Mom Is Teaching

I know I’ve been a bad blogger lately. The weather is warming up and I’m finding it harder and harder to sit down and write. Not to mention that Twitter seems to get all my good ideas. Microblogging does have it’s downside if you are trying to keep a regular blog.

I finally finished reading the Oak Meadow books and was really impressed. To the point that I’m actually looking to get my hands on the crafts book to see what else there is. Maybe the book of fairy tales also, mostly because I like having  big books of several stories rather than a lot of little books. A pile of 30 little books quickly gets lost and scattered across the house, then I have to go hunting them all down and usually find them in odd palces and less than great shape. Big collections, however, are easy to track down and rarely get carted off as far. Though this idea is only based on the hundred or so books I dig out from under the couch, behind the dryer, and in the fridge daily as compared to the giant book of Dr. Suess books that manages to stay relatively close to the book case.

I hope you all had a happy Mother’s Day,and don’t forget to come back on the 13th for the Carnival of Homeschooling. So far it looks like an interesting collection of posts. With a few off spammers tossed in to keep things fun. It’s at least been educating.

home education, books, curriculum, Oak Meadow

A friend of mine’s daughter has finished up her year already and is sort of puttering around the summer letting her wants be the guide. My friend, who really needs to get a blog!, sold off most of the previous books and lessons but kept her Oak Meadow teacher guides for me. They are the K-3rd grade set, so I’m excited to take some time and really look them over. The package just came in the mail today and I’m a bit anxious to get some free moments to spend with them.

Though I’m not really set into one curriculum or style I’ve been mostly in love with Enki. All except for that price tag. Since I’ve heard some gushing reviews of Oak Meadow by Enki users I’m willing to give it a once over, especially since the price tag is much cheaper. I don’t think we’re really ready to move onto using a formal curriculum yet, but I like to steal bits and pieces of information and advice from all of the styles out there.

It seems that a lot of families are wrapping up for the year, or slowing down for a break if they go all year long. If the more than 2000 listings on Ebay.com right now is any indication there are quite a few people selling off their old supplies for next year’s lists. This is the time of the year that frugal home educators live for, buying what they need for a fraction of the new price.

home education, curriculum

Oak Meadow has an annual Spring Sale on their curriculum packages and on enrollment in there program. If you are thinking abut using them for your children the sale has begun today and lasts until June 30th.

The following items are 20% off
Pre-K through 8th grade curricula (printed & online)
K-8 teacher manuals

The following items are 10% off
Enrollments
High school Curriculum
K - 8 craft kits

home school, curriculum, sale, Spring

For the last few months I have gotten at least one email, sometimes, more, each week asking me questions about homeschooling. I don’t mind it at all, in fact I love trying to find the answers to these questions and share links that I hope will help them further. But in these questions there are often some asking me for curriculum recommendations. I honestly don’t mind fielding questions on finding good curriculum, but I need a little help to know what they need.

Last week I got two such emails. One was from a mom looking for places to get free or cheap homeschooling resources and curriculum material, another from a mom wanting to know where to buy her daughter’s curriculum from. The problem is when you are looking for curriculum there are a thousand different variables. What style are you using, how much structure do you want, and what are your state’s requirements? Those simple questions can be the difference between spending hundreds of dollars on a prepackaged set or spending a few dollars on some used books and printer paper.

Many soon-to-be homeschooling parents know they need to check their state’s laws before homeschooling. Find out what is required, will you need to keep records, will you be required to take the standardized tests, will you need to submit anything before homeschooling. But from there some parents do not know where to go. I still remember one email I received two months ago from a frustrated mother who was quickly planning to pull her child out during winter break. Her need to homeschool came on so quickly that she had not yet had a chance to really learn more about it. When I supplied links to various sites that would provide more information her response was flustered disbelief. She had assumed that there was one national curriculum plan that all schools, and all homeschooling families, had to follow. The idea that there were many different styles and options went against her assumptions about what homeschooling meant.

I thought now might be a good time to update the list of homeschooling methods I’ve talked about. I certainly haven’t covered them all, and they are just basic overviews, but they are a good place to start if you’re not sure where you are at on the homeschooling spectrum.

• Enki Education (Holistic Approach)
• Waldorf part 1 and part 2
• Unschooling
• Montessori
• Classical /Neo-Classical
• Charlotte Mason
• Unit Studies
• Eclectic
• Literature based
• Principled Approach
• Online homeschooling

homeschooling, education, curriculum

Oak Meadow is having a Winter Sale right now. All items are 10% off between January 2nd and 18th. It’s a good deal to take advantage of if you are interested in their curriculum now. If you can wait however, last year they had an even better sale during the late spring. It might be wise to hold off until then and take advantage of their summer sale. You are also more likely to find used books and material for sale during the spring and summer months.

curriculum, Oak Meadow, sale

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, the notorious Black Friday. Are you hitting the mall or sleeping in?

