teachingmom
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Virginia Bluebells
Joined: Feb 16 2005
Location: Virginia
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Posts: 2120
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| Posted: July 01 2006 at 4:33pm | IP Logged
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I just now found this thread. I have to admit that I'm finding it to be a breath of fresh air. I found the other homeschooling budget thread to be rather depressing. I read that thread and thought to myself, "What kind of incomes must everyone have to be able to afford hundreds and hundreds of dollars each month on a homeschooling budget?!"
When I first starting homeshooling, we had almost no money for curriculum. I bought math books and Five in a Row and a few other things. We got the rest from the library. As the years went by, our homeschooling budget grew larger, but I still focused on the basics--Religion texts, Singapore Math, and workbooks like handwriting, Explode the Code, Wordly Wise. The two phonics programs that I've used to teach reading are 100 Easy Lessons and Alphaphonics. I've purchased just two spelling books over our 7 + years of homeschooling and both are non-consumable: Spelling Power and the first book for AVKO Sequential Spelling. We've used the library almost exclusively for our literature reading and history studies and relied on free (library based) co-ops for science.
In advising your friend, I'd say to allow the preschooler to play a lot and read to him or her often. If she desires, she could put together Montessori-type activities in zip-lock bags that her preschooler could take out and use when he or she feels like "doing school". (I think you first introduced me to this idea, Elizabeth.)
For the elementary school aged children, here is what I'd suggest for each area of study for someone on a very tight budget:
Religion-
Many people live the faith and the liturgical year so vibrantly that they have no real need for a religion textbook in the early years. If the mom feels that she needs something, maybe her parish could help with free curriculum. (If it's not a liberal parish with awful religious education textbooks, that is!) Faith and Life may be the least expensive way to go for traditional religion textbooks. She could buy them used or maybe borrow from other local Catholic homeschoolers who don't need a particular grade level book that year.
Basic language arts-
I'd suggest buying 100 Easy Lessons for any children who still need to learn to read. It's the best and most inexpensive option in my opinion. I know it doesn't work wonderfully for every child, but it could still be a basis for teaching reading to any child, I think. Handwriting could be taught using internet sites. Handwriting practice and spelling and grammar could be taught in the context of copywork, which is free. If she wants a spelling program, I'd suggest buying AVKO Sequential Spelling, which is only $12.95 per level now.
Literature-
This area can be covered without expense by using the library for daily individual reading and family read alouds, including audio books.
Writing-
Younger children can narrate orally while mom types. Have the older children write every day. They can write narrations of books they have read, write letters, make up stories, keep a journal, etc.
Math-
Many people teach early elementary math without textbooks. The internet and library books would be enough for this approach. She could shop around for the best deal for other math programs that look like they might work for her family. I use Singapore Math and spend around $30 per child per year the first time we hit a particular grade level. When a second or third child get to a grade level for which I already have the textbooks, I only spend half of that for the consumable workbooks.
History/Geography-
History can be library based and free. Just pick a topic and do a library search for living books--both historical fiction and biographies, picture books and chapter books. Refer to maps liberally while studying history and other subjects and geography is covered.
Science-
You told me recently, Elizabeth, that you think one could teach elementary science using a combination of Magic School Bus books and videos and Gail Gibbons books. Add a few online experiments and activities and she's set.
OK, I just re-read your original post and realized that my ideas are lacking the high level of accountability. For myself, I make a speadsheet for each child at the beginning of each school year. It covers one week of work. The days of the week are across the top and the areas of study (pretty much as broken down above) go down the left side of the page. I make myself fill in the chart with what has been accomplished in that area for each child each day. It is not a planner. I fill it in after the fact, to see what we've covered. My state does not require such detailed record keeping, it is just for me and my own personal accountability. Maybe your friend could do something similar and ask her husband or another homeschooling friend to hold her accountable and go over those charts periodically.
Hope this helps.
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Real Learning on a Budget
