I am considering homeschooling Justin. As in, really, REALLY considering it. And here is where my blogging friends can truly help me.
I need advice.
Real advice. Not on "he'll miss out socially" blah blah blah. Because I don't buy that. I am talking about legal advice, curriculum advice, organization advice. You name it. I need it. Also? Since Patrick is, you know, UNEMPLOYED, I'd really like the curriculum to be FREE or extremely cheap. What does the library carry? How do I go about making this switch?
I have 30,000 ideas swirling through my head because the main issue I am feeling here is that my son is NOT flourishing in public school. I truly believe that I can help him academically until he is socially ready to restart public school. He is an incredibly intelligent child without the ability to sit still or be 100% responsible for schoolwork. He needs the extra attention that one-on-one instruction can provide. I've been saying it since first grade. Only after these most recent issues (private) have I seen Patrick's resistance to the idea begin to sway.
So I need some good stuff, folks. Good links. Solid advice. A real direction on where do I first begin in all of this??
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21 comments:
I have an acquaintance that does it, in Ohio, and she uses a online charter school at home. They provide the curriculum, it's free, and she does the 'schooling'. You might want to check and see if there's opportunities like that in Illinois, I bet there are.
Good luck. I've thought about this off and on for my kids as well.
When my brother was in middle school, my mom tried EVERYTHING to get school to work. He was in three different public schools, two private schools, had several different tutors, you name it. He's a smart kid, but not cut out for traditional schooling. Definitely has some attention deficit issues. And for some kids sitting in a classroom with twenty five or thirty other kids just doesn't work. So she homeschooled him with the idea of getting him more prepared for transitioning back into "regular" school when he was ready.
She used Abecca (Abeca?) which I think has kind of a hefty price tag, but was a good cirriculum. I'd check out the internet and your library and see what resources are available in your area. I think you may be surprised at just how much is out there. You'll be able to find something for little or no cost to you I'm sure. Plus, there should be some grants available, which would be worth your while to check out. Free money always spends really nicely, doesn't it? ;)
Good luck getting this off the ground. I think it will be a very good experience for both of you.
PS - My brother, the kid who found himself in the principal's office three or four times a week and could never bring himself to turn in his homework even when it was done (still don't get that one) is now in college with a bunch of friends and 3.6 grade average.
Sometimes an "out of the box" approach is exactly what's needed. Looking forward to hearing how it goes!
I really have no advice, but wishing you the best of luck on this. I think it's a shame these days that they don't work with kids or give parents the resources they need. It's just easier for them to put them on meds. that haven't been proven. (the best I can tell) I even stated this to my son's doctor in hopes we could get counseling rather that drugs.....she shrugged and grinned. How sorry is that? You can have the best of insurance but the counseling is out of reach and the drugs are an easy fix for our children. So sad. Good luck in your search.
I don't know anything about homeschooling, but I can give you the link to my wonderful bloggy friend Kristen who does.
http://mightymorphinmama.blogspot.com/
My daughter is the type of child who will do well in any program, she is intelligent, easy-going, and a pleaser at heart. I worry a bit about what will happen when my boy hits Kindergarten, but we'll deal with that when we get there.
Good luck, and stick to your guns. You know what is best for your kids, and I think you'd do an amazing job homeschooling for as long as he needs it.
Do you know Amie?
Go to my blog and find Boy Story. She homeschools and has for a while. She can steer you in the right direction.
You know I waver about this one as well. Here in TX, I have found some co-ops, try googling your state and homeschool co-op and see what you can find.
When I was looking, I found Christian Liberty Press. It's not free, but its not as expensive as some of the others.
Email me if you need anything. I am praying for you. You are the momma, if this is your gut instinct, go with it. You can always reapply to school at a later date.
http://ourlittlecorner2.blogspot.com/2009/03/homeschooling-plug.html - some ideas - I really like this woman.
I have another friend who uses:
http://www.k12.com/ - there's a lot of help with that one.
