Homeschool moms?

[cmarie423]

Hey everyone,
I'm planning on homeschooling my children and I already have a few workbooks I have around for when my son is ready. He's working on a really cool coloring workbook right now and he loves it. I don't think I'm too early with it because I'm not pushing it and he enjoys learning but my questions are. Do you like using a curriculum more? And if so what do you use? And if not what kind of books do you like to use? Also, when do you think is too early to start? I feel like my son is old enough at 1 year and 9 months just because I don't feel like I'm forcing preschool on him and it's something I can do with him that he enjoys.

Thanks :]

 

[lynnbeau]

I like using a variety of things for my kids ages 11, 8 & 5. It depends upon the personality/learning style of the child. I started my oldest when she was younger - she likes 'bookwork'. My youngest daughter is different. She is in kindergarten and I didn't start anything formal with her before this year. She likes to learn on her own and without so much structure. She enjoys making her own books for other people. She is so creative. You can use games for your son. Simple games are fun. But if he is enjoying the book work, continue on.

I like using Christian based curriculum - Jesus focused - Bible centered. If education is based upon the word of God, then you can't go wrong.

 

[cmarie423]

Thanks :] you made me feel better. I'm really excited I can homeschool my son.

 

[CelticRose]

Lots of ordinary things work well as learning tools: jig~saws[math pattening], card games [math again], music [math & Languages], shopping [reading, money, percentages, geography etc]. In fact you can use just about anything. I used a mix of things ~ especially when my child was younger. Many younger children like very hands on activities.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Thanks :] you made me feel better. I'm really excited I can homeschool my son.

Congrats on your decision.I'm thinking with budget cuts,most people will be doing 4 hours of home schooling if they want there child to succeed.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

I like using a variety of things for my kids ages 11, 8 & 5. It depends upon the personality/learning style of the child. I started my oldest when she was younger - she likes 'bookwork'. My youngest daughter is different. She is in kindergarten and I didn't start anything formal with her before this year. She likes to learn on her own and without so much structure. She enjoys making her own books for other people. She is so creative. You can use games for your son. Simple games are fun. But if he is enjoying the book work, continue on.

I like using Christian based curriculum - Jesus focused - Bible centered. If education is based upon the word of God, then you can't go wrong.

I seen book warm,sounds interesting.What age do kids start book warm?Do they use Christian based curriculum,or do u get that somewhere else?

 

[cyhertzler]

Hi cmarie! Congrats on your decision to homeschool.
If you choose to use a curriculum, I heard that "5 & Below" is good to use.

My kids started school early too....it was mostly hands-on, and lots of reading books to them. I didn't use curriculum until 1st grade, and I only bought a handwriting book (and printed out math worksheets online). In 2nd grade I bought Language Arts, Math & Science. Since we garden, we didn't do too much with the Science curriculum....but what we didn't finish in 2nd grade, we continued in 3rd grade.
Recently, I started looking into curriculum that goes from 3rd to 8th grades, because it's too expensive to shop every year. Plus, I have a much better idea of my boys' learning styles now that they're older (than I did when they were younger). One is logical, while the other is imaginative.

Have fun with it!
Carla

 

[lynnbeau]

I am in BC, Canada and we have been very blessed with our government supporting home educating families both financially and in advocacy (in some ways, anyway). I get curriculum from various home education stores.
For science, I really like using Apologia's Exploring creation series. I get the lab kit for each textbook as well as the notebooking journals.
For Social Studies, we use Mystery of history - it is used for all 3 kids. Then we learn about our country, Canada as well as other countries.
Math - my youngest (K) uses RightStart math - this has been good for her as it is a lot of hands on and verbal lessons rather than printing. My son has been using Singapore math, but I will be switching to Jump Math (a BC math program) next year. My oldest daughter has been using this math program this past year and a half and we are happy with it.
Language Arts - this has been a variety of things. My oldest has used Rod & Staff in the past. We've also used First Language Lessons before. They were good, but I found they consumed a lot of time. Before the code & Explode the Code have been great books for my 2 younger kids. Bob books are good investments. Come Sit By Me unit study programs are the Canadian equivalent to 5 in a Row - but I like Come Sit By Me better - this has been very good for my youngest child this year. Just Write & Jump In are great writing programs.
I just bought Doorposts curriculum - Polished Cornerstones (girls) and Plants Grow Up (boys). We have all been enjoying the program very much. It really focuses on children growing up to be godly men & women. Both programs may be used with all ages - the suggested activities are divided into 3 age groups. When you've gone through the program at one age group, it can be gone through again in the next age group level. The activities are challenging and thought provoking. Recently, my oldest daughter asked men in our church what characteristic they valued most in their wives. The responses blessed me so much as well as my daughter. I hope the men were blessed as they thought so positively about their wives! The books are a bit pricy - about $50, but a VERY good investment.
I've also liked using homeschoolshare.com - several lapbooks to print off and use. Lapbooks are fun.
Cathy Duffy's top 100 picks is a good resource to use to help choose curricula.