Homeschool Information

[Kathe]

You CAN do this! We made the decision less than 1 week before school started last year. We had NO idea what we were doing. My husband is the stay home parent and is doing the HS. We asked around about curriculums to different people we knew and got one. Through the year he made changes to it to fit into "our school". My HS kids (1st and 3rd this year) are doing amazingly well. They are advanced in most things far beyond what they would be in PS. Just think in a classroom of 25 - 35 kids how much can they possibly learn?

You CAN do this! Did I already say that? LOL. You will learn as you go and you will all benefit from it. There will be crazy days but you will figure it all out and the people on this board are very supportive.

Don't worry about being the smartest thing out there in alll subjects. You'll be amazed at the people that pop into your life at just the right time with just the right skills.

Remember - You can do ALL things through Christ who gives you strength. God tells us in His word to bring up our children and teach them. He already told you what to do, He will equip you to do it.

Kathe

[Waiting2go]

You CAN do this! We made the decision less than 1 week before school started last year. We had NO idea what we were doing. My husband is the stay home parent and is doing the HS. We asked around about curriculums to different people we knew and got one. Through the year he made changes to it to fit into "our school". My HS kids (1st and 3rd this year) are doing amazingly well. They are advanced in most things far beyond what they would be in PS. Just think in a classroom of 25 - 35 kids how much can they possibly learn?

You CAN do this! Did I already say that? LOL. You will learn as you go and you will all benefit from it. There will be crazy days but you will figure it all out and the people on this board are very supportive.

Don't worry about being the smartest thing out there in alll subjects. You'll be amazed at the people that pop into your life at just the right time with just the right skills.

Remember - You can do ALL things through Christ who gives you strength. God tells us in His word to bring up our children and teach them. He already told you what to do, He will equip you to do it.

Kathe

I guess I just need someone to keep saying I CAN do it, like you did. :lol2 I think I have made up my mind to do this and just now have to do my letter of intent and so forth. Please pray that I don't chicken out. I have never been one to be afraid of ANYTHING........so why does this just scare the pants off of me??? :fear Beware.......I'll be bugging you guys to death with questions.....please be patient with me. :candle Oh, I can't believe I'm about to step off into the unknown. :panic

[NewWorldOrder]

You can do it! Whatever you do, don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go exactly the way you planned them. You're still in the very early stages and learning as well. I'm very excited for you!

Check out those links I put up, and ask as many questions as you want. Even we oldtimers still have questions. We'll be there for ya. :hug

[Waiting2go]

You can do it! Whatever you do, don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go exactly the way you planned them. You're still in the very early stages and learning as well. I'm very excited for you!

Check out those links I put up, and ask as many questions as you want. Even we oldtimers still have questions. We'll be there for ya. :hug

Thanks to you and everyone else that has helped me so much. I love you guys to death!!!! Now for my formal announcement........drum roll please........

I am OFFICIALLY A HOMESCHOOL MOM!!!!
:yeah :yeah :yeah :yeah

Well, almost. Got to get my letter of intent done. I just got off the phone with the woman I was going to talk to tomorrow, who is a homeschool mom, and she has put me totally at ease with everything, especially requirements for my state.

I am actually getting excited now, still a little scarey though. You guys are awesome and hope you won't get sick of all the questions that will pop into my head.

[topekaclark]

Just wanted to add my two cents.

We started to hs last year when our dd was struggling in school. School was no help dealing with it. I did the diagnoses thing (ADD) because the school told me she could not receive services until I did that. Then today the doctor told me she has the classic symptoms of dyslexia (duh).

It's been proven children perform much better at home than at school. I know my dd has moved leaps and bounds. Yes we have our days but I am soooo blessed to see her learn.

We are on a TIGHT budget but manage to hs through curriculum sales and through friends who sell their books/stuff. Plus I used the library, zoo programs, museum and internet alot.

God did lead us to hs and has guided us. I try to remember to ask him to bless our day and guide me with the schooling each day.

My best advice I could give, don't do things like ps. I stressed myself and dd out trying to maintain a time schedule last year. Yuck. I'm learning to relax and it's not about how much can she do it's making sure she has the concepts down.

Good luck and there seems to be great advice here for you. :wave

[Wally]

ALRIGHT! GO HOMESCHOOLERS!

Thanks Mods.

Another good source: PUBLIC LIBRARIES. They have lots of free stuff. Did I say Free? Yes FREE - just remember to brig it back by the due date. :nod

Get your library card and in Penna. you can get PA ACCESS, which allows you to pull from any library in the commonwealth. Your Local Library should be able to tell you what is available.

Also Libraries often have book sales where you can get books for .25 to a couple dollars. There are community book sales-flea markets where many great deals are available. Usually Libraries will know when they are occuring.

Many also have PCs for doing online computer work. You may have to schedule a time depending on resources.

So check them out.

Many manufactures have tours (Herrs potato chips, Hershey Choc,...) that can augment your activities. Museums are learning Homeschoolers are a great customer base and may cater to you. We love zoos and it's cool how many people we have introduced to homeschooling. Many now recognize homeschoolers and treat you special...cool (its like they know your group is actually interested in the place and learning something).

So many possibilities, go for it.

[Kathe]

Congratulations on your decison! Awesome!

As Wally said there are a lot of resources (free) for homeschoolers now. My husband takes our kids to Belle Isle Zoo twice a month for a free homeschoolers science seminar. They do cool stuff and they meet a lot of other homeschoolers. And it's free.

They just formed a chess club and he just signed my 8 year old up into a robotics club. He is so excited.

We bought our phonics program on ebay for cheap cheap cheap and the kids love it. Hooked on Phonics.

I'm so happy for you and your kids. As many have said please do yourself a big favor and do NOT model your school after the government schools.

And a big thing is start your school off every day with prayer and ask God to bless your school and your learning journey. (Can't do that in PS). He will be there for you.

Hugs to you - Kathe

[NewWorldOrder]

ya know. This thread needs to be retitled, and a new one with the same name started with only information on homeschooling.

Ohhhhhh, Mods!

Not to be a nuisance or anything......... :lol2

[Wally]

I think I know what NWO wants.

Make a copy of this thread and lock the copy. Edit the copy so that links, suggestions, resources -only are left. Make that file, the top sticky. If someone wants to add to the sticky they can request or PM the info, or a MOD can cut and paste it into the sticky.

call it Homeschool Resources. Hey I like HR....

[NewWorldOrder]

Yea, what Wally said. :nails