Hi Tracey! Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA.org) will tell you all the homeschool laws and requirements for your state.
Next, I would look for a local or regional homeschool group in your area. Usually, there are several different ones (religious and secular).
As for curriculum, we use math-u-see for math. But most of our science and geography come from library books. We use a lot of stuff that was given to us by other homeschoolers too.
I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have.
Sorry Tracey, that last comment was Amie from Boy Story. I was logged in under my husband! Hope I didn't freak you out!
:) Thanks everyone. I am off to look up those links. Right now, I am emptying my "scrapbooking" desk that has been collecting dust and garbage for 2 years. It's right behind my computer and has great light and location for Justin. I am starting to get really fired up about this. Justin and I have been discussing what it would mean, and he is coming around to accepting it a bit more.
Someday I'll probably be asking this same question. Right now I don't have good info! I know you'll find what you need though. I know you will.
Wow. I don't have any advice but I'll be eagerly reading to find out what you decide to do and how it goes...
a lot of the bloggers I read home school as well.. I would say search for some home schooling blogs and read them also ask them questions and learn the difference in the types of homeshooling htere is, i.e. unschooling, free-range, and curriculum etc..
I don't know the Chicago laws and haven't looked into homeschooling yet, though I'm not opposed to it should the need arise. I know califmom has a blog about homeschooling and she might be able to help.
http://www.califmom.com/califmom/
I don't know anything about homeschooling but I wish you all the luck and success! Hope you get some great answers.
Have you ever considered a charter school in your area? Mine all went to charter school in our area thru grade 8. I elected against it for high school...anyhow, there's a lot of tailor made charters and usually the tuition is next to nothing. (we paid $250 a YEAR). The classes are usually smaller with more individual attn.
Anyhow, good luck!
I have a similar post this week. I am starting a home school class with my preschoolers for the next 26 weeks. Also, a friend of mine HS her kids. Her blog is http://www.thehagefamily.blogspot.com/, feel free to email her.
Huge hugs. I don't know anything about this, but I'll be here to support you through the ups and downs. You know what's best for him.
Oh - I will say that WA State has free seminars about the requirements for homeschooling in the state. You might call the school and ask? Unless you don't want them to know/the problem lies to close to the person who would answer the phone.
Also, Blissfully Domestic has a homeschooling channel?! No idea if it's a good resource.
Tracey ~
Most everyone who responded gave you the same advice that I was going to share, so I'm not going to repeat it. Living in a community with a HUGE homeschool pop (and you know I've considered it, too), I know that there are quite a few resources available to families who choose this route.
Although I know it's tempting to fear the stigma associated with homeschooling, there are just as many opportunities for homeschooled kids to interact socially with their peers and do all the normal "kid" stuff. I'm sure your public schools even integrate homeschoolers into their extracurricular activities (sports, family functions, theater, etc).
I wish you all the best, Tracey.
No advice, just encouragement! The best thing a home schooled child can have is a mom who truly wants the best for their child. You don't get that in any curriculum, any book. He's got that.
More power to you, there will be ups and downs, but you know that. You need a pep talk let us know!
I have several friends who home school ... one, at least, I'm betting is highly creative at finding cheaper solutions, although I don't know for sure ... I can put you in touch with her/them. Let me know if you're interested!
I left you a comment over at Chicago Moms but I just wanted to add that after a while you will find out what works for you, and it may not be an expensive curriculum.
We actually use free online resources, books from the public library and some of those cheap workbooks you can buy at the supermarket. Then we make it up as we go along. Expect it to take a few months and some frustrating moments before things fall more or less into place.
Homeschooling has really given us a lot of freedom and relieved the stress on our family. I am sure it will work out for you too.
Feel free to email me directly :-)
I'm way late on this... maybe someone has already mentioned this. I don't have time to read through the posts... sorry :S
As far as I understand it, the school gets a certain amount of money for each kid within the distrct. If you pull your kid out, your entitled to a part of that money to pay for educational supplies. Also, I think you can borrow books and such from the school.
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