I want to homeschool my children but I don't know where to go or what to do. A lot of other mothers in my neighborhood use the A Beka Academy and I like it to BUT it is SO expensive! I want something Christian based and easy to use as a teacher and a student but I'm wondering is there something out there like A Beka but cheaper? Can anyone give me some insight? I will appreciate ANY and ALL opinions and info. Thank you so much for your help!!
Congratulations on wanting to homeschool your children. That alone is a great first step.
Don't feel compelled to use any canned curricula. With a library card and a good imagination you'll have all the tools you need. We didn't use any curricula or joined any support groups. We were very independent and my children were more self-learners than anything. They are now 18 and 22 years old.
Have you read Linda Dobson's book 'The Homeschooling Book of Answers'? This is a great book for newbies but some think it focuses too much on 'unschooling'. Always remember, there is a difference between education and schooling.
There is no need to do what others do in their homeschooling. Satisfy what is required by your state regulations then do whatever you want to do to educate your children.
Also, remember, you are the mom and you know what is best. Never let anyone tell you otherwise!
First, you are making a great choice. Second, I have been teaching my children for 10 years. I am still teaching my three younger children. My 17 year-old graduated and got her cosmetology license at 16. So it works. You need to make certain your homeschool is fully legal. Check the HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) . They have information for each state including state homeschool groups. Then start searching the web. "Where In the Web" is helpful. I started with ABeka because I was uncertain about my abilities. Now I use something different for each subject, and no fully prepackaged stuff at all. For example, I use... Math - Singapore & Saxon with additional stuff I made on my own. Reading - We have an extensive library of Newberry Award books & classics. The kids have a time for reading out loud in addition to their personal reading. Grammar - Winston Grammar. Spelling & Vocabulary - They keep "dictionaries" for each subject in which they list words they have had trouble with. I make lists each week for crosswords, wordsearches, alphabetizing, and tests. Science - We use Apologia plus our own nature study. History - Greenleaf Press as a guide. P.E. - We have a weekly class through our homeschool support group (about 35 kids). Music - Another class through our support group (about 10 kids). Some of these things are overtly Christian and some are neutral. Our support group is Christian. Kathryn Stout also has a series called Design-A-Study that gives a good overview of what to teach when if you are afraid of "gaps". Homeschooling is wonderful! But, there will be times that are hard, where things aren't working, the kid(s) won't learn, etc. Don't worry! Take a deep breath and a good look. Feel free to change or go backwards and start over. Don't give up!!
Hi and I am homeschooling my three boys and use the lifepacs from alpha omega, there is a great resource at christian book distributors and you can find many of the major curriculum companies there.
christianbook.com
good luck
Mary - who is working from home in NJ today and glad to have time to stop by the NH
Hi, I'm Teresa, and I'm new here. I homeschooled my son, who is now in college. I started homeschooling him after his first year in public school. I was like you, and wasn't sure how to begin. I started out with a complete 2nd grade A Beka curriculum. Like you said, it was expensive, and we didn't really get through a lot of it. We tried desperately to use it ALL and not waste our money. The next year, we got A Beka full curriculum again, but abandoned it early on, and started using different things, and never went back to A Beka. You need to educate your children in the way that works best for YOU and YOUR CHILDREN. Unfortunately, you may have to try a few things to know what that is. A Beka is a great way to start when you aren't sure what to do at first. But if you search on ebay and other places, you can probably find used (but current) curriculum that will do just fine. You can order work books from A Beka seperately. I have some homeschooling friends who loved A Beka all the way through, but it was a bit stifling for my son and me. We switched to Saxon math pretty early on, which worked better for my son. We used a very eclectic group of books and educational items, including, as someone mentioned, our library card, which was very useful. Best of luck. You will do fine. Trust yourself to know your children. I was concerned that I wasn't doing well with my son's education, until he decided to go back to public school for 9th-12th grades. He was put in all AP (advanced placement-college level) classes, and stayed on the honor roll. I think he was able to enjoy public school because he didn't have to be there. He was there by his own choice, and could come back home any time he chose. Now he's on the dean's list, just finishing up his first year in college. Now he's a strong proponent for homeschooling. I worried that he'd resent me for the things he missed in public school. But he is now encouraging my sister to homeschool her 2 year old. ~Teresa RainDanceAuctions
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