure it worked becaused the pub. schools were not that great (so we were told. Didn't have the resources to do the research ourselves at the time). Anyway, We ended up spending $3,500 a year and when DD started last year it went up to $7,000 a year. No wonder we couldn't get anywhere. The sacrafice was worth it. When we decided to move I did a lot of research and found a great district where my son is doing even better than he did in private school. He started mid year and this is his first full year. My DD is starting Lutheran Pre-school (our church doesn't have a pre-school yet) and it seems to be the one of the best. I am really excited for her and it is going to cost $1,400 this year. Again, can't afford it but we are making it work.

So my point is I give all you Homeschool moms a BIG HAND! I couldn't do it but my kids education and home always came first so the $ sacrifice is always worth it and it shows. The move was a good move.

I do have a question though. Could you homeschool in language? Are there programs out there where you could teach your children foreign languages without having to do all the other subjects? Just a thought since my kids want to learn spanish and korean since our new neighbors came from Korea and some family members speak spanish.

 

[priscilla]

I do have a question though. Could you homeschool in language? Are there programs out there where you could teach your children foreign languages without having to do all the other subjects? Just a thought since my kids want to learn spanish and korean since our new neighbors came from Korea and some family members speak spanish.

There are programs, but why not have your neighbors and family teach them the languages, food, culture, etc?

Robin

 

[love2cook05]

Ok, suddenly $3000 per year doesn't sound so bad. I think that is about what it is at our nearest Christian Academy.

No, $3000/year is a great price. On average out here the schools run about $4000/year. We are fortunate that our kids are able to go to private school. For three kids it costs us about $10,000/year. It's a huge chunk of money but the education is phenomenal...and to hear my 4 year old come home singing songs she learned in school about Jesus and the Bible is awesome! I believe that homeschooling can accomplish the same thing...I just know that my anxiety would not handle me homeschooling my four kids under age 6!! More power to you homeschooling moms!!

 

[tpchefrebecca]

There are programs, but why not have your neighbors and family teach them the languages, food, culture, etc?

Robin

My family is out of town but my neighbors I am sure wouldn't mind. I did do a search on the web and found some free starter programs so I might do that too.

 

[janetupnorth]

There is a lot of great curriculum (sp) out there, but I use Calvert (www.calvert.org). It is a little pricey, but you get pretty much every thing you need. You may have to buy a few things for the crafts if you choose to do those. Plus, every lesson plan is planned out for you. My son loves it! He thinks it is so much fun. He bugs me to death wanting to know when we are going to do school. Right now they offer preschool through 8th grade.

Thanks Jennifer - I will have to check them out!

 

[janetupnorth]

I use a combination of things with her. She learns sign language with her big sis, she has some computer software she uses, etc. If I had to name what we do, it would fall under unschooling (Priscilla's post was an excellent description). The actually bookwork we do is from workbooks that you can find at in bookstores, or even Walmart. And we read. A LOT!!! I have a Sonlight curriculum catalog that I use for book lists, as well as book lists from other sources.

Oh, and LeapFrog stuff. We bought her the DVD called "The Letter Factory" when she was 2 and within a month, she knew the alphabet, could recognize the letters and tell you what sound each letter made.

Leapfrog - I am STILL trying to get my videos back! I lent them to a mom of a 1st grader at my daughter's school who was having problems with basic sounds/reading. I lent them at the end of last year and don't have them back yet... We miss them...

 

[janetupnorth]

Love2Cook05 - like your signature - my kids like that worship song...


Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down...

...my kids have a worship tape that they LOVE that has that one it...

 

[janetupnorth]

There is a lot of great curriculum (sp) out there, but I use Calvert (www.calvert.org). It is a little pricey, but you get pretty much every thing you need. You may have to buy a few things for the crafts if you choose to do those. Plus, every lesson plan is planned out for you. My son loves it! He thinks it is so much fun. He bugs me to death wanting to know when we are going to do school. Right now they offer preschool through 8th grade.

For some reason that link isn't working right...


Edited to add: Forget that - found it! Calvertschool.org

 

[micocina]

I've been homeschooling our two girls and one boy since kindergarten. They are 12, 10 and 8 years old, doing 7th, 5th and 3rd grades.

We've always used the Abeka Academy DVD program and they love it. My kids are not socially deprived, they are very active, healthy children that have tons of neighborhood friends. They play piano, they participate in Ju-Jitzu, they are part of the childrens groups at church and they learned Sign Language just because. They definetly do not want to go to school. Ironically, the school bus stop is right in front of our house and they get to see their friends come and go.

Homeschooling has really been a blessing for us.