Interested in Homeschooling - Concerned about Isolation and Curriculum

[InspiredMamaof3]

Hi, I'm Becky and I have three young children.  My oldest just turned 5 and will be starting kindergarten in the fall.  We've homeschooled for preschool this year and I'm having a lot of reservations about sending her to public school next year.  I used to be a teacher and while I love learning, I couldn't stand the public school system.  My main concern with homeschooling is that she'll be isolated.  I'd love ideas for helping her to have a good group of friends outside of a school environment.  

Also, while we are very spiritual, a lot of the curriculum options I've looked at are much too conservative for our beliefs.  If anyone has recommendations for curriculum options that are not religious, I would greatly appreciate it.  I also love the unit studies approach - so recommendations for that style would be wonderful.  

Thanks for your help.  I look forward to learning from and getting to know you.  Hope you have an inspiring day!

[bren_darlene]

I use religious curriculum for the most part but I am sure others will give you some suggestions on that.  Your children will have you, your husband (if you are married) and each other. They will not be isolated.  We never got out much at all.  Our children had our family and as a result we were a very close family.  They are all grown now but one.  Most are married with kids of their own whom are also being educated at home.  You will be fine in that area :)

[Natalie5]

I am eclectic and do not use a set curriculum, so I can't really help you there. As for isolation, we are involved in local homeschool groups. My dds have friends from dance and girl scouts, my ds from soccer. We do feel much closer as a family as bren_darlene said.

[bttrflyvld]

We haven't officially started yet, except for preschool so I'll tell you what we are planning. 

We've started getting involved with a local homeschooling group which has lots of activities.  Some activities are for the moms and include a place group for the kids while the moms get to socialize.  They also do co op learning activities and fieldtrips.  I'd recommend looking at yahoo groups for a homeschooling group.  Your kids would be about to make friends outside of home and still have the benefit of homeschooling.

I've looked into Girls scouts and have found that they have programs starting from kindergarten and up.  Try to find your kids something that is theirs.  I currently have my 4 year old in pre gymnastics and she has made lots of friends that way.  So I'd recommend looking into 4-H, girl scouts, dance/gymnastics, or a sport that they are interested it.  It'll give them something to look forward too as well as help them make friends. 

We aren't using unit studies so I'm not sure what to recommend.  I have seen other recommend http://www.unitstudy.com/index.htm but haven't tried them.   I'm not sure if they are considered unit study but Five in a row  studies one book a week and the whole weeks math, science, english, etc revolve around the one book.  I've really considered five in a row because it's literature based and has good reviews.  

Good luck.  Just find things to keep involved in and your kids will be fine. 

[blessings2all]

Hi, Becky.  I'm a teacher who homeschools too.  You might want to consider the curriculum at K12.com.  It's really outstanding and not religious.  Also, as far as socializing goes, there are many opportunities out there.  Sometimes you can find a homeschool group in your area.  There is also 4H.  My kids participate in church activities and participate in plays.  I have more suggestions here: http://www.homeschoolwithlove.com/2011/11/28/ideas-socializing/ .

Good luck to you.  I'm sure you'll love homeschooling.

[jen2150]

I have been homeschooling for over 5 years now and if anything I have the opposite problem.  I have to keep saying no we don't have the time to do that.  I have plan days at home.  We enjoy our activities that we do.  You find the balance that is right for you.  Some families don't do very much and some do a lot more.  As far as curriculum goes, you pick and choose what works for you.  You can also skip parts you don't like.  Design your own if you wish to.  I do that for science and history a lot.  If you are concerned about meeting other homeschoolers I would look on yahoo for local groups.  Talking one on one with another homeschooler can be very encouraging.

[doughgirl37]

Here is what we use (for free) but not every day, just as a "skeleton".

http://www.theheadoftheclass.com/

http://www.studyladder.com/

http://www.starfall.com/

http://www.pbskids.org/

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/

library resources

Social ideas:

library reading times and activities

nature centers/parks

homeschool support groups that meet one time a month or weekly or just do field trips.

community family activities/concerts.

barnes and noble story times.

home depot kid workshops.

advertise yourself to start a group.

hope that helps!!

 

 

[doughgirl37]

Quoting blessings2all:

Hi, Becky.  I'm a teacher who homeschools too.  You might want to consider the curriculum at K12.com.  It's really outstanding and not religious.  Also, as far as socializing goes, there are many opportunities out there.  Sometimes you can find a homeschool group in your area.  There is also 4H.  My kids participate in church activities and participate in plays.  I have more suggestions here: http://www.homeschoolwithlove.com/2011/11/28/ideas-socializing/ .

Good luck to you.  I'm sure you'll love homeschooling.

We also did K12 from K to 2nd grade. It was through the K12 family search forum where we found a family in our area and now their son is good friends with mine. And the mom and I are good friends too!

[KickButtMama]

Here's one of my pet peeves. Your daughter will never actually BE isolated because she has siblings. I tell my boys that I don't care how many outside friends they have, none will ever be closer than their sibling. But they do have friends, public school kids in the neighborhood, friends they met at coop, those through play groups at the library, etc....but we didn't go many places until last year, and the kids were content with each other.

We too are eclectic homeschoolers, we do a secular program, but I design it myself.

[wanderingwolf]

I hear Oak Meadow is good and they are not religious.  K12 and Calvert Academy.  Connections Academy.  I bought Exploring Science from Elemental Publishing for Pre-K Science sometime last week and also plan on using my Magic School Bus books for science as well for Pre-K and Kindergarten.  Saxon Math is secular (again expensive).  Pearson has homeschool stuff (expensive). 

[AmyG1976]

isolation lol no that is not something to be concerned with unless you plan on storeing the children in a closent alone and not allowing them out. We actually have to cut out many things that we want to do but we need time for studies too. Really there are groups and activites for homeschoolers all over we could be with one to a few everyday (except weekends). I dont use one curriculm I really would not recomend buying one right off the bat as you dont know if you will like it. maybe look at a few pick and choose different items from each (check ebay for savings) try different things different ways until you know if there is one you just want then buy it. We for the most part are all over however my youngest is now next school year going to mainly use Abeka ( I am very suprised at that myself as that is a christian curriculm and well we are kinda christian, I guess, I just never thought I would be using that at all but overall it works great for him...