We’ve Decided to Homeschool, Now What? Getting Started and Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
Exactly two years ago our family began our homeschooling adventure. My daughter just finished kindergarten and the nagging feeling I’d been having about homeschooling for years finally won. I un-enrolled her from pubic school and began homeschooling her over the summer.
Beginning when school was out gave me time to get comfortable with the process so that come fall I wasn’t panicking about “doing it right.” Though the thing is, I soon realized there isn’t really a right or wrong way to homeschool. There are dozens of curriculums and methods of teaching. From Classical to Unschooling to STEM-based learning… Options are endless.
Actually one thing I enjoyed doing because I’m sorta a dork was figuring out my “homeschooling philosophy” even before I started homeschooling, because there are so many different approaches. Here’s a great breakdown of what some different homeschooling approaches and there’s even a homeschooling style personality quiz.
I’ve shared a bit about our homeschool experience already:
Working out the kinks of our homeschooling strategy
What I learned after our first year
What you Don’t need to homeschool your kids
and First Day of Homeschool Tradition Ideas
Getting started with homeschooling and choosing a curriculum (if you decide you want to follow one) can be overwhelming. These last two years we’ve tried out several different homeschool curriculums and methods and there are pros and cons to each. A lot of people have asked what we use for homeschooling so I thought it would be fun to share some of what we’ve tried.
Over the next several weeks I’ll break down what we’ve tried and review different homeschool curriculums to hopefully help those of you who are considering some of these.
Requirements vary by state. Luckily getting started homeschooling in Texas is pretty much a piece of cake.
Here’s a quick rundown of the homeschool curriculums we’re tried. I’ll come back and add links to this master post as I publish each review.:
All-in-one Curriculum
Ambleside Online (free, Charlotte Mason based)
Heart of Dakota
Power Homeschool (formerly known as Acellus)
IXL
Math
Acellus Math
Math U See
Math Mammoth
Reading and Writing
All About Reading
Handwriting Without Tears
Explode the Code
Science
Magic School Bus Science Kits
Extras
Unit Studies – Greek Mythology, Black History, A Wrinkle in Time
Adapted Mind
Starfall
Kahn Academy (free)
Charlotte Mason Co-Op
Wild and Free Conference
Wild Explorers Club
I’ve bounced around a lot because our needs have changed over time. But that’s the great thing about homeschooling–How flexible and perfectly tailored it can be for your child.
We’ve truly enjoyed our time homeschooling so far and I hope there are many more years ahead for us. With a new baby coming in a month we’re still deciding our plan for this fall. It breaks my heart to think we may need to take a break, but I know it’s always something we can come back to. Hopefully this list will be helpful for those of you looking for some more homeschooling curriculum resources and reviews.
If you have other budding questions about homeschooling let me know, I’ll keep coming back adding to this post!
Tags: homeschool, homeschooling, review
Second, my single biggest concern is getting enough time for my own work. I’m testing things out this summer…just in case. My son does not want to be in school all day for first grade and, quite frankly, I don’t want him to be.
Regards
MJ
He loves you in this case the time to be always at home he is used he needs a habit he get used to
You get the full benefits of home-schooling depending on your approach to it…really doesn’t get a specific approach…just study your environment, neighbourhood and child(s) and adopt a plan that suits your environment. If you struggling with a plan or approach, the following gives an amazing program to structure your curriculum and teaching…-http://bit.ly/2yv7be7
I read in your blog as in a travel guide and always find new, interesting information. Much coincided with our experience. Thank you for that!
really doesn’t get a specific approach…just study your environment, neighbourhood and child(s) and adopt a plan that suits your environment. If you struggling with a plan or approach, the following gives an amazing program to structure your curriculum and teaching.
I am homeschooling my 8th grade granddaughter. Where do i go to find a curriculum or do i just use any history math science books. Plesde help me I live in Georgia