[Michelespreemies]

Can anyone tell me any experiences with homeschooling? I am setting up with the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) to homeschool Dominick and Connor til 6 th grade.

This decision came fast because I am tired of school officials lying and all the crap that I have to watch my boys endure at that school. I will be going with the abecka curriculum.

When I have more time and energy i will explain in more detail. All I know is that i want to get away from the school system (elementary) and I am certain if I have the first problem with Carlee I will be doing the same. I found a great special needs program for homeschooling.

Can anyone add any advice or anything at all for me?

[twinzplus3]

I don't understand your question. What do you mean you're setting up with HSLDA to homeschool until 6th grade? And I think there's lots here that can give you information about homeschooling! What do you want to know? I would start by reading the homeschooling blogs but if you ask something more specific, Andrea and/or I are likely to be able to direct you to information specific to your needs (in our blogs.) There are lots and lots of people here who have info though. . .

[Michelespreemies]

What I mean by setting up is I am becoming a member and I only want to homeschool til my boys go into the 6th grade level basicly. Connor is just 1st grade and Dom is in 3rd grade.

My question is if anyone has any advice for me as I am brand new to this. Any tips to make the transition from public schools to schooling at home? Along that line......

[twinzplus3]

Thanks! From how I read your original post I thought you thought they were doing some homeschooling for you. . .so I thought maybe you were confused. I gotcha now though. (Hee-hee it was me who was confused!)

My advice is to read as much as you possibly can. I like the homeschooling manual. (It's a big book with an even bigger appendix with lots of helpful stuff.) Do you know the laws in your area? And are you pulling them out now or are you quitting at the end of the year and not sending them back next year? And do your boys have special needs (which is only relavent depending on your state and its laws.)

The first thing I encourage new parents to do who come to my group (especially ones that left school disgruntled) is to jot down some thoughts:

What do you think a good education is and what do you want your kids to get out of homeschooling? How do your kids learn best? How do you teach best? Not that you have to write an essay but more than you have some clear goals in mind. This way, when you're having a hard day you can look at your goals and refocus. I would also encourage you to think about making school and learning fun for your kids. Homeschooling does not need to look like it does at school. They can learn on the couch, in their pajamas, in the back yard, etc. I think getting into the routine of it is the hardest part in the beginning but I also think that regularly breaking from the routine is very healthy. In fact, I find my kids learn the most from going off on tangents.

In any case, HTH. Feel free to ask anything you want! I plan on organizing a homeschooling chat soon after I talk to Andrea. Perhaps that would be a great place to meet and get some ideas from lots of different people. Which reminds me, talk to as many people as you can about homeschooling. Do people in yoru church homeschool?

[burfield1mom]

Congratulations! While the transition mid year may seem overwhelming, you will be happier as every day passes. I do have one thing about the ABeka program that I want to bring to your attention. ABeka is big on cursive in the first 3 years so don't be to shocked. If I can remember correctly there may be both cursive and print in some of the materials. They have a very strong phonics & reading program. As many others on here will tell you, you do not have to use the same curriculum for all of your subjects be flexible and do your homework. In fact I would suggest that you look at several curriculum's before you put big $ into anything. You may be able to find a local homeschool supply house that could let you borrow different choices until you find what is right for your family. I know that several months ago I helped set up a few teenagers and the homeschool store near us was more than happy to help. Being so close to the end of the year, be flexible. I would also suggest that you find others that homeschool to network with over and above your association with the HSLDA. Best of Luck & Happy Homeschooling!

[ahermitt]

There is so much to discuss. Like Valore said, read, read, read. Start here: http://homeschooling.families.com/bl...og-at-a-glance there are few topics Valorie and I have not discussed. Also I urge you to make no permanent decisions about length of time that you will or will not homeschool, and just get into the process.
Start out making it fun. Do as much hands stuff on and field trips as humanly possible. Remember, if he was frustrated by school, he may need time to deschool.

[angelofmine98661]

I would suggest you also find a couple of homeschool groups in your area for support

[twinzplus3]

HSLDA has groups on their website in your state. Check out your groups well though. Someone who just joined our group told me a horror story about trying to find one in our area before she found us!

[Michelespreemies]

Thank You for al the advice!! I found 3 local Homeschhol groups and am now a member of all of them. Most people are members of all 3. I think I may go with the K12 cirriculum. Has anyone used this particular program? I know in my state officail cirriculums are not required, but I want to get one just to guide me. 1 of the groups here schedules classes with all the kids on some days, so I can join in any days I want just to get help. They also go on a bunch of field trips and outings just for the hey of it. Also they have monthly meetings for the parents just to get to know one another and talk about anything they need to.

I'm liking how smooth this transition is already going too. Today Connor went to school and informed that today was his last day and he would be homeschooled for now on. Of course we get a call f4om his teacher in disbelief, but she knew because she was crying. He is all ready to start this at home. Dom is more then ready.

Thanks again all of you!! I will read up on the pages you linked soon. Today i have a monster headache from a perfume monster at the store walking past me.....

[twinzplus3]

What made you switch to K12 from Abeka? I passed on K12 but was considering it and I did like it and have also heard good things about it. We use Sonlight and love it.