[Sly Fox]

Even though I never would've seen us doing this just a year ago, it appears Mrs. Sly & I have decided we are going to give homeschooling a try with our son for first grade. Yeah, I know the reaction from most of you. But we have string reasons why we want to give this a try for Sly Jr. on this trial basis.

All that said, I am curious if there are others on here with homeschooling experience beyond knowing people who have gone through it (let Big Russ speak for himself). If you are a parent teaching your kids or if you were the kid in the past I want to hear from you.

• What curriculum do you suggest?
  
  How do you manage your time?
  
  Has it been a positive experience?

I'll be honest and admit that I am doing this with a great deal of trepidation. But since we have made this decision I am trying to give it my full effort.

Thoughts?

[RubberMallet]

we too are homeschooling...i'm interested in this as well...

[Cider Jim]

I hear that there is an Uncle Ron who home schools his kids in Lynchburg: he is devoting half his basement to a studio and the other half to a home school environment. He lives in that new Walnut Hills subdivision above Camp Hydaway.

[Sly Fox]

My wife has been on the phone with his wife for over an hour this morning.

[RagingTireFire]

• What curriculum do you suggest?

ACE -- Acclerated Christian Education. The company used to be based out of the Dallas area but they had a bit of a corporate soap opera in the last decade and I don't know where they're headquartered now. Anyway, it's an individually-based self-teaching curriculum that requires the teacher to be less of an instructor and more of a helper. I grew up with it and, while it loses a lot of the hands-on experience you get in an established high school setting, it works very well for lower grade levels.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the reference, RTF.

A Beka now uses videos for teaching similar to LU's DLP. At my son's age I am trying to decide if individual study is productive for him with his short attention span.

[JDUB]

keep him heavily involved in church with other kids and rec sports so he doesn't end up like half the homeschoolers at LU

[Sly Fox]

There is a homeschool network of about 100 kids at our church alone. That's part of the reason it has become more feasible for our us.

[thepostman]

i have my own opinions i will keep to myself, but LU's online academy keeps sending me stuff so I can send the kid i don't have there...i am sure you have already looked into that though...

but yes...please keep them social, i beg of you!!!

[Cider Jim]

Sly, have you checked into LCA's Online Academy?

http://www.libertyonlineacademy.com/

[Sly Fox]

Yeah, we have explored it as well. But it appears to be aimed more at older kids than Sly Jr. In all likelihood we are going to use a mixed curriculum.

What are you using, Mallet?

[flamesbball84]

make sure to teach them how to act in public so they don't make a fool of themselves on national tv during the spelling bee.

[RubberMallet]

Yeah, we have explored it as well. But it appears to be aimed more at older kids than Sly Jr. In all likelihood we are going to use a mixed curriculum.

What are you using, Mallet?

my wife is doing pre-preschool stuff with our 3 yr old right now...i have no idea...

[Cider Jim]

BBQ 101 for Preschoolers?

[bozlady]

We used ABeka back in the early to mid-90's. It was great for our daughter who at the time was in 3rd grade and then used it again when she was in the 7th. It was very easy with her because she was very self motivated and a good learner. Our son, on the other hand was a bit more difficult as he was the exact opposite. We could leave her alone and she could get it all done on her own but with him, we literally had to be sitting next to him or in the same room, otherwise his pencil would become an airplane for the umpteenth time (I'm sure you boys don't know what I'm talking about ). All depending on how they learn and if you can capture their learning style and be patient with the slow ones, then I'm sure your homeschooling experience will be a success.

[phoenix]

• What curriculum do you suggest?

ACE -- Acclerated Christian Education. The company used to be based out of the Dallas area but they had a bit of a corporate soap opera in the last decade and I don't know where they're headquartered now. Anyway, it's an individually-based self-teaching curriculum that requires the teacher to be less of an instructor and more of a helper. I grew up with it and, while it loses a lot of the hands-on experience you get in an established high school setting, it works very well for lower grade levels.

ACE is now based out of Hendersonville TN. My sister works in HR there. I've been impressed with much of their curriculum, but for math (especially younger ages) I'd probably use A Bekka (and I shudder even as I recommend something with ties to PCC).

My wife and I have thought about doing it, but thankfully we've got a decent school (for now). We keep a close eye on them, though, and the homeschool option is always on the backburner.

