I'm new here and am thinking of homeschooling my oldest next school year. His 1st grade teacher seems not to have the time for him in class and he is falling behind. She is loading him down with home work after school because she says it's good for him. Well by the time he's done with home work it's time for supper then bed. He isn't getting any time to play outside - which he loves to be outside. I am really feeling bad for him and even though I've talked with her it doesn't do any good. When I do talk with her I feel like she really doesn't like him. Now the kindergarten teacher couldn't say enough good about my son so I feel like my sons 1st grade teacher just doesn't care for him. I would like to home school my boys, ages 6, 4 and 2. But have no idea how to go about it or even what to use for curriculum. I'd like to use something that is bible based and that would relate to each other, meaning that 2nd grade and kindergarten would tie in together but be at each childs learning level. I talked with a woman about a year ago that uses a curriculum that does that but I can't remember what it was called. Or if anyone has any favorite curriculum that they use could you post it and post why you like that perticular one? Thanks so much ladies! I look forward to getting to know you and to hear about your experiences!!
Welcome to the group!! I'm fairly new to homeschooling myself, but I'm learning more every day and starting to feel more confident. I have 2 boys, 7 and 9. If I were you, I'd pull my son out as soon as I could. He's only going to fall further behind in the situation he's in. But that's a decision you'll have to make. As far as curriculum, I use a variety. I'm what you'd call an "eclectic homeschooler". There wasn't one particular curriculum that appealed to me, so I use a mix of things, and a variety of methods. We use Bob Jones for Bible lessons, Growing with Grammar for grammar ( obviously). This is a very good curriculum that was created by a homeschooling mom. It's basically self-teaching, very straightforward and encourages independent work. Here's the website if you want to check it out: www.growingwithgrammar.com It's also very inexpensive, which is always a plus. For my oldest, he uses Alpha Omega LifePacs for math, which works well for him. My youngest uses Rod and Staff. We just had to switch math curriculums for him about 2 months ago, we were using Horizons, but it was way too confusing and overwhelming for him Rod and Staff and Alpha Omega are also not very expensive curriculums and you can often find used books on ebay and www.homeschoolclassifieds.com. For spelling, we use Spelling Power. For science and history, we do unit studies together, but I adjust them for their grade level. Unit studies tie in most subjects ( you have to still add math and grammar, although there is a little of each) while reading a book or studying a particular topic. We just finished a study on the Civil War, and we're currently reading "Robin Hood" and studying the Middle Ages and the Crusades, bloodletting, human anatomy and all kinds of cool stuff. I get my unit studies for free from this website www.homeschoolshare.com and either have the books we read at home, or get them from the library. Check out our "links" post for lots of other useful websites, many of which are free.
I use sonlight curriculum. You are able to group the kids and get them some of the same stuff that they share. My 5 and 7 yr old have the same history and science stuff as well as math. They do need their own work books because they write in them but they share the reusables. This saves you a lot of money! You would have to go on the website and see if your kids could do this or not. It depends on age and what level they are at. I love that they have everything done for you and there's not a lot of planning ahead on your part. You just follow the directions and they give you all the answers. It's very easy to follow. We can get everything done in about 2-3 hrs and they have the rest of the day to do what they want.
thanks so much ladies. The 2-3 hours a day would be great! I will look into the sources you both provided. Although I don't feel well enough equipped with knowledge to pull my oldest out right now I am seriously considering having him and my middle son stay home and I home school them next school year. I also need to find out about what I would have to report to the school. I live in NY, does anyone else live here? If so what all do you have to report to the school and who would I even ask about this? Do I talk with the school? Thanks so much for any more info.
Quoting TowmaGirl:
thanks so much ladies. The 2-3 hours a day would be great! I will look into the sources you both provided. Although I don't feel well enough equipped with knowledge to pull my oldest out right now I am seriously considering having him and my middle son stay home and I home school them next school year. I also need to find out about what I would have to report to the school. I live in NY, does anyone else live here? If so what all do you have to report to the school and who would I even ask about this? Do I talk with the school? Thanks so much for any more info.
I don't know what the laws are for NY. Go to the Homeschooling Legal Defense website, www.hslda.org and it will explain to you what the laws are for your state and what you need to do to get started.
Also, we have a new forum in our group for just such questions!!! Hop on over!!
Hey TowmaGirl I also live in NY. My daughter will start Kindergarten in the fall and we are thinking about homeschooling so I'm also trying to gather information. Where in NY are you? I'm in Suffolk County on Long Island.
Tammy
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 
Look back and thank God.
Look forward and trust God.
Look around and serve God.
Look within and find God.
First thing you do to cover yourself legally is contact your state DNPE. (department of non public education) They usually have websites. I homeschooled my girls in the early years and I'm at it again with middle school. After a long bout of public school. The elementary school ages can be as simple to teach as you want it to be. I fell back on how I learned. I used the old Dick and jane readers. Also simple things like flash cards. Anything that held their interest and showed progress
Hi TowmaGirl, I'm glad you are here :-)
I wanted to give you some direct links that will give you information on homeschooling legally in New York. Please let me know if I can help with anything else-
www.nysed.gov/ This is the link that will take you to New York's Dept. of Ed website
www.homeschoolinginnewyork.com This is a website that offers help and advice for homeschooling families in New York.
www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/New_York.pdf This is a link to HSLDA's website where they have summarized the important parts of the homeschool law in New York.
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/sss/lawsregs/HomeSchoolingByparentsInNewYorkState.html This will take you the the New York SED website where you can read the law in it's entirety.
I hope this helps at least get you started :-)
High School Language Arts
- TowmaGirl
on Nov. 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM