Is there an afordable way to homeschool?

Question

I'm wanting to try homeschooling but we are short on cash and everything I've found seems so expensive

Answer 1

There are free online schools find out if your state has one..
my son is enrolled in an online school that is 100% free and its still considered a public school..they still have prom and graduation. What state are you from?

Answer 2

If you have a computer you can get the courses practically for free and most computer learning devices come with the computer and even the typing is learned by a disc. The school will set you up and it is so easy. Course, I am not the teacher.
A bunch of parents got together and one parent is the teacher.
You can set up a garage as a classroom and fill it with tables and desks and computers. The local High School will give them a free GED which is a recognized high school diploma.
Our children all the grades improved and it made drastic changes in their personality and skills. Public school is a joke.
It is good only as an unpaid baby sitter.
At the home school place the 6 girls in the class stay after the required hours and play on the computers. They have really learned computers. Sometimes to good. It is the only way to go.

Answer 3

Yes, use a literature based approach. Also, most libraries carry math and science books, social studies, etc. One mom I know exclusively and successfully uses the library.

We use the free curriculum guidelines and recommendations from http://amblesideonline.org I've modified it though for our secular home so we do not use the bible or read "A Pilgrims Progress" or church histories. Anyway, lesson plans go up through the 10th grade and most of the books, poetry, etc. can be read online for free or even printed off. You only need to add a grammar and math program.

Good luck and if you should choose Ambleside I highly recommend reading from the writing's of Charlotte Mason available for free on that site, in order to get the gist of A Charlotte Mason Approach to learning.

There is also unschooling which is another great method of homeschooling. Check out: http:learninginfreedom.com and/or http://sandradodd.com/unschooling

We incorporate much of the unschooling philosophies into our day but my husband wants a more structured approach and I respect his desires and so that is why we choose the Charlotte Mason Method. We're finished within 3 - 31/2 hours.

Answer 4

I've seen people homeschool for virtually nothing by using the library and internet. See if your library has any books about homeschooling on a budget - I know I've seen several out there.

You could also look into used homeschool materials - there is a HUGE market for them (just look at eBay). With the cost of this stuff, you need to resell in order to buy the next year's stuff! You should also look on VegSource, CraigsList (if there's one where you are), Amazon, and Yahoo! Groups (there are several set-up specifically to buy/sell used homeschool materials - search for used homeschool). There are also some websites for buying and selling used homeschool materials (HSLDA has recently set one up for members and non-members alike).

Best wishes!

Answer 5

The basics of education are simple and can be learned without any huge expense.

The most inexpensive tools are those you already have --- the 5 senses.

Reading, Math and Writing are the building blocks for ALL other subjects.

Reading is mastered by first learning the shape and sound of letters --- all this takes is eyes and ears --- and a few good books.
My children learned their first words by looking at road signs, store windows, baby books. To advance reading ability we have used the McGuffey Readers which are fairly inexpensive and readily available in used book stores. We also use the First Reader by Phyllis Schlafly -- it is not very expensive. Hands on learning is good when you mix writing practice with reading. A box of sand for drawing letters with fingers.... Yarn and a bit of glue for making letters on cardboard. You can use almost anything that you already have in your home.

Great reading books for all levels are easy to borrow from the library and from friends and family.

It is good to have a dictionary on hand to learn vocabulary --- word meanings, usage, etc.

Also, use a good set of older encyclopedias --- many people give these away for free at yard-sales or sell them for very little expense.

Math textbooks are rather easy to get --- we use Saxon Math for every level from 4th grade and up. Previous to Saxon 54 we use ONLY flashcards and math tables. It is important to have the facts memorized and understood before progressing into the text book. I have purchased Saxon texts at yard sales for as little as $1 each. Some of our Saxon advanced books have cost us $54+ for each level.

Writing can be done for the price of a spiral notebook and a pencil. Daily practice in penmanship and essays is a great way to increase writing ability and performance. The encyclopedia and other reference material is a great source for finding topics.

