Tell Me About Your Homeschool Tag - Meme

This meme was started by Jacque at Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths. I thought it was a neat idea to get to know other people's homeschooing ideas. Anyone that wants to participate just post a comment here and at Jacque's site here.

I started homeschooling (years ago or year)

My oldest is 10 in a few days and has never been to school, so if you go by legal requirements I have been home schooling for 5 years, but really 10 if you think about it.

I homeschool __ of my children

I have three officially in school this fall (1st, 3rd, and 5th). However, they all learn at any age, so technically I could say all six.

I teach my children to read at age(specific age or not?)

I let them go when they are ready to read. Charlotte read at five, practically taught herself. Devorah waited till going on eight as she hated the thought of working her way through phonics and just wanted to go from not reading to reading (she now reads all the time). Abby is now 6 1/2 and is just starting to show signs of interest- guess what we will be starting on soon?

A few of my most favorite homeschool teaching resources are:

Anything by the Moores, An Old fashioned Education

Do you write out goals for school each year?

I have, but only what the state required of me. They want to have a scope and sequence for each child as to what you are teaching. Its for informational purposes only and it doesn't mean I have to follow them to a T. This year I will actually be doing more of a set curriculum so there is more set up ahead of time.

What time do you start school each day? Do you have a specific schedule?

We don't get up at any certain time, but when we are up the schedule follows as such- breakfast, chores, schoolwork, then playtime (with lunch thrown in when its time for it).

I have used ___ math programs. My favorite is:

No set math program so far. I have gotten books from the library and printed worksheets off the internet as well as used workbooks. This year we are going to try CIMT a free program offered out of the UK.

I have used ___ science programs. My favorite is:

Again, I haven't used any set program for science. We have watched videos, done experiments, read books, whatever comes our way.

I have used ___ grammar/english programs. My favorite is:

I have used Starfall.com, spellingtime.com (when it was free), worksheets

I have used ___ history programs. My favorite is:

No set program, just read books, watched videos, whatever worked.

What months do you homeschool during?

Mostly during the school year, but also whenever a teaching moment presents itself and I like them to keep reading and stuff throughout the summer.

Favorite homeschool method?

Eclectic, Charlotte Mason, following their interests

Do you/plan to homeschool all the way through high school?

God willing I will homeschool them all through high school.

Have you noticed specific learning styles in each child?

Not yet although I think the oldest is a book learner and the 8yo is more hands on.

Do you keep specific or general records? Or none, really?

I have to keep a portfolio of work for a teacher to look over. I always type up what we cover each day so I can make a list of all the learned over the course of the year.

Do you teach Bible, art, journaling, phys. ed.?

Yes to all, although I count playing in the backyard as phys. ed. I am going to be trying a new phys ed program that I got online.

Where do you like to shop for homeschool books and resources?

I try to get everything mostly for free- the internet, the library, etc.

What resources have you been itching to try?

If I had the money I would probably buy all kinds of stuff, so it is a good thing I don't have the funds!

*Do you use and/or like to use E-books?*

I use a lot of public domain books that are online as well as e-books. I think thhey can work just fine.

Do you have anything to add?

I just want to tell women to learn to relax. You are not going to teach them everything they need to learn as there is no way you can cover it *all*. The goal is to raise them to be lifetime learners so that they will be able to go back later on in life and learn what they need that wasn't covered at home. Follow God's direction and do your best, the rest will come.