Home Schooling - Tampa, FL

Hi, there :) We have homeschooled for pre-k through 1st grade. Each county is a little different, but you could start with calling your school district and asking what their requirements are as to homeschooling. They can send you a packet and you can simply send in a letter of intent. Look over the packet to see what they want as far as reporting. Usually a letter of intent and then a review once a year. There are many people who do reviews. If you email me at ____@____.com, I can give you the name and number of the person we use. She is great and might be able to give you more insight as to how that works at the end of each year.

You can choose the curriculum you want. There are many ways to do that. You can choose one specific curriculum - google homeschool curriculums. If you are trying to go more for a customized curriculum for each child, you can pick parts of different curriculums. One great thing is you can choose based on each child's learning style. Some benefit from a more structured approach - curriculums like Abeka work for many, especially if you like a religious slant. They have a few options, one being where the child gets dvds and the teacher teaches them through that with your guidance. It's really a great program if it works for your child. On the other end of the spectrum, there is something called unschooling or you can even do something called Oak Meadows. Really, there are curriculums and information out there to suit whatever you want to accomplish and which "tone" or approach you feel is important for your children's education. Homeschoolreviews.com is helpful so you can see what different people say about their experiences with different programs. We started with a single curriculum to get us used to things, but then as I became more familiar with what worked with our daughter and her learning style, we changed it up. For example, this past year we have used Right Start math (lots of manipulatives, abacus, scale, etc.), we used Usborne internet linked books for history and science (lesson in book follwed with internet links so it's interactive). We also liked LIFE science. Reading A-Z is fantastic with it's leveled readers and supporting information. Click n Read Kids is good for a computer based fun reading/phonics program.

It is overwhelming when you are starting because there are so many choices. Remember, what you choose to start with is not locked in. If you choose something and a part of it is not working out, you can change. There are many, many choices in full curriculums and those choices increase if you want to mix and match to customize. Just keep samples and records so you will be prepared for the end of the year review.

You can find homeschool groups - start by going to yahoogroups. Also, many places like the zoo, MOSI, aquarium, rinks, etc. have homeschool programs or days. It can be such a social experience for the whole family. Maybe start doing some searches on different curriculums and programs offered - you can use some of the things I mentioned here (and I am sure others will mention). Maybe something will just click for you. Maybe you will realize a combination of things work. Sometimes it takes a year or so to get more in tune with what will really work. And that can always change.

Good luck!

Hi K.,

I'm a homeschooling mom and would love to help in anyway I can. Homeschooling in Florida is great.

1. Go to http://www.fpea.com/ . On the left side you'll see the "Guide To Homeschooling". I highly recommend reading that. It tells what you are required to do by law.

There's also the Homeschool Convention coming up in May. There's a link on the website that tells about it. I didn't go my first few years because I didn't think it would be that good. I went last year and now I want to go every year. It's really a good place to go get lots of ideas and you walk away so motivated.

2. Once you decide to homeschool you have to choose your curriculum. I recommend going to www.rainbowresource.com and getting their free catalog. That will give you an idea of what all is out there. I won't go into details on curriculum because that's a novel itself.

The cost varies on what curriculum you buy and if you buy it new or used. Rainbow Resource (site I gave you) is a cheap place to buy new. You can also find good deals on ebay. That's the main places I get mine.

3. Another thing to think about is meeting other homeschoolers. I think that is a must. I can't imagine homeschooling without the homeschool friends we've made. At the FPEA website, there's a tab for support groups across the top. You could also do a search on yahoo groups for homeschooling in Tampa. I love being in our group because we get together at parks, each other's houses, etc. We also go on field trips to different places in the area. It's as fun for me to talk to other moms as it is for the kids.

4. I joined a yahoo group that was a huge help to me in starting to homeschool. It's a statewide group so it's open to everybody. It's http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Florida-homeschool/ . You can meet other homeschoolers there and ask advice.

5. Also ask around if there's going to be any kind of homeschool fair in Tampa. I'm not sure if there is or not. Pinellas has one every year and it's really good.