We have used the Robinson Curriculum for 8+ years --- you can read about it at www.robinsoncurriculum.com

Knowledge does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Learning how to be studious is completely free. The results are priceless.

Barb

Answer 6

you have some solid advice here and I can't add much except to emphasize the importance of getting involved in a support group or a co-op. I belong to both and there is always someone (close to 150 families combined) wanting to sell their books. In our area, you don't exactly get the best price selling your books at the homeschool book stores anymore, so most people like to sell to others directly, especially people they know. I bought my daughters biology curriculum, complete, with everything I needed (book wise) for twenty dollars. This included text, lab manual, teachers guide, test book, quiz book, test answer key and quiz answer key. what a deal. i will do the same, pass it on to someone else for probably less than that.
Good luck!

Answer 7

First, if you want to go economical, stay away from the boxed curriculum sets. Call your school board to see if they have a book depository or "obsolete books warehouse". You can get books free there. Order age appropriate workbooks from Amazon.com or e-bay. www.frankschaffer.com is usually pretty reasonable.

I have been homeschooling my kids for over 3 years and I have spent less than $300 in ALL that time. And that includes the zoo membership that we buy yearly.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Get yourself to the library and check out the book Homeschooling on a Shoestring.

Homeschooling does not have to be expensive!

Answer 9

Sam's Club has so many books cheap for Hs. Depending on your child's age, you don't need a curriculum, you can make up your own. Their is a wealth of information on the web. Some that I use are abcteach.com, the learning page, a to z stuff, plus alot of teachers post lesson plans on line. We have HS for next to nothing. The library has some great resources also. Good luck. It is worth it at any cost. I would not change it for the world.

Answer 10

One of the great things about homeschooling is that its totally free. You have your local library and because homeschooling is becoming so popular they should have a homeschooling section. They will have books to help you teach your children and what they should be learning at what age level. You should get a library card for yourself and each of your children. You can check out books, videos, & books on tape. You can check out your local paper for homeschooling groups where parents can get together and loan each other curriculum and give each other support and ideas. It also gives your kids a chance to meet other homeschooled kids. Also check your local paper for community happenings that are educational and free...tours through the local park, tours through historical homes where your children learn the history of your neighborhood, local artists shows. Check out your museums and zoos they usually have discounts for homeschoolers and may even have certain dates where you can take the kids for free. Check out homeschooling on the internet you will find tons of free worksheets, ideas, and a community of homeschoolers more than willing to help you over the humps.

Call your local school district and ask them if they know of any charter schools or classes that are free. A lot of charter schools are online based and your tax dollars pay for them, it would be very cheap or free for you. They would enroll your child in a sattilite school, online school, or mail order school and also provide teacher assistance should you need it. They pay for all tests taken, and even give IEP's if your child requires special education. They do everything a public school does except your kids are studying at home.
Also depending on what state you live in, your local school district may even let you enroll your child in certain classes like art, music, math, english, science...esp science since you need to have some use of a microscope ( I found a microscope for very cheap at a garage sale held by an ex homeschooler...her kids were grown and she was getting rid of everything, I also found another one at a garage sale held by an retired science teacher) and other equipment. Just do a lot of research, you'll find it cheaper and easier than you thought.

And remember this please, it takes a whole community to raise a child..use that community to guide you and help you. You can do it alone but, why should you have to? Don't be afraid to ask for it....your not afraid to call the doctor when you feel you need help when your child is sick do you?
Don't hesitate to call for help when you feel your stuck in your childs education. Find mentors for your children, look around you and figure out who you know and what they know. Ask them if they are willing to help you. Most people would love the opportunity to talk about and share their knowledge. Homeschoolers rely on each other for knowledge, ideas, and sometimes just to be there when you think your in over your head and that time will come, more than once...but, don't get discouraged. Good luck and enjoy your kids.