Anyone Homeschooling?

My daughter is almost 5 so we will begin 3 day preschool home schooling this year and intend to home school at least until high school. I know it can be overwhelming but if you stick with it I believe you will be blessed. Good Luck.

My children have all learned at home, their ages are almost 11, 9, 6. 4 and 2. Let me know if you have any questions.

E.- I saw someone else uses the same material as we are. We signed up for K-12 Georgia Virtual Academy. It is actually public school at home. You still have a teacher and support (if you find out your child has special needs they provide the resources to help). If you are a taxpayer EVERYTHING is free. We wanted to do school at home but when we looked into the cost it was adding up fast (we have 4 kids). A friend told us about K-12 so I started researching, I was impressed. Now we are getting the boxes and I can't believe all the books, manipulatives and resources they send. Our closet is full and we start tomorrow. If you need encouragement that you can do it I read the book Homeschooling 101 The Essential handbook by Mark and Christine Fields. It covers every type and style of schooling and really helped me understand and focus on the goals and expectations I had for my family. I don't know your reason to want to do school at home. We are not anti-public education, but for us it was helping our children reach their individual potential. We had one kid who was bored and self-motivated to accelerate, and one kid who was getting left behind and his teachers said he just really needed one on one and they could not give it to him with 20 kids in the class. (Believe it or not he did not meet the criteria for special placement for extra help even though he was being retained). The K-12 cirr is PUBLIC school, so if you have religious issues to the content you could do what we do and teach it as theory. (We have added a Bible class but it does not count towards credit). I know this is a lot. This is my first year doing all of my kids so I am new too. I hope the best for you and have fun. D. Ray

We have homeschooled my 11 y/o ds from the beginning. I'd be happy to discuss any of it with you.

yes!! Homeschooling is huge here in the Columbia area. I am so glad you are making this choice...It is wonderful! I have been homeschooling my children for years, my son - thru 10th and my daughter is in 9th now...we will be homeschooling her all thru high school. I love this peer pressureless way to educate, teach and raise our children!!

Hi E.,
Our family is starting our 2nd year of homeschooling and we LOVE it! I have a 9yr,8yr,7yr,and one that will be 6 next week. I would love to connect with you. I live in Loganville

Hi E.! I'm not homeschooling traditionally, but the K12 curriculum, which is a great curriculum, has joined forces with a charter school here in Georgia to create the Georgia Virtual Academy. It is schooling at home, where you teach your child, however the books and materials from K12 are provided, as well as the lesson plans, and a computer/printer (if you qualify for free/reduced lunch in public school). This was a great option for me because my daughter was in Kindergarten last year (a year early b/c she just turned 5 in April) and they would tell me that she wasn't focused and she wouldn't sit still and blah blah blah. When I went up to the school to observe (which I'm blessed to have been home to do, because most parents are working and can't just pop up at the school), I saw the times that she was staring at the ceiling were times that she was done with her work before the teacher was even done explaining it. I couldn't believe that they complained to me and they didn't even realize that they were moving too slow for her. Long story short, that's when I realized I wanted to keep her home with me. I just didn't know where to start, and with me being a full time student myself finishing my Bachelor's, I didn't have the time to create my own "homeschool plan." That's when I found Georgia Virtual Academy. It just started last year and went really well. They are "technically" enrolled in a public charter school, so you do have to follow attendance guidelines and curriculum guidelines, and take the CRCT. But, you work it around your schedule and have room to supplement and everything. Not sure if this is for you (a lot of traditional homeschooling parents like the freedom of creating their own lessons and stuff and probably wouldn't like this). For me, it was perfect, because I didn't know what to do or where to start, and I didn't have the funds to pay for all of that curriculum. Anyway, I think they have a waiting list for this year, but if you're interested the website is www.k12.com/gva. The K12 curriculum is a well known homeschooling curriculum and it is GREAT! :-)

Yes, we've always homeschooled and love it. My oldest is 10.5yo.

I'm a homeschooler of an 11 yr. old. There are lots of people in the area who are homeschoolers.

E., I've been homeschooling since 1985 (not a typo) and have one more to go who's 10. I don't do "school at home," and just love it.

Homeschooling in Ga is so easy paperwork wise and if you haven't enrolled your child in school before, you don't have to fill out any paperwork until they turn 6. You may want to check out heir.org for some information on homeschooling or georgiahomeschool.com. You might find some other moms in your area who are homeschooling that way. Another good way to find them is to go to the library during typical school hours. Those moms there with kids just might be homeschoolers. :D

Blessings on this wonderful way of life.

D. S, mom to 5, granny to 1

Hello! I too, want to homeschool...We sent our 4 year old to Pre-K to "get the basics" under him and his very best friend was going too (they have been together for 3 1/2 years). I would definitely be interested in talking back and forth with you on the subject! I have TONS of resources, pre k books, worksheets, etc...just not sure where to start!
K. in Gainesville GA

Hi E.! We homeschool. Will be glad to chat with you about it if you want. Feel free to email me ____@____.com or call ###-###-####.

K.

Hey E.! We just signed on with an accountability group for my 5 yr. old . Don't know which state you are in but we are using School's Out Support http://www.schoolsoutsupport.com/mission.html

In my opinion, the 3rd option is best; most inexpensive, least invasive, more freedom! There is no testing, you do not have to have a set curriculum and all you need to do is be a supportive, attentive, nurturing parent!
This is an excellent site to help you with what skills each age/grade should be up to http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum/kindergarten

There are many support groups available; have you joined any either online or in your area?

C.
www.LostRiverNaturals.com
Organic, Homemade Goodness!

I home school but with my highschool student. It's great for her. It lets all of us work at our own pace and make our own schedule.

We homeschool in SC and love it! I have a 7 & 3 yr old. Good luck to you.

we are currently in our 5th year of homeschooling here and will continue for as long as it fits our needs!

I homeschool both my kids (now 5th adn 3rd grades). It is trying at times but it is so worth it in the long run. yahoo has some awesome groups for support. check your local yahoo group some actually do field trips and proms and all that jazz. I use teh abekka program because it is accredited adn If I ever have to send them to public school or when they go to college they will have accredidation to help them get in.
only things I can advice is be CONSISTANT. same time for this same time for taht. even on days when you have appointments. take schoolwork along its alwasy better to get it done on the go than try to make it up later. have lots of stickers adn paper cut outs for rewards for jobs well done that is helpful and alwasy praise teh good parts before poiting out the mistakes. (learned teh hard way on that one). don't let others discourage you. and figure a way for your child to get interaction with others weather it be church group or play dates or homeschool group locally. Kids need teh interaction for sure!

My husband and I have been in the process of looking at South Carolina laws on what we need to do to home school our boys. My son will be 5 yrs. this Oct. Glad to hear that someone else out there is also wanting to homeschool especially considering how the school's here rank in the nation. Good Luck! :)