Homeschoolers?

[Emmy]

I'm a homeschooler as well - just waving hi.

I am kind of a Well Trained Mind / literature approach / with a touch of Charlotte Mason kind of schooler. This is a really helpful link - types of schooling that I direct new schoolers to quite a lot.

My kids are 2nd, 1st, and preK-4 this fall.

[meganmecrazy]

Dawn (dawnmcd) is a homeschooling mommy!! I know I bombard her with questions at times in case that is what we do here!

[kscwgirl]

My SIL is going to be homeschooling my niece, but not for a few years yet. I'm bookmarking some of these sites for her, thanks.

[lizzyfizzy]

the core knowledge curriculum is what is taught at my kiddos school! it's an amazing set of curriculum...check into it.

here's the linky.

they are very supportive of homeschoolers!

[SaraAmarie]

I too before I was pregnant had decided to homeschool. But now that my oldest is about to turn 4 I am completely overwhelmed and have absolutely no idea where to even start... I'll be watching this thread!

[sillescrapper]

I homeschool- we are just starting our 4th year.

There are soo many types of curriculum out there- my favorite site for evaluating a curriculum is www.homeschoolreviews.com

I tend toward Charlotte Mason type schooling- a literature based approach. We us Sonlight which is a Christian curriculum. They have forums for choosing where you can ask questions, etc. I think they are awesome, they present other world views, not just Christianity. Others that I think are good include Abeka and Bob Jones. Alpha Omega has Lifepacs which is good, but too textbook-y for me.

In order to choose a curriculum, you need to consider- religious or secular, what learning approach suits you and your child (textbook or literature based), and cost to start with. See if you can hook up with a local homeschool network- most groups have open park day where you can go, let the kids play, and you get to talk to the moms. It took me from my oldest's birth of just researching until I had a really good feel for what I wanted. I'm not saying you can't figure it out and get going, you sure can, I just think it takes a bit of research to find what program is going to be the right fit. Even then, you might not know until you try.

Here is a choosing help site that I found.

Here is a general homeschool forum I used to frequent in my early homeschooling years. There is a good mix of new and experienced homeschoolers, who are all eager to give advice and feedback on different types of curriculum.

Good luck! We love homeschooling!

[ashliwolf]

one of my super good friends has a blog that has TONS of homeschooling info on it here is her link and she is SOO super sweet...i am SURE that if you asked her anything she would be MORE than happy to help..my kids go to a private catholic school which i teach preschool at..so i am particularly interested in anything that comes across this board as well..because there really isn't a "core" for the k3 program..i mean there is..but i love finding other ideas and methods basically..my k3 program that i teach is like a little homeschooling network

here is the addy

http://www.teaching2manydiligently.blogspot.com

hope this helps ya she is amazing...and has LOTS of pictures xoxo.ash

[Cherry Limade]

Originally Posted by sillescrapper

I tend toward Charlotte Mason type schooling- a literature based approach. We us Sonlight which is a Christian curriculum.

Hey! We use Sonlight too! In fact we have box day on Thursday for Core 3!!! We are sooooo excited!

[DogwoodMama]

Amy- which county in NC do you live in? I know about TONS of resources in Johnston County and Wake County, since I plan to homeschool and live in Wake County...

[DogwoodMama]

My kids are younger, so we haven't really started officially (in the state's eyes), but long term I plan to follow a Charlotte Mason style curriculum as well, probably the free AmblesideOnline curriculum, though I might go with Sonlight or Simply Charlotte Mason, TBD. Right now, I'm getting ready to start Five in a Row with my almost 5 yo.

I have a friend who LOVES Moving Beyond the Page, which is written by a local woman.

I also wanted to mention that there is a WONDERFUL store in Raleigh, called "The Homeschool Gathering Place." They sell curriculum there, but the staff is very knowledgeable, and can give you an overview of the different curriculum options you can buy from them. They also have a great used selection, so that's good for the budget.

[AmyM]

Originally Posted by DogwoodMama

Amy- which county in NC do you live in? I know about TONS of resources in Johnston County and Wake County, since I plan to homeschool and live in Wake County...

YAY!!!!!!!!!
We just moved to Warren County (shhhh don't tell anybody LOL) where I grew up. I know there is a big group where we used to live in Henderson but I don't know of any in this area.

My best friend has 3 boys, oldest is 3 and she lives close to Burlington and plans to homeschool.

I had no idea about that homeschool store. Me and hubby were just saying yesterday we need to head over to Lifeway (good excuse to go to sweet tomatoes too!) and check out their Abeka stuff.

I know a bit of Abeka and Saxon for Math. The rest I am clueless on. We have never been very structured around here so I don't know how a strict schedule would work. Charlotte Mason is looking good to me

Everybody- thank you so much for all your encouragement and advice. You still get people looking at you like you've turned into some strange animal when you mention homeschooling so that part is a little aggravating. It's good to come here and see other people are really doing this. I had no idea I'd find so much support here in the scrappin' community. This is awesome!