okay so we have finally decided to homeschool our 2nd grader. Can you guys tell me the best curriculum to use and what is best in the long run...as far as if she wants to go to high school...we don't want them to put her behind and all. Also one that we can get a diploma through and not have her go take a GED when she gets old enough if she doesn't want to go to high school. One thing is...she does have ODD/ADHD & Bipolar...
Give me those ideas and tips momma PLEASE!!! Also i have a daughter that turned 4 in march any tips there?
Hitchkids
08-21-2008, 04:03 PM
What type of curriculum are you looking for? For starters, do you want secular or religious? Do you want a full-service school in a box tuition based thing or do you want to pick and choose each subject yourself? If you want a diploma for high school, it's best to go with a full-service provider. Look for ones that are accredited and you can get a diploma. Not all are though. But to help you out more, we need more information because chances are everyone here believes they use the best stuff and chance are good that no two families use the exact same stuff.
fawnlovesjasper
08-21-2008, 06:44 PM
Hitch is right.. there are more options out there than any of us could ever imagine possible. Also, there are now so many cyber schools.. and even virtual highschools that you can take classes from anywhere and get a diploma. Remember a diploma is just a piece of paper, and what colleges are going to want to see of any student is their transcript, and their test scores.. and you can prepare them for this in more ways than are countable.
Personally, we don't use a curriculum. We follow the winds so to speak, and it works for us. We are close to unschoolers, but aren't quite over the edge.. we are more of a super duper relaxed eclectic homeschooler. What we do doesn't even remotely resemble school.. others have strict schedules and/or have a very school at home atmosphere. It all depends on what works for you.. and honestly with the ODD/ADHD, you may find that you need to pick and choose things that will work for her. My oldest, who I began homeschooling at the beginning of second grade has ODD/ADHD. We have found that what works for us today may not work tomarrow, also he learns best and is most focused early in the morning, while his mind is still calm. He loves to play video games.. so I try to work some computer games into his learning. We don't use a math curriculum, instead we use "living math", that is math in every day situations.. cooking, building things, budgeting etc. We also play lots of math games.. the books Family Math and Family Math 2 and also Mega-Fun Math Games are my very favorites! For reading we read what ever he wants, with one book of my choice a week, plus now we are using Reading A-Z books a little bit (but mostly I got this for my little ones to go along with starfall.com). For science there is a great book that is free to download HERE (http://www.eequalsmcq.com/Thank%20you%20for%20downloading%20Life%20Science.h tm), that we are using this year, but if I would have had it for second grade.. I so would have used it!! There are other free science programs out there, as well as free social studies, and free math.. if you want the links let me know (I am all for finding things free.. it helps keep me on our budget!!)
You should look into your states homeschool laws, and their laws on getting a diploma from homeschooling. Here in PA there are groups that are accredited, and we can register through them and after we have our annual evaluation, we submit it to them and they keep a record of our transcript and once we meet their requirements then our kids graduate, complete with a ceremony and diploma.. and the entire time they are reaping the benefits of being homeschooled and being able to learn the things they want.
I know this is already long, but I want to tell you not to get too committed to any one thing.. you may be surprised at how many different curriculums and approaches you go through until you find one that works.. and then all of a sudden what is working for you may crash and burn and you have to start all over. I seem to have to do a complete turn in the other direction at least once a year for each subject.
suthrnmomto3
08-21-2008, 08:34 PM
well she goes to church but either religious or the other would work for us...probally the other one more...we try to leave what she wants to learn as far as religion up to her in a way without telling her you will believe this religion and nothing else...ykwim? anyways...she super super duper loves the computer and games on it!!! she could live on that thing if she was allowed lol. Is there a curriculum that is computer based for 2nd grade? Also how on Earth do I look up our states laws on homeschooling? we live in Mississippi. We are wanting to homeschool her because her school isn't so liking her not being on medication for her problems (as they call her)...so she is unmedicated and just acts out and refuses to do her work at school even if they punish her...it makes her even more determined not to do it I believe...
