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Posted by motherearth

First off Congratuations on your families decision to homeschool, it is a very rewarding thing to do. I'm not familiar with Ohio Law, so be careful here, I think you will be alright pulling them out in the middle, send in your letter of intent and let everyone rest. This is going to be a transition, and they (and you) will have to give yourself time to adjust.
The first year is the hardest, the second year we over due it and wear everyone out, the third year it all evens out. In the third year you know how much to do, and what not to do.
Don't be to hard on yourself many families have gone before you, if you need it look for a support group and most importantly enjoy this time with the kids!

My advice on curriculum to use, get online and do searches for determining there learning style. Then pick a curriculum to match that. Don't try to make them fit into someone elses mold.

We stick with one math program, we had to go through 2 to find the one that we liked.
We found a spelling program, but had to try 1 before the one we picked.
We have always used Konos which is a unit study, except for a 3 months stint of my trying to make them fit into the Well Trained Mind mold.

Do some reasearch, find other homeschoolers around you and borrow some of there curriculum and look it over.

If you have any questions feel free to ask, I'm sure the ladies here will be glad to help!

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Posted by CircleZ

If I were you, I would file the notification form the same time you take her out of school. Legally, it is ok to do this in the middle of the year, although some families have had trouble with it (the school officials get upset and bring them to court, even though they don't really have a case). But I don't think that happens very often. I would definitely join Home School Legal Defense Association if you do pull her out mid-year. If you have legal questions, they are a great resource (and have better answers than I do, I'm sure)! :-)

Blessings!
Amey

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Posted by CircleZ

I forgot to mention that the notification isn't an application for permission here in Ohio. The school doesn't have the authority to give permission, but you do have to notify them of what you are doing. Just clarifying!

Amey (again)

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Posted by Shaundra

so I dont have much advice, just encouragement! It is perfectly fine to remove your children during the school year. Especially if God is telling you to. As far as curriculium, pray first, and then search the internet and find one that fits your family. God lead us to KONOS last summer. I had never heard of it, but after we prayed about it, God pointed us to it. Do you get The Old Schoolhouse mag? If not, I would. It has lots of info on curriculium. Remember to take it slow at first, and try to make school fun! Praying for you!~Shaundra

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Posted by kayinpa

So much good advice has been giving...as for when you start that is up to you (especially since I am not familiar with Ohio)

I am what you called an electic homeschooler (regarding curriculum). I take a little from here and there. The important thing is to do you homework! :0) (Pun wasnt intended) Check out the different styles of homeschooling:

Charlotte Mason
Classical
Textbook
Unschooling
Principal
etc.

Some of these types can be combined. It also helps if you know what type of learners your children are..do they respond best by hearing, visual, hands on...this will help stear you in the direction of what type of curriculum to go with.

Here is what I use (just for example)

Math - we were doing Rod and Staff (excellent program, but wanted something I could use with all my children) and have now switched to Math U See.

English - First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind

Science....pretty much nature walks, download coloring pages from Enchanted Learning (they have science facts about each animal on some of their coloring pages).

History - following Christine Millers website (http://www.classical-homeschooling.org)..this combines the Charlotte Mason with the Classical Approach.

Music - Rod & Staff, plus VOX CD's about composers with their music (see my homeschool blog - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kayinpa ) and Hymns for a Child's Heart books & CD's

Art, Health & Spelling - Rod and Staff

I hope this is not too overwhelming...Just take a little at a time.

God Bless you in your new venture.

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