Homeschooling

Last week my family joined the ranks of homeschooling families. For the past year I've done some learn as we go kind of stuff and looked into the Montessori Method. My son decided last fall after visiting our friends in town that he was going to school when he turned 4 like his bff. Well, unfortunately that was not the case. We tried our best to explain our situation in regards to his attending school. He kind of understood, but wasn't really letting go of the school position. We decided that we should try to homeschool before the time came that we needed to homeschool.

I found Calvert School offered a Pre-Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum that would be a review and new material. The price was reasonable, except for shipping. After 2 discussions with Customer Service and Supervisor it was determined that FedEx 2 day would be the same as USPS Priority Mail. I didn't want to accept it, but I have heard great things about this company and just bit the bullet. Upon recieving the package I found out in their welcome material that they ship FREE to the lower states. So next year I will have it shipped to family and send them money to ship it up to me via USPS.

They don't leave much out of their curriculum packages. I've only had to add a pair of scissors and a bottle of glue to the supplies they sent. There are also some activities to add some items from around the household. The activity sheets are just enough for my son to have assistance once or twice with instruction before taking off on his own with it. The first day he wanted to do another session and for two weeks now we have done two sessions a day. I knew we would probably go pretty quick through the Pre-K. The Lesson Manual is for a school year and has some lesson plans that focus on a particular time of year, like currently Autumn though we are in Summer. It gives instructions of which lessons to swap with, but I was kind of cunfused to do it this first time. I think with some paper clips and post it notes I might be ok the next lesson swap. So far my son is doing well with the structure and doing school at home. He is the type of kid that knows what he is doing, but won't do it until he has perfected it in his mind first. Somehow having a routine of school everyday has let him practice or show him he can do it. After two tries first with me writing, then showing him the letters from a puzzle; he has written his first and last name. He still won't do it outside school though. He is singing some of the songs days after we've learned them and repeats to his dad what the story was that we read. He has even tried to teach him from his completed worksheets. He has always turned learning around to teach us.

I'm happy with Calvert School and I'm pretty sure that we will continue with their program. The curriculm seems sound and is pretty cost effective. The September after my son turns 5 we can enroll in a homeschooling program that would offer assistance both educationally and financially, but we would have to go through some of the school district hoops. We just aren't sure if we want to do that yet and if we can continue to afford to homeschool I think we will continue to do it on our own.

Comments

[Maryk]

Such a bright kid! Keep up the good work! AuntM