Sara answers:

Some states allow oyu to register for home schooling through their school system online . I dont know all the states but you can go to WAVA.org (Washington Virtual Acadamy) and get hte phone number, call and see if there is a virtual acadamy available in your state.
There are many classes you can take online, most ofthe "get your diploma online" ads are GED classes - so it depends on your grade level and what you are looking for in homeschool as to whether you want to go this oute or not. There are many different homeschool curriculums out there, book, video, satellite, etc. Even though your mom works, if you are self motivated and can work well independently with soem self discipline you can use any or any combination of these to get a good education.
The virtual acadamy will send you books and materials but you will do a lot of your work online, you will be put in touch with teachers who will monitor your progress and help you along in any areas that you might need it. I would check that out before going to the 'get your diploma online ' sources

Having a diploma does not mean that you actually got an education, anyone can print you up a diploma and declare you "graduated" whether you have truly been educated or not

Sara answers:

No

Sara answers:

Check out www.k12.com It's a government run program and is as close as you can get to regular classroom work without being in a classroom.

Sara answers:

No

Sara answers:

No

Sara answers:

No

Sara answers:

Check out www.k12.com It's a government run program and is as close as you can get to regular classroom work without being in a classroom.

Sara answers:

Some states allow oyu to register for home schooling through their school system online . I dont know all the states but you can go to WAVA.org (Washington Virtual Acadamy) and get hte phone number, call and see if there is a virtual acadamy available in your state.
There are many classes you can take online, most ofthe "get your diploma online" ads are GED classes - so it depends on your grade level and what you are looking for in homeschool as to whether you want to go this oute or not. There are many different homeschool curriculums out there, book, video, satellite, etc. Even though your mom works, if you are self motivated and can work well independently with soem self discipline you can use any or any combination of these to get a good education.
The virtual acadamy will send you books and materials but you will do a lot of your work online, you will be put in touch with teachers who will monitor your progress and help you along in any areas that you might need it. I would check that out before going to the 'get your diploma online ' sources

Having a diploma does not mean that you actually got an education, anyone can print you up a diploma and declare you "graduated" whether you have truly been educated or not

Sara answers:

Check out www.k12.com It's a government run program and is as close as you can get to regular classroom work without being in a classroom.

Sara answers:

No

Sara answers:

Well i'll be completely honest with you when is say that you should go to a normal school. I've been home schooled from the 7th grade till the 10th and it was very hard. The subjects are somewhat easy at first but after the 8th grade it gets harder working on your own, some helping teachers is the only solution.In my case my parents didnt help me much and I literately studied on my own with almost no help. The first few years of school are easy but no matter how smart you are, you still need help from your teachers. Another thing i hated about being home schooled is that i didnt have a lot of people my age to talk to and i rarely went out. I'm still not very good with people and prefer the comfort of my room with a book. Its not good being this way. So yeah, go to school,that place isnt only for studying,its also a place to make friends and have fun. Personally i've missed most of my school days sitting at home and that really makes me sad.

Sara answers:

You should include some of these in her goody bag! SUPER cute and she'll think of you every time she uses her phone! Www.nakedshell.com

You could also throw in like her favorite movie and a picture of the two of you guys... Maybe even some lotion because even though she has some you can ALWAYS have more

Sara answers:

I really think this depends entirely on the child.

Some children may be ready for a formal curriculum at age 4. My 3 yo daughter looks forward to doing her little workbooks everyday. Others may not be ready for a formal curriculum until age 7 or 8, yet if you wait to begin until they are ready, they will quickly catch up with those who started earlier.

I think most parents start their children around age 5, but many start their children too soon. The danger is that the child will become frustrated or discouraged, or will begin to see learning as a chore. You don't want that to happen at an early age.

I think a great thing to do would be to buy a simple math and phonics program when your child shows readiness for it and see how it goes. If the child is taking to it, keep going. If the child isn't, set the program aside for later.

I think formal lessons in history and science can wait until the later elementary stage. Before that, I would focus on reading good books and setting up an environment for learning through activities and field trips.

Better Late than Early is a great resource. So is How Children Fail, by John Holt.

Here is some info on different homeschooling methods:
http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/homeschooling-methods.html

Sara answers:

The best method would be the one that best fits the unique needs of the child and their family.

Sara answers:

Hi,
I home schooled all my 4 children and loved every minute of it. Lucky for you living in Victoria as you have homeschooling supplies Australia in your state. Their address is P.O Box 688, Werribee, Victoria, 3030.
It is run by a couple who homeschooled their 6 children. The phone number is (03) 97427524. They are closed in the christmas holidays but if you make the call before the 17th of December they will be able to help you out for next year.
I had all the books sent out to me and I found it so much easier and less stressful on my kids.
They are great to talk to on the phone especially when I first started out in this area. They are open from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday
Good luck and hope it turns out well for you.

