The Big Fat Homeschool Resource Post

I’m a beginning my journey into homeschooling and the resources I’ve listed here are ones I’ve tried and liked. One of the purposes of my blog is to relate my experiences with you as I start homeschooling. I’ve got one successful year of preschooling at home under my belt and I’m pumped to see what else is in store.

The past year with Liam’s preschool we used A beka materials supplemented with clearanced workbooks I bought at a phenomenal second-hand homeschool bookstore here in St. Louis.

I plan to exclusively use Usborne books for anything related to science or social studies because their books are awesome – great for visual learners. They incorporate bright illustrations, colorful photos, and easy-to-read diagrams, charts, etc. in every book. I recently purchased a book on dinosaurs from a woman at our church who’s also an Usborne sales rep; Liam FREAKED OUT when he saw it. I had to tape his mouth shut to keep him from eating it.

I joined a homeschooling group on Yahoo which has been a huge help to me. The moms in the group range from beginning homeschoolers, like me, to vets who time their lessons to their laundry cycles.

I schedule my school days in blocks of time as opposed to a rigid, slot-like schedule because hi! I have two boys. I’m still preschooling Liam and plan to extend our school calendar to last almost year-round because:
a) We can finish before 11am on most days and
b) I like to coincide certain lessons with the seasons. For instance, I plan on teaching Liam about our country’s founding on this Fourth of July.

This is one of the best sites I’ve found that gives a state-by-state guide to homeschooling laws (it also answers nearly every homeschooling question ever asked). Each state’s requirements are different with New York reigning as one of the toughest states in which to homeschool because the local government really likes to micro-manage. This site has some good info too, though I disagree with their stance on HSLDA. In fact, I'd love to know what other homeschoolers think about HSLDA.

Speaking of ... please READ THIS if you’re planning to join HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association, btw). We’ve decided not to join because we know that we are acting legally and within our parameters as parents to educate our kids at home; plus, my doubts and questions outweigh any benefits I currently see by joining. HSDLA does not make any assurances and like the link says, is NOT a pre-paid legal team ready to dig you out if social services comes knocking. Make sure that you know your rights – i.e. you’re not legally obligated to open the door to, or answer the questions of a social worker who’s sans warrant if they come by to snoop around your homeschool. In my state I’m not legally obligated to notify my school district of my intent to homeschool – which I haven’t and won’t. I don’t feel that my children are the state’s business.

One of the best books that I’ve EVER read about homeschooling – a book which quelled my remaining doubts and answered questions – was Rhonda Barfield’s Real-Life Homeschooling. Barfield profiled 21 families from across the country. She spoke to all types of families, various incomes, all religions, races, etc. and they shared what a day in the life of their homeschool is really like. Through this book I was introduced to a plethora of homeschooling concepts, unschooling, various curriculums, schedules, activities; I saw how homeschooling worked for each family but more important was how I saw that anyone could do it – even the struggling single mom profiled, the family homeschooling in the Alaskan wilderness; the other mother teaching her kids on a military base on a remote, south Pacific island; the family homeschooling their ADD child, the mom teaching her nine kids, or another family who taught their mentally disabled son.

You’ll notice that I’ve added a lot of new material to the sidebars, including the books I’ve read which helped me tremendously in approaching, planning, and deciding upon homeschooling. I’ve only included things that I have used or am considering using (such as the “Curricula I’m Considering” category). Out of all the books I’ve read, the Dobson, Holt, and Barfield books are the ones that I’ve found most informative and useful. I’ll be adding to these lists further as I go along. These books also delve into all of the different activities you can cart your kids to - and believe me, there are A LOT (also check out various local homeschooling co-ops).

As always, let me know what floats your particular boat and feel free to give me any feedback on any curricula you’ve used. Hope that helps, Misha!

Comments

[misha]

OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH! Holy freakin cow -it's goin to take me all summer to wade (as in nice summer wading) through such a great pile, not to mention the books on the sidebar. So come next paycheck I will be Amazon-ing out the wazoo. Think that will alert social services? (Don't they have anything better to do??) I'm bookmarking this post. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Thank you, Dana.

[Anne-Marie]

Thanks for mentioning Usborne books and supporting your local Usborne rep. And I'm not just saying that because I sell them. They are terrific books and I urge everyone to contact your local consultant and check them out.

[Carrie]

A few question about homeschooling:

What happens when they want to learn physics, calculus, or chemistry?

(This is assuming that you are not a scientist or engineer.)

At what age will their level of education exceed yours?

[Tina Vinson]

You're definitely in for a ride! It's wonderful that you have your husband's full support. I did not have that. Nor did I have my mother-in-law's support (closest relative at the time). Being severely depressed at the time and dealing with an alcoholic husband did not help. My oldest boy, now 10, is ADHD with a severe anxiety disorder so homeschooling was right for him for a while. My middle son, now 9, actually taught himself to read. My youngest boy, now 8, was a non-reader until first grade. He's a real momma's boy (in a good way!). He needed to be in a more competitive environment (as if having two brothers and two much older sisters wasn't competitive enough!). But anyway, homeschooling was good for us while it lasted. They are now in public school because I had to get a job (one that pays monetarily) since I am now seperated from my husband. It was the best thing I ever did for all of us. He's been a better father and husband in the last 6 months than he has in the 11 years we've been married. Sometimes when it seems that God is bearing down on you, it's because He wants you to duck so He can knock some sense into the man hiding behind you. And, YES, your journey will be filled with joy and wonder and excitement and trepidation all at the same time. The only real advice I could give would be to be patient; take your time. Let your kids help determine what is best to teach them when and how. Some material will seem to work wonders and others will sit and gather dust. And some will just frustrate the crap out of all of you. When that happens just step back, take a breather and move on to the next thing. If you skip a day or two (or 20) who cares? Life itself is a learning experience. Let them learn to love learning by enjoying the process. And stressed kids do not learn. Neither do stressed mommies. Go camping, collect shells, watch clouds or stars. The world is full of wonderful things to learn about, most of which you'll never find in a book.

[Tina Vinson]

Oh, as far as the calculus and physics goes, there are plenty of programs for high schoolers. Try The Old School House Magazine and Creation Magazine. There is a plethora of incredible resources out there for the taking.

[Dana]

"A few question about homeschooling:
What happens when they want to learn physics, calculus, or chemistry? (This is assuming that you are not a scientist or engineer.)
At what age will their level of education exceed yours?"

Whatever age they are when they finish grad school. Chris, actually did major in engineering while in college, and he can help if we hit a rough patch with advanced mathematics or science. We could also always hire a tutor.