homeschooling advice????

Question

This will be my first year homeschooling. I have four kids..7,5,2,1. Is there any advice that anyone could give me?

actually i have gotten the alpha omega lifepacks, but looking at it i'm worried it might be too easy.

Answer 1

The Saxon math books were the best that I ever used. Doing 1/2 of a book ended up being the equivalent of 2 years in public schools. They are excellent in reinforcing what has already been learned so you don't forget it a day later!

The only way I was able to learn grammar was to teach it. If you have the older kids help the younger ones, they will end up learning and remembering far more since they have to apply their knowledge.

Reading the right books can teach them more than any multiple choice quiz they have to study for.

Do not let them get away with skipping parts of exercises that they do not want to do and you do not want to grade anyway!

Give the youngest ones learning activities at the same time so they feel like they are part of it and get into the habit of school time for when it is their turn. They will absorb more than you know of what they hear you teaching the older ones. My youngest brother can already read 2nd grade material and he is in kindergarten. But this is because he was allowed to actively participate in the learning activities.

Do not try to teach them when they are hungry or tired!!!

Perhaps most of all, do not underestimate your children. When they are being difficult or having a hard time grasping a concept, there is usually an underlying cause that has nothing to do with the subject matter.

Answer 2

There are lots of resources if you look for them. Go to the library and look for books on homeschooling. If your library is any good, there should be several and this will give you a good feel for the different schools of thought (classical, unschooling, Charlotte Mason).

There are also resource guides (like Cathy Duffy's) for curriculum choices.

Look for a homeschool group in your area (do a Google or Yahoo! search). They can give invaluable support and advice.

The best piece of advice I received when I was considering hs'ing was to teach history chronologically in 4 year cycles (this is a classical approach). Start with the ancients, then the dark ages, the middle ages/renaissance, and moderns. Then repeat every four years (the 7 and 5 year old can do this together so you don't have to plan different things for each - add the other two in wherever you are when they get there).

Focus on the fundamentals (English and math). If something needs to be dropped for a day, it should not be one of these. Have a plan, but hold it loosely (things will come up to ruin that plan).

Start small - just do math and some English, then slowly add stuff as they get used to this.

Feel free to email this 'veteran' of 3 1/2 years if you want any more advice.

Answer 3

I was homeschooled too and I have to say that it opened doors that regular schooling would not have. It was great for me to learn how I needed too and for my little sister as well. I know that my mom really relied on our homeschooling group when we were younger and is now a mentor in that same group. I'm graduating from college next year with my double major (and I am normal, don't let horror stories about how homeschooled kids end up scare you) and my little sister is graduating from highschool this week :) Good luck, but if you need any help I am sure that my mother would be happy to email you, just let me know :)

Answer 4

Use the community you live in to your advantage. Feildtrips to the Fire Dept, local Bakery,or grocery store bakery, any candy making stores etc, historical parks. The age span you have can all enjoy those sorts of things. Just call ahead explain you are a home school-er and you would like to set up a visit they all love having the kids come through and visit. Good luck and very good wishes for you doing such a wonderful thing;being an educator of kids!!!

Answer 5

If you are living the area of PA, you can do this cyber school, but get this it is free. To find more information go to http://www.wpccs.com/index.aspx
I think this would help! Also I was homeschool for my whole, to this time, I am still am. An I love being home schooled.

Answer 6

umm i am homeschooled so i would say try not to be really strict and make a schedule to keep organized and help them but know when to back off


Also try joining a homeschool group

Answer 7

I am your girl here! lol I was the oldest of a family of four......I am now 25 yrs old graduated college and am a "normal" person lol

Have patients and believe me it gets easier as you go.....the younger ones learn from the older ones......and PLEASE don't be to hard on the oldest.........

email me if you wanna chat about it or get some tips from my mom
I know her 1st question would be about your curriculum and if you have joined Home School Legal Defense.