Saturday, July 14, 2007

Homeschool - The Beginning

Okay, I admit it. I took the plunge. Yeppers. While the boys were at camp this week, I snuck off to the home school store and started asking questions and I brought home a catalog and a little starting point guide. I have just about worn out the pages on both tidbits of information. The boys found my guide and my catalog and they had all kinds of questions and really showed genuine excitement.

Today I took a friend to have a medical procedure done, had to have my mom pick up the boys from camp because I wasn't able to be there on time. What a blessing both ladies are. I called my mom and ask her to meet me with the boys so that I could run an errand with them. She met me and when she pulled up beside my car, the boys called "Hey Mom!". What a feeling. I gather them up and off we went to run our errand. Oh yeah - that was after I thanked my mom and told her to be careful and that I love her. The boys were so curious about where we were off to. We are off to the home school store. "Oh did dad give you money to buy our test"? "Yes he did, are you excited about taking your placement test"? I could hear a chorus of 3 say "Yes Ma'am". Now that's what I'm talkin about! I really think that their excitement cup runneth over. And that's a good thing.

While we were at the home school store the boys were on their best behavior. I was very proud of them (to say the least). Darn it - they only had one placement test package. No big deal though, I ordered 2 more of the packets. We are getting all set and ready for action. When we got in the car, our middle son claimed the test packet as his. He wants to take it now. Mr. I don't like school wants to get started, NOW.

The placement packets should be in one day next week. I am considering getting them all started on taking this set of test now. There are 5 test books in the packet, History and Geography, Science, Language Arts, Math and Bible. It is the LIFEPAC collection. I could start one on Science, another on Math and another on one of the other subjects. And when the other 2 packets come in, I could continue on from there. One of the boys wants to wait and do it as a team and the other 2 want to get started now. I will have to see how our weekend goes. I think I may just wait on the other books. Then again...I am anxious to get started - NOW.

3 comments:

Ann crum said...

If you're really considering homeschooling, I say, DO IT! We homeschooled our two youngest and I don't regret it at all. They really soared being homeschooled.

Unknown said...

Hey, CONGRATS on your first step in what is one of the best choices to make for your family!

I would love to know what state you're in...the rules vary by state & sometimes people get confused as to which side to listen to.

If you haven't done so already, I suggest, STRONGLY ADVISE, next to insist, you read:
The Homeschooling Book of Answers: The 101 Most Important Questions Answered by Homeschooling's Most Respected Voices (Prima Home Learning Library)

Only after you have read that, I suggest
Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling

and finally
Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School

There is also
Home School Legal Defense Association
They are a terrific resource for legal questions and support should you ever need it. They are a really huge help in making sure homeschooling continues!

We would love to hear from you! Anytime someone new gets started with homeschooling, it excites us all!

Jennifer Von Powell
W.I.S.E. Learning Program / Wisdom In Seeking experiences
Chicago, IL

Alta said...

Wow! This is some really great information. I have got to get my hands on those suggested reads. I wonder if our local library has them. If not, I will just have to buy them.
I am on my way to check out your blog. Thank you for the wonderful advice.