I have a 4 year old, and twins that are 5 and I am going to homeschool them. I have found an excellent curriculum, but it doesn't really include reading and writing.
135286
There is an excellent site called http://www.readinga-z.com that includes everything you need to teach your child how to read.  I've been a teacher for 7 years and I go there to get lesson plans, printable books, (which are leveled...So, as your child becomes a better reader, the books get more challenging and cover more skills) and phonics lessons.  This site is a teacher's Godsend.  There are thousands of resources on their site. Plus, they have 30 free books that you can download to try it out.  There is a yearly subscription fee to have access to all the resources. I hope this helps you out.
256630
I had homeschooling and I really don't advise it. It gets boring and then he might not finish. In my case I did not finish. I think it is better of going to  Public School or even better a Catholic School.
233512
i home school my daugther and find it alot better but it will be time consuming at times. there's a website for $8.95 a month etap.org  good curriculum. then theres also American school that will give him credits and graduate. if your children decide to stay in homeschool you will have to notify the school superintendent that you are establishing a bonafide school for ________ and it will be based at this address. also another book is Homeschool your child for free theres more than 1200 smart, effective and practical resources for home ed. on the internet and beyond. i wish you and your children the best of luck and feel free to email me.
534006
#1. What is your highest level of completed education?\nHigh school diploma & trade school.  Some college classes... just for personal enrichment.\nMy dh had some college.  We have owned 2 different successful businesses and financially do better than most of our college degree friends. \n\n#2. Why are you homeschooling your children?\nI feel that I have been HSing my dd since birth.  She is extemely bright and would be bored in the PS system.  I had her tested at age 4.5 and she was testing at month 8 of Kindergarten for reading & spelling and month 6 of 1st grade for math.  The tester said that the test was unfair to my dd because  the test is for 5 and above.  She explained that if I had her retested after 5 she would probably score even higher.  My point is that her educational need would not be met in PS.\n\n#3. What impact do you believe homeschooling has on your child's social development?\nI believe that her social development would be hindered if she were made to be with children her own age only.  She has fantastic social skills...people that have just met her often are amazed at how well she can talk with adults and play with children of all ages.\n\n#4. Should anyone be allowed to educate their own children? Why?\nIn a perfect world and perfect circumstances I would say yes.\nWhile it is lawful for anyone to educate their own children...I don't feel that everyone should be able to have children let alone educate them.  HSing takes a lot of effort and time if it is going to be done right and some children unfortunatly are better off being babysat by the state than being with their own parents.\n\n#5. Through what grade level do you plan on teaching your children? Why?\nAt this point in time until college...but if her education is suffering we will make adjustments when and if that time comes.
528198
I think you should try out the homeschooling first to see how that will work out for you. Running a home daycare is not as easy as some people might think. Both homeschooling and daycares both take work and time and tons of patience. You will basically be doing 3 jobs at once. You would hate to get so burned out and then your children will suffer because of it. You first need to check into the laws of your state too and see what they require and if you think you can handle that. I wish you the best. If the homeschooling works out and they get to where they are self learners than you can think about doing the daycare. Don't get over your head.
633794
First, don't worry about defending your decision to those who have already made up their minds about this issue.\n\nYour first step is to find out what your state requires from homeschoolers - some are very lenient (like Texas), others are very strict, even to dictating the books you need to use, tests you are required to take, and making you submit lesson plans.  Go to the HSLDA website to see the general rules for your state.\n\nNext, find a homeschooling group in your area and talk to other moms and dads who are in the middle of it.  They can give you suggestions for dealing with the local school district, unhappy relatives (especially the grandparents), socialization, co-ops, and maybe even let you borrow some curriculum to try before you have to buy.\n\nYou'll need to look at the different methods - classical, unschooling, eclectic... this will help determine which curriculum to use (if any).  There are also several guides to curriculum, such as Cathy Duffy's "100 Top Picks...", Mary Pride's books, Rebecca Rupp's books, and "The Well-Trained Mind", by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise-Bauer.  See if your library has any books ABOUT homeschooling.\n\nI've actually found socialization to be the easiest part of homeschooling - just knowing other homeschoolers has opened up opportunities for my kids to meet with others on a much more flexible schedule.\n\nYour son may need some time to 'decompress' from public school and find out that homeschool is NOT public school at home.  You can work on your own schedule and not be tied into someone else's.  Start slowly with just one or two subjects, then add another every 3-4 weeks until you're doing all you want to.\n\nAnd realize that some curriculum choices will be trial and error - I can't tell you how much I've 'wasted' on curriculum that just didn't work out for us.  Fortunately, I've been able to recoup some of the cost by re-selling things (eBay and used curriculum sales).\n\nBest wishes for a happy homeschooling adventure!  Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
575733
Go to http://hslda.org  They promote LEGAL, RESPONSIBLE homeschooling.  You can find out what is required to legally homeschool your child in your state.  The laws are different in every one, but it is legal everywhere in the USA.  Especially find out what the "compulsory school age" is in your state.  That is the age that you need to either put your child in public school or offically home school your son.  You may not be required to do anything official until he is 6.  Then you can just keep up the good work until then.  Include your little one in the reading, but otherwise, simply allow your youngest to play quietly or nap while you have school time with the older one.  With homeschooling, your scedule is very flexible, so do what works for you!   \n\nIf you do need/want a curriculum, there is an ocean of curriculums out there, and it can be intimidating to wade through them.  I would recommend starting with a guide by either Mary Pride or Cathy Duffy.  They are experienced homeschoolers that review curriculums and publish their well-informed opinions about them.  Look for books and websites by them.  After choosing a curriculum, you can often get used books on e-bay, and several websites like www.christianbook.com have good prices on new curriculum.
