hey!

I don't know how many homeschoolers we have here, but I would love to chat with you! 

What type of curriculum do you use?  I am using ABeka right now, but I will be switching to LifePacs soon.

I have seen Rod and Staff and those are good (even if a little basic).

What do you use?  Why?

  tell me whay you are using!

 

I know lots of homeschoolers pay for "extras," but it probably depends on the area as to how much to charge.

I think you would have a good market for it, though.  I know the homeschoolers in my groups love to find different things to do with the kids for their education.    The fact that you have culture/history/etc. along with the dance is a huge plus, too.

I think it sounds awesome! 

Maybe you could join some online homeschooling groups and ask for feedback.

sorry it's been so long since I was homeschooled I don't remember all the companies. But I do recognize Abeka - but not Calvert. Is Calvert a newer curriculum? Are they still using Saxon Math or is it passe now? Wondering how much things have changed....

Did you do a preschool curriculum, or did you just let them play until kindergarten? Because my daughter would be in pre-k now, but we're lazy and she's not interested in sitting down to lessons. She has absolutely zero attention span at this point. I keep thinking she needs to be a little bit older...

Prdiva4, each state has its own laws and regulations for homeschooling.  For example, in my state, education must take place 180 days out of a year, 5 days per week, 3 hours per day. AND, those 3 hours must fall between 8am and 4pm.  Plus you either have to have a teacher's certification or belong to an "umbrella" school.

I did seriously consider this, but we've opted to go to our Catholic School and that has been working out well for  us.

Huh, that makes me realize I am uninformed as to my states laws.  I suppose I've never had to look into it since we have so many options here - I can think of 4 different homeschool programs off the top of my head.  They are all funded under the same legislation, so the basic rules apply to all.  Each is connected to a public school district, and they reimburse a certain $$ amount free in various categories of educational instruction (lessons, curriculum, etc.).  It was very easy.  I just signed up and I was told my son had a $1,600 allowance for me to homeschool him for Kindergarten.  It was divided up into subjects (so that some parents won't spend it ALL on one subject and neglect the rest).  This is where I found out about Calvert - google it - it's a neat curriculum.  Just a wee bit behind for my taste, but on the other hand, it certainly doesn't leave anything out.  They also will pay for a new Dell laptop if you remain enrolled in their program for 2 consecutive years, plus they give a $30/month internet connection reimbursement.  There is minimal paperwork involved.  I'd say the hardest parts were first choosing what on earth I was going to use for curriculum (there's so much to pick from! It's like being in the cereal aisle!), and then the days that my son was "resistant". 
Pinkcaddy: I don't think most states will formally recognize a Pre-K program and put it on her record.  You can do stuff if you want, but to force it and make it a discipline issue can (some people theorize) make the kid hate school.  When my son got bored with sitting at his desk w/ papers, we made it interesting.  Don't be afraid to do your own thing and stray from the curriculum a little (or mix curriculums) per your child's needs.  Calvert may be very good for a child like that.  When we were using it, we made gingerbread ABC's, he wrote his letters/numbers in that bathtub-safe soap crayon on the tub walls in the bath, he practiced reading/writing in sidewalk chalk outside (we had to walk a short ways to the bike trail, but he appreciated the change of pace sometimes).  You can do all kinds of stuff like this with playdough/clay, fingerpaint, cooking/baking, etc.  For preschool you can also go to www.letteroftheweek.com for free reading curriculum that incorporates everyday life vs. too much seatwork.

prdiva4: My state does have similar requirements for how many hours/days/etc. are spent on each subject, and we followed them sometimes... loosely.  My son is now so far ahead (he's in school this year) that he could probably do fine in the 2nd grade class instead of 1st.  He has bonded w/ his friends and teacher though, and I also don't want him to be exposed to "older kid stuff" any earlier than he has to so, I tell him that when he goes to school and sees his friends, that's more like playtime.  Then when he comes home, I work w/ him (not a full workload, but enough to keep him chugging along instead of not learning anything new).  When he homeschooled (he started at age 3 in a homeschool co-op once a week), by Kindergarden, he loooooved math but never wanted to do any repetitive writing.  So, I let him do more than one lesson in math a day if he wanted.  He still got his writing done.  His swimming lessons counted as PE, although his daily exercise happened in our yard or at freinds' houses.  Another mom and I got together 3x a week to do science and history with our sons.  We would do neat science experiments with them or other types of hands-on lesson-related stuff, and then let them run around outside (or inside when it was too cold) and when they were all tuckered out, they'd get to sit down w/ hot cocoa and marshmallows and listen to a "story" which was really their history lesson.  I never attempted to do all subjects every day in Kindergarten.  Mine don't have the attention span for it.  We just had different focuses on different days, after language arts and math were done.  Sorry for being so long-winded here, can you tell I crave to talk w/ other adults??? *SAHM*

I would suggest picking up some books about homeschooling and also doing a Google search (your state + homeschool) for more info.  It is AMAZING how different the laws vary from state to state.

I don't mind.  I think alot of peeps already know I'm in Alaska.  Pretty good state for homeschoolers, if you ask me.  I had a friend that moved to Kansas City, MO for a couple years and there were no programs, no support, nothing.  She was just on her own.  The programs I'm talking about are different than just regular public school correspondence.

PC - that is really Cool!  I am not really a newby- just a haven't been around in a while and can't figure out how to log in as myself-be.  ( I was marchioness de timewieze on your blog).

I homeschool my older DS.  He learns History and Geography, and parts of his other core subjects using Switched on Schoolhouse.  This works well because I work very part time and he can come with me and do some work on the computer and then we can go over it at home.  We have known severaly people who have used this and their kids have tested above grade level, when re-entering public or private school.   I am supplementing his science with books and workbooks from Wonders of Creation.  I am hoping to go to the homeschool convention and get a good view of my options.  He takes a kids weightlifting class 2x/wk for his PE, and gets to do really neat electrical science projects at homeschool 4-H (last time they built their own compasses).
I don't homeschool my youngest yet.  He Loves,Loves, Loves pre-k!  He has some special needs (vision and hearing), so it is nice for him to get some extra testing done so we know how to best help him.  He is so different from my oldest that I am sure that we will have to use different approaches and possibly curriculum.