Best Homeschooling Curriculum?

Hi F.,
I have been homeschooling for going on 14 years. I rememer the battle in my mind when I was considering homeschooling. I was so overwhelmed and a bit afraid fo the whole thing! The curriculum choices are so vast, and they have grown in the years since I started. First, I would go to the NJ part of the HSLDA website: http://hslda.org/hs/state/NJ/default.asp. It will tell you the laws, support group info, current legislative issues, etc. From my quick look, it appears that NJ is a very easy state to homeschool in! I would be so excited to have those laws. As for curriculum, there is no "state approved" curriculum. They don't have the jurisdiction to tell you what curriculum you have to use. You pick. So, your worldview and style of teaching/learning would be where you would start. Why do you want to homeschool? The answer to that may be a key bit of info in selecting curriculum. I used to get very caught up in the curriculum issue. But, I have come to realize that it is only a tool. For me, as long as it is thoroughly Christian, then it doesn't really matter what you use. We all have different goals and styles and a particular emphasis in what we want our children to know/learn, and our curriculum will probably reflect that. We chose a classical style curriculum. Others like to do unit studies, which require more prep on the mom's part, but is more "free" as to what you do and where you go with it. Some like workbook based learning. One point that I think is important is that I think children should read real books, original works, not just read about them. I can't stand the curriculi that only uses workbooks and tells children about what an author said or believed. I want my kids to actually read the authors. I hope that makes sense.
Online programs can work. I will say that research has shown that children who use the public school at home programs (K12 for example) score the absolute lowest on the standardized tests. Worse than the ones who actually go to public school. I don't know why that is, but that is what is happening. I personally would never choose that route. One reason is because it is the public school curriculum, which is not what I want my children emmersed in. We can do better than that, I would hope.
How do I do it? Well, one day at a time. :) You have to flush the public school mentality out of your mind. Most of us were raised that way, and it is all we know. But, schooling is not best done by that model. The walk along, talk along model is much better. I teach, let my kids do their work, and then move on to the next subject. The goal is to teach them to be self-motivated learners so that I don't have to spoon feed them all day. Once they know how to read, they can do a lot of the work themselves. Most hs curriculum that I have seen is written with the student in mind. After they get beyond the early years, they should become more and more independent in their schooling, with you reviewing their work to check for comprehension and character (are they being sloppy, are they completing their work, etc.). For math, we do really like Teaching Textbooks, which is a computer based program that records all of their scores. It keeps your gradebook for you. Excellent! :)
For socialization, I must laugh. Most homeschoolers are way more socialized than their peers. And, they are not only socializing with people their exact age. That whole phenomenon is one huge reason we don't want them in "school." Most hsers will socialize with people of any age from babies to grannies. And, our social calendar is manic sometimes. And, we don't do any "organized" sports. We don't have time for them! We have people in our home all the time, or we are in theirs. We travel a lot. We love our freedom from the rat race. I can't imagine having to be on someone else's schedule. Ah! Love our life!! Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. Sorry this is so long (if you are still reading!).

Congrats on stepping out of the norm!!! We've been officially homeschooling for 2 years now, of course started much earlier. I would say your first step, would be to do some research.

First, the laws in your state. For example; In my state, the parents don't have to have any college, but I believe in some other states they do.

Second, do research on the different types of curriculum, the different styles of teaching ect. I strongly suggest going to library and reading several different homeschooling books. A great one is "So your thinking about Homeschooling" It was written by one of the cast members of the facts of live. Also, "Homeschooling 101" and there are many different one.

Pick the one you think will work the best for your child and family. What will work for one child, may not work for another child. And if it works one year, it may not work the next.

Plus, how strict you want to be will be up to what is best for your child. I know of a lady who get's her kids up, fixes breakfast, get's them ready just like they were going to school and has them grab their backpacks, walk out the door front door, and come back in the back door. From that moment on, she is no longer MOM, and they cannot call her mom. It works for them.

I also know another lady is far from strict. There is no real set time, or amount of work for any given day. However, her girl who JUST turned 5 is reading better than most 1st graders. It works for them.

That was the hardest for me to accept. There is no magic curriculum or formula for homeschooling. There are some better than others, but it all comes down to what is best for your child and your family.

The most important thing, especially for a younger child is that they develop a LOVE for learning. When that happens, you will have a hard time keeping up. If the curriculum you choose doesn't seem to be working, figure out why, drop it then find one that doesn't have the problem the other one does.

Since my oldest was 3, we have been using work books from Sam's Club. I love them, and they worked out great. However, my oldest is starting to get bored, so this year we are switching to Unit Studies since they are also great for teaching more than one child at different levels at the same time.

Also, don't fret about making sure to know everything before you start. I've learned the most this last year than I have before.

I also laugh at the whole "socialization thing", but I would get a lot of comebacks ready, since I'm sure every homeschooler can agree that is the #1 "concern" of those you tell you homeschool to.

One of the girls one our block, who is 10, has asked several questions about homeschooling and even brought up socialization. I just asked her who her best friend is. When she told me I asked her how many classes they had together. Well, they don't even go to the same school. So I explained to her what she really already knew, is that most socialization, especially with kids who go to public school, happens outside of school. Socialization IN school, for the most part, is prohibited. On average, kids get maybe an hour out of 7 hours to socialize. Other than that, they are made to sit there, and be quite.

