What is the best and preferably cheap Christian Homeschooling plan?

Question

I have had a horrible experince at public school, and me and mother think it would be best to remove me from the school. It would really help if I had some kinda help with finding a good, cheap (VERY LOW BUDGET) homeschooling system that goes along with our states guidelines:

Homeschoolers in Tennessee may choose one of three options. (1). Register with the Local Education Agency (LEA) as independent homeschoolers. Parents must have a high school diploma or a GED; if homeschooling a high school student, a baccalaureate degree or a waiver is required. The LEA does not provide curriculum, does not have the authority to inspect the home or approve the curriculum or schoolwork, and only requires some basic information. Attendance and instruction is required for 4 hours per day for 180 days. Testing is required in 5th, 7th, and 9th grades. Certain subjects are required in high school. 2. Register with a Church Related School (CRS). Under this option, parents report only high school students to the LEA, must have a high school diploma. A baccalaureate degree to teach high school is not required. There must be 180 days of teaching but curriculum, hours and testing are determined by the CRS. The child in this option is considered a homeschooler. 3. Register with a CRS as a "satellite" of their campus and the child can be educated at home by the parent. Parents do not need a baccalaureate degree to teach their high schooler. Curriculum, tests, and hours of instruction are determined by the CRS, but 180 days of instruction is required. The child in this option is considered "privately educated."

Answer 1

My favorite is the Robinson Curriculum ($195 one time and used for all grades) We have used it for 8+ years.
http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com

The self-teaching method can be tweaked and tailored to fit each student as an individual. And it can be customized to work within any state requirements.

There is a great RC yahoo group that offers tons of help to each other.

Answer 2

I home school my 6 & 8 year olds. I would look for homeschool groups in your community: A cover school, homeschool play group, a homeschool co-op, etc. Anyone in charge of a group of this nature should be eager to help you and answer your questions. Each state has different homeschool laws, so you really need advice from someone in your state. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) also can help you. My one suggestion when starting out is use 1 publisher for your childs books. A Beka, Bob Jones, Sonlight, etc. Just pick one and go with it. You can change a subject here or there as each year goes along. Don't try to find the one perfect publisher for every subject. You will drive yourself crazy. There are so many out there. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Answer 3

You might be better off finding a forum specifically for Tennessee homeschoolers. There are also so many details left out: What grade are you in? Does your mother have a degree? Have you contacted a CRS? Do they possibly provide any kind of curriculum? Especially the satellite option--they may even require you to use certain curriculum.

That said, A Beka is reasonably priced.

Answer 4

If you can get used ABeka curriculum (look through a local homeschool co-op or search the Web/EBay), you can obtain it at a reasonable price. It is the best Christian curriculum academically, has a wonderful support base, but it is very expensive new and can only be purchased new through its home, Pensacola Christian College, and through PCC's website.

If you want new curriculum and price is a major factor, then go with AlphaOmega. Academically, it is almost as good as ABeka. Scripturally, it is right on. You have 2 choices, and there is not a great deal of difference in price. LifePac is the "dead tree" edition (on paper), and Switched On Schoolhouse (SOS) is computer-based. For high school, especially if you cannot get into a co-op, I recommend SOS because the science experiments and upper level math instruction are demonstrated for you. This is a real plus if your parents are not strong in math and/or science backgrounds. Unlike ABeka, AO is sold through Christian homeschool suppliers as well as through their website. Another benefit of either AO curriculum is that it is largely self-taught. You read the lessons and do the activities at your own pace.

I have taught from both AO curricula and from ABeka. You can't go wrong with either. I wish you well.

Answer 5

One of the "cheapest" curriculums that I have found is Alpha Omega Publishing. Lifepac has consumable workbooks and costs about $250 a year. For 3rd grade and up AOP offers a CD ROM program that costs about $300 a year. You could try to find them on EBay used or new for less. AOP also offers an AO Academy that is accredited and you can receive a High School diploma upon completion, yet this costs about $1100 a year.

Answer 6

Alpha Omega has a lot of different types of curriculum to choose from. Homeschool is by no means cheap though. LifePac was the least expensive brand I found, but for my kindergartener the books still cost about a hundred dollars. Expect to pay more for additional courses.

Answer 7

I, too, have experience with AOP and ABeka, both are solid, although not cheap. But, they aren't the most expensive ones out there, either. (my daughter's algebra is about to warrant a second mortgage, lol!!!)
Also consider looking at Beautiful Feet, Veritas Press, Tapestry of Grace, Biblioplan. All are literature based and will allow you to check books out from the library instead of buying. you will have to supplement with your math and sciences.
I don't know if the laws in your state will allow it, but also check out the Charlotte Mason approach:
www.amblesideonline.org
another literature based direction.
I also would like to emphasize the importance of getting connected with a local homeschool support group. They will be invaluable to you in your journey.
good luck.

Answer 8

pray then just have them milk the cow and slop the hogs

Answer 9

oh boy, i can already see how you're going to grow up