Need Advice About Home Schooling.

Hi C.,

There is an online homeschool program called K-12 that is run by the state of Texas so that it is accredited and it's free!!
Look it up and see what you think. Hope that helps!

About having to answer to a the state... this also has a VERY negative side. It means that some children are NOT being educated under the guise of "homeschooling." I know a situation where this was happening. The kids could not even identify letters and should have been in upper elementary. They also had ZERO social skills. It was a complete shame.

This happens more than people realize. School is not just about learning academics. It is also about learning rules and how to act around other people. You would be surprised at how many children I see in my school who have been at home until kindergarten who have absolutely NO idea how to line up, wash their hands, talk to other children, be around other children (personal space issues) and they think that they can just get up or talk any time they want to!

I am not against homeschooling in some circumstances. But, I do think that children need to be around children their own age who are not siblings/family.

This is in no way saying that you aren't doing this right. I could never homeschool my child. As an elementary teacher myself, I do not feel qualified to teach art, music, and other higher level subjects. That would be such a sad thing for my kids to miss out on all that.

Of course they are your kids, and you will do what you think is right. I just wanted to comment on what someone said about not answering to the state. Sorry, but I think that is a bad thing. That means that a lot of kids are not learning what they should.

Teaching is NOT easy. I know that as a teacher, I am ALWAYS still learning. It never stops!

I currently homeschool my 2.5 year old and almost 5 year old. We do alot of field trips now (Frank Buck Zoo, Museums- check out gocitykids.com for other cool ideas).
As far as materials I used to teach Preschool, Kindergarten, and 5th so Ido have some of my own stuff. There are a ton of things that are free on line. checkout daniellesplace.com some is free some is not. Also look into lapbooking (so hard to explain, but kind of like scrapbooking)http://www.homeschoolshare.com/level_1_lapbooks.php is a great free site.
If you looking to add religion to your curriculum you lookat once available @ mardel (I think that's the name its an education store in Lewisville where Toys R US is - its huge)ALSO I have yet to check this out yet, but supposivly there is a homeschool store/library in Lewisville where Big Lots is on Main Street... right down the side walk in the corner of the strip mall.. I'll have to check out since I just heard of it. Homeschooling is what you make it.. expensive or not... but you definitly have to very creative iwth your spending and material use.

I love homeschooling my son. He is in first grade and we are having a ball. We use sonlight www.sonlight.com
I just laugh at the people who talk about social skills. If you knew my son - well, it is funny. He is the most social child and can relate to children younger than him (he's the "rockstar" at church), older than him and does a great job interacting respectfully with adults. I think I'd rather "socialize" him than have a classroom full of other 6 year olds trying to socialize him. I think all of that has more to do with the parents than it does about how and where the child is educated.
Oh, my husband teaches him history and geography when he gets home. They are both having a great time doing that together.
We also meet with three other homeschool families that we know for parties and field trips. Very fun! We are not a co-op, but there are great ones out there if you want to go that route. A google search will help you find one in your area.
For electives we take art classes and music classes. My son also plays sports.
If you are interested in doing it and you think it fits your family then this is a great time to try it out. My son is academically beyond other children his age and we truly just have fun with our schooling.
Homeschooling isn't for everyone, neither is public school or private school. You have to do whatever fits your family. Don't let other people discourage you from doing what you know is best for your family - whatever that may be.

C.-

I have been homeschooling our kids for 2 years now (wow, I can't believe that I can say that!) and Texas is the greatest place to homeschool. We are considered private schools here and do not have to answer to the school districts or the state. There is no standardized testing or anything like that. It's wonderful! With your kids being as young as they are, you don't have to spend a lot of money on books or curriculum but of course, you can! Check out cathyduffyreviews.com for some info on curriculum. There is information about her book - Top 100 Picks for Homeschool Curriculum - on there as well. It's an excellent resource. I would encourage you to research what style of homeschooling you want to do. If you want to do a "school at home" type setting, the K-12 program may be right for you. It wasn't for us. We prefer to be more organic and eclectic in our learning. But that is what works for us. Also, you may find that what you think will be right, isn't exactly right once you get into it. So I would caution you on spending a lot on curriculum right at first. Find out what kind of learners your boys are - well, the oldest one at least, the baby's a bit young! - and then tailor your teaching to that. It will save you a lot of headache & frustration. HER (the homeschool store that pps mentioned) is also an excellent resource. They are very helpful and knowledgeable. My 2 oldest daughters take art classes there and enjoy it a great deal. This is our 2nd year to take classes there and we've been really happy with them. Also, go to yahoo and search the groups to find a "support" group that you can join in on. There are lots out there - some are information only and some are there to get the kids together for park days, field trips etc. Okay, so I know I've spewed a lot of information out at you! Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. Good luck and have fun!

