When we officially decided to home school, I knew that I would need to look into curriculums, organization ideas, and figure out what works best for us. My sister in law has HS her oldest two girls from the beginning, so she has been an excellent resource for me. While they were visiting at Christmas time, my husband and I sat and talked with her, asked questions, and were given some good things to look into as far as local resources. I, immediately, found a local home schooling group on FB, along with a few co-ops. I will admit that it can be somewhat intimidating and overwhelming whenever you realize not only how many curriculums there are to choose from, but also how many ways there are to actually home school!
My SIL suggested a book, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. I was able to borrow it from our library and have been slowly working my way through it. The author takes you through questions to figure out what type of teaching style you have, what type of learning style your child has, and then gives you 100 top picks of curriculum, with review, to help you look into which will work best for you and your family. It also explains the different types of HS'ing (unschooling, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, eclectic, etc.). I'm really enjoying it and have learned a lot. As of right now, I am leaning more toward the Charlotte Mason style, but pulling from other styles as well. That's the great thing about this! You don't have to be stuck using one method, one curriculum, one way of teaching/learning. You see how best you both work and decide from there.
I am planning on attending 2 separate conferences in March. I've already registered for the IAHE and plan to attend the local one, SWIHE, the following weekend. Both my husband and I have to work at some point during both, so I am going with just the kids to IAHE and he will accompany us to the 2nd day of the local one. You are able to purchase material at both places, and it is my hope to have a pretty good idea of what I want before I get there, and then buy what I feel I need first.
I haven't had a chance to look over a lot of different curriculum, but I was initially leaning toward Sunlight. The cost is a concern, but doable if it's what we feel is best. However, I am now leaning more toward starting with MFW while we are doing the kinder this year. We can always pull from other areas if I feel something is lacking, or we can switch to something else next year, as we enter 1st grade.
Both B and I are really looking forward to it. We have already set up his desk, organized our current "school stuff" and have have recently put up a calendar and weather chart (note: the "days of the week" in the middle? It says "yesterday was," "today is," and "tomorrow will be."):
I have been scouring Pinterest for ideas on organizing since we will be doing our (inside) schooling in his room. I do plan on us being involved in a few co-ops (two are specifically for play dates and field trips, another holds various classes every Monday) and, since B is more of a hands-on type of learner (and loves science/inventing), I am going to make sure we take advantage of any outside learning opportunities.
A family member recently asked B when he was starting school (knowing we've decided to HS, and was referencing to that). She expressed that, when it's time, she would like to take him shopping for school supplies because that's what she did with my niece and nephew. This includes a new backpack and lunch box. He was happy about that offer, as was I. My entire family has been very supportive of this new adventure we are taking, and I am very appreciative of that. I know that there are concerns about socialization (as anyone has when they're not familiar with the TONS of opportunities available!) and that's okay. They are not doubting my ability to teach my child. They are only loving us.
Looks like LJ is awake, so that's my cue to sign off for now! :)