Hitchkids
08-22-2008, 06:44 AM
For information on your state's laws, go to www.hslda.org. For information on the different curriculum options out there, I would start out at www.homeschoolreviews.com. If you want computer based, you may have a little trouble finding it before I think 4th grade for everything. I think Switched on Schoolhouse is all computer based. Honestly, I suggest that someone brand new to homeschooling simply takes a few weeks or months to just be with their kids and figure each other out. Spend a little time allowing everyone to "deprogram" for the typical school routine you had going because things will be different in a homeschool environment and it can take a little while to get used to the differences. I would just take the first few weeks to relax and enjoy your time together while you do more research into what learning style will work best for your daughter and what to buy. There is no need to rush things and perhaps accidentally waste your money on something that just is not right for your family.
sunnie_skys
08-22-2008, 07:09 AM
I think it really depends on how your child learns. Is he hands on or a textbook kid. You could do Math U see for hands on or Saxon for textbook and a little hands on. Everyone will say their curriculum is the best but you are the one that has to decide whats best for your child. One tip I have heard for add/adhd kids is to give them something to snack on thats crunchy so they divert their attention to that while you are teaching. So carrot sticks, or other crunchy things. I would go to a homeschool curriculum fair to really look at your options. Also www.rainbowresource.com has almost everything you will ever need and more and they also have pictures, discrptions and reviews on almost everything they sell. You can also get a catalog from them that is 2-3 in. thick.
fawnlovesjasper
08-22-2008, 09:25 AM
I'm not sure what age Switched on Schoolhouse starts, but that is a computer based curriculum, it may be pricey, I'm not sure. There is time4learning.com. I have never used them, and try not to reccomend them because they offer a free month to anyone who goes out and spams boards with ads for them, but I think they cover all the core subjects in a fun online way??? I haven't seen a T4L ad in a long time, there is a homeschooling board that used to get hit all the time.. we threw a fit about it and went to the T4L owner and complained and she appologised and I haven't seen one since.. maybe they quit the promotion thing??? Who knows.
You do need to learn your state laws inside and out, it is important that you comply,and also know your rights, no matter what curriculum you decided to follow.
What kind of budget you have for school needs to be taken into consideration too.. for us we have to be very very frugal ;)
suthrnmomto3
08-22-2008, 11:28 AM
she is very hands on...she loves doing things for herself...all the time...
we have to be veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy frugal at this if possible or as frugal as possible
fawnlovesjasper
08-22-2008, 11:53 AM
Is she a good reader? Does she work on level (or above or below) for her subjects? Have you looked at your state laws yet? I could probably help you put together something to at least get you going for now for free.. yep free.. in fact there is a website out there that if you follow it you can homeschool all the way through pretty much for free, if you don't mind either reading books online or printing a ton. (www.oldfashionededucation.com).
Here are some free resources to look at:
Grammar: http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html
Spelling: http://www.zaner-bloser.com/spellingconnections/practice-pages.html
Reading: www.bookadventure.org (we read books then take tests here, they earn free prizes)
Science: http://www.eequalsmcq.com/Thank%20you%20for%20downloading%20Life%20Science.h tm
http://msnucleus.org/membership/index.html
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/matrix.cfm
Social Studies: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/matrix.html
Music: www.classicsforkids.com
Then there are sites like:
www.enchantedlearning.com (you can use it free)
www.schoolexpress.com (sign up for their newsletter for a free unit each week)
www.currclick.com (they have a free product each week)
www.abcteach.com (lots of free things here too)
www.learningpage.com (lots of free things here too, and if you look on this site they have "Tommy Tales" books and all kinds of worksheets to go with them... they are great, we used them in second grade!!!)
Google can be your best friend.. there are soooooo many resources out there.
Oh there is a math program too http://www.thechessacademy.org/mathlinks2.htm, for us though.. we use living math.. we play games and use real world experiences to learn and understand math.. when he is a bit older we will be using a regular math program, but for now he gets math naturally.
