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Has anyone here homeschooled?
Twoapenny:
Lighter, here in the UK the two biggest myths about home ed are to do with stable routines and socialising. You can create your own routine. Because my son has health problems ours is very fluid and fits around what he can and can't do at the time, but for us that is 'stable', if you know what I mean? He doesn't sleep too well, so sometimes by 10 am we've done a couple of hours reading, made some biscuits and cakes, done a bit of paintng, couple of things on the computer, been out for a walk - you get the idea. A lot of people I know spend two hours a day on the whole getting ready and getting to school (and then home again) thing. Imagine how much you can get done in two hours of study - all in the time that some people take just getting to and from school.
You can do structured courses on-line if you feel more comfortable doing that, you can buy complete study packs, pick and choose bits from the syllabus or turn the whole lot on it's head and just do it as it comes. You can spend two months solid learning all about Greece or you can do a bit of lots of things every day. There's so much choice and I bet your girls will love to be given some responsibility when it comes to figuring out what to do and how to do it.
With regards to socialising - my son currently goes to after school club three days a week and holiday club for full days through each holiday, apart from Christmas. He goes to football training, gymnastics, karate and disability sports on a weekly basis, attends a local craft group once a month and I'm currently looking into art classes, sailing, horse riding and golf. That's on top of the usual play dates, trips to the park, meeting up with friends and playing outside with the neighbours. And this is an autistic boy who, four years ago couldn't look at anyone and couldn't say his own name.
It's not the same for everyone, obviously, and it depends what sort of place you live and how many things you are near to but honestly, it's opened up a whole new world for him (and me too). There are probably home ed groups in your area as well so you can get together with other families, although I guess that depends how rural you are? Also bear in mind how small the internet has made the world - your girls can contact other home ed children on-line, a lot of groups do pen-friends and that sort of thing. There's masses out there once you get looking at it - probably too much, to be honest! It can be a bit over whelming at the start, like anything I suppose?
Twoapenny:
I just remembered something which I took as a sign when it happened! I was thinking about doing it, thought I probably would but hadn't quite decided. We went into our local charity shop (yes, me in the charity shop again), and there was obviously another home ed family in the area because a huge box had come in that morning, full of all the resources and books we would need to get going with it all. They'd literally dropped it off about twenty minutes earlier. I bought the whole lot of ten pounds and literally didn't need to buy anything else for the first two years. I took that as a good omen! :)
lighter:
Well, Tupp.....
I was just looking over the necessary (used) choices I'd need to make for curriculum.
The idea of joining in computer courses sounds very good too.
I like the fact that you have your routine, based on your son's best interest, and not on a school's schedule for the masses.
Lighter
cgm1028:
I never thought that kids became socialized sitting in a classroom. That comes from interaction during recess, after-school clubs, playing team sports and there are plenty of those types of activities available to a home-schooled child.
I think the bottom line is as parents we know our kids, if you feel the best thing to do is to home-school, then there's your answer.
Good luck :D
lighter:
::scribbling down names of books::
I have 3 weeks to decide if I'll homeschool, or not. At least, I have 3 weeks till the school tuition downpayment is no longer refundable.
I'm going to read read read those books, and really assess my options.
The girls are rising 3rd and 5th graders, CB, and both play instruments.
We love books on tape, leggos and electric circuit sets.... yard work. Planting things. Much fun.
Both children are social creatures, engaged in karate 4X a week (love love love), and we have BIG library trips on a regular basis, all reading happily at this point.
Church and choir have always been enjoyable outside activities for the girls..... the basketball, soccer and softball..... not so much.
I like what you, CB and Tupp, have to say about your homeschooling experiences.
What math program are you using Tupp?
Lighter
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