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Hallie
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 3:03pm | IP Logged
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Hi!
My husband (Dan)and I have been inspired to look into homeschooling but aren't sure where to start! We have three kids. Daniel is 3, Jack is 2 and Sophia is 5 months. There are so many wonderful resources out there but it can be a bit overwelming to a newcomer! :) Any advice would be so appreciated! What programs do you like? What do your days look like? Are the programs year round?
Thanks so much!
Hallie
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 3:06pm | IP Logged
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You should read Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss. That book is what started this forum. And joining this forum is the right thing to do! There is so much information here and so many wonderful, smart women who have been doing this for awhile and know what they are talking about!
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
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Hallie, I am SO glad you ventured over here! There is a goldmine of information and support here.
I second Paula's recommendation of Elizabeth's book, Real Learning. I have had it for quite a few years now and I have read it time and time again. (I'm re-reading a section today actually!) Another really good resourse is Mater Amabilis. We follow these guidelines pretty closely this year and we are having a GREAT year.
Be sure to pray about this subject too, then just start browsing around, you'll start to piece together your own ideas and thoughts on the kind of education you want for your children, from there you will soar!
__________________
Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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ALmom
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 4:56pm | IP Logged
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Your children are so young - just read different homeschooling books and think about what your ideal homeschool is like (accepting that it will not be exactly what yours comes out to be in real life - but will give you a clue as to your major hopes and goals). Then you begin to see whose opinion will be most relevant to you. Moms who absolutely hate plans should take my opinions with a grain of salt since I am a plan - aholic. Works for us - but it is because I have finally figured out what I need, and how to use it. I look at glowing reports from unit study folks with a grain of salt - not because I don't think unit studies are wonderful - but I know my limits and I cannot work with a lot of people at once and open ended things - drives me nuts and we spin our wheels and get nowhere.
Don't start purchasing curriculums too early (just build your library as you see bargains!) - borrow and see what works for you and then make investments. Things are also likely to change from child to child.
Talk to moms who have used what you think is neat - and make sure you talk to some moms who love it (and why) and some moms who didn't care for it (and why). You'll get a much better picture overall. Also find out how long a mom has used something that they say they love. I love everything I use for the first month or so  . It's true test is whether I still love it at the end of they year. I'm probably not as glowing at the end of the year!
Have fun !
Janet
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Hallie
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 10:44pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for the wonderful advice! I'll start with reading Real Learning and see where it takes me.
I am grateful that I have some time to explore and learn about homeschooling since the kids are still so little. I imagine all kids are different but is there an average age that you all start homeschooling?
Thank you for referring me here, Lisa, and congratulations on your pregnancy! How exciting!
Hallie
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Cindy Mac
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 11:22am | IP Logged
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Hallie -
It sounds like we're in the exact same boat. Mine are 3, 2 , and almost 2 months.  I wholeheartedly agree with everyone else on reading Elizabeth's book. I have the added benefit of having her live maybe 1/2 mile away! 
What I started trying this year is using Before Five in a Row. What we have done has been "fun" and the boys have been learning as well.
I'll definitely keep you in my prayers. My husband and I are still praying about homeschooling as well, but I feel very pulled to do it, so I'm thinking the Holy Spirit is trying to tell me something! If you want to chat more, feel free to PM me.
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Cindy - wife to Chris, mommy to my 4 sons!
Kellys Klassroom Korner
St. Anne's Academy
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: Jan 24 2007 at 9:37am | IP Logged
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I'm rather late to this thread, but thought I'd answer anyway...
I think of us as schooling year round, but we do take random breaks during swim season and for other things. Our "days" look different year to year and sometimes month to month! I wouldn't worry right now about those details, since it often takes tweaking to find a good rythym anyway.
I "4th" the recommendation to start with Real Learning and then look at Five in a Row. You can search the message board at their site for great go-along ideas.
We started "schooling" our older two by 4yo. But that was because my oldest taught himself to read at a very early age and loved working through colorful numbers and letters workbooks. And his brother wanted to join in the fun. It was extremely low key and not required.
My younger two are now 4 and 5, and we "school" off and on. They have some numbers and letters workbooks for fun (with coloring, dot-to-dot and such). We use Five in a Row also, though not nearly every week. I could do more with them, but often they just absorb (some of)what the others are learning. They basically "school" if and when they want to. I have never done anything with 3 and early 4yos but read, read, read, color, craft, explore.
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Considering homeschooling our kids...