Becoming a part of a good homeschool group would be a great idea. In our state, homeschoolers still have to take the Iowa Standard test from 3rd - 9th grade. Our group sets up dates and locations to do them.

As far as working, I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. I've tried many different things to do at home, however have quickly realized that time is a huge concern. So, I don't have time to do a lot. If you figure out something, let me know, LOL!

Good luck to you, I'm sure this will be a great experience.

Oh, you also asked about the curriculum being recognized. What I have noticed, in my state at least, is that it is ONLY a concern if your child want to go to public school DURING high school, when they start counting credits for their graduation. Other than that, it doesn't matter. As far as college, that one is also on my TO DO list in the next few years. Go to the college and ask what they require. However, I have read that colleges are welcoming homeschoolers with open arms since they are finding out they tend to be much harder workers.

Again, about socialization, my oldest is in Cub Scouts, football, baseball, he has other friends that are homeschooled, he has 3 different churches he attends for different ocasions, we have volunteered, he spends a lot of time with the older family members like his great grandmother (Which I must say I think needs to happen more is the younger learning from the older) on top of it all, he is one of the favorite on this block amoungst the other children here.

Sorry so long, I've just become more and more passionate about homeschooling the more involved I get.

Start by doing some homework. You will need to decide on your homeschooling philosophy style in order to pick the curriculum that best suits your family, and some families go with no particular curriculum, but pick and choose according to their needs and interests.

It's also helpful to find homeschooling support groups in your area, which can provide practical and legal advice as well as provide opportunities for social gatherings and sports.

You can google "homeschooling styles" and "…support groups" for information to get you started.

There's no such thing as an overall best curriculum. The best materials are the ones that each individual child enjoys and learns best from. To find the best fit, you need to consider your educational goals for your children, your teaching philosophy, your worldview, your children's learning styles, personalities, interests, strengths, and weaknesses.

I know homeschoolers who work. I do not. There's no way I could fit it all into my day.

How do I get the kids out? I open the door, lol.
We do some activities with local homeschool groups, my kids play baseball and softball, one wants to start soccer, they've done gymnastics, dance, acting workshops, Spanish classes, they go to the park, we attend community events, and they have playdates.

NJ is one of the easiest states in which to homeschool. You're expected to provide "equivalent instruction". You're only required to show evidence if the state feels they can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you're not educating your kids. Otherwise, you report to no one. And there are so many active homeschool groups in the state that it's almost ridiculous. Not to mention the limitless field trip opportunities.

(I miss NJ!!!)

I LOVED the K12 curriculum. I used it through K12 directly, and also through the eschool OHVA here in Ohio. My children enjoyed it, also.

But they like their school now better! : ) (It really IS an awesome school, so I don't feel badly that they prefer it to me homeschooling them.)

www.k12.com

If you are thinking of homeschooling them one day, as in, years in the future, the time to choose a curriculum is then, not now. In homeschooling, as in all methods of education, things change. Investigate curriculum during the year prior to homeschooling.
Homeschooling kids socialize with other kids by participating in team sports, scouts, 4H, church or synaogogue youth groups. And you'll have lots more time for that because all the schoolwork is done during the school day, there isn't a need for tons of homework after that.

I'm not sure. I have similar questions. I'm looking forward to the answers. Good luck.

First step would be to find out what the homeschooling laws in your state are; usually doing a Google search will help you figure it out. Many states have homeschooling organizations that post the laws for your state. It is also a great idea to join a homeschooling group in your area; they will be able to help you figure out what the laws are, and what kinds of curriculums different people use. It is also a great way to meet other homeschoolers that your child can play with. The one in our area has a weekly park day, and we have a couple of smaller groups that meet on different days. Connecting with other homeschoolers is the best way to get started; also, there are lots of books out there with information on homeschooling.

There are so many different curriculums out there, so it really depends on what approach you want to take. We like to create our own curriculum so that we have more freedom in choosing what the children learn and when (so they can follow their own personal interests). The internet and the library are great free resources, and much cheaper than buying a packaged curriculum. Ways of socializing include meeting with other homeschoolers, scheduling playdates, and enrolling them in extracurricular activities. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions; we have been homeschooling our kids for two years now. Good luck, and have fun homeschooling!

My friend does this one, it's semi public school curriculum, but she does it at home, it's a Texas thing, but maybe your state has something similar:

http://texas.connectionsacademy.com/tx/geosearch?_kk=1f28...

We use the Calvert curriculum. Its complete and easy to follow. Its a little pricey, but they offer financial aid. I appreciate everything we need coming in one big box at the beginning of the school year.

We do gymnastics, dance and scouts to keep the kids socialized.
We are also looking into homeschooling groups in our area to join in the fall. I wasnt sure about homeschooling in the beginning, but now I absolutely love it. I cant imagine educating my children any other way.

I hope this doesn't get pulled! I'm NOT a salesperson for this company, but I do contract work for them on the side. It's Aventa/K12. From what I've seen in their middle and high school courses, they have an exciting and challenging curriculum. I have no idea what it costs or anything, but they're worth checking out! I taught on the high school level for years, and I wish we could have been as rigorous as these courses!

I know someone who is really raving about Classical Conversations and from what she showed me it looks really good. She said it is like three years of curriculum in one book and it is all subjects so you do not have to buy a lot of books. I think the cost is only $50 which is pretty cheap. It is something to consider and if I was homeschooling then it would be a program that I would investigate and do more research to see if it would work for me.