Any homeschoolers around?

[Charla]

I know Nicole's doing it...anyone else?
We're going to homeschool our children, but since Jasmine isn't 4 'til May, we haven't done much preparation-wise, so I can't give much information about our plans. We are planning on getting "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons (http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/0671631985)" and doing that with Jasmine pretty soon...my mom did it with my youngest 4 siblings so I already know how well that works :good:

So...those of you who do it...what materials do you use? How does a day look in your house? What do your kids think of it? How do you respond when people ask about the "social aspect"??

(my children will be second-generation homeschooled kids...DH and his sister were homeschooled all the way through and are two of the most intelligent people I know...and SIL is one of the most social people i know (DH is an introvert like me, and I was public-schooled!))

[Charla]

Ann, you mentioned supplementing your kids' education at home :good: That's awesome!!
My mom had us all reading before we started school. They were very involved in our learning (though they didn't do our homework for us, much as we would have liked). It's so exciting to learn with the kids!!

[annscraps]

Now that's what I'm talking about! That looks like a very interesting book. I'm going to check it out next weekend on our trek to the city - thanks Charla!

[Charla]

You're welcome, Ann! It's perfect. Tells you exactly what to say and how to have them do it. The stories are a little, uh, silly, but the kids love them!!

(funny story about that. There's a story about an eagle, who was "so fat" that the other eagles tell him he looks like a rock. Benjamin said "That's not very nice" when he was reading the story. But when Jacob read the same story, he just laughed and laughed. So you never know how they're going to react to the book, but they're reading at a mid-second grade level when they finish.)

Which reminds me of another story :giggle: (my girls are out playing in the snow with Daddy, but I'm sitting inside wearing dark sunglasses, avoiding yet-another-migraine) Vivian, the first "graduate" of that book in our family, went to kindergarten orientation with mom. She was sitting there, reading the pamphlet (written for parents) about school bus safety. The little girl next to her got big eyes, looked at her mom, and said, "are we supposed to already know how to read??" :rofl:

[annscraps]

What a cute story!

OT: how many kids in your family and what age range?

[Charla]

I'm the oldest of 11.
Me: 31.5
Kenny: almost 30 :gasp:
Daniel: 28
Katie: um, this is getting hard. :giggle: 26, I think
Evan: 24
Phillip: almost 21
Amy: 19
Vivian: almost 17 (we're almost to birthday season)
Benjamin: 14
Jacob: 12
Justin: 9

[ccouch]

WOW!! That's a big family, Charla!

We are planning on homeschooling Camille next year when she begins Kindergarten. She's been reading since she turned 4, though. Without too much instruction from us - - it just kinda made sense to her after we taught her letters & letter sounds and she was off! She's reading at about a second or third grade level now, and will be 5 in a few weeks.

I am doing some preschool stuff with her at home - - mostly just some fun workbooks that I picked up or following the rabbit trails when she has questions. She was really into rainbows and so we followed that - - did activities, art stuff, read books, etc.. all having to do with rainbows. Or, she's been interested about the states and where we live in relation to other family members. So, we bought a 50 states puzzle (and I recommend one where each state is individual w/ some grouped NE states, rather than a 20 piece puzzle, kwim?), and we've been talking about geography with that.

Next year, I will likely introduce a bit more structure in the way of a schedule and more in mind with regard to curriculum. I've been thumbing through this catalog (FREE) that a girlfriend gave me. It has tons of curriculum & in-depth reviews on many products. I like that cause I'm a thumb-througher when it comes to books and so often you don't have the opportunity to do so with curriculum.

http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php

I can't really say what Camille is going to think next year when we become a bit more structured, but for now, she proudly tells her friends that she is homeschooled and is looking forward to learning at home with Mommy - - in addition to the coop that we'll be a part of.

We converted the formal dining room into a playroom/library with a small table - - all in preparation for our time together. That has made things really special for her.

As far as the social aspect goes - - I happen to live in a community where there are LOTS of homeschoolers. We have great schools, but many choose to have their children learn at home. It is pretty accepted here, but there certainly are those that ask about the socialization and I'm sure that the questions will increase as we get into grade school.

okay, gotta go....crying baby - - I'd love to talk w/ you more about this though as we get closer to beginning her schooling!

[nicoleseitler]

Wow! I didn't know that you were the oldest of 11! That's really cool. :)

Well, I started teaching Katie her letters and sounds a while ago. I can't remember, but she was probably 2 1/2 when we started coloring sheets and fun stuff. Last year we did Kindergarten workbooks and this year she's doing well with 1st grade work. She loves math but hasn't really taken to reading yet. She can do it when she takes her time (since she knows all her letter sounds!) but she gets frustrated quickly. :(

Soon I'll have to start in with stuff for Joshua, too (other than colors, numbers and the ABC song--LOL!).

[MariKoegelenberg]

I was actually looking into this since I am struggling to get a pre-school for my dd...they have 2 year waiting lists and longer...I am like what the??? I would love to have some tips etc. so will be watching this thread like a hawk! lol!

[nicoleseitler]

Mari, I just jumped in and made my own curriculum. Some people like to have every day spelled out for them and other love to wing it. You can easily find something to suit your own personality and teaching style! :D A little looking around (especially with the help of the library) can lead you to some great books to help you out!

[MariKoegelenberg]

Oh I actually got a few very good books at the library regarding home schooling and doing a curriculum...lots of amazing activities and projects that make it soo great! Now to just get my but into gear and do it! Had the excuse of moving and it being Christmas etc. but I think that is officially time now to face the reality!

[nicoleseitler]

LOL! I know what you mean! I had a great few weeks before we took a break for Christmas... then because we took a break it's been so hard to get back into it. I'm in the same boat: I need to get my butt in gear! Tomorrow's a new day! :D

[MariKoegelenberg]

Oh yeah...are we gonna check up on each other??? See if we are doing what we should? lol! Where is that whip...

[nicoleseitler]

Right here: CRACK! :giggle:

I'm going to start school in about 45 mins. :D

[MariKoegelenberg]

No fair I am in my pajamas still!!! he he!

[txmomof2]

We've been homeschooling for about 3 years now. We love it!! We taught my oldest son to read with 100 Easy Lessons, and it worked wonderful. We also used starfall.com to help with beginning reading practice. This year, we purchased complete curriculum packages from Christian Liberty Press and we enjoy it.

[nicoleseitler]

Well, you are on the West Coast, Mari... so you can still be in your pj's. I was, too! But I got myself dressed now. Woo-hoo! I'm having a productive day. ;)

I don't think that I mentioned my favorite book! It's called Phonics Pathways (http://www.amazon.com/Phonics-Pathways-Reading-Perfect-Spelling/dp/0787979104/) and Katie's doing really well with it. I had already taught her her letter sounds before we started with this book. It teaches blending, like this:

a / s-a / sa

(which she'd say: ah, sss ah, sssah)

And then later:

sa / sa-t / sat

It's been a great help! :)

[nicoleseitler]

We've been homeschooling for about 3 years now. We love it!! We taught my oldest son to read with 100 Easy Lessons, and it worked wonderful. We also used starfall.com to help with beginning reading practice. This year, we purchased complete curriculum packages from Christian Liberty Press and we enjoy it.

Oh, yes! We would play on Starfall! Katie liked that! I bet Joshua would, too. There was one sort of creepy guy on there, though. LOL! I don't like that slow ABC song they have there. Eek!