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 Homeschool.com's Homeschooling Discussion Forum : Getting Started
Subject Topic: Where to begin? Post ReplyPost New Topic
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tribebohemian
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Posted: 28/Sep/2009 at 5:57pm | IP Logged Quote tribebohemian

Hi.

I'm a new homeschooling mom of one active 6 year old. For the last couple of years, I taught Tristan his preschool and kindergarten requirements straight out workbooks that came from Staples and Walmart. Now that we're working on first grade, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

There are so many great homeschooling sites out there that I don't know where to begin. Let alone even pick a curriculum. I know I need a curriculum to start because I personally need the guidance. But I feel so lost.

I know it's different for every family so no one can actually tell me what to do. But truth is, I need some mothering (so to speak). Right now Tristan and I do his reading, writing, and arithmetic out of workbooks together. And then 3 days a week he attends an hour class at the public school (gym, art, music) for socializing.

I've also considered letting him pick both a science and social studies subject that we can focus on. Then buying some text books and working from there.

But I think we need something more solid. At least until we're both more comfortable with what we're doing. Any advice or words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. Don't be afraid to be direct. At the moment I kinda need someone to take my hand.

an anxious homeschooling mom

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kewkew
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Posted: 28/Sep/2009 at 8:19pm | IP Logged Quote kewkew

I personally think it sounds like you are doing great just
the way you are. I wouldn't suggest textbooks though for
the science and social studies, I'm sure once he decides on
a subject you could find great books at the library that
would cover them in much better detail and not be so
biased.
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sandr
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Posted: 29/Sep/2009 at 5:30am | IP Logged Quote sandr

I agree.  Sounds like you are doing fine.  Science and social studies at that age are best studied through real books and field trips.

Best wishes!



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elliemaejune
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Posted: 29/Sep/2009 at 8:30am | IP Logged Quote elliemaejune

Welcome.

Have you read any books on homeschooling? There are some which might give you more direction. The Well Trained Mind is good; Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore wrote several books on homeschooling (Homegrown Kids and more); John Holt wrote a number of books about learning in general (How Children Learn, How Children Fail, Instead of Education, What do I do on Monday), and one about homeschooling (Teach Your Own), as well as starting a whole movement called "unschooling." Mary Hood wrote The Relaxed Homeschool and others.



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CNBarnes
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Posted: 29/Sep/2009 at 10:00am | IP Logged Quote CNBarnes

Count mine as the 3rd vote for "what you're doing sounds good".  


In addition to the books Ellie mentioned, let me add 3 more to the list:
Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias

Note that the first 2 of these are not "education" books, but are "relationship" books.  The reason I list them is because having a solid relationship is THE key to an environment in which learning can effectively take place.  
Without it, it doesn't matter if you have the best curriculum in the world - learning will suffer. 
With it, you will have success with a "bad" curriculum. 


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kewkew
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Posted: 29/Sep/2009 at 2:30pm | IP Logged Quote kewkew

May I add to Ellie's list of books?

I also like John Holt's book, Learning All the
Time
.

I also really liked the book by Linda Dobson called,
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500 + Fun
adn Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12
.
Lots of ideas for different subjects on things to do.


Homeschooling, Take a Deep Breath, You Can Do This
by Terri Lynn Bittner. Really liked this one. Some
great info.
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tribebohemian
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Posted: 29/Sep/2009 at 7:18pm | IP Logged Quote tribebohemian

Wow! Thank you all for your support and suggestions. Reading this has made the best ending to an already successful day.

This afternoon Tristan and I worked on his money skills. Not certain whether that falls under Maths or Economics or both. Anyway, the lesson went so well. At the end I sold him pieces of candy. And for every correct answer he was able to eat a piece. It feels so great when you see something click in their heads.

I shall look into the books you were all so kind to list for me.

CNBarrnes says:
Quote:
Note that the first 2 of these are not "education" books, but are "relationship" books.  The reason I list them is because having a solid relationship is THE key to an environment in which learning can effectively take place.  
Without it, it doesn't matter if you have the best curriculum in the world - learning will suffer. 
With it, you will have success with a "bad" curriculum.

I completely agree. Having an honest, loving and supportive relationship with my kids is most important to me

Anyway, thank you all for jumping on board and throwing in your advice. It's greatly appreciated.

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Lauren001
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Posted: 05/Nov/2009 at 9:23am | IP Logged Quote Lauren001

Hi,

I think what you are doing sounds great as well!  If you are wondering about any good curriculum out there we use LIFEPAC and my almost 5 year old loves it! It has great pictures and activities in it! Blessings! Lauren*

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MelissaM
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Posted: 06/Nov/2009 at 4:57am | IP Logged Quote MelissaM

At six years of age, and following his interests, I agree that you would do better just to borrow relevant books from the library as you need them.  At least for now.  Keep the younger years a fun, learning adventure.  There will be plenty of time for more structure down the track.  

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gizzy
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Posted: 22/Dec/2009 at 5:17pm | IP Logged Quote gizzy

It sounds like what you're doing is great. Continue with some regular workbooks and get a library card for Little Mr. ASAP!!! Go to the library and pick out five books on Science/Social studies that you can look at together and go through.

I am going to recommend you not get carried away with the "How to" literature, though I'm sure many of the books recommended are great.

Work on building his reading skills through a combination of phonics and sight words and find a series of I can Read type books that you both like and start working your way through them. Make a chart (every 10 books read is an extra special dessert) you can support his Math lessons with a chore chart where he can earn 5, 10, 15 cents for certain tasks and at the end of the month he gets a payday!!!

Also, I'm going to recommend you look in to TheMathLesson and TheReadingLesson. You may or may not find them appealing. They've captivated me and I plan to purchase them for my first graders and kindergartener.

:).




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I'm not an expert. I'm not a parent. I am just 19 years old and was homeschooled K-12 except for 8 months I spent in a public "highschool program"

I hope my observations & experience can be helpful
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motherlylove
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Posted: 07/Jan/2010 at 9:09pm | IP Logged Quote motherlylove

I actually have a question for you, tribebohemian:

How did you go about arranging to have your child attend public school for just those few subjects? I really, really, really like the idea of having my daughter go to school for just gym, art, and music for socializing. I think she'd really enjoy it, I just don't know how to ask about that at our local elementary school.

Thanks!

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tribebohemian
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Posted: 11/Jan/2010 at 6:24am | IP Logged Quote tribebohemian

motherlylove wrote:
I actually have a question for you, tribebohemian:

How did you go about arranging to have your child attend public school for just those few subjects? I really, really, really like the idea of having my daughter go to school for just gym, art, and music for socializing. I think she'd really enjoy it, I just don't know how to ask about that at our local elementary school.

Thanks!

 

I'm pleased to tell you. I went to the superintendent's office, or wherever the kids register for school at the beginning of the year. I explained my situation. They then had me fill out some paperwork, write a short letter of intent and then I had a nice conversation with the superintendent. It was relatively easy, if not a bit nerve wracking since I didn't know what I was doing.

The superintendent set up an appointment with the principal of the school where my son would take class and she and I spoke about my expectations. And there you have it. My son attends three classes a week and has gone on field trips, participated on picture day, thanksgiving dinner, he's in the lego club... I find the school to be very flexible and willing to make my son feel as a part of the school as possible. It's made me feel much more comfortable about sending him there full time if it ever comes to that. And it's helped him as well with socializing and having other adults he can trust and learn from.

I wish you luck :)

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