I'm Excited About the New School Year!

I’m excited about the new curriculum that has finally arrived! The literature book is filled with amazing art, short stories, and poems.  I have looked at the math briefly and it appears to be what the girls will need to complete the seventh grade. This is the first year I have used a public school curriculum.   I’m looking forward to making lesson plans and I’m excited about starting the new school year!

If you’re still debating the issues of homeschooling, take a look at my previous blog post. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. (tcamp5000@gmail.com)

Is Homeschooling the Right Choice for You?

There’s a lot to consider when answering that question so I’ll try to sum it up briefly. The best people to ask are experienced homeschoolers. They can provide you with the best and most accurate information especially if they live in your area. Be sure to check with your local Board of Education if your children differ in ages as the hours of time spent in the classroom may be different. Educate yourself as much as possible. No matter how simple or difficult it may seem, the choice must be right for you and your family. Homeschooling is so rewarding for me as the teacher. I enjoy watching my children learn and grow each day. However, it does take a considerable amount of time and energy to do my job as a successful teacher. On average, I spend approximately 2-3 hours in the classroom, an additional hour grading papers, and another couple of hours writing lesson plans.

 But, I wouldn’t trade it for any other job in the world!!!

READING!

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
~ Frederick Douglass ~

If you don’t have a library card then you may want to get one especially if you are new to homeschooling.  My children really look forward to going bi-weekly. I allow them to choose a required reading book and a book of their choice. I was able to go online to our county and find the list of required reading for the public school district. This is not necessarily what they have to read but it is a good guideline for me. It also helps me in part to evaluate their reading level.

As I’m sure you know, if children can read and comprehend they should be able to master and conquer all subject areas.

It’s most important that they enjoy reading. I’m always asking my children what they are reading and they are more than happy to share. I’m fortunate that all my girls enjoy reading. I started when they were young getting excited every time they read a new word, phrase, or sentence.  I actually purchased the Dick and Jane Series of Books for those of you that remember them. They were simple easy readers. Basically, the pages started out with one word, “Look!” Then, they progressed to two words, “Look Jane!” Then you would have a three-word page, four-word page, etc. So, it was easy for a child to be successful as they repeated the first word and added another. These books are still available if you can find them.

Make sure if you have a young child that you teach phonics with a vengeance.  As a retired speech therapist, you must have a strong phonetic foundation to build on for your child to read successfully! The definition of phonics according to Wikipedia is as follows:

Phonics refers to a method for teaching speakers of English to read and write that language. Phonics involves teaching how to connect the sounds of spoken English with letters or groups of letters (e.g., that the sound /k/ can be represented by c, k, ck, ch, or q spellings) and teaching them to blend the sounds of letters together to produce approximate pronunciations of unknown words.

Phonics is a widely used method of teaching to read and decode words, although it is not without controversy (see History and controversy below). Children begin learning to read using phonics usually around the age of 5. Teaching English reading using phonics requires students to learn the connections between letter patterns and the sounds they represent. Phonics instruction requires the teacher to provide students with a core body of information about phonics rules, or patterns.

Before we can connect sounds we must learn to produce them correctly. So, for those that are interested, I’ve created an audio guide for producing the alphabet sounds.  It would be helpful to have an alphabet chart available so you or your child can point to each letter as its sound is produced.

I hope this was helpful and benefits your children. Please let me know if you have questions or comments.

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Sir Richard Steele

The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. ~ Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

Finding that nothing is free! lol

FYI, this is my follow-up blog about the "official" immunization records. Well, after making several calls and doctor's appointments; I have found it really isn't free to sign up for homeschooling. It's not the Board of Education I have to pay but all the costs of immunizations that I was unaware my children needed because they already have current immunization records at the Board of Education. So, this "official" immunization record for each child is going to cost me about 160.00-180.00 for a piece of colored cardboard with a list of current immunizations on it. Well, I guess it could be worse so I shant complain. lol

Upcoming Blogs!

Soon I will be posting information on specific subject areas such as; Reading, Math, Science, History and more.  Each subject plays a vital role in the education of your child/children. As for me, one specific area is more important than the others and I will explain why. It will probably be my longest but most significant blog especially for those of you with younger children or parents that are new to homeschooling.  Please feel free to comment on any blogs, to email me, or sign up to follow me.  Thanks for visiting! Watch for the upcoming blog!

Places to Visit

While I’m waiting on our new curriculum, I thought I would give you some suggestions of other activities you can enjoy. Keep in mind all of your time does not have to be spent in the classroom. However, you don’t want to get off schedule too often as children definitely learn more effectively with structure and consistency.

Go to:

The Library

The Zoo

The Science Center

Historical Places

The Planetarium

Downtown Square

Public Utilities

National Parks

Museums

The Theatre

These are just a few suggestions. I know not everyone has all of these places to visit but hopefully you have some of them in your area. I always count the actual time spent on the field trip as class hours. I also require a written paper the following day of what they experienced. Usually, it’s a brief synopsis of what they learned and enjoyed on the trip. I hope this was helpful.

Lesson Plan Book

In reference to my last blog, I want to address the “lesson plan book.” The greatest invention since popcorn for homeschool parents, of course! This book helps keep you organized, keeps you on track, and doesn’t have to be detailed.  When you write down your lesson plans make it simple and to the point. Most lesson plan books consist of pages labeled Monday through Friday and some additional pages usually created for a large classroom. I use the Monday through Friday pages and use additional pages for notes.   Easy ways to use the Monday through Friday pages are to label them with the subject areas you are going to teach.  Under each heading, write your lessons in pencil so they can easily be changed if needed. (Remember homeschoolers are flexible.) Below is an example of how I write my lesson plans. I’m a visual learner and for me it’s easier to see it than to read about it.

