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here we go.

The angst over what curriculum to get was overwhelming.

And the research was exhausting.



Finally, finally I chose the books we’d start with for this year.

We still have some room to add some things, but I wanted to wait to see how the basics went first.

*ahem*



Thank you all so much for weighing in with your ideas, I can’t tell you how much they helped.

And because I so enjoyed reading other curriculum posts, I thought I’d share what we are using.

For now.



When in doubt – and there was a lot of doubt – I opted for the smaller investment.



Figured that if Asher really didn’t like it, or was struggling, it would be easier to switch to something different.



Hopeful that he’ll like all the things I chose.

And honestly looking forward to this adventure with my big guy who – after a few days of no school, playing around the house and just being a kid – is showing very encouraging signs of feeling back to his old self.


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10.04.11 · Asher, homeschool 26

Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    October 4, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    Spell to Write and Read……..you have no idea how long I’ve been trying to remember the name of that program. I have a friend who is homeschooling and has her son on that program.

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    October 4, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    We started homeschooling our 10th grader when he was in 6th grade and it was overwhelming at first but, oh so refreshing!! We love Wordly Wise and Apologia science. Will be praying for a successful year!!

    Reply
  3. Melissa says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    My mom homeschools us (Me, my older sister, and younger brother) and I think you bought some pretty amazing books! As I looked at the pictures, I realized we had used all those books ourselves =) Hope this new chapter in your life goes amazingly well!

    Reply
  4. Roberta says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Enjoy this precious time, we have HS’d when it was in the boy’s best interest, and I look back on those times with such joy. Love it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too (-:

    Reply
  5. martha says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    one of my friends using life of fred…and loves it! We’ve read that horse book on top of the pile…and loved it…you guys will have lots of fun…and of course fulbright’s science is the bomb.com

    Reply
  6. nicole says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    looks good mama!
    we LOVE LOFred!!!
    glad to hear he is on the rebound.
    love my days with my kiddos!!!

    Reply
  7. Lindy says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    So glad Asher seems happy about home schooling.
    I think this will be a special time for both of you!

    Reply
  8. umiamigrad says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:14 PM

    You go girl! Don’t be afraid to do something different if it isn’t working. Take it slow and you will find your groove.

    Reply
  9. Jean says

    October 4, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Excited for the two of you and so happy Asher is feeling better!!

    Reply
  10. Heather says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    I am so glad things are looking up! Enjoy your new adventure!

    Reply
  11. laura jones says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    awesome! keep the big picture in mind, Stephanie!

    Reply
  12. Campbell says

    October 4, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    I’m so glad you listened to your mama voice and made the best choice for your son! So many kids struggle terribly. They become depressed and withdrawn and their parents don’t know what to do and don’t have the option to home school. Those are the kids that end up in my office. (school social worker). A child that was frequently in my office was taken out of school by his mother two years ago. This year he opted to go back to school (9th grade). He stopped by to see me the other day and it made me think of you and your new adventure! This was a boy who was in the nurses office every day, throwing up or having nosebleeds. He was very stressed and seemed very very unhappy. I didn’t recognize him when he came to say hello! He was smiling first of all. He was so confident and sure of himself. He was excited for school, excited for his classes and excited to play football! The change in him was unreal. He radiated with happiness and confidence. I’m glad that your kiddo will have the chance to learn in an environment that does not stress him out. Best of luck to you both!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Angie says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    So glad Asher is feeling better!! Your stack of books looks very similar to ours… but it took me years to find our now favorites. Congrats on doing a great job in a few weeks!! Have fun!

    Reply
  14. Lori says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Looks like you made some good choices! Listen, you will CHERISH this time with your sweet boy. Even when you are tearing your hair out. LOL. I had SO much fun homeschooling my Nick. You will learn more about your kiddo than you ever did before. ENJOY!!!!

    Reply
  15. Janice says

    October 5, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    Awesome!! Love Wordly Wise, we actually don’t have the book– you can do it on the computer for free (just fyi). LOVE the Apologia series– my eldest has done General Sci, Physical Sci, Bio and now is on Chemestry. My younger ones did Astronomy last year and we are doing Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day this year. Hope all goes well for you and Asher. Homeschooling is such a joy! (usually-heehee!)

