First Timer (3rd grader)...costs.

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Permalink Reply by Kristy Trent on July 13, 2009 at 6:21am

Peg,

Here is a resource that just popped up on Twitter yesterday from Terri Johnson: http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/article20.htm. This will connect you quickly with some FREE online resources and some information for first-timers as well.

I would suggest that you focus on the reading, writing, and math first. Make sure you have a good plan for those, then you can add science, history, art, music, etc. I use Rod & Staff for grammar/writing, and I use library books for reading instead of purchased readers. Handwriting with Tears offers a great inexpensive cursive book if needed. Math will be your most expensive curriculum purchase, but there are some great FREE online resources like coolmath4kids.com. I would stick wth Saxon if you purchase something, because it will be more like what your student has already been doing in a school setting. You can usually find those books used. Explore the different math offerings to maybe incorporate later when you and your student are more settled with homeschooling.

Feel free to message me directly with any specific questions.

Kristy

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Permalink Reply by Christina Strickland on September 16, 2009 at 5:21pm

Hi Peg,

Welcome to the wonderful adventure that is homeschooling. :-) I'm late the post-party, since I have recently joined TwitterMoms, but hopefully you still find this useful.

My family and I are entering our 10th year of homeschooling and we have only ever bought ONE brand-new text book (it was a recently released edition and required for a homeschool co-op class).

If you are looking to purchase entirely new books, I would highly recommend Rainbow Resource. They've got nearly everything imaginable and really go to great length to write personal and well-balanced reviews. (Oddly enough, their paper catalog has more resources available than their website)

You can also check out currclick.com for on-demand workbooks, ebooks, lapbooks, etc. They have an entire section of freebies and have a weekly freebie as well.

Check out your local homeschool egroups for used curriculum, or you can try educationalaccents.com (I've always received fantastic prices and services through them, and I've never been disappointed in the quality - even those they rate as "well-used".)

From personal experience; I would highly recommend trying to borrow a particular book or series from a fellow homeschooler before you purchase. Over the years we have purchased SO many different curriculum materials, trying to find what works best for our family. Albeit, it has been used, but it still feels like a waste of money.

If you happen to frequent resale shops and thrift stores, don't forget to check out the books there. You would be AMAZED and the name-brand curriculum I've found there, as well as the most wonderful resource books for very little money.

Most subscription-based online homeschool "stuff" offers a free trial of some sort. A quick google search of "Free homeschool curriculum" bring all sort of results and ads. Just read the details. Personally, I don't sign up for any type of free trial requiring me to enter my credit card.

As you get more comfortable in your "homeschooling skin," you will find what works best for you and your family. This may be an entire boxed curriculum, unit studies, creating your own, or even unschooling. (there's no one-way that's right for everyone) After you determine your individual approach and get connected in the homeschool community, you will find opportunities for free and cheap stuff all over the place! :-)

-Christina Strickland
Homeschool Mom

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Permalink Reply by Maureen on September 17, 2009 at 8:06am

Christina gave you wonderful advice. Welcome to homeschooling!

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Permalink Reply by PraiseWalker on October 23, 2009 at 11:24am

Peg, the best advice I can give you is to use the library. We spent a fortune on homeschool curriculum in the first couple of years (doing Gr 11 this year) and we hardly used what we bought. We then started using the library. They have complete curriculum for most subjects (at least ours does) and lots of great stuff to read and do that will make school much more interesting that just using boxed curriculum.

I also just posted an article about using the iPod Touch to homeschool. We're finding it really helpful and cheap - but we had the iPod touches already.

Don't forget that education is about learning how to live in the world, not just about getting marks and checking off lists. LIVE your homeschooling.

Darlene

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