Sara answers:

Here are some tips for getting started...http://www.canihomeschool.blogspot.com

Here are some good suggestions so homeschooling goes well for you...http://homeschoolsecrets.blogspot.com/

Here is a list of programs and states that offer free online homeschooling http://virtualonlineschool.blogspot.com/

Best of Luck!
Jana
http://www.homeschooljungle.com

Sara answers:

You might want to check out http://www.homeschoolreviews.com The website lists all sorts of curriculum, with homeschoolers telling what they do (or don't) like about it.

Personally, we're currently using Saxon math. We use a variety of materials, including a lot of books from the public library for history and science and reading. We have some free "off adoption" books from the local public schools (old stuff they were getting rid of), and basically do our own thing. It's much, much cheaper....

Sara answers:

Call the companies. You can get it at the website for each book

Sara answers:

Depends on your district, but it is a common question. Sometimes you have to pay to play, but if your school does not offer it often they allow out of town players to pay for a fee.

Sara answers:

If you are not capable of visiting each school and having extensive conversations with the staff at each one, then perhaps you need to pass this decision over to another family member who is willing and able to do this important research. Keep in mind that these people will be taking over for you in raising your son! Is this a matter of finding a place that will help mold him into a responsible adult or just getting rid of him year-round until he's 18?

There are also professional educational consultants you can pay to help you with this.

Shocking that someone would base such an important decision on the opinions of strangers. This parental decision is not one that you can abdicate.

Sara answers:

The GED can be studied for free and I think that you can get a GRANT to pay for the test .I think there is a school that's called Hoosier Acdemy that's free .

Sara answers:

Apologia is considered the best high school science curriculum. It is approached from a very strong Christian perspective, so if that's not what you want, avoid it.

You might check Cathy Duffy's website and book (100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum). The book reviews what she considers the best. Her website only mentions these, but doesn't go into detail (for that, of course, you have to buy the book), but does detail programs that DIDN'T make the book - worth a look, anyway.

Sara answers:

Not sure about free. Some states have online charter schools and those are free. Otherwise, homeschool generally costs. You can find more reasonable prices for curriculum on ebay though.

Sara answers:

We use the Eclectic way. Basically mishmashing whatever works for her at the time and grabs her attention.

We have been homeschooling for 4 yrs and she is in the 3rd grade.
I have saved money on supplies by buying books second hand at places like thrift stores or on Amazon.com in the used section. We have found some pretty amazing stuff at the thrift stores (our most recent find was a Discovery Bubble Gum Lab still in it's shrink wrap--at the Discovery Store it would have cost me about $25-$30 but at the thrift store I spent $2 **all parts and never used**). My daughter is really into Nancy Drew and I have saved a bundle by finding them at the thrift store.

Whatever you decide to use, make sure that it is NON-consumable, meaning you can use it for more than one child. I have found that if it is consumable (use only once) that it is easier to make copies and keep the original as a master (great for review materials). For things like maze games or finder games like what is in the Highlights Magazine that the kids get upset because once it's used it's gone, I use the clear sleeve protectors and dry erase markers and this way it can be used over and over.

Sara answers:

I homeschooled my youngest daughter ,not for religious reasons, but because she had ADHD, and had a difficult time in school. She had been bullied and picked on mercilessly, and begged me not to go back. This caused a real financial hardship on us losing one income.

We homeschooled for 3 years, and she did fine- only because I joined a homeschooling club that attended social functions at least 3x a week. We attended all functions. She was a pretty cool kid, and she felt out of place with the other HS kids. Either very religious or sheltered.

She went back to public school when she was a freshman- by choice- and went off the deep end socially. She was drawn to all of the bad kids (most homeschooled kids are very sheltered), and we've had trouble with her ever since.

This could be just my daughter...and I'm sure it likely is, but when they are thrown back into large social situations-like college, I believe they will have a tough time.

Sara answers:

TX (or any other state) does not accredit school. Schools are accredited by accreditation agencies. Continental Academy is accredited by NALSAS which unfortunately is not truly an academic accreditation agency but only guarantees that the school is located where it claims to be and is currently in operation. Therefore really your only option is taking the exams.

From http://nalsas.org/
A Certificate of Accreditation issued by NALSAS is not meant to represent an evaluation and/or approval of the materials, teaching staff or educational philosophy employed by the applicant program. Rather, only one standard is applied: consumer protection---an assurance to the general public: 1) that a member of NCACS not involved with the control, operation, or proceeds of the applicant program has reviewed and confirmed documentation of their compliance with all state and local laws; and 2) that the conditions and advertising claims made regarding their location and operation have been verified (that the program is what it purports to be and does what it purports to do). Whether such a program is desirable or suitable for meeting the needs of a particular learner then becomes a question for the consumer to determine.

Sara answers:

The first place to start is www.hslda.com. This site will give you information on the hsing laws of your state. The next place I would check is the library. Alot of hs-ers use the library and the library will usually hold seminars or at the very least have a section on hsing.

Good luck

Sara answers:

Many single parents home school their children successfully, and it also depends on how motivated your daughter is in doing her work, and working with you; it is going to take the two of you.

Check the laws, and requirements of your state here;

http://www.hslda.org/

You may also see if there is a grandparent, or other relative can help for a few hours a day while you are at work, or you may consider changing up/adjusting your hours, or work from home.

