Hello, just wondering if there is anyone Homeschooling in British Columbia Canada, How they started and what program they used. I have a 4 yo son and just started looking for programs, we think we would prefer a Christian based program but would like to hear from others what they chose and how things are going. Thanks, Megan.

-- megan (millikenfarm@telus.net), June 10, 2000

Answers

hi megan. we do not live near you , but i am starting to home school our 4 yr. old and almost 3 yr. old this summer . i know they sound to younge but i think they are ready . i have looked into the calvert program and i think we are going to get it. calvert offers a pre k and a k program. they are not religious but right now we as a family are looking to change churchs , and i think we will beable to teach religion on our own. i know calvert has a web page i will look up the address for you and post it .i was suprised how many folks homeschool in our area, they are coming out of the closet! we put a small ad in a local paper and received 18 phone calls the first day. i just asked if anyone homeschooled and found 8 people in a 10 +- mile area that do.i was realy suprised

good luck renee

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), June 10, 2000.

My favorite pre-school/K program is the Rod & Staff pre-school series. It is a set of 6 workbooks plus a Bible story book and costs less than $20.00! My children loved doing them, and they are a gentle but thorough way to begin homeschooling. Rod & Staff is a Mennonite publisher. Their address is P.O. Box 3, Hwy. 172 Crockett, KY 41413-4348 (606) 522-4348. In the older grades their texts include Canada's history. Hope you'll give them a try! Blessings to you. Jean

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), June 10, 2000.

Megan, We dont live near you,but I am in my 3rd year of homeschool with my children. When I started I also wanted a christian based curriculum. I started with Christian Liberty Academy located in Ilinois. It was a sound program and reasonably priced for a whole years study. We stuck pretty close to it for the first year, but by the second year we tended to do more of our own thing. We are far less structured now and the kids are still learning but it's not quite so dry as before. I still like to refer to the books that let you know what your child should know at certain levels, but keep in mind that each child learns at his own pace. Your children may be well above or below in certain areas. And that is normal. My kids are 2, 4, 6, and 14 yrs. old. Even the 2yr. old participates where he can and definitely benefits from selections that are read on an almost daily basis. I could go on and on but I wont. I just want you to know that your kids will do just fine in home school without a curriculum. We are happy with our decision to learn together as a family. Best of luck to you! Denise

-- Denise (jphammock@earthlink.net), June 10, 2000.

Megan,

Unfortunately, we do not live near you. However, we homeschool our 2 children, ages 6 & 9. I spent countless hours researching the options of full-curriculum programs, partial programs and completely "on your own". A friend of mine, who has been a public school teacher for 20+ years (and homeschools her own son) found a book titled "The Well-Trained Mind - A Guide to Classical Education at Home" authored by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. I used this as a guide and have been able to put together a program that allows us to teach our children simultaneously. It encourages purchasing a few core "text" books and usually the local library heavily. For math, they do recommend a more structured system. We chose Saxon math. Both of our kids love this program. Our daughter, who previously attended public school, was under the misconception that she was math illiterate, due to their program. Saxon math changed her feelings toward math and has given her an extreme amount of confidence in her abilities.

I would recommend that you at least preview "The Well-Trained Mind". The book itself sells for prox. $30.00 through Amazon and the like, but was well worth the investment for us.

Good luck. I would be happy to help in any way possible. Feel free to e-mail me directly.

We have just completed our first year of homeschooling and all 4 of us would not have it any other way. We've all learned many things this year and are anxiously awaiting the next.

Tonya Starlin

-- Tonya Starlin (mts@netonecom.net), June 10, 2000.

Megan -- We're in Saskatchewan. I am also homeschooling my 4YO son. The best resource is your provincial organization -- ours is the Saskatchewan Home Based Educators -- I'm sure that BC has a similar organization. Do a search online, or contact your local library -- they often can refer you to someone in your area who offers advice on homeschooling.

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), June 10, 2000.