Unfortunately, because the lesson plans are written in pencil, they are difficult to see.Just click on the photo and that will enlarge it. I hope it gives you an idea of how simple your plans can be and you can still get the job done! I also wanted you to see that the plan book itself is not expensive and can be purchased at most bookstores.

Getting Organized!

Getting organized is the key to being a successful teacher as well as keeping your children involved, staying on task, and being successful themselves. I’m very structured and I have a room set aside just for a classroom. The children sit at a large table with plenty of space for their books and materials. I have the largest dry-erase board you can buy at a department store and a smaller dry-erase board by my desk for daily assignments. A must have is a “lesson plan book.”   This will definitely help you stay organized and keep you ahead of the game. (I will detail this in my next blog.)  I have a five tier bookshelf so each child has a place to keep materials and two shelves for myself to keep extra materials. I have a small table that I use as a desk with more shelving beside it for my “teacher’s books.” I also have a small rolling Rubbermaid 3-drawer caddy for pencils, pens, markers, staples; etc.

Everyone has a different style and you don’t have to go all out to be a good teacher and have your children enjoy homeschooling. I have accumulated a lot of these items over the years. Start out with the basics and slowly add to it. This is truly an individual experience.  I just shared some of my ideas with you. I hope it has been helpful.

  This is our very effective and efficient school room.

New information

I just received an email from the liaison at the Board of Education informing me that I must send in the official Tennessee Immunization Records for my children. Hmmm...I guess I'll have to check that one out. I sent the immunization records that were provided from the girl's physician. I thought that was good enough, obviously not! Now, I will have to do my own research and find out what the difference is between the "official" records and the "original" records. I'll let you know when I find out. Happy Home- Schooling!

Help is Here!

Hopefully you’ve found a curriculum suited to you and your child/children. Once you’ve received your curriculum, plan to set aside some time to look at each subject area. Making sure that you feel comfortable teaching the material. Most companies will take returns or make exchanges if you are not satisfied.

If you are too overwhelmed with the massive amounts of curriculum to choose from, let me know by commenting and I will try to help you out.

I’m headed to a huge bookstore now where you can take old books and they will give you store credit or cash for the books. I usually take the credit as you get more than cash. They have an academic section that is fabulous with many different pieces of curriculum to choose from. It takes some time and energy to find what you are looking for but it’s worth it. Check around and see if your city or county has something similar to use as a resource. Hope this is helpful and happy hunting! Be looking for my next blog on getting organized to make teaching less complicated!

Happy Hunting!

Here are just a few web addresses where you can research some of the different types of curriculum available.  Hopefully, you won’t be too overwhelmed.  Again, try and find what is best suited for you and your child.

 http://www.unifiedcurriculum.com/store.html

http://www.homeschoolstockroom.com/store.html

http://www.thebackpack.com/

https://www.shurley.com/

https://www.abeka.com/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

One thing to remember is that homeschooling is flexible. I have found it best to have a daily schedule that works for my family. Keep in mind that you must get the number of hours in required by your state. My state requires 180 days with 5 hours per day due to the grade level of my children.  Your local Board of Education should be able to specify those requirements.

Once you’ve found a suitable curriculum, check around for prices. One company may have it a bit cheaper than another. I have found a company that custom designs a curriculum to fit your child’s needs. (3^rd web address listed) I’m using them for the first time this year. I talked with them and was very impressed with their knowledge of homeschool curriculum. I’m expecting mine by the end of next week.  Hopefully, I will be as impressed with it when I receive it. I will let you know.  Happy Hunting!

Curriculum

Once your child/children are registered, you will need a curriculum to teach. I have found that you can mix it up or do it all the same. There is really no right or wrong curriculum as long as you choose one that is age-appropriate, one that you are comfortable teaching, and one that teaches your child skills to build on for the following year. A lot depends on how motivated you and your child are when it comes to self-discipline. Some children can be given instruction and they can work independently. Others may need some supervision to keep them focused and on track. Usually, my girls work independently without a lot of supervision unless I’m teaching a new concept. My special needs child needs more guidance, explanation, and supervision to help stay on task.  You may want to consider this when choosing a curriculum.

Some curriculum is almost all independent study whereas others need to be taught. For example; Life Pac is a good curriculum if your child enjoys reading, answering questions, and taking tests independently. You as the teacher, have more freedom with Life Pac. On the other hand, Shurley English is interactive and involves student participation. You as the teacher will need more time to prepare lessons and you will need to be actively involved with your child with Shurley English. (I love Shurley English because it teaches your child everything they need to know and it provides you with step by step instruction.)

If this is your first time as a homeschool teacher, I will be happy to provide you with some websites where you can research curriculum and decide which is best for you and your child.

Note:  You can expect to spend anywhere from 250.00 per child to 1000.00 per child. This may sound like a lot but when you consider all the expenses you have for public or private school; home- school is by far the least expensive.

Getting Started!

First, you will need to contact your local Board of Education to see if they have a homeschool department.   Most do and will provide the forms you need to fill out to register your child/children.

My local Board of Education provides the forms free of charge once the initial registration has been completed. They e-mail the forms and I print them off and mail them back.  Initially, I had to take the girls to the Board, register them, and pay a small fee.  They will probably require your child’s Birth Certificate, immunization records, and any previous school records. My local School Board also requires you to hold a degree if you’re teaching high school at home.  Usually, only a high school diploma or GED is required for parents to teach children in grades K-8.  Remember each state differs in requirements so be sure you are informed before you begin.