What homeschooling curriculum do you use. What is your "schedule". I'm very apprehensive. I have 3 kids.

Question

I have a child going into 2nd that I'm considering using abeka, a child going into 8th which I'm considering using a combination of BobJones DVD and Abeka math and language and a kindergartender which I intend to just use Abeka. But I'm afraid that if I fail, it will really, really delay them and hurt them. What is your routine and what curriculum have you found to be the best. Keep in mind, I MUST work part-time for financialy reasons. I work 11-7, 3 nights a week. Help and suggestions please.

Answer 1

I think it's good that you're apprehensive: it means you'll put the extra effort in to make sure they do what they need to.

However, you don't need to worry that much. Even if they did NOTHING for the next year, they would not be so far behind that they couldn't reasonably catch up. Keep that in mind. I've read of kids aged 11 learning k-6 math in a few months. All because they wanted to. Everything takes so much more time in school, so much stress involved.

The biggest concern will be your sleep schedule: will you be able to sleep before your shifts? If so, then that'd give you a consistent morning school time, which could be from, say, 8-12, or 8:30-12. Your K won't even need that much time, and your 2nd grader might not even use all that up with academics--some non-academic subjects can fill up the rest of that time. 3.5-4 hours should be enough structured time for your 8th grader. Depending on how they do with that, you may or may not want to assign some additional silent reading in the afternoons.

The programs you are choosing are fine; I've never heard of them being behind others. Remember: A Beka was actually designed for private schools, so I doubt you can go wrong with it. And if you find during the year that you don't like the programs, you can pick something different for the year after.

Answer 2

This year we're using Abeka language for all three kids. We've also used Abeka math for the 2nd and 3rd graders. I've really enjoyed the math, but I just really like math. The language has been good for them too--especially my younger kids. My oldest used Teaching Textbooks for math which might be a good one for you to try with your 8th grader. It's taught directly to the student and was written for homeschoolers. The link is below.
We really don't have a set time schedule, but I print out a spread sheet every Monday showing their assignments for the week. They're responsible to get it done. Sometimes it takes them ALL day if they waste their time, but they can get it all done very quickly when they focus. They are able to do a lot independently. I tutor them as I need to. Sometimes they all need me at once, and they have to either wait their turn, or they go onto something else until I can get to them. (I have a 2 year-old as well.)We also do some subjects together. I try to spend at least 30 minutes per day reading to them and discussing what we're learning.
I think you'll be fine. Lots of homeschool moms work some outside the home. It's definitely doable because you can work around what you have to. There's SO much flexibility! You could even have light school days when you're too tired to do much, and make up for it on the weekend. You can workout something that works for your family and be very successful if homeschooling is what you really want to do.

Answer 3

Abeka , and Bob Jones are both good programs, however since your children are a bit apart in grade levels, this may become very time intensive for you, while holding down a part time job as well.

If there is one thing I have learned throughout the time we have home schooled; there is really no way you could delay them or run behind academically when compared with the public schools, unless you do absolutely nothing.

If you need to keep your job, there is another option; look into Christian Liberty Press, they do not run their programs according to the 9 month school year; they will give you a full year to complete it; giving your family a chance to set your own schedule, and take breaks when it suits your work schedule.
This way we can set up a routine that works for our family, and still have enough time to approach learning in a relaxed manner.

Christian Liberty Press is inexpensive compared to other home school programs, however their programs, curriculum's, and additional materials are great; I give them an A for content; we use them as our foundation curriculum.
http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/

You can use the program on your own, or enroll in the academy, this is will provide you with support, and they do all the paperwork.

Edit:
Cris O, and hsmomlovinit are right on the money, Abeka does have a lot of busy work, it is pricey, and may not work for everything.
It is used in many private school with great success, but home schools are not set up like conventional schools, that structure seldom works in the home.
We used Apologia for general, and physical science, I highly recommend it.
They had a lot of good points on scheduling, and curriculum choices as well.
Good luck.

Answer 4

I also homeschooled while working graveyard shifts. I found that if I gave my oldest, at the time 5th grade, his work the day before by the time I got a couple hours sleep he was almost done. Your 8th grader should be able to work very independantly. I'm not saying he/she won't need any help but they should be able to at least get most of it done with little guidance. Then what I did was by the time I slept a couple hours, usually around 10, my 2nd grader was just waking up and getting moving around and we could work on her schoolwork together. You need to find a schedule that works for you but allows you to get some rest also or you will be burnt out quickly on both homeschooling and work. I made my children's bedtimes later so they would sleep later and I didn't feel so badly about getting my much needed couple hours rest. Use the trial and error system until you get down what works for your family. Try it if it fails or just doesn't quite work then try something else. You will get it work for you.
also, Bob Jones and Abeka are both excellent programs to put your child in. I personally don't use a packaged curriculum but have known of parents who use both and they are great for the children.

Answer 5

I also work part time, while trying to educate my kids. I just spent the better part of two years, teaching, working, and taking care of life while my husband was in IRAQ. My advice is as follows.
1) Make a schedule. This will allow you the time to sleep that you will need and make sure that you spend appropriate amounts of time with each child. It will also keep your kids focused and in a routine that will keep your house running smoothly. HOWEVER - don't be afraid to break the monotony once in a while - if you look out and its pretty - hit the park for some PE or science.
2) The company you use for your cirriculum is not as important as making sure that your children meet the sate guidelines at the end of the year. Our state requires standardized testing, so I have to make sure that we learn at home what the kids learn at school. You can check this on most school board websites.
3) Allow the older child to the kindergartner while you help the middle child. This will not only free you up, but also teach the 8th grader valuable communication skills and patience, not to mention building a bond with the younger sibling. BUT don't forget to spend time with the older child too. The second grader will be most capable of helping the little one with the ABC's and 123's.
4) Most importantly - don't panic. You'll make it. I did two school years on my own and I didn't think we would ever make it through, but in the end, it all worked out. Build yourself a support circle, either through email, or a homeschool support group. I have some favs bookmarked, if you would like to email me I'll send them over.

