Do you have a homeschooling or curriculum question? Ask it here, and perhaps one of our experienced mom’s will be able to help.
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I am just starting on this homeschooling adventure and I am completely lost!! My husband and I do not want to spend a lot $$$ to accomplish this goal with my 3rd grader. I do want to make sure he can pass state standards and that I am on track in regards to schooling him. Every site I look at is buying into a “school”. Where can I get information to structure lesson plans and know he is learn what he needs to be learning for his age. Any help would be great!
I recommend connections academy. They offer free curriculum and a TAKS test to make sure your child is on track. My child will be starting third grade with them this fall.
Stacey
I love the used curriculum book sales that occur starting in May. I also love a book called the Well Trained Mind. Even if you decide not to use a classical curriculum, it is a good resource. Past state tests are also free online, and you can have your child take them. The amount of free and low cost resources online is astounding. One of the best resources for new homeschoolers is a class called Smoothing the Way. It talks about teaching and learning styles, choosing a curriculum, organizing your time, etc.
http://www.oldfashionededucation.com
You can download/print an entire curriculum from here for free. It’s literature based and really neat. Enjoy!
When I try to go to bhafta I get sent back bachos. I used to be a member of both but lost touch. Are they one in the same now or am I just missing something? I would like to get the kids back in the loop- but keep running into roadblocks.
looking to home school my child asap. dont know where to start.
If your child has never been in the public school system, then you just start teaching. If you have had your child enrolled, just type a letter stating that you are homeschooling your child. Nothing else should be provided (no curriculum, reasons, etc.). In the state of TX homeschools are private schools. Getting involved in one of the homeschooling groups (online or in person) will give you a large group of people to learn from. There is a great deal of free resources on the internet as well.
I am desperate to begin homeschooling my child. She is currently in 3rd grade and is struggling with everything. She is overwhelmed. She has always been at the top of her class but, this year she has plummeted. I believe it is due to an enormous emphasis on the TAKS testing and she is definitely feeling the pressure. I know she is smart enough to do well but she is overcome with frustration. I do not know anything about homeschooling but I loved school and enjoy the learning process. I want to begin homeschooling next year. Where do I begin?
Take a deep breath. There are a lot of homeschooling options so I would start investigating different approaches. Proverbs calls your daughter an “arrow in the hand of a mighty warrior” and you will have to find out where to direct her education, the beginning of her life. All of our children are different and we are sharpening our arrows for different purposes sometimes. I started by reading books and ordering different homeschool curriculum catalogues and studying. I also went to the CHEACT conference in the summer. Yes, I suffered from information overload and had to take time to process all of these new ideas. I asked every other homeschooler I encountered.
If you want a couple of shortcuts for your first year, you can sign your daughter up for a few classes at the One Day Academy (google it). They have interesting science classes and age appropriate classes for a 3rd grader. The classes are usually between $40-$50 per class per month. This would give you or your husband a sense of accountability transitioning from public school.
As many moms who are on this site there will be equally as many moms who differ on what curriculum to use. I’ll tell you what my 3rd graders have used and what I like: I use Abeka Math until 4th grade (just the math workbook, sometimes the speed drills and tests, under $25); Sonlight 3 or 3+4 for history, readers and read alouds (Sonlight.com but I buy used curriculum, I like Sonlight because I feel like it creates a love for reading); I like Sequential Spelling, Wordly Wise, and Easy Grammar but honestly, I never got really serious about any of these until 4th grade with my second son. I have used Bob Jones, Sonlight, and Apologia for science and liked them all.
Whew! That is a lot of opinion. I hope it was helpful!
I’ve starting homeschooling my eldest daughter this year with a simple Kindergarten curriculum and would like to get involved in one of the area Christian co-ops for additional support and peer interaction time. Is there a way I can connect with someone to visit one of these programs before summer is underway? Thanks for your help!
Hi, Michelle
The best way is to join one of the yahoo groups. Your current email can be used. Go to yahoo; click on groups; search for either Bachos or elgin homeschoolers depending on which one you are closer to and would like to relate. We personally are on the BACHOS group. This group of moms and kids (and sometimes dads) meet typically every Friday in Bastrop at the park for park day. Once you join a group send out an email introducing yourself to everybody. You’re likely to get a bunch of friendly hellos and welcomes.
Hi!
We’re just moving to Bastrop County next month. We homeschool our 5 boys (ages 2-11) and am wondering where to start in meeting new people. Are there any summer activities or groups?
Hello Julie,
Durning the Summer we love to get involved with the Bastrop Public Library. They have many summer activities where we get to reconnect wih homeschool friends. Are you with the Bastrop County Homeschoolers yahoo group yet. Click on the tab groups at the top. There is always great activities and meetings going on. Good luck with the move and can’t wait to meet you and your boys.
Hi… I have homeschool 20 years. One set graduated and we had a caboose… 12 yr old girl that we’ve homeschooled since 1st. So… we are from the Rio Grande Valley and considering a move to the Smithville/Bastrop area. Can anyone give me any feedback about the area and homeschooling?
thanks
Linda
This area has a LOT of homeschooling opportunities. There are two-three co-ops, One Day Academy, Corner Academy, and many homeschooling playgroups and activity groups. There are both secular and religious groups. There are girl scout and boy scout troops that are specific to homeschooling children. The Bastrop/Smithville area is very small (especially for jobs), but the homeschooling community is large.
