Anonymous wrote:
I am using Jolly Phonics for reading. I find it to be very good, but that is after lots of trial and error with other not so hot programs.

Have you tried Explode the Code? My kids, including my preschooler, love this series for some reason. I find it a big weird at times (the sentences are bizarre lol), but they like it.

Another good reading program, though a bit scripted, so you can just adjust if you want, is the Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading by Jessie Wise.

OOPS! I didn't read closely enough! You are in DC. Sorry! I am sure they have a website -- just google homeschooling in DC.

We started homeschooling in the middle of the year after we moved to VA. There are guidelines for homeschooling in VA, but you are able to pull a child out and homeschool them. You can check out vahomeschoolers . org for more information. They have all of the rules spelled out clearly and concisely and have a whole section on pulling your child out midyear.

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:More questions. Do you get them tested? Where?
And, what math curriculum are you using?

Last year (our first year in VA) I administered the CAT and submitted their scores. This year we are using Calvert with the Advisory Teaching Service (Calvert's a private day school in MD that has done homeschooling "in a box" for years) and we don't need to test with that service -- we send in tests every 20 lessons and they are graded, you get a certificate of completion, etc.

As far as math, this year we are using Calvert for my older two and Singapore Math for my youngest. I really like Singapore. They all started out with that program. We may try Saxon math for my oldest next year as it is a program that has cd-roms that correspond to the text and help to "teach" the higher levels of math. Another program that I've heard people rave about is Math U See -- I have never tried it, though.

Are you thinking of homeschooling? Or just curious to hear from the "nuts"? lol

I should add that I don't consider myself a "nut." lol Though 4 kids may drive me a bit batty from time to time, I have 2 post-graduate degrees and have just found that homeschooling works for our family.

My oldest daughter went to (a very expensive and reputable) private school for K and 1st grade. Before she started 2nd grade, we decided to homeschool( for various reasons -- not religious, though...we use secular programs and consider ourselves liberals) and have done so for the past 4 years. So far three kids have been schooled at home and they are all doing above-grade work in all subjects. They get "socialization" through co-ops, neighborhood friends and extra-curricular activities (minus the cliques many get in school situations). We always get comments that they are well-behaved and bright. It is difficult to do, and not for everyone, but there are TONS of resources out there for homeschoolers. We may not do it forever. We take it year by year. But they have no desire to stop.

-Happy homeschooling mom