    Reply
  16. Sharon says

    October 5, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Brice used the Fred books when I was homeschooling and he LOVED them! We used Wordly Wise too. Good choices. Glad to hear your big guy is feeling better.

    Reply
  17. Aus says

    October 5, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Enjoy the time – and just glad to hear that Asher’s getting his feet back under him!

    hugs – aus and co.

    Reply
  18. Ali says

    October 5, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Oooh. Can’t wait to read your adventures. Until my baby bear is old enough to homeschool (he is 19 months), we will live vicariously through you and PW.

    Reply
  19. Tina says

    October 5, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Easy Grammar and Apologia Science…you have chosen well!!

    Reply
  20. Heather Beam says

    October 5, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    We’re still enjoying Life of Fred a bunch so hope Asher likes it too. I’ve been thinking of late that my 4th grader could probably use a little more now that I feel like I (somewhat) have my feet under me with this homeschooling thing. After reading all these wonderful tips, I think we’re going to give Apologia Science and Wordly Wise a try. Had no idea WW is free on-line! Sheesh. We’ll have to check that out.

    Welcome to the club. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Scooping it up says

    October 6, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    We started home school this year and though I am finding it hard with all three three and under below the one who needs school and all three are demanding and dangerous and sensory seeking crazy people, it is still incredibly rewarding and I am glad we are doing it. Good luck!

    Reply
  22. Ettie Smith says

    October 6, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    Hi Stephanie. You don’t know me, but I love your blog so much. I look forward to reading it every day. I am in the middle of my paperwork with CCAI. I’m hoping to adopt 2 special needs kids early next year, and your blog has been so informative and answered so many questions! Thank you so much for the amazing service you provide. I read back to when you were first matched with sweet Poppy, and you said some things that I would love to know more about. I’ve emailed the agency, but they don’t explain it very well. I know you are crazy busy, but could I ask you a couple of questions? If you have too much going on, I completely understand. Thank you so much again for your awesomeness. Email me, if you want to and if you have time. Many thanks,

    Reply
  23. Sis says

    October 6, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    I think you did great! always trust your instincts. they are always right. The curriculum looks great! My mom home schooled my sister and I. these are some of the best memories of my childhood that I have. Closeness, her dedication, standing up for our choice in the midst of criticism….So happy to hear you are doing it too. Keep up the good work. cant wait to hear more about it….

    ~Sis
    http://adoption-thecrookedroad.blogspot.com

    Reply
  24. Desiree says

    October 7, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    We are finished with week one of home school. Wish I could say it’s been easy but it hasn’t been….we are getting it though and the time spent together is good. We “invented” field trip friday’s to get out of the house and get some insight and maybe a break every now and then…good luck

    Reply
  25. Flamingo says

    October 8, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    we are in our 1st year of homeschooling for my 4th grader. i too have my other kids still in school. the 1st few weeks were up and down. i have cried…he has cried. BUT we are seeing sooooo many positive changes in him. this HS journey reminds me of our adoption (we adopted from china too) in the beginning the mountains and valleys are really high and really low. however as time goes on they start to level out and space apart.

    this week has been our best week yet. honestly, a lot of it has been finding my rhythm. i think we might be finding it. i know we made the right decision when we are cuddled together on the couch reading the morning away. and he loves it. Good luck with your decision!

    Reply
  26. Leslie says

    October 9, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    You chose some good stuff friend! My kids all LOVE Apologia. I cannot wait to do the anatomy/physiology one, but we’re waiting until next year when hopefully all of them can get something from it. I hear it is the most challenging of their Explorer series, but seems like a great choice for your big guy!

    Life of Fred–we love Fred! Nothing else to say!!! And I say it is hands-down the best homeschool curric. buy out there. And the love it or get your money back guarantee, well you can’t beat that.

    Total Language Plus–I loved it; my son, notsomuch. I really think if I had more time to spend with them one-on-one, it would be a better fit. But I love the concept and we still use it to a great degree around here. Nothing more educational in my opinion than reading a great piece of literature and then running with it!

    The best part about your post though is hearing your big guy is feeling better! That is AWESOME news!!!

    Reply

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I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
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