Answer 6

I have abeka! I am the child using abeka though... but I use a dvd. They just tape a real class (including students and different teachers) and put it on a dvd. My mom and/or dad grade my work but the teachers just explain things. But it's alot more expensive and considering that you have 3 kids that may be a little expensive. Sorry, I know I'm not helping!

Answer 7

I agree - you would actually have to physically TRY to set them back. With the uncluttered environment that homeschooling offers, you'll find that your kids will most likely learn very quickly and will be excited to apply or show what they've learned.

With Abeka, definitely don't make them do everything in the book...it's made for a private school environment and although it's really good, it has sooo much busywork. If you can tell that your child "gets" it, feel free to move on. Honestly, they'll build on the concepts every year, so that workbook page isn't going to be the only exposure they ever get to whatever they're learning.

Feel free to add things like library books, trips to the park, "fun" activities like cooking or building things, etc. With your K, 30 minutes is all you really need to spend, it's more readiness than anything else. There are some really great lapbooks on www.handsofachild.com that you may want to check out - the 2nd grader could easily do it with your K, and your 8th grader could even teach it in the afternoons while you're at work. They're skill-based, easy to use, all-inclusive, inexpensive :-) and really fun. Just go to "products" and click on the categories you're interested in. (There are other lapbook companies around too, but this one has the products that are the most inclusive, require the least prep time, and are geared for a variety of ages.)

The main thing to remember is to be flexible. Make a schedule and work with your kids on keeping it, but if you or the kids need a mental health day, take it! Schools do this, employees do this, so can you :-) Let your kids have fun with it and don't "push" them too much this first year out of fear - they will live up to what they need to do.

My first year I pushed my son so hard he was in tears every time I brought out the workbooks, so I backed off. Now at age 9, he watches his Math U See DVDs for fun, reads books that are hundreds of pages long and loves them, and assigns himself writing assignments (he previously hated to write). We have 40-50 books checked out from the library and he's excited to learn from them.

Math U See and Apologia are incredible - MUS is the best thing I've seen for math, and it's taught on DVD by the author of the program. Apologia elementary books contain really great information and are written in a way that seems like the author is just telling the kids all about something that's important to her. My son loves them and they're the one set of books he won't let me sell when he's done with them :-) (the upper level is great too, and also comes on both MP3 and DVDRom for the kids to use.)

Hope that helps - you're doing the right thing!

Answer 8

Deciding to homeschool your children can be a very difficult task. Based on the information that you have given in your question, I would say that you could successfully homeschool your children and work part time as well in order to meet your financial obligations.


My husband and I decided to go with The Connections Academy in order to homeschool our children. This is not your average homeschool program, as it is actually considered "virtual public school". It is available in numerous States, but I am unsure as to what your State is, so, I am not sure that this option would be available to you.


The Connections Academy is free for students as it is a public school system. You will receive a computer (it could be either a desktop pc, or a laptop), a printer, school supplies, and the curriculum all for no cost at all. You will also receive three checks a year to help cover the costs that are associated with your internet connection.


Your responsibilities include following a curriculum that you can customize online, recording attendance online each day, and being available once every two weeks to receive a call from the base center in your State. This is basically a call to see how things are going and to get ideas from an educational specialist.


If you are interested in The Connections Academy, you can read an article on it that I wrote by visiting the following link:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/187101/introducing_florida_connections_academy.html

You can also visit the school directly by visiting the following website:

http://www.connectionsacademy.com/

*As far as finances are concerned, my husband and I simply write articles for cash. This allows us the opportunity to stay at home with the kids and spend as much time as possible together as a family. There are many places in which you can find freelance work online, without having to pay any costs whatsoever. However, you should have a Paypal account as most businesses prefer to pay you by that method.


-One place that you can write on topics that interest you and get paid for it is Associated Content. You can visit this website by going to:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/join.html?refer=29082

This can help you possibly earn as much as you do with your outside job in order to assist with your financial obligations while homeschooling your children. There are other websites out there where you can find freelance writing work to supplement your income as well. The one that I have had the most luck with is freelancewriting.com.


I do hope that the information that I have provided here will help you make an informed decision to homeschool your children. It is a very rewarding experience to do so. Both children and parents benefit from this type of education.


The Connections Academy is now enrolling new students. If you are qualified by State to sign up, I would at least give it a shot and see if it works for you!

Good Luck!

Answer 9

I don't, personally, like any packaged curriculm. I homeschool so that I can teach in a way that suits my child and a boxed set of something isn't going to get it.

The past two years were a bit rough on me and I was in school full time and working 30 hours a week. (and the fact that I was pregnant both of those years)

But pretty much we found what topics the kids were interested in, read books, did projects, and visited museums. We did a lot of talking and they did a lot of computer work.

What helped is that I had a night job so we could still attend our homeschool functions and play dates.

Anyway. Find something that you think will work for you. What advice we do have on here is only what works for us. :)

Answer 10

my mum uses Abeka, with DVD. she did try BobJones before, though not with DVDs, just the textbooks and only for the lower grades. she also ever tried Christian Liberty Press, only for the lower grades--it is cheaper than Abeka. curriculum-wise, we use Abeka :D

i suggest sticking to Abeka (other one source) for the last 4 grades. the lower grades you can play around and see how well the child learns/copes and decide from there. gd luck :D