380348
We homeschool and only have 1 child.  Most I know have less than 4 children and I am part of a very large homeschool group.  There are several groups that homeschool for religious reasons and those same religious groups probably do not use birth control.  I wouldn't say that 50% of homeschoolers have very large families
36187
Maybe I can help, I am a senior majoring in Education.\n\nOftentimes when children are in the primary grades, children are taught to read and write using "Word Families".  So one week a child would learn words like bat, hat, mat, pat, that (all -at words), then another week they learn words like dot, blot, cot, splot.  She is probably doing this to reinforce the -ot ending family.  Does this help?
331565
I agree, and the school issues you mention are one of many reasons I plan to homeschool.\n\nscary link.
16823
I`ve taught K, 1 and 2, and found Grade Two the easiest, though I enjoyed Kindergarten most.  Grade One is a pivotal year.  This is when most children actually learn to read.  You have to work hard and fast to keep ahead of these little people with their developing brains.  Good luck.
199025
I think this is WONDERFUL!!! You are homeschooling what age are they? I have Crystal 8 yr 2gr, Jeffy 6yr 1 gr, and Robin 5yr kgr.  I have taught my self and know how to read music and that's what I did is went to a few different stores started with my fav. home school store and they told me of their fav. music stores and found a few begg. song books 1 I got was How to teach Keyboard.  But if cost is the problem check out your library (really good if you live in a city!)  You can make copies and recheck out many times!  Or Check ebay they have lots of good cheap stuff!  and you don't have to use a credit card ( I thought this was the only way but learned many people will take money orders!)  Good luck and keep up the good work!  if you need another home school support mom to bounce around ideas always can email me tishniaeq069696@yahoo.com! Have fun!
266168
Well it depends. If you are doing a reading group have the kids read the story with the pictures. Or an activity like have them finger paint or something like that just keep it fun!!!!!!!
273690
There are so many great web sites out now that help to teach kids to learn to read - www.starfall.com is the best we have found so far.  Such a good site, my little girl (5)taught herself to read (much as your son taught himself english) using this site.  \n\nI think as homeschoolers we find that there are lots of fun ways to learn anything!  For more web sites, just search on yahoo for 'online reading games for kids'.  There really are a ton of sites (and so good software titles you can buy in stores) and I am sure a couple will spark your son's interest.
607679
I homeschool my children - and while they are bit younger than yours, I use the unschooling method.  I am in California and we have a group of folks here that homeschool and many of them use the Unschooling method - the method that says children learn in everything they do and their own natural curiosity will lead them to the subjects that they are ready for.\n\nNow I understand that this method doesn't feel right for everyone - and as School District Tests come up, I may need to do something different, but I think that some of this type of learning is crucial to homeschooled kids.\n\nI would also like to suggest to you that there are a ton of web sites that are so great for kids.  My 6 year old has taught herself how to read by using computer web sites, like www.starfall.com and we are starting to work on math skills in the same way.  I have also seen sites that teach science and nutrition (but I haven't looked for history sites yet).  My kids don't even really realize that they are learning, they are just having a good time.  Even games where you  have to kind of collect things or do a series of tasks to win help kids in their problem solving, reasoning and logic skills.\n\nAnd there are lots of creative ways to teach kids stuff.  I taught the 2 year old her numbers by letting her sit on our pool table and play with the balls - eventually encouraging her to put all 15 in number order - 6 months later she can count to 30 herself (though she still thinks 30 is 20-10!) and can do very simple addition problems (3+3=6 is her favorite).\n\nIt can be a daunting task to take on 100% responsibility for our children's education, but there are lots of options for us and lots of help and support.  I have put together a great big list of sites that I have found my kids, and I will include the link below.  Having a computer for each kid and allowing them to learn at their own pace has been a huge lifesaver for me - and it's great for folks using more traditional means (particularly on days when they are not "on" it's nice to have a back up "teacher" for the kids).\n\nFeel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance!\n\nYou can do it!  Peace!
669063
my brother is in home schooling at first he didn't like it but now it has grown on him. He is in this program where everything is done over the computer and Internet. He can do his school work at his convenience there is no set time ,also he get to keep the laptop and the all in one (printer, fax, scanner, and copier) I guess it just depends on what program your in and the kid.
164589
I totally agree! We have massive problems in our school district. My children are fortunate enough to have a parent who is involved with their school. PK-5 these children are taught ridiculous ways of working their Math. Most of the questions are in the same format, so they memorize the formula. But if you ask them, "What is 100 divided by 5?" they cannot give you an answer. Our schools focus on TAKS tests, and this is what is coached all year. My 10 year old says "This is a waste of my time" they are not provided with any art classes, or recess (they do have PE), they are getting burned out by 4th grade. sorry for rambling.