There is no accountability in Texas to homeschool. They say you must teach reading, writing, math and good citizenship (government), but no one checks on you.

Since Kindergarten isn't even mandatory in Texas, just focus on reading and basic math skills and having fun with him. There is a great two day a week drop off program in Denton for homeschool kids K-2, I don't know if Lewisville has one or not. Just call local churches and see if they offer anything. There is also a great co-op group in Flower Mound (not too far from you) at Valley Creek Church called The Cube. They also have a HOMETexas yahoo group where you can chat with other families, ask questions, etc. It is $10 a year to join I think.

Good Luck!
Tamara

There is a homeschool supplie school in lewisville right on main street in the same complex where Hobby lobby is.I would recommed yougo visit.They can help you figure it out.

C.,

There isn't much you need to do to get started other than figure out what you want to use in your homeschooling and plan it out. Premade curriculums make it easier on you since they've done a lot of the work for you. You have choices of unit study approach to textbook learning approach. You don't HAVE to buy a lot of books. This year our money is more tight and I'm utilizing the library a lot. Of course, I've been homeschooling for 10 years so I also have a lot of resources at home. I have never purchased any formal curriculum for K level. I do tend to buy learning toys, games, computer software, etc. to stimulate learning. I mostly read to them at this age, teach them letter sounds if they haven't already picked it up as well as teach them math.

The Home Educator's Resource is located in Lewisville. It is probably the one mentioned from the other poster. They have a lot of new and used curriculum (as well as classes) for you to choose from. You can get ideas from them as well.

Feel free to write if you have any other questions.

C., I'd love to have you over to look at all my pre-K and K curriculum. I have a 3 1/2 year boy old who's pushing to read and an 8 month old girl who's eating books. The Home Educator's Resource is my favorite store alongside Half Price books. There is so much out there that you might be overwhelmed going to the store first.

I've also taught at Coram Deo Acadamy. I can give you some information about that as well.

My son would love to play with your boys. I'd also love to find someone to bounce ideas together as there is no co-op in Lewisville. I mean there is a Denton county one, but you have to drive so far to be a part of it. Besides so many of them gear at slightly older children.

M.

Hi C.,

I have a son who attends Willow Bend Academy in Plano full time (I do not home school him). They also provide home school curriculm. They have a second campus in Lewisville. You could contact them for more information on curriculm. As kids get older they also allow for home school kids to come in and take one or two classes as needed, or just to do testing. They might be a good resource to check into. Good Luck!

You might be interested in Coram Deo Academy. They are a "hybrid" between homeschool & school. They follow a classical curriculum & the kids go to school 2 days/week, work at home 2/week, & may take electives on Friday. Check out their website.

I have 4 kids: 9, 7, 4, & 1. I've also homeschooled & there is a WEALTH of good information out there. Let me know if I can help in any other ways!

http://www.coramdeoacademy.org/

Another great & free place to start is http://thehomeschoolmom.com/.

I'm not homeschooling yet as my son is only 9 months old, but my husband and I were both homeschooled. We loved it! Yes, you do need to buy curriculum, but there are many options out there. I'm a member of the DCHSA (Denton County Home School Association) and I'm certain someone from the group would be delighted to answer any of your questions and offer advice! Contact me at ____@____.com and I'll try to connect you to someone! Best of luck.
S.

Hello C., I have a friend that is a director for Classical Conversations a nationwide network of classical, Christian communities providing academic program for home school, you can check out the website http://www.classicalconversations.com/ and if you are interested you may call me ###-###-#### and I will give you her contact info, I actually live in Flower Mound so we are practically neighbors, anyway it seems like a very good program I also know many other moms that home school outside this program and they too could be of assistance to you if you like, let me know... either way I pray God will give you the wisdom to make the right decision for your family.

I have a teaching background and I home schooled my second son. However be warned, if you transfer to public school, your kid will be miles ahead of the classroom taught kids. Good Luck, B.

I belong to a group in Frisco called Frisco Home-is-School that has a once a month group called Connections which is a "How to Homeschool" course. It costs $20 or $25 to join for the year. You can jump in at any point. They just had their 2nd meeting. Check it out at www.FriscoHIS.org. There is also a great Yahoo group in the area that you can ask all those question and get answers from some great "seasoned" homeschool moms. Send me a note if you want that info.

At 4 1/2 you don't need to worry about a canned curriculum, read, read, read, so you have time to learn and explore yourself. Read, read, read. While you are doing that you can teach him letters and numbers and read, read, read. Not just Disney books but get real books.Read, read, read. Get Charlotte's Web and the real Winnie the Pooh and the like. Read, read, read. Good solid chapter books. Read aloud a lot. For a long time children can understand more than they can read themselves. You will be building vocabular and setting them up to succeed. Get him out to explore his world.

D. M