[JDUB]

i have my own opinions i will keep to myself, but LU's online academy keeps sending me stuff so I can send the kid i don't have there...i am sure you have already looked into that though...

but yes...please keep them social, i beg of you!!!

they send me stuff too.. not sure what they are thinking. i'm a single college student that definitely doesn't have kids

[bozlady]

......they send me stuff too.. not sure what they are thinking. i'm a single college student that definitely doesn't have kids

My story is better:
I got an an email from the Lynchburg Superintendent stating that my child was "delinquent" from school and that we needed to get in touch with them immediately. I replied to them that:

1). One of my children was attending college and
2). The other one was in Kuwait
3.) My children never attended public school so how in the world did they get my name to contact me???

After the 2nd notice we finally got the problem resolved.

Anyway.......back to the Homeschooling subject........

[SumItUp]

Sly, I may actually get my wife to become a FlameFan with this post. We are advocates for parents homeschooling their children . While it is not for everyone, we have really enjoyed being a homeschool family. Today there are thousands of resources available to help you, but the most important resource is the local homeschool group. In the past, we have used different curriculum including Sonlight, Alpha-Omega, My Father's World, Saxon Phonics, Saxon math, Easy-Grammar, Handwriting without Tears, and others. Choosing your curriculum is a very important part of the process, but there is no curriculum that is best for every student in every situation. My wife really likes My Father's World for kindergarten and first grade. It is also important to understand the requirements, rules, and regulations for homeschooling in your state. Oklahoma is one of the states with the most freedoms for homeschoolers so we do not have limitations for our curriculum choice. I am going to send you a PM with my wife's contact information. Your wife can talk to her if she would like some additional input.

Here are a few websites where you can view curriculum:

Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com
My Father's World http://www.mfwbooks.com
Tapestry of Grace http://www.tapestryofgrace.com

I would also suggest to you or anyone that is or is considering homeschooling to attend a state homeschool conference. It is a great opportunity to listen to some good speakers, meet other homeschool families, learn about organizations that work with homeschoolers, talk with curriculum providers and get answers for a questions or concerns that you may have. Prior to my first conference, homeschooling was just a choice among educational options. After that weekend, it helped us to form a vision for our family.

[scuzdriver]

Sly, we used Christian Liberty for a long time. I think they are based out of Illinois. It was great for both my kids. My wife spends the summer planning out every school day for the kids on her master calender. To be organized is a must to do it right. I'm sure she'd be glad to talk to your wife about it if you'd like.

[southcarolinaflamefan]

Hello,
I've been reading posts on and off on this board after finding it (My mom went to Liberty in the early 80's). I wanted to post a reply to this since I've been homeschooled since preschool and about to finish HS.

Q 1 answer: I've used Math U See (highly recommend), Switched on Schoolhouse (Recently. It was ok, but with another sibling doing the same work, It was hard finding computer time) and other things I don't remember.

Q 2 answer: My mom did at that age!!!

Q 3 answer: My experience has been awesome in the fact of living in a strong Christian home and learning who God is through everything I've experienced (something I can't say I've seen in all of public school friends).
I have nothing against public school students, but I do feel that through learning at home, I've focused better at the task at hand then what I would have at public school (I'm very easily distracted).

I don't have lots of friends, but the ones I do are solid in Christ and I relish this. I'm open to non-Christian friends (I work with some), but I keep Christians beside me as much as possible.

You apparently have alot of homeschoolers in your church, be thankful! At my church we have 1 in youth group ( a church of 500 to 600 regular attenders)


My last comment would be this: Solid foundations ( a Christian home and friends) have encourged me to who I am today.

SCFlameFan

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the insights of someone who has gone through this as a student. It is funny that since we have decided that this appears to be what we are going to do, Mrs. Sly has been trying out some of the sample programs with my son and he is already showing significant improvement in his phonics. I admit I am very pleasantly surprised. Sly Jr. seems enthusiastic about the whole concept of homeschooling. We're hoping that continues for awhile.

[SumItUp]

SCFlameFan, thanks for sharing your experience.

[mrmacphisto]

A Beka now uses videos for teaching similar to LU's DLP.

Yep. They've been doing this since at least the early '90s, although the wardrobe of those on the videos I used for two years led me to believe that they were shot right after the invention of the VHS camcorder (see also: Back to the Future). Hopefully they've updated a bit since then.