Hello Megan, I am a Christian Homeschooler with boys, 3, 6, 8. I have used a number of approaches. I am more of a relaxed type, so the first thing you would have to do before you invest money in a set program is determine what kind of teacher you will be. A relaxed one, a more structured one, or a very by the books type that likes alot of direction. I have been down this road and I wish I would of got into touch with what type of teacher I am BEFORE I bought all the different programs. I like Unit Studies. That is where you study a certain block of interest, say Oceans. You then concentrate on all things pertaining to Oceans. I really like this approach it helps me with all ages and its fun. Keeps their interest, we are going to do Konos this year. Good Luck. Karole Oh, I have heard Five in A Row is supposed to be very good to begin with. They have a web site, just type Five in a Row in your search and I think you should be able to find it.

-- Karole Schoepf (Biz3boymom@aol.com), June 10, 2000.

I have homeschooled my two sons for ten years now. I always wrote my own curriculum as it is easier to taylor it to the childrens interests, strengths etc. I have heard from friends that they like Abeka but I looked at some of the materials and it was mostly workbooks. Why use workbooks when the world can be your classroom. I always followed the kids areas of interest. One of my sons was interested in reptiles and amphibians. We went on many field trips to nature centers, museums, ponds, rivers, etc. You can't cover every subject like this but with a little imagination you can do alot. My kids hated writing so the reward for writing was a field trip that they didn't think of as educational. Remember, Make it fun and they will learn more. Homeschooling is an education for the parents too. I wouldn't trade the last ten years for anything in the world.

-- Lani in Vermont (mlrd@together.net), June 10, 2000.

Hi, I am in the process of researching homeschooling options for our family (our kids are 7, 5 and 4). My oldest daughter spent 2.5 wonderful years in a Waldorf-inspired charterschool (that we helped start). Then we moved far away and bought a house 3 miles from a small rural public school in Southern Oregon. She had a great semester at a great little school. Now the school board voted to close 2 small schools in the district to save money and of course one was ours. They want to bus the kids 12 miles to a town to an elementary school of 600 students. I believe that is too big of a school for little kids and besides I don't want them on a bus for hours every day. So here we are taking baby steps in the direction of homeschooling. I feel a little overwhelmed at all the information available but trying to sort it out little by little. It is very encouraging to read all of you experienced homeschoolers posts. Thank you!

-- Helen (bluechicken@wildbearnet.net), June 11, 2000.

Our last homeschooler graduated from homeschool high school last May so we envy you just starting out!!! Stick to it and remember that this is one of the most precious gifts you can give to your child!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 11, 2000.

I started homeschooling my third of six children this past year. I have never bought a "program" for the kindergarten year. I buy them a handwriting book from Wal-Mart to teach them how to print their letters and I buy the first grade Abeka math book because it starts with teaching them how to write their numbers. Math is the only curriculum I have ever bought. We read alot and use "real" books for science and history instead of text books. I taught in the public school system for 5 years and learned that most of the materials printed for that are just to keep the students busy. I can keep my children "busy" with better activities. Also, subjects such as science, history, health, etc. are all subjective as to what the school system or particular publisher thinks the student needs to learn. Who's to say what you decide to teach your child in those areas is not as good. Find out what or who your child likes and find materials on them. You can use your library without spending alot of money and buying alot of curriculum. Find a book that tells you what a child needs to know in each grade and go from there. Most children who are homeschooled pick up most of the first couple of grades on their own because they have parents who actually spend time with them and talk to them. Good luck.

-- Kathy (DavidWH6@juno.com), June 13, 2000.

I am starting homeschool preschool with my 3 yob this year. I am a little nervous, but we are both very excited. I am writing the curriculum myself. I don't feel that we are starting too young. I feel that this is the best for our needs (to each his own, right?). Most of my sources come from the internet, the library and things that I have traded with other homeschoolers. I have found enough free curriculum on the web, that I will not need to buy much to supplement until 6th or 7th grade!! I have a ton of useful links, if anyone is interested in them, please e-mail me privately (there are entirely too many to post here). One of my favorite catalogs to look through is Timberdoodle (www.timberdoodle.com). They are a Christian company, and offer a variety of quality products!

-- Linda (botkinhomeschool@yahoo.com), June 15, 2000.