I was asking this question 4 years ago, so I'm writing the post I wish I'd had. 🥰A little background: Our family began officially homeschooling when our oldest son was entering kindergarten. I wasn't homeschooled and only knew a few homeschooling families, so I had a lot of questions (and trepidation) about choosing a curriculum.Here's what I've learned along the way:+ An open-and-go, boxed curriculum can be very helpful for your first year. We used Sonlight (with no regrets!) and I have many friends who love My Father's World. You go to their website, select your child's grade level, and order the materials. All you need for the year - the instructor's guide, books, and supplies - arrives at your doorstep. You're ready to homeschool! This helped me feel confident that yes, I was doing enough, and had advisors ready to help me if I needed it.+ A trusted homeschool mama in your community is an invaluable resource. If there's a homeschooling mom in your church whom you admire, ask her all your questions. How did she get started? What curriculum would she choose (or stay away from) if she could do it all again?+ Start simple, as it will take a while to find your rhythm. For example, all that a kindergartener *really needs* is a reading/phonics program, a math program, and (for Christian families) a morning Bible/devotional time. If that's all you do for your child's kindergarten year, great! You can add history, handwriting, science, and other electives as you grow more confident.+ Remember that you may not land on your favorite curriculum or educational philosophy your first year. And that's ok! If you're interested in finding your homeschool style, I've linked a helpful quiz in my profile.+ After you've narrowed it down to a handful of curriculums you're interested in, I love Cathy Duffy's review site (cathyduffyreviews.com). Her reviews are straightforward and very helpful.
Freedom Homeschooling lists free homeschool life skills electives for all grades. Home economics, personal finance, auto repair, and more!
143251 1 1 396SharesSince all of us were educated in some way, we all carry certain expectations regarding what education should look like. I attended public school from kindergarten through college. I then took my teaching degree and taught in various private, Christian, Classical Christian, and Hillsdale model schools. One might think that my broad experience would be …
Many say the psychological effects of homeschooling later in life are damaging. But that wasn't my experience. But, what does the evidence say about it?
Homeschooling families tell you what is unschooling and why it's the best way for children to learn.
Homeschooling is in my blood. I was homeschooled myself so it’s pretty much all I’ve known. But that didn’t stop my blood from running cold as my son’s kindergarten year was fast approaching and the reality of the massive responsibility came crashing in. “What if I hate having to do ‘school’ again?” “What if it’s [...]
100 Activities to do with your kids - that are Free!
Homeschooling is hard enough without bringing our public school expectations into it! My top practical tips to find homeschool freedom again!
Freedom Homeschooling lists free high-quality homeschool science and nature study curriculum for all grades.
Quarantine homeschool is a new reality right now for us. Having a quarantine homeschool schedule, rules and printable pack is saving my sanity right now.
How does one combine homesteading with a homeschooling lifestyle? Find out how and why in this interview with a homesteading homeschooler.
You won't regret adding these ten important life skills to your homeschool before your kids leave the nest to start a life of their own. They will thank you later!
I've made a list of 100 field trip ideas for homeschoolers to provide inspiration and help you plan your homeschooling. Don't miss the free printable at the end!
Welcome to Rooted in Abundance Farm! Your Download Link for Free Gardening Curriculum Should Pop Up in a Moment! 🌿 Welcome to the Child-Led Homeschooling and Wild Mothering Resources Landing Page! …
Just over 3 years ago, I was 4-5 months pregnant with my very welcomed but highly surprising 4th child. At that time, my 3rd was still shy of his FIRST birthday, and I had a daughter going into junior high and one struggling greatly due to dyslexia and dyscalculia . As a new school year loomed lar
Before I begin, I want to be clear about something. I am not 'anti-public school.' I went to public school. I had a positive experience in public school. I know that, for many parents, public school is the best choice for their family. I support public school teachers and administrators, and I believe that the decisions we make about educating our children are highly personal and vary greatly from family to family, and even from child to child. But this socialization argument needs to go. Why is this the first thing that pops into people's minds when they want to argue against homeschooling? It baffles me. The stereotype of the shut-in, isolated homeschooler is so outdated and inaccurate. Just spend five minutes scrolling homeschool-related hashtags on Instagram and you'll see what I mean. Those kids are making solar panels out of recycled materials in their STEM co-ops. They're reading to people at the local retirement home. They're running amuck with their forest playgroups, rehearsing with their community theatre troupe, collecting canned foods for the needy, touring the local fire station, hosting book clubs, and traveling the world. Sure, there are occasions where that tired old stereotype might be true, but