If you are going to wait until next year you may want to check out this web site.
They will send you the books, and materials you need/request for free; they do this for those who cannot afford books, and curriculum's.

Http://www.booksamaritan.com/

There is a deadline for requesting the books, so contact them early.

Home schooling can cost little to nothing; there are so many resources available it is mind boggling.

On the end of this post I will give you a long list of web sites that have many free resources, and others require a nominal fee for their services.

You can make up a whole curriculum for less than $50.00 per year.

We use Christian Liberty Press, you can check them as well; they are just about the least expensive, and are great academically.

Http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/

Do connect with a local home school group, these families get together for support, field trips and group classes, or coop's.
They may also be able to help you by loaning you some basic books to start with, so you can see what works for your daughter before you both decide what to request from the Samaritan, or buy them.

The library can be a valuable resource as well, if they do not carry a book you would like try the inter-library loan program.
The sky is the limit.

Good luck to both of you.

Http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

http://www.unschooling.com/

This site does require a $20.00 yearly fee to have full use of all their printable materials, but it is well worth it.
You can check them out for free, but it is a lot of curriculum in one place.

Http://www.enchantedlearning.com/

Free computer software; just pay a nominal fee for shipping.

Http://www.planetcdrom.com/free-homeschool/

Educational games.

Http://www.educationallearninggames.com/educational-board-games.asp

Bible.

Http://www.bibletopics.com/index.htm

http://www.nestlearning.com/Coloring-Pages-W40C0.aspx

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0.htm

Book lists.

Http://nancykeane.com/rl/

http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html

Poetry.

Http://www.poetry4kids.com/modules.php?name=Games&op=display_game&game=WordMagnets

http://www.poetry4kids.com/index.php

Weather/Meteorology (the weather dude).

Http://www.wxdude.com

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/matrix.htm?

Astronomy

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/star...

Http://www.kidsastronomy.com/

Mr. Donn's history site - unit studies.

Http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/

Free Audio Books.

Http://www.free-books.org/

On-Line e-mail and communication etiquette.

Http://www.onlinenetiquette.com/

http://www.emailreplies.com/

Natural Living, and Environment.

Http://www.eartheasy.com/article_enviro_sites_kids.htm

http://www.nrdc.org/reference/kids.asp

http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/9489.asp

Health and Science.

Http://kidshealth.org/kid/

http://www.exploratorium.edu/imaging_station/index.php

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/kitchenscience/

Dewey Decimal System.

Http://www.tnrdlib.bc.ca/dewey.html

Free weekly tips, worksheets,lesson plans, resources , and curriculum.

Http://www.homeschoolfreestuff...

Http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/FreeEdMain01.asp

http://about.com/education/

http://www.freeworksheets.com/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/

http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/ets/Wwwsites.htm

http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100.htm

http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm

http://www.starfall.com/

http://www.homeschoolblessings.com/

http://www.oldfashionededucation.com/

Math:

http://www.tlsbooks.com/mathworksheets.h...

Http://www.mathsisfun.com/worksheets/ind...

Http://www.algebra.com

http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.coolmathalgebra.com/......

Http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/creekvalley/staffdev/Internet%20Sites/studentsites.htm

http://www.rainforestmaths.com/

http://www.clc.mnscu.edu/kschulte/mathworksheets.html

http://www.totallyfreemath.com/toc.html

http://www.aaamath.com/

http://www.mathsisfun.com/

http://www.purplemath.com/

http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm

http://www.learningplanet.com/sam/ff/index.asp

Geography

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world

http://www.dltk-kids.com

http://www.dltk-kids.com/color.........

Http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm

http://members.aol.com/bowermanb/games.html

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/#geogames

http://www.weeklyreader.com/kids/games/geography.asp

http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html

http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/

History.

Http://www.touregypt.net/KIDS/monuments.htm

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/resources/

http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decades.html

http://www.foundationsmag.com/civility.html

http://www.brainyhistory.com/

http://history-world.org/

Library learning.

Http://www.lists.webjunction.org/libweb/

http://www.loc.gov/index.html/

http://www.libraryspot.com/

http://www.lii.org/

http://www.demo.openlibrary.org/

Typing-keyboarding

http://www.auntlee.com/easytyp.........

Http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Grammar-writing.

Http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm

http://www.zozanga.com/

Grade Level Core Knowledge site.

Http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/lessons/6.htm

Other:

http://www.funbrain.com/

http://www.brainpopjr.com/

http://www.iknowthat.com/

http://www.kidzone.ws/

http://kidsites.com/

http://www.spellingtime.com/

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/coolchild.html

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/month2month.htm

http://www.extremescience.com/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/games/games_main.html

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_jeux.html

http://parenting.leehansen.com/kids/kidstuff.htm

http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/index.html

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/index.html

http://www.lethsd.ab.ca/mmh/games/top100.htm

http://www.nsa.gov/kids/

http://www.surfnetkids.com/

http://4kids.org/games/