Can you help me learn more about materials for homeschooling?

Question

I'm working on a group project for a Management class in Library Science, and our task is to spend 5% of our hypothetical budget on materials and resources for homeschooling kids. However none of us know anything about homeschooling, besides that many people do it because they don't want their kids to learn about evolution, so we have no idea where to start.

Do you homeschool your kids? If you do, do you use your local library? What for? What do you wish your library had or could do for you? Do people homeschooling for religious reasons have different needs then those homeschooled for other reasons (lousey schools, etc).? We're open to any suggestions or any resources that could help us out.

Answer 1

You can find all sorts of homeschooling materials on ebay. Most home school curriculums are religiously slanted so I would have to say most people who teach their own children do so to integrate faith. I have thought about homeschooling my children as I think they should learn more about God but I figured I will do the faith training on my own at home and allow the math and science experts deal with the things I am not so great at.

Answer 2

My wife and I homeschool our children. There are many reasons people homeschool. Some of the reasons are religious, poor public schools, peer pressure, good socialization, security risk, financial, etc. We didn't start this because we don't want them to learn about evolution. Instead we are teaching them the truth about evolution, that it is a lie and how it permeates our society. We want to be the ones to teach them about sex. We want to be the ones to teach them about drugs. We want to be the ones that teach them about violence, politics, medicine and socialization. Homeschooled kids are typically better socialized than public or private school children. Homeschooled kids are typically better able to communicate with adults and other children regardless of their age. Homeschooled kids are typically kinder and more civil minded than non-homeschooled children. Homeschooled children typically have better lifelong relationships with their family. Some people say these are just my opinions but recent studys all indicate there is truth behind these observations. It takes a certain mindset to educate your own children. It's not easy and it's certainly not cheep. We don't get our tax money back that we pay for public schools. My wife quit her $35k per year job to stay home. It takes a sincere commitment. As far as budgeting for materials. I know of homeschool families that spend more than $200 per month per child. Most families take advantage of libraries and the internet for all the freebies we can find. There have been months that we've spent nothing on materials and months that seem to break us. 5% of a budget really doesn't tell me much. If that budget is $50k then 5% seems high. If that budget is $100 then you will need lots of luck. The more work the parents are willing to do the less money it will take to give your children a far better education than the government can offer. It really boils down to your commitment to your children or to yourself. The more you chase the desires of your heart the less time you will have for your kids. The more time you invest in your kids the more will be your rewards later in life. I have included two very good links for your viewing pleasure.

Answer 3

Check out the abeca curriculum. It is the best one out there that home schoolers use. Well for christian based homeschooling.
I was going to homeschool when we couldn't afford to spend $12,000 a year for our 3 children to go to a christian school anymore. But, I prayed about it and had to have faith that I was the one to teach my children right from wrong.
Now that being said, we have encountered some horrible things in public schools so far.
I am now thinking of a way to afford private again. But my problem is I will not send my children to catholic school which is very affordable. Bible believing christian schools are far more expensive and the cirriculum is far more advanced. My twin 9 year olds were reading at a high 2nd grade level and writing in cursive and very polite and mature when they came out of kindergarten from a christian school.
Now they are like every other child in public school. I shouldn't say that, they are advanced readers and are still very polite, but not how they were.
Public schools are like the dumbing down of america and also allow such activities to go on that is unacceptable. My one daughters teacher put on very innapproriate music in class the other day. Music not meant for childrens ears, rap.
My children go to a very good public school in the suburbs, and still they are subject to this nonsense.
That is why people choose to homeschool mainly.
We want our little ones to have the best.
I hope you put this informatio to work for you in your project.
Goodluck.