You're making this decision as a great time because this gives you plenty of time to look into curriculum, check to see what's offered in your area, and get everything together before school starts.

I hope this helps some.

L.

You actually have several options. My kids did a virtual school for a couple of years. It is called Connections Academy. It is through the public school system but they do their work at home. This is for up to I think 8th grade. They have a teacher assigned to them and they get all their books and material(free) and they are also able to get a computer from the school. They use Calvert curriculum and it is pretty good. You just send in certain parts of their work every couple of months for the teacher to look at. For middle school and up there is Florida Virtual School and it is the same type thing except it is not through the public school system. I now do traditional homeschooling. I picked up books locally and through ebay. In Florida you have to have the kids tested once a year to make sure they are making progress. I just had my kids take the fcats(it is free that way). If you have a teacher do the evaluation you have to pay for it. If you want to ask more questions I will be glad to help. Just email me. There is also a couple of homeschool groups locally that you could get involved in.

K.

We homeschool and have for a long time. The 4 year old will be the biggest challenge, but a good program is the ACE pace program. For the others,www.themorningstaracademy.org will be perfect and the kids will be accountable to the teachers and not to you. It is a great program completely online. It is about $1500. but that is nothing compared to traditional private school tuition.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me further.

L.

Hi K.,
I don't have any advise about home school however, one of my co workers
had a son about the same age as your 9 yr. old. He HATED school. He
would do anything and everything to not walk out the door in the mornings. She drove him to school on her way to work. She was always late because he would try to jump out of the car, or lock the doors when she got out at school, etc. She was at her wits end. He did the same things with his father.
Then she met Robby Brown. Mr. Brown is a counselor and he works very well with children. After a few sessons with her son, he was/and still is a completely different child. He goes to school with no problem at all and infact, he loves school. Now it did take a few sessons, but
it was well worth it.

I suggest you call Mr. Brown and at least talk on the phone with him.
His number is: ###-###-####. His website is: www.Robbybrown.org
It is worth a try!

Good Luck,
T.

K.,

Call Harvest Time Christian School. They have in the past had a home school program, and I am sure they can give you some guidance. I know they had planned activities for homeschoolers and helped with getting the ciriculium.

I have a few friends who use Florida Virtual School and they love it. From what I understand they send some cirriculum and you make up some of it yourself. Like take a field trip and then have them write a paper on the subject matter.

K., I also have three children and have homeschooled them all at different times, currently the last two, ages 12 and 7. Just do a search for home education on google or one of the others. There are so many curriculum suppliers, strategies and approaches, and resources for legal help; plus there are co-ops in every town/area where groups of homeschoolers can get together and support each other, pool their resources, and help keep accountable.
Personally, my favorite curriculum is Sonlight Curriculum. I am a Christian woman, but this curriculum uses award-winning literature as the basis for Language Arts study and History/Geography studies.
There are How to Get Started in Homeschooling books available, too. Debra Bell is a good author in this area.
Well, don't want to overwhelm you but to encourage you to see that homeschooling is very viable. I've done it in the States and now in Africa.

Hi K....
I have been extremely interested in home schooling myself for a short while now. I found that majority of the families at my church do this. I have been picking their brains for months now. I would recommend contacting Hillsdale Baptist Church for info or Idlewild Baptist. I know both churches have a lot of home school involvement. I hope this helps. I wish I had a direct person to tell you to contact. Let me know if you need anymore information.
I almost forgot to mention....Bob Jones University out of Greenville, SC has a great curriculum for homeschooling. It is through Bob Jones Academy, that is the homeschool name of the school. I have heard nothing but amazing things with this program.

Hello: If you still interesting in home schooling, and live in Brandon area I can give you the phone of a school for homeschooling they go twicw amonth and the school prepare the curriculum for you is great I have teach there and the enviroment is excellent!!
Brandon Community Christian School ###-###-####
Call for information, Be Blessed and Good Luck!!!