My daughter has down syndrome and she is a bright girl. I am going to homeschool her. What she gets in Bisd is not effective and she gets nothing positive from her teacher. I want to keep her in special olympics though and am not sure how to go about doing that. Also if there is a special needs homeschool program that anyone would recomend. Would appreciate it.
Bobbi
If your group is interested in publicizing these classes I’d appreciate your help. I can’t see to figure out how to load the information. Thanks Wanda Gamble
LOST PINES ART ALLIANCE FALL CHILDREN’S CLASSES
September 12- October 5, 2011
Mary Nichols Art Center, 301 Burleson, Smithville, TX 78957
http://www.lostpinesartisansalliance.org
UNDERWATER CIRCUS. You be the circus master, drawing imaginary underwater worlds with finned creatures, mermaids and playful dolphins. Submarines, amphibious vehicles make valiant rescues. Learn to draw, learn to imagine.
$15 a class, material included. AGE 5-10
4:30 PM- 6:00 PM, Tuesday after school
September 13-October 4, 2011
CARTOONING. From “Penguins of Madagascar” to” Scooby Doo” to ”X-Men” learn to emulate and create your own cast of cartoon characters. Make dynamic action cells and learn to tell a story.
$15 a class, materials included. Age 7-11
4:30 PM- 6:00 PM, Wednesday after school
September 14-October 5, 2011
IS IT ART? You be the judge as you include popular genres like street art, comic books, monster trucks, graphic novel art into your own creations. Learn about drawing concepts in the world of “fun”. Create your own comic strip or graphic novel. A variety of drawing & painting mediums will be utilized.
$15 a class, materials included, Age 9-18
6:15 PM- 7:45 PM, Tuesday evening
September 13-October 4, 2011
BASIC DRAWING Whether real or imagined, learn basic techniques using a variety of drawing tools. Expand your artistic styles as you draw still life, portraits animal and people, and landscapes.
$15 a class, material included
6:15 PM- 7:45 PM, Wednesday evening
September 14-October 5, 2011
WANDA GAMBLE INSTRUCTOR
Wanda Gamble is offering after school art classes for children this fall 2011. Wanda has over twenty years experience teaching children art. She is a professional artist who shows at Harris Gallery in Houston. You can view her body of work on wandagambleartist.com and harrisgalleryhouston.com and bastropfineartsguild.com.
Ongoing classes, including Christmas ornament making, collage, painting, to be announced after October 4. Please call to be added to our mailing list or if you have any request, questions or a schedule conflict. Scholarships available upon need. After school bus transportation to Mary Nichols Art Center available for Smithville Elementary and Jr. High students.
Wanda Gamble Home phone 512-237-2814 or E-mail wgamble1@austin.rr.com
I need some help, anything would be appreciated. My son, age 17 is a senior, always been in public school, but he wants his senior year homeschooled. What on earth do I do? I know I need to withdraw him from school with a letter, but where do I find curiculum, what on earth do I teach based on what credits he already has, what about SAT testing and TAKS tests? Please help, very frustrated mom with no clue what I’m doing.
There are several routes you could take. You could enroll him in a co-op, or a homeschooling school such as One Day Academy, or just teach him yourself. If he is a very bright kid, you could even consider having him just study for the SAT (no TAKS necessary for homeschooling children) and enroll him in college classes. University of TX and other colleges have dual enrollment classes for high school and college online. You could also PUBLIC SCHOOL at HOME. YEP. It’s called K-12. You can find it on Google. They provide everything, you make sure he does it. I would connect with a group. They may have other ideas. You can get full packaged curriculum from places like Sonlight , Abeka , Calvert , and more. You can make your own curriculum as well. CONNECT WITH A GROUP. There will be a lot more moms to support you and bounce ideas on.
I am looking for a guitar teacher for my daughter. She is in 3rd grade. I was wondering if anyone knows of someone that could teach her. I am hoping to find something relatively affordable. Thank you
I heard the YMCA in Bastrop is giving guitar lessons at the Kerr Center.
I am trying to find a homeschooling group in the Smithville area. Every email address I have found listed on this site has bounced back. Does anyone have a proper contact for any of these organizations?
Thanks,
Ellen Halper
Right now, many of the Smithville homeschooling families attend the Bastrop groups such as BACHOS or the Bastrop County Homeschoolers.
I have emailed those as well, I think, and received bounceback emails. Is there a place/person to call that you know of? Also, I have looked at many of the sites online that provide curriculum for the year. I am interested to know if anyone has an opinion on the best one they have found. Thank you so much!
Ellen -
To access the groups you have to go to the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bastropcountyhomeschoolers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BACHOS
Hope that works for you!
Yes I have a question. I need to preint out an assesment test. So I know where she is and what shes picked up. She has special needs so test in that direction would be great.
bnutty4life@yahoo.com
Hi Everyone! Can anyone tell me the rules with attendance, reporting grades and anything else in the legal department? I am teaching a 16 year old Freshman but has tested lower than the ninth grade level, if that helps at all. This is all very new to me. So any help would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
There are no requirements from a legal standpoint in tx. No reports,nothing! However you may want to keep at least a transcript in case you move to another state or for college. a transcript just describes the class and the grade received. Yes, you give the grade. It doesn’t have to be fancy or formal. Don’t forget that not all kids need to be college bound. He may certainly learn some trade skills as part of his school work.