(by 10 people)
Are you struggling with making the all important decision of choosing your curriculum? Are you new to homeschooling and don't know where to begin? I undertand. There are thousands of curriculums, supplements, and programs out there.
Nine years ago, when my first son was born, we had pretty much decided we would homeschool. I found Practical Homeschooling Magazine in Barnes and Noble and was excited (and overwhelmed!) by all the choices. I spent the next five years ordering samples and reading everything I could....because I wanted to do it right. My kids education was so important to me, just like yours is to you.
What I've learned over the years is to relax a bit and to be more flexible. If something's not working well, don't be afraid of switching things around or of wasting money. Sometimes no matter how much a resource might seem like a good fit, you'll still feel like Cinderella's step sister. If possible order/print any sample material and try them out.
The important thing is to have fun, enjoy your kids, and learn much in the process.
May God richly bless your family and your homeschool.
Maureen Kellis :-)
Contact me!
What to Consider When Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum
- Your child's learning style
- Your teaching style
- Your budget
- Ages, stages, and number of children
- Your home enviroment
- Your opinion on the use of technology in your homeschool
- Whether or not sending your children to school may be in the future. If sending them to school is a possibility, you'll want to stick with the language arts and math curriculum that the school is using. This way there will be a seamless transition.
Great Homeschool Websites
- HomeschoolMailer.com
- My website for those wanting information on beginning a great homeschool experience. Join my free mebership/newsletter and get our FREE report.
- The Teaching Home
- Publisher of a homeschool magazine. Back issues available online.
- NATHHAN
- National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network. Homeschool site for parents of children with special needs.
- Practical Homeschooling
- These publishers offer a print magazine and just a ton of resources online. Great homeschooling forum as well.
- Homeschool Free Stuff
- Great site to get some neat freebies. We've gotten several educational cd-roms through their website/newsletter.
- Christian Book Distributors
- Great resource for discounted books. Over 18,000 books,educational games, and videos. Wishlist and gift registry, too.
- Cosmeo.com
- Excellent video resource for grades 2-12. Membership is just under $10/month. Run by Discovery Channel and is about half the price of Discovery's United Streaming. We use this daily.
- School Express-Free Worksheets
- There are two options on this site- free and paid membership. With the free option, there are over 9,000 free worksheets available. Paid membership is under $30, and includes more than 500 eworkbooks and themematic units.
- Tips for Homeschool Field Trips
- We often (weekly) take field trips and try to engage in as much hands on as possible. My lens on some quick trips for field trips.
Totally Awesome Learning Sites For Your Kids
- Learn to Read FREE -Online Videos!
- Here's my new favorite homeschool website. My K4 and K5 boys are using the program as a supplement and love it. They get their home school computer lessons like their big brothers (SOS-math).
- Time For Learning
- Video instruction in Math and Language Arts. From pre-school to sixth grade. I recommend it for pk-gr 2.
- United Streaming
- Offers video curriculum including teachers guides and worksheets. Many videos from The Discovery Channel. This is awesome! We've been using this as a supplement for 3 years. Especially important for visual learners. I love this website/service!
- PlayMusic.org
- This interactive site is published by the American Orchestra Symphony League. Includes the sounds of the orchestra and games that expose kids to classical music.
- How Stuff Works
- Award winning site. For older elementary and teens. Really interesting.
- Sanford Artedventures
- Excellent site for those that want to create art, study art, or teach art. I used many lessons from here when I taught art at my son's Christian school.
Let Me Know What You Think!
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mmkellis
Hi Ed. I will update that. At the time I made this lens and used your service, the math video components went through grade 2. Happy to say the math videos go through elementary. Two of my three sons who did Time4Learning Math last year loved it. The other guy wants textbooks. Go figure! Posted July 23, 2008 |
Hi, thanks for mentioning Time4Learning. But my curriculum now goes up to eighth grade. Plus, I am now offering http://www.Time4Writing.com, an equally awesome service.
Posted July 21, 2008
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pyngthyngs
Very informative lens Maureen. CLEPs are an effective way to confirm the depth and breadth of a homeschooler's curriculum to college admissions officers. Posted July 16, 2008 |
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Evelyn_Saenz
Congratulations on a great lens. Homeschooling is an option that not everyone may know about. Your lens is very informative. I'm sending you a virtual Irish Coffee on the house. I can hardly wait to read the rest of your lenses. Posted March 28, 2008 |
Great Homeschool Resources
The Way They Learn
Amazon Price: $10.39 (as of 07/25/2008)
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling (3rd Edition)
My very favorite book on homeschooling. Mrs. Bell is a former school teacher and offers great insight about discovering your child's learning style and how to fit that in with your natural teaching style. Mine is falling apart! Resource CD included.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
So You're Thinking About Homeschooling: Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It
Great book explaining all the many methods of home schooling. Each is told as a story/interview with a different homeschool family.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
Mark Kistler'S Draw Squad
Looking for a great drawing program for 3-8th graders? This is a fabulous program. Thirty weekly lessons, with plenty of practice for your budding artist. We've started this this year and are loving it.
Amazon Price: $12.24 (as of 07/25/2008)
