New here with questions

[watchingforchrist]

Hi,
I haven't posted on this board before, though I have lurked for a while. I really appreciate this group of people that are actually watching for the rapture. The news articles are great, too.

Anyway, I am a mother of soon to be 3 children. (My next daughter will be born next week). My oldest daughter will be 5 on August 5th, and she is definitely ready for school. I want to homeschool her, but I have no idea where to start or what curriculum to get. I have no friends or family that homeschool, and I have heard the best thing to do is to talk to other people who homeschool. So, I decided to post here, since I don't know anyone in real life to talk to. So, my questions are: How do I get started? How do I register her? Are there any tips on how to make it easier? What is the best curriculum to start with? How do I get it?

Thanks to all for any help,
Kari

[lisaann]

Welcome!

This thread is a great place to start: http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=14428

One of the first things you need to do is find a local homeschooling group. Your pastor might be able to put you in contact with other homeschooling families in your area. They will be your best resource for local laws ect.

Homeschool for K isn't hard at all. :hug You need to look around at what's out there but don't let it overwhelm you. Your best resource is to hear the recommendations of others and then see what you think is going to fit your personal style, your home life and your child the best.

Personally I used 5 In A Row http://www.fiveinarow.com/. It covers everything you need except Phonics and Math. I loved it because it was minimal in $$ investment. I used the books from the library as well. In fact our library even carries the 5 In A Row curriculum book so you might check to see if yours does so you can really take a close look at it.

Saxon is a good math curriculum as well as Math U See.

I used Sing, Spell Read and Write for phonics and didn't like it very much. It was fine for K but the 1st grade left alot to be desired.

[lisaann]

http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1

This is another great place to get started. On this page is a link to find your state laws.

[watchingforchrist]

Thankyou

-Kari

[Reason&Hope]

Welcome to homeschooling! I've been doing it for 10 years, with 3 kids - and yes, the oldest is in high school now.

You didn't mention anyone homeschooling at your church. Are they opposed to it at your church?

Another way to connect with a face-to-face group is to contact your state homeschooling organization (just google 'name of state' homeschool organization). I live in WA, and our state organization has some information about local groups. You should also contact your state org. to find out the legalities peculiar to your state.

Definitely pray about finding at least one other person who is or wants to homeschool. We women are social creatures and it sure helps to discuss this stuff! The Lord can lead you to the right person.

My favorite homeschooling verse is 2 Cor. 3:5b: "our adequacy is from God."
He will give you the strength and the wisdom at the right times.

One thing you'll find from talking to other homeschoolers, whether in person or online, is we all have different opinions about curriculum and other things. (E.g., some love Saxon math; some hate it. Some love unit studies; some prefer separated subjects.) But that's part of the beauty of homeschooling: learning tailored to the individual and the family.

I'll check back here and hopefully we can keep up the conversation!

[evjr]

Hi Everyone,

We're interested in homeschooling too. I know someone doing the Alpha Omega Publications curriculum. Has anyone heard about that one?

Thanks!

[tuppermom]

Hi, I am new to the board too. I have read the website for years, but when I saw there was a message board that included homeschooling, I had to sign up!

We have homeschooled for almost 5 years. I started when my oldest was just three. She was so hungry to learn, I just followed her leading. I didn't buy an official curriculum until she was 5. We used Alpha Omega. Liked it because it was sold so many places. But once I started looking at other publishers I liked them a lot better. Maybe its just me, but I like to use different publishers for different subjects. This way you don't get stuck in a rut, y'know? My favorites that I have found so far are Christian Liberty and Bob Jones.

A good way to find out about different publishers is to subscribe to different homeschool magazines. They have ads and even coupons for different publishers and many will send you a free catalog or sample just for mentioning the ad in the homeschool magazine. However, never pass off Dollar General Stores, Wal-Mart, or Dollar Tree for the younger kids as they always have inexpensive workbooks for reading, math and handwriting, sometimes just for $1!

A good book I read years ago about how to get started homeschooling was by Lisa Whelchel, "Blair" from the t.v. show "The Facts of Life." I think it was called "So You want to homeschool" and it is available at Lifeway Christian Bookstore. I just checked out all the homeschooling books I could from the local library since I didn't have any money! But, her book has an appendix with like every publisher, every state's homeschool law, just a really good thorough book from an experienced homeschooler.

Christian Bookstores are also a great place to find curriculum and usually the stires have a homeschool section since many Christians homeschool. Teacher's store are the best too. We have a store here that I know some other cities have too is called the Parent-Teacher Store and is fabulous. If you're in Alabama we have a website called www.chef.org that has all the Christian umbrella schools in the state listed on their website. Hope this was of some help to somebody out there.
God bless!

[evjr]

THANKS!

:hat

[funmudder]

Hows the new baby doing?