I’m avoiding the crowds and the stress by joining in Buy Nothing Day. I hate being in crowded stores, too much excitement just makes me feel like crawling into a hole in the ground. Luckily I’m done with gift shopping. This year I made 75% of my presents myself, and what I couldn’t make I bought online. No crowded buildings, no getting up early, and no getting out of my pajamas. Kind of like homeschooling.

But I wanted to pass on a Black Friday sale that was sent to me that some might love. Mom’s Wish List has a list of some great sales going on at tons of stores for Black Friday. But the best is the first thing on the list.

Homeschool eStore (soon to be Currclick) - “Black Friday Giveaway”

• Download up to 20 titles for FREE, Nov 23rd - Nov 24th! (9.00 am to 9.00 CST)
• Get up to 35% OFF on your holiday schooling needs, Nov 23rd - Nov 25th!
• Earn a 10% Holiday Credit on every single purchase you make, Nov 23rd - Nov 30th!
• Get an Evan Moor Activity Sampler FREE with any purchase. Now through Dec 31st. Just use coupon code, 19a2fe.

Download up to $200 in free homeschool curriculum, lapbooks, workbooks, notebooking pages, unit studies and more, from all your favorite publishers. Over 20 titles to choose from! No purchase necessary. Put on your slippers, avoid the holiday rush and experience the very best kind of sale: one that doesn’t cost a thing!

See, it feels like Christmas already. Have a relaxing weekend!

*Shameless plug: Don’t forget that I’m sharing a different craft idea each day at Creative Mom Cafe. Instead of going out shopping you could try one of these simple gift ideas to make yourself. *

Black Friday, sales, free, homeschool

It’s another Friday installment of Questions for Homeschoolers! Where you ask the questions and other people answer them.

That was my game show announcer voice. What do you think?

OK, on to the question. The question this week is one that I am sure many homeschoolers have faced at least once. And it has to do with money. Isn’t the universal issue we all face, money? We all want what is bet for our kids, but sometimes that seems to come with a hefty price tag.

How to choose the right curriculum with out costing a fortune?

Doesn’t this question come up often? Money always seems to be a huge deciding factor for new homeschoolers, ones who see the packages costing hundreds of dollars and immediately fall over. I’ve talked before about homeschooling not being expensive and I’m sure I’ll talk about it again and again. Mostly because it seems to be one of the first questions nw to homeschooling families ask. It also is one of the issues people against homeschooling have, that they feel a single family cannot afford all the things that a typical school has.

So please share your thoughts and ideas on educating kids without spending a small fortune. I know we all have tips on this one!

And if you have a question that you would like to see posted feel free to ask! You can either leave a comment or send it to me in the contact form. I hope to hear from you soon!

I just received an email from HomeschoolFreeStuff about an awesome deal going on right now. And I had to share it!

eFantasmic.com has uploaded over 100 different curriculum that you can download now. And more are coming! Right now they are offering a subscription to the entire collection at 50% off. That makes the cost less than $1 per curriculum!

But it is a limited time offer only good right now while they are loading more and more onto their site. Once they are finished loading everything the price will go back to normal. So hurry and get in now while everything is on sale.

homeschool, curriculum, lesson plans, sale

Today’s question for the homeschoolers is an interesting one. Mostly because the answers will be so different, and yet so much the same. For those who have beenhomeschooling for a while I’m sure it will seem silly, but for brand new homeschoolers this can be one huge hurdle.

There are so many choices out there. I’m feeling overwhelmed by all the styles, methods, curriculums, and themes. How do you know what curriculum to use???

Think back to when you first started homeschooling. How did you know you had found “the way”? I am certainly looking forward to everyone’s answers on this.

And remember, if you have a question about homeschooling feel free to ask. You can either leave me a comment or contact me. Every Friday a new question will be posted and you can sit back while a buzz of answers comes your way.

homeschool, curriculum

One of the dreams that we have around this house is to buy an RV and travel. Just drive back and forth across this country exploring every inch of it. Yes, I know how much gas that would take. That’s why it’s a dream and not a reality.

But someone else is making that a reality for them. Welcome to Homeschool Across America. Where one lucky little girl and her mother are taking to the open road to explore and learn about America from a hand’s on perspective.

