Homeschooling for the first time

[yweller25]

Hello Everyone! I have decided to homeschool my DS5 for kindergarten starting this coming fall.

What kind of plans and preparations do I need to do? Where can I find some good schooling books that aren't too expensive? Lesson Plan Ideas?

[momof8]

I haven't homeschooled in about 5 years, but there are so many things out there. It just depends on what you want, it's actually pretty overwhelming. Do you have a faith, a lot of the really great ones are faith based and come all packaged or you can get secular ones that are similar you can also look up "classical curriculum" and they will tellyou what you need to set up your own book by book. Also make sure to check out the benchmarks for your state, so states are very strict and will require documentation that you are meeting their marks. Just a few ideas.

[yweller25]

Thank you momof7. I checked with the MDE(Michigan Department of Education) to clarify things up.

[katiesb]

There are some informal "workbooks," for lack of a better word, available at WalMart and your local parent-teacher store. I've been working with my granddaughter for over a year now, using things I've found in both places. The WalMart ones are quite good, the brand is called "School Zone", and inexpensive. I'd begin with the preschool level now, and let him work up and be ready for the kindergarten level in the fall. This will give you an idea of what type of concepts are taught, and more importantly, what you need to cover in case you decide to send him to regular school. It's easy to make up simple games to accompany the lesson, like which truck on the road is bigger, are the raindrops falling fast or slow, softly or hard, etc.

I would also try to find a copy of the kindergarten curriculum used in your county or state,which will provide you a list of what's expected by the end of the kindergarten year. Be sure to have his eyes examined before you begin. He will need social opportunites besides his family, to learn to work with others, participate in a group, and to be exposed to children with ideas different from his.

Just a few thoughts. I taught first grade, and you'd be surprised how many children didn't know the word "pink", not to mention a world of other things! Good luck, and enjoy it!

[AlleyKat]

I am curious, Yweller, as to why you want to homeschool?

Alley

[Smile*Lee]

An awesome resource for any preschooler is the library. I took my kids once a week, especially when they were little.

Our library has a story time, hosts craft days, has professional story tellers come in, does short field trips. They also have puzzles, games, book/tape combos. It also gives the child a chance to wander around and just look at books and pick things out that attract them. Plus - you come home with a fresh stack of books to read, read, read, read, (did I say, "read"? ) to your child through the week.

At this age, it really is a lot of fun. They're just like little sponges.

[littledoonie]

Share your homeschooling experiences on my son's blog- http://waywardteacher.wordpress.com. He is a public school teacher who likes to compare experiences from all avenues- public, private and home schools.