Who else homeschools?

KeriKadi · 07-16-2008, 05:14 AM

Is it just Brandy and I? Anybody else doing this?

Has anyone ever heard of New Beginnings?

ThatSuzyGirl · 07-16-2008, 05:40 AM

No, but I am the homeschooling librarian at work. I buy the homeschool materials and plan programs for homeschoolers.

What is New Beginnings?
Suzy

KeriKadi · 07-16-2008, 05:52 AM

I don't know too much about it yet myself.

It is supposed to be a support group for homeschool parents and they help keep you on track. It's not a curriculum but a plan/outline for parents. My concern is there is a lifetime membership and those words always make me weary. I don't have time to research it all right now so I was wondering if anyone else had heard of it.

brandanaleighana · 07-16-2008, 06:03 AM

I've never heard of it. We aren't in any groups like that.
But, wow Suzy! I had no idea! I'll definately file that and use you as a resource!

Eleni · 07-17-2008, 01:23 AM

I didn't even know there are special homeschooling materials and programs...I thought parents just bought the school material and went with that. I wouldn't know much anyway, homeschooling is illegal here. Well, perhaps I picked the wrong word...I mean to say that the system doesn't allow for it so there's none of it. If you homeschooled your kid and then send it to the real school, those years of homeschooling wouldn't count and the kid would have to start allover.

hotgogobot · 07-22-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleni

I didn't even know there are special homeschooling materials and programs...I thought parents just bought the school material and went with that. I wouldn't know much anyway, homeschooling is illegal here. Well, perhaps I picked the wrong word...I mean to say that the system doesn't allow for it so there's none of it. If you homeschooled your kid and then send it to the real school, those years of homeschooling wouldn't count and the kid would have to start allover.

So would a 16 yo need to start in Kindergarten a la Billy Madison?

BigNutbrownHare · 07-22-2008, 05:14 PM

Sorry to hijack this thread, but since it was bumped anyway...

Keri and Brandy, is there a specific preschool homeschooling curriculum that you use? I know that you both have school- and preschool- aged kids, so I am just curious what you are doing with the preschool age kids. Working them up to your school-aged kids?

If I am able to cut back on my work hours this fall, I am considering (we'll see how far those intentions go...) doing an hour or so of home-preschool with Asher this coming year on his off-days from actual preschool classes. So like 2-3 days a week. I plan to ask his regular teacher this as well, but was just curious if there is a book or online resource that you girls use that I can check out, too.

bls05 · 07-22-2008, 05:29 PM

Ally, I will try to find the name of a book that I had checked out of the library that sounds just like what you are looking for. I didn't get to read it all because I had just had DS and had to return it, but it was good. There are a lot of books like that out there. If you google homeschool preschool curriculum you can find a lot. Like I said, if I can find that other book I'll let you know.

BigNutbrownHare · 07-22-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bls05

Ally, I will try to find the name of a book that I had checked out of the library that sounds just like what you are looking for. I didn't get to read it all because I had just had DS and had to return it, but it was good. There are a lot of books like that out there. If you google homeschool preschool curriculum you can find a lot. Like I said, if I can find that other book I'll let you know.

Thanks! I already have general books on games, crafts, and other activities for his age but would love a more "connected" resource that would do some of the work of matching things up for me, maybe even with book lists and such. The preschool he will be going to is theme-based, so if he really takes to a concept or theme or type of activity I would love to have some kind of structure to work off of to explore it more. KWIM?

brandanaleighana · 07-22-2008, 05:45 PM

Ally,
I don't use a particular curriculum. We sort of do unit studies. I'll pick a topic/theme and then we will work that into every subject. I think it's very important to keep pre-k and k fun. I, personally, wouldn't use many worksheets or sit down type work for that age. We really didn't do much sit-down work in first grade either. I would do as many hands-on activities as possible. When Abigail was in K, we would pick our theme and then get every book we could get our hands on. We would read lots, act out lots, draw and paint, sing, read poetry, etc. It was really more like structured play. But, that is what I wanted their early education to be like. We do some sit-down work but it isn't our main focus. You may want something more structured than that.
It's also a good idea to know how he learns and work with that. Abigail is a visual and hands on learner, like me. She is easy for me to teach and work with. Elijah is a kinetic learner. He would rather say the alphabet while standing on his head. That drives me crazy so we have to constantly find a balance. But, I work my lesson plans and ideas to suit both of their needs.
That probably doesn't help or answer your question but that's how we do school. We use the library to the max for our reading material. I have yet to buy curriculum and with all the resources out there and my love of making lesson plans, I'm not sure I ever will.