Are you one of those creepy Homeschool types?

I love that video!

Although we home schooled for many years, we did not attain the status of bona fide home schoolers because we never had a conversion van.  Our kids have been in a Christian school for many years. 
 
Thinking about home schooling my kids this coming up year. What would be the best curriculum for the money?
 
LOL! Cute.

I used to be and have toyed with the thought of doing it again.

I made my own curriculum. Most materials were bought through Christian Liberty Press. They also have pre-made programs for those not comfortable with making their own.
I think the place I ordered science materials from was Home Science Tools.  They had pretty high quality stuff. It wasn't cheap, but it didn't break the bank either and was worth it. I bought them a decent microscope, books on different experiments, all kinds of stuff. That was probably the most expensive part.

We sort of...unschooled. Instead of always sitting down and doing traditional lessons, we LIVED. Shopping turned into lessons in math. Cooking and baking turned into lessons in chemistry and going for walks led to discussions on plants, creation, weather, etc.. Lots of hands-on stuff! It was fun for all of us. The one did like more traditional learning, so she spent more time actually sitting down with assignments. All of their personalities were different and they learned in different ways. It was really cool to get to know how their minds work and that's something I didn't realize about homeschooling. You get to know them on a level you never thought possible because a parent always thinks they already know all about their kid!

I miss my babies. *sigh* I'll be forever grateful for that time I got to spend with them during those homeschooling years though. It was beautiful to watch them grow in their knowledge and understanding of the world around them and get to see it from their viewpoint and own unique ways of viewing their surroundings.
 
Bro Blue said:
Thinking about home schooling my kids this coming up year. What would be the best curriculum for the money?
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Switched on Schoolhouse is a computer based program that is economical and does all the lessons and grading of lessons and tests.  You simply assign the calendar days and it automatically assigns the lessons.  Math is a little difficult on computer for some, however, and your child needs to work well alone and be a good reader.  I have used it some. You get 5 core subjects: bible, science, history, math, language arts all come in a set.  You can buy individual subjects, and they have electives like foreign languages and state history, health and p.e., etc.

Saxon math can be found on ebay for reasonable prices.  Abeka language arts and Rod and Staff are both rec'd by The Well Trained Mind as they use diagramming of sentences and are solid.  Apologia  science is good, imo. 
 
I don't have a home computer. Know of any good dvd courses?
 
Bro Blue said:
I don't have a home computer. Know of any good dvd courses?
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A Beka has one, and so does Bob Jones.  They aren't as automated a computer program, however.  You could buy you a 400 hundred buck computer and Switched on Schoolhouse and still come out cheaper than A Beka.  Plus, you can sell the Switched on schoolhouse on ebay after you are done and get most of your money back. 
 
Bro Blue said:
How much is the switched on schoolhouse curriculum?
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You can get a brand new 5 subject set for $377, a 4 subject set (minus bible) for $323.  This is from 2011.  You can buy older used sets on ebay cheaper.
 
If I had kids and had the time, and depending on the quality of the local schools, I might homeschool. But it's not for everyone. Some parents won't have the education, temperament or time to be good teachers. And some live near good schools and feel no need. But I don't think it's creepy... unless it's used by control freak parents to keep the kids cut off from the world... in which case it's not just creepy, it's sicko creepy.
 
We have homeschooled from the beginning of our kid's education. We continue to do so and it is great! We are traveling across the US in a RV and the education is superb. National Parks are awesome!
 
FSSL said:
We have homeschooled from the beginning of our kid's education. We continue to do so and it is great! We are traveling across the US in a RV and the education is superb. National Parks are awesome!
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You need to travel to the east to visit the National Shrine to Professional Football:

heinz_pregame.jpg



 
Izdaari said:
If I had kids and had the time, and depending on the quality of the local schools, I might homeschool. But it's not for everyone. Some parents won't have the education, temperament or time to be good teachers. And some live near good schools and feel no need. But I don't think it's creepy... unless it's used by control freak parents to keep the kids cut off from the world... in which case it's not just creepy, it's sicko creepy.
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Child care followed by public school works well for some kids.  Unless it's used by narcissistic and selfish parents( I know both parents have to work in a lot of families, but I kept my children during the day and worked 3rd shift- I couldn't bear to put them in child care) who don't have time to be their child's main care giver.  Or unless the child is bullied by students and his/her life is made miserable.  Or unless the child is taught the morals of a drunken sailor and ends up in substance abuse treatment.  Or unless the child is molested by one of his/her teachers.  Or unless the school undermines everything the parents have taught the child, especially that God didn't create them and they are no different than the animals. Otherwise it's just creepy.

Homeschoolers are, in my experience, for the most part, very well adjusted socially.  They learn to deal with adults instead of peers.  This is a great advantage as they will be dealing with adults the rest of their life after school.  My dad, God rest his soul, always told me he loved my sons so much because they would actually talk to him and engage him in conversation when they were young.  He got to know them before he died, and that was special.  I know my sons so much better because of keeping them out of daycare and homeschooling them.  I wasn't told about what they did during the day, I experienced it.  I agree it isn't for everyone, and there are bad homeschool families, just as there are bad families in public schools and private ones.  I tried private school for my youngest in k-5.  He was way ahead of the class and had to spend a lot of his time with his head on his desk waiting for the others to finish.  In homeschool I had fun with him in math and played games and taught him the math facts before he was in the third grade because that is what engaged him.  He learned to do mental math and still is very good at it to this day.  No one knows, or should know, a child better than their parents.  No one, no matter their educations, is better equipped to train up that child in the way it should go.
 
I just can't in good conscience put my kids in the corrupt school system. I know that I can't shelter them from everything, but as a dad I would like to protect them from some stuff that would follow them their whole life. I believe public school to be one of satan's strongholds.
 
LOVE that video

And yes we are a weird homeschool family

We are just starting the high school years here. And I am going nuts with my over achiever type children. I make my own curriculum using what I feel is the best offered in each subject.

We have a child who wants to gO into architectural engineering  one who wants to be a green beret. Another who wants to be a geologist and lastly one who is trying to decide between an archeologist or A forensic anthropologist. 

I am anxiously awaiting the other 4 s choices for occupations
 
Enjoying the discussion. <yep>

HappyHomemaker said:
LOVE that video

And yes we are a weird homeschool family

We are just starting the high school years here. And I am going nuts with my over achiever type children. I make my own curriculum using what I feel is the best offered in each subject.

We have a child who wants to gO into architectural engineering  one who wants to be a green beret. Another who wants to be a geologist and lastly one who is trying to decide between an archeologist or A forensic anthropologist. 

I am anxiously awaiting the other 4 s choices for occupations
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Good to hear from you granny.  Good report on your kids education/ambition.


Oh, and just in case there was any question about my intent, the OP header was completely tongue in cheek.  Good on homeschoolers doing it the right way.
 
Thanks. I had missed the interaction but hubby was not comfortable with me being at the old fff

I tease the kids all the time about being overachievers.  But really am very proud of them. We are enjoying our hOmeschool experiences very much
 
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