I have been thinking about homeschooling lately. I honestly never considered it before, until it came up with my family doctor the other day in an office visit. He has a son he adopted that he homeschools. I don't know all the termonology yet and types of homeschooling, but he said they watch dvd's that have a teacher actually teacing on the tv. He also said they have his school work done in 2-3 hours each day, and that he is usually done with his school year by January. We live in Indiana by the way. So, I was wondering, what the average cost is to homeschool, is it more expensive than public school, and would it be realistic to think that I could homeschool 3 kids, never having homeschooled before? My kids are entering 6th, 3rd, and kindergarten. 

MrsRogier:

He also said they have his school work done in 2-3 hours each day, and that he is usually done with his school year by January.

The average homeschool day is four hours but some take less or more time.

 

MrsRogier:

he said they watch dvd's that have a teacher actually teacing on the tv.

There are methods that use this approach. The programs can be expensive, running about $1,000 a year for the first student. If you are interested in taking a look, both Abeka and Bob Jones offer it.

It's hard to give you an average cost since one can choose a very frugal method or an expensive one. I spend less than $200 a year on both of my children and that's far less than many spend on their children's public education experience.

MrsRogier:

would it be realistic to think that I could homeschool 3 kids, never having homeschooled before?

I homeschooled three at one time but I had the advantage of not having to start as a new homeschooler with all three at once as you will be doing. I would suggest not tying to finish the school year by January which would give you a slower approach and allow you to work your way into it with less stress.

 

 

 

 

 

 Thanks for the reply Brandy. It is so overwhelming trying to read up on homeschooling. I still need to go to the library and check out what they have. My DH at first thought it was a very unrealistic idea. His main concerns were,  the boys wouldn't get to play high school sports, and who did I know that was famous who was homeschooled?? I guess the male brain works a bit different than ours. He at leat is still thinking it over. Oh, also, he wanted to know what would we do when the kids got to the point of taking calculas, and triginometry. I said we would just learn along with them(not really sure if that is possible for me though!)  Thanks again for the reply!

I don't mind answering questions and others here have experience they are willing to share. If you share specific concerns or issues, it would make it easier for us to help you find the answers you need. It is indeed overwhelming at first.

I suggest reading a good general book on homeschooling. It helps to grasp the overview and then you can seek out more information on various areas. My favorite is Homeschooling: Take a Deep Breath, You Can Do This. It's an enoyable read and easy to follow.

MrsRogier:

and who did I know that was famous who was homeschooled??

Oh that's an easy one! Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Winston Churchhill, Stonewall Jackson, Albert Einstein, Pierre Curie, Grandma Moses, Leonardo Da Vinci, Joan of Arc, Brigham Young, Ely Whitney and the list goes on and on. You can read more of the list at Bridgeway Homeschool Academy. A to Z has a list of more currently known homeschoolers who either were homeschoolers themselves or educate their children at home.

As for areas that you feel you are weak in, there are options that are self instructed or provide enough explanation.

 

I forgot to address the sports issue. You may want to check and see what local organisations, churches and homeschool support groups have to offer. Some have sports and other activities that would be available to you and your family.  

 This evening me and DH were watching t.v. after my DS baseball game, and there was a commercial about a new movie staring Will Smith. And my DH was like, "Hey,Will Smith homeschools his son". I had emailed him a copy of the page about the famouts that are homeschooled. I just thought it was funny! Thanks for the links, by the way!

Just keep it simple and enjoy your children. aceministries.com has a free diagnostic test so you know where to place your children in each subject. For us, all we use a curriculum for is math, english, and spelling from ACE. The other stuff like Bible, Science, History, Music, P.E,  & Life Skills we just study together and have fun. This can be achieved by library programs, Science museums, Internet games, Living Books (Do a search for Charlotte Mason Method), Zoos, Various field trips, Crafts, lots of Community interaction, etc...  It is so much fun to interact with other homeschoolers and learn how they achieve their learning goals for each of their unique children.

 I know that in Utah at least, homeschoolers can take select classes in high school (such as calculas and trig), and if they do, they are still eligible for extracurricular activities.

 jteam10, we used ACE for years, all 5 kids. Now two of the grandkids are using it. My last DD will graduate this year. We did their Lighthouse Academy program this year. She wanted a real dipolma. They were very helpful with her this year. Called often to see how she was doing, chekc on progress. I use their preschool materials in my daycare. Babs

 

Thanks for letting me know that you liked their Lighthouse portion of material. I'm new with the way they work. I have several friends that have used paces for years. I have used various curriculums over the years but I'm going to give this a try, it seems very simple.  We're having summer school with 3 and they are doing very well. I can see that one of my daughters could possibly accomplish 4th and 5th grade easily with this method in one year.