Like millions of other children around the country, 9 year old Caroline Haroldson of Lake Oswego, Oregon will start school the day after Labor Day. But unlike most fourth graders, she won’t enter any school doors.
Instead, Caroline will begin a six week trek homeschooling (or “travelschooling”) across the contiguous United States with her mother in a quest to learn about our nation’s history, geography, and government. She’s on a mission to find the best learning adventures in the country for families looking for enriching travel destinations.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous. But while I can’t take the voyage with her, we all can at least travel vicariously with her. Check out the itinerary to see where she’s be going. Look at the curriculum they will be using along the way. And of course don’t forget to find out more about them and why they are taking this great adventure.

homeschool, homeschooling, travel

I talked yesterday about buying used curriculum, but what if you can’t find what you need or don’t want it used? Then finding a good sale is an important thing to do. Saving money on your curriculum opens up cash for other fun things to do and buy.

Blue Thistle Books has a Back to Homeschool Sale going on through all of August. In fact they have a lot going on throughout August. Like a contest to win a brand new ice cream maker. A sale and an ice cream maker give away? What more could you ask for?

The Homeschoolers Shop is also having a Back to Homeschool sale until August 31st. Various books, curriculums, lessons, and more have their prices marked down.

The Shekinah Curriculum Celler also has augist specials and a Back to homeschool sale going on. With 10%-70% off on many things in their catalog You can view their catalog online for free or request a free copy be sent to you from their site.

Does anyone know of any other sales going on during August? Leave a comment and I’ll get them listed here.

homeschool, homeschool curriculum, curriculum, sale

Help! I need to buy curriculum but can’t afford to buy it new!

Have you ever been in that situation? Or know someoe who has? It may arise when a parent who was not planning to homeschool suddenly finds themself needing to, or a homeschooling family has a sudden turn of events and suddenly cannot afford to buy their supplies. Or maybe the family dog shredded the teacher’s book and there is no way you can get a new one. Whatever the situation the need to buy good, used homeschooling supplies is a common concern.

While homeschooling does not have to be costly, it can even be free, those who prefer a certain curriculum can rest assured that there are ways to buy what you need for a fraction of the price. Here are some great places you can start:

• Ebay.com
• Homeschoolbid.com
• Homeschool Talk and Swap
• Homeschool Traders Forum
• Educator’s Exchange
• Homeschool Classifieds

You can also check out your favorite homeschool groups online and see if they have a section for swapping or buying. My favorite place to hang out with other homeschoolers, The Denim Jumper, has an extire section devoted to selling and buying used curriculum from each other. Even if your groups does not have a section it doesn’t hurt to ask if anyone has some old books they would be looking to sale.

homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, used curriculum, buy curriculum

Day 2 of Back to Homeschool Week. Is everyone enjoying reading all the great responses? I know I am. Today’s questions is “How do you homeschool?“

That’s a great question, but tough to answer for those are a bit eclectic in their approach. Or maybe just for me.

So how do I homeschool? With lots of playing, having fun, and following our whim. It’s a bit unschooling, which I adore, but with a bit of planning to help the “I’m going to fall apart without a plan!” mother. I’m a huge fan of Enki and use that to structure not just homeschooling but our life. I don’t view homeschooling as only between certain times on certain days. It is nonstop, every moment that we are awake we are learning. So I like having a home environment that suports that. Which is where Enki comes in for me.

We are very book focused, because the bookworm mother has been lucky enough to have bookworm kids. So curling up to read a good book or two suits us all just fine. But I also leave lots of room for their curiosity to bloom. We don’t stick to a strict schedule, I let them lead me where they want to go. Sometimes that means spending the entire day in the yard chasing frogs then spending the evening watch frog videos on youtube, other days we might be at the table while the oldest practises writing his name over and over and over again. Whatever makes them happy I try to make educational, which really isn’t that hard.

homeschooling

This is part 3 of my homeschool planning week. You can read the first two parts at:
Pre-Planning for Homeschooling
Get A Planner and Get Planning

Today I wanted to focus on getting what you plan to teach with in order.

For those who go the route of prepackaged curriculums this is an easy task. With most predesigned plans you will get everything that you will need when you buy it. It can still be helpful to go through and make notes of any additional items, books, or tools that you may need. If you are planning on teaching more than what comes in your package you will need to plan out what you will need for that. Even if you are only going to be using what is offered in your packaged plan there will still be additional items that you will need: arts and crafts supplies, books for extra reading, and tools such as calculators or maps. Sit down with what you are planning to use and make a list of what more you will need and want to get.

For those who are not using packaged curriculum making a list can be a bit more work. There are several things you will need to plan out before getting to the actual work. You will need to decide what you want to teach to your children. You can look online to find what children should be learning according to your school district. There are also some great scope and sequence lists online that you can use as a guideline, such as this course of study list for each grade. You certainly do not have to follow the list, but can use it as a general guide to see what areas to look towards. You can also make note of anything that your children already know and any things that you think they mightnot be ready for yet. That will help you as you get into the curriculum you choose.

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