Homeschooling a 5Th Grader

Hello, This is the most wonderful adventure you will take in your lifetime. I home schooled two of my three children and wished I would have done all three. I can give you pointers if you like. There is tons of curriculum out there. You can buy it with test books, teachers books if you need them, student books. Hint, if the book is expensive, do not have the kids write in it and you will be able to sell it when you are finished. You can buy just about every book you need used. Most states require you to have regular testing done, in MN the kids can take the Iowa Basics at home and have them sent to the Univ of MN to be graded. Also some states wave certain requirements if the parent has a four year degree. Check with your state. Do a google for a Home School Alliance in your state. Many states have organizations that have wonderful notebooks and are inexpensive to join. there are also Christian based home school organizations. I now have one son with an MBA, one studying his PhD at Mayo Clinic, and one a junior studying Psychology. Home school works! It takes commitment but it is THE most important job you will do in your life. It also makes kids closer and families closer. Do not let people worry you about "socialization", it is proven that home school children excell socially because of the varying age people they are surrounded by. Also, there are many homeschool groups kids can belong to and will develop friends with other homeschoolers. Plus most museums, zoos, etc. treat home school families with the same discounts that public school get. An extra perk, you can take family vacations any time of the year.

You have many options out there, but first of all you have to know your state legalities (take a look at HSLDA) There are states that have more requirements than others, so it is important to know what you will need and then find the curriculum you want for your kid (s). There are religious-based and non religious-based. You can teach the basics or a more complete and rich curriculum depending on what you want your children to learn. There are diploma-granting academies and independent-learning organizations. You can mix curricula or use units or use just one or your own.
Take a look at:
Classical : "The Well-Trained Mind" book or www.welltrainedmind.com
Charlotte Mason: www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/4380/cmason.html
Homeschooling with Frugal Unit Studies: www.stretcher.com/stories/990726h.cfm
Kolbe Academy Home School (Catholic)
There are so many. but first you have to know your goals, what you want for the kids.
Abeka is very good too.
Oh by the way,.....home schooling your children WILL NOT isolate them from social life at all. It is a myth.
I home school 2 boys (11-6) normal boys, who have friends and play sports, invite friends over and they're invited too; they have sleepovers and many nice friends. I started to home school my older kid in the middle of 3rd grade., so far it has been great! Plenty of time for them to master things, flexibility, a world of knowledge, they love the idea to be with mommy, have a cozy breakfast and then off to the study room to start their school day. It is not easy since I am a mom, a wife, a teacher, etc....chores, errands, sports, doctor appointments, etc....but I love it! Home schooling is a very busy journey and a real commitment to take seriously. Do what YOU think is best for your children, your family, yourself. Good luck!

I have homeschooled my daughter part time and the curriculum that I used came from BJU Press for science - bjupresshomeschool.com. Also, Saxon Homeschool curriculum for math - http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com. For reading, phonics and language arts, I used the A Beka curriculum - http://www.abeka.com/ - they also have an online accredited distance learning program for homeschooling K-12. BJU Press has an online homeschool program as well. There is also K.12.com - www.k12.com which is an online public school, I believe. I have not had any personal experience with them myself. I do know that the Saxon Math is exceptional and the A Beka language arts program is excellent as well. I was very happy with both of them. I homeschooled my 1st grader & progressed to 2nd grade level math & science & reading. My experience homeschooling beyond 1st & 2nd grade beyond that grade is very limited and I can't really give any advice beyond the 2nd grade levels. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

I can't sign the praises of K12 online schools enough. There's one in almost every state. Check it out... www.k12.com

They have a wonderful curriculum; it's easier on the parent because you don't have to design a curriculum and wonder if you are missing something (their curriculum is very complete), and in most states it's tuition free which includes all your materials (texts, workbooks, lab equipment, art supplies, a loaner computer/printer, etc etc etc!)

The schools also arrange lots of "get togethers" and field trips so there are plenty of opportunities for socialization in the proper environments.

If you want any more info, let me know. We do K12 and we just love it!

Yes, I did start later with some at the same time I was starting out with the young ones. I used a curriculum that the private school they'd attended used so it was continuing on with familiar for them. The older child can work well on their own in most subjects with some help from you so it is very fun if you have the proper supplies, etc. One of our daughters just took out her 5th grader to home school but she uses an online program that works through the public school system. She is doing fine with him but it is like public school now where so much is preparing for the tests to see where they are at the end of the year instead of just learning. I don't like that but this program spends much time on those tests to prepare them. Other than that it's little work for the parent. You do have some things to send to the program head, etc. though. That's an option but I don't know if you have a program like that where you are. There are so many kinds of curriculum out there so you need to research what you like. Some home school groups have a time at the end of the year to see what is available when the companies bring books to show you. Often you can buy used books. Here there is a home school group that meets and some do group classes such as teaching Spanish if someone is able to do that, etc. Just be sure to get your child involved with other home schooled kids and make it fun at the same time they are learning at home.

Hi! I am homeschooling my daughter and my husband and his sister were homeschooled all the way. There are many resources out there. You can even find used options on Ebay and such. If you would like to get ideas, look at examples and talk to reps about it all there is a homeschool convention in most states in the spring. Ours here in Mass is in April in Worcester. Our state site is http://masshope.us/. Look for one for your state. If you are worried about certain academic strengths you may or may not have then check out local groups and find someone to work with. My mother in law used that while her kids were in high school and it really helped. She was a nurse so her strength was science, but not so much history so her and a friend (who loved history) switched subjects and had two days a week with the kids at the others house too which was an added bonus for momma time! Enjoy the adventure and time with your child!

What are your reasons for homeschooling? As a teacher 10 years from retiring, I have a suggestion if you are a SAHM. Volunteer daily at the school. Be a permanent fixture. You can see what he needs, supplement it at home, and still allow your child a social life.

I do not trust myself teaching math or science, so I would never cripple a child at home with me. I would do well in SS and ELA, but that it is not enough.

We started home schooling last year. She is now finishing up the 4th grade. I didn't know where to start or know what i was looking for to teach so I went to our school district web site and followed what they would be teaching. We are inthe SAU 16 school district. (side note-K12 program isn't offered yet in NH and I heard it takes a lot of tiem). I am currently looking for 5th grade materal as well.

Here are some sites I have found helpfull:http://www.timberdoodle.com, https://www.time4learning.com, http://www.superteacherworksheets.com, http://www.christianbook.com, http://www.homeschool.com, http://www.sheppardsoftware.com, http://www.brainpop.com, www.spellingcity.com

I used teaching text books for math. Our daughter loved it! HAve you talked with the school and school district about your intent? There might be the option of partical schooling and I know it kids can go to school for 2 classes. We choose to do that for art adn music. She goes to school for 2 hours one day a week. The principal arranged it so the classes were back to back.

Good luck and if you's like more help feel free to contact
M.