Homeschooling

One of the primary responsibilities we have as parents is to make sure our children are trained/educated properly. I prefer to use the term "training or educating" instead of "schooling" because to me it's more appropriate. Kind of like using "children" instead of "kids". I fail quite a lot in my efforts there, but I like to use language appropriately, and frankly, my children aren't goats...I don't like the connotations there. The whole sheep and goats thing troubles me. Why would we want to call our children goats. Sorry, I got sidetracked for a moment, but I think it's worth considering.

Every Family has different dynamics that make it a unique family. Every child has different characteristics that makes that child an individual. There isn't a one size fits all approach to education that works for every child. As parents, we have a dedicated interest in our child and we know better than anyone what makes our child/children unique. Identifying the learning style for each child is an important part of the homeschooling puzzle.

Here's an article that may inspire you to get started http://newswithviews.com/Turtel/joel24.htm

If that didn't do it watch the video Indoctrination. It's a crash course in "Why Homeschool?" http://indoctrinationmovie.com/

FYI - I have a beef with most homeschool history curriculum. One thing you'll notice when looking into homeschooling for the first time is that it tends to have a very loud "patriotic evangelical" voice. This tends to irritate me a bit, but it is what it is. This is a manufactured worldview for mass consumption in my opinion. I think there's a need for an alternative viewpoint curriculum that doesn't come draped in a flag and carrying a cross...to borrow part of a quote from Sinclair Lewis. Much of the history curriculum will focus on that particular worldview. We've been using Brother Gregory's books to supplement areas where there just aren't very good options. Regardless of what curriculum you use, I think you should involve yourself in what your child is learning. Correct the propaganda where you see it and make sure your children are questioning what they read. Discussions are important!

Why Homeschool?

Benefits

Flexibility

Whether it's time, vacation, curriculum, or whatever, homeschooling offers the family the ability to make choices that are best for that family.

Community Building

Homeschooling brings families together with other like minded families who can share ideas, resources, and counsel to each other. Everyone brings a different skill set to the community. When you homeschool and make an effort to find other homeschoolers, you'll find a valuable new circle of friends ready to help you succeed. Homeschool co-ops are a great resource for meeting other homeschool families.

Learn New Skills

Taking Responsibility

Taking Responsibility for training/educating your children is part of loving your neighbor. The responsibility is yours...take it by the horns! When you rely on the state, you're actually coveting/stealing from your neighbor through the agency of a government willing to use violence. If you doubt this, try not paying property taxes and see what happens.

Learn What You Didn't Learn The First Time

Customize the Learning Experience for YOUR Child

Education doesn't have to be one size fits all

Limit Indoctrination by the State

When YOU train YOUR children, you're not competing with the world as much for their hearts and minds. If your children are spending 6 - 8 hours a day soaking up other peoples worldview, you're going to have a problem on your hands at some point

For More on "Why Home School"? Watch the documentary film, IndoctriNATION, click here for trailers

School to fool
Are schools and educational institutions used as a social tool? http://www.hisholychurch.org/sermon/school.php [1]

Schools as Tools Has someone used the modern public schools to mold the minds of America for their own purposes. [2] Printable 5" X 8 1/2" Pamphlets Standard 8 1/2"X 11" Print Friendly

Cooperative Homeschooling

http://www.home-school.com/

Lots of information here about how to get connected with the homeschool community wherever you are and good how to get started information. See the GROUPS link for co-op information.

General Curriculum Information

Reviews on various curriculum, all subjects:

http://cathyduffyreviews.com/ Also, check out her top 100 picks - the advantage to something like this site is that she doesn't play favorites w/ one curriculum provider. She chooses the providers who are best at what they do - making it easier to tailor your child's education to their talents & interests.

Reviews & Additional Resources

http://thehomeschoolmom.com/

Homeschool Rescource Catalog

http://www.timberdoodle.com/

Small company that puts together packages of some of the best curriculum, including educational toys, for birth through high school (yes, birth!)

Popular "Box" Type Structured Curriculum

http://www.abeka.com/homeschool/

Here's an example of a "box" type curriculum - everything you need to teach comes in a box from the same company....they do some things well & some things are pretty dry.....but sometimes a highly structured, scripted plan can help get you started

Literature Based Christian Curriculum

http://www.sonlight.com/

Mennonite Inspired (Thanks Michael D.)

http://www.rodandstaffstore.com/

Self-Teaching Curriculum (Thanks Paul B.)

Dr. Robinson K-12 Homeschool Curriculum. Developed by a scientist and his six children.
http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

Classical Curriculum

http://www.memoriapress.com/ Online Courses Available

http://www.veritaspress.com/ Online Courses Available

http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php

Specific Course Curriculum

Logic

http://fallacydetective.com/ Really helps your children to develop discernment. Cuts through the propaganda like a hot knife. Teaches children how to debate effectively.

Biology

http://www.prontolessons.com/biology.html

Foreign Language

http://www.rosettastone.com/ Any language you can think of.

http://www.littlepim.com/ Foreign Language for the Little Ones - Get them started early!

http://www.memoriapress.com/ Latin/Classical Instruction

http://www.veritaspress.com/ Latin/Classical Instruction

Science

http://www.apologia.com/ Creation Based Science Curriculum

http://www.superchargedscience.com Supercharged Science K - 12

Math

http://www.mathusee.com/ Uses manipulatives and videos to teach math

http://www.mathmammoth.com Math Mammoth: Very effective and affordable. Grades 1 - 12

http://www.TabletClass.com TabletClass: Amazing video math teaching PreAlgebra, Algebra, Geometry & Algebra 2.

Geography

Mapping the World by Heart curriculum Students develop a comprehensive knowledge of geography that allows them to map the world entirely from memory. Grades 5-12.

Reading

Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons I can't say enough good things about this approach. There are over 1000 reviews on Amazon. Rated 4.5

Various Methods Overview

Methods

http://www.home-school-curriculum-advisor.com/home-schooling-method.html

Excellent overview of various methods & styles of homeschooling w/ links to a few companies that support each (there are hundreds more in each category though!). We did pretty straight classical for our first 5-6 years but have transitioned to eclectic & self taught as our children entered high school. Our pre-ks are getting more Charlotte Mason & Montessori right now & will probably stay there awhile ;0)

Homeschooling on a Shoestring Budget

http://www.homeschoolingonashoestring.com/homeschooling.html

Just like the name says, homeschooling on a shoestring! No or low cost ways to educate your children at home....this link is actually more of the above as far as methods but the site has a lot more to explore...more below on free or low cost curriculum

A Thomas Jefferson Education

http://tjed.org
http://www.tjed.org/about-tjed/video/ - 10 short videos explain this approach to education.

Thomas Jefferson Education is an educational philosophy and a methodology by which great individuals throughout history were educated. Our family has successfully incorporated this philosophy into our homeschool. We started with the book "A Thomas Jefferson Education and the articles on the TJed.org website.