Wow! Things are moving so quickly now.....we drive to Atlanta in just FIVE days! Among the things that we are trying to wrap up before we leave is a decision as to which curriculum we will use for homeschool, and I am happy to report that our decision has finally been made. We are going with Alpha Omega Academy (online) for all 3 boys!
I was debating between AOA and Switched On Schoolhouse for some time, and was delighted to find that AOA actually uses SOS as one of their chosen programs! So there actually was no choice ;D The benefit to having the boys in the academy is that they have real teachers (one per subject) who will help them along the way with questions, grade their work, and keep track of all of their grades! That's definitely the way to go for us given all the chaos we will continue to have over the next couple of months. And just in case it's not what we hoped it would be, I only signed them up for one semester, so that we can re-evaluate where we are for next year.
While Josh & Noah are both doing SOS curriculum online, Matthew is actually going to be using Horizons. The SOS curriculum doesn't start until 3rd grade, so we'll be using a much more traditional route for Matthew for the next couple of years until he's capable of using the computer. I had 2 choices for Matthew, Horizons or Lifepac, and I knew I wanted to try Horizons as the Lifepacs are what I used last year for Noah, and I really didn't like them. So that made that choice easy too! I also went to Barnes & Noble and picked up a copy of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. I've heard such good things about it that I'm really excited to give it a try! I'm even thinking I might get Jacob started in a couple of months when things settle down.
We went ahead and bought two new laptops (one for each older boy) to be used for their schoolwork. After taking online placement tests to determine exactly where to begin with them, we were able to get our curriculum shipped out in just 2 days, and it arrived yesterday! Allie is helping me by loading all the software onto each computer, and we expect to be starting school on Monday! Not too bad, given the circumstances ;D
I'm sure I'm leaving out information, and I know that some people are following me to see what I am doing to start up homeschool, so please feel free to ask questions! As I said, things are moving so quickly that I just can't get it all on my blog! I'm making so many decisions these days and having to cover so many bases....it's insane! And I always forget that anyone who is reading my blog doesn't have all the background details of my daily life ;D
I'm planning to put up a post with all the details about the move tomorrow night......I did say PLANNING ;D
6 hours ago
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4 comments:
Wanted to quickly drop in b/c I learned how to read with 100 Easy Lessons- I still remember half the stories from it. Actually, all my siblings learned on that book! Good luck!
I'm so excited for you and your family! I look at this story and I think "wow! What I wouldn't give to homeschool!" God has so many positive things planned for you all and this is just a hurdle to jump! :) Can't wait to see pictures of the new house and hear all the other exciting things you're starting!
I am wanting to start homeschooling my younger kiddos. I'm following your story and trying to find the courage to do it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to blog. You inspire me in so many ways. (Your blog is changing a lot of things in my life right now)
Erin- you go for it!!!!! I've tried to run the other direction SO many times, but God kept putting homeschool in my path no matter how I tried to avoid it! You can do it!!!!!!!! I'll be here for you and we can do it together!!!!!
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