;D I was so excited to have My 5 almost 6 year old to Dessert Willow Family School, But it looks like he might not get in this year, so I am looking into my plan B! Home schooling! I think I could do it for a year or two at this grade level, But I was really looking forward to being in a school setting half the time and doing home school the other half of the time. I just know that with one income it gets a lil scary thinking of the costs to purchase all the curriculum to do the home school full time. So if any one could please tell me what to expect to pay...and if any one has any suggestions of what program/curriculum to use for FT homeschooling I figured I would get a better response from people that are already doing it FT and know the costs. Thanks so much for your time! Janice Burke :)

I know folks will write in with great curriculum suggestions. I keep asking about curriculum also when I meet folks and sounds like there's lots to choose from. But so far, I haven't purchased any. I've found lots of general guidelines, outlines, and free activities from the web and from books at the library that I use when I'm feeling like I need more structure or that the kids need more structure -- these feelings come and go. We read together A LOT and talk A LOT. We do math while doing things like cutting apples at lunch. I try to really honor what the kids are interested in. If they ask a question that I don't know the answer to (which is often!), I look it up on the web and/or search the library catalogue for a book about it. We basically end up researching it together and it inevitably ends up leading us to something else.

Good luck with your adventure!

I'm just starting at about the 1st grade level too.  I've listed on my blog the books I'm using:

http://hsbetagen.blogspot.com/2011/04/curriculum-choices-are-mind-boggling.html.

All in all, it cost about $180.  But if you don't want to buy any of the Kingfisher Encyclopedias or the Blackline Maps book, it would be closer to $120.

We started out this year in kindergarten, but my son has already moved into 1st grade curriculum.  I really like ABEKA Letters and Sounds for teaching reading.  It is phonics based, but does include words that are sight words.  My two oldest learned how to read using ABEKA.  I use Saxon for math.  We finished ABEKA K math in December and I moved him into the Saxon 1st grade in January.  The lessons use manipulatives and include everyday things like calendars, seasons, time, and money.  Learing is Fun might have the homeschool math in stock.  If they do, you don't have to pay shipping and you can use your 20% discount (if you have their sweet deal card).  Starting in the fall, I am going to start him on Writing with Ease Level 1 and First Language Lessons Level 1 from the Well-Trained Mind.  My 3rd grade daughter used Level 3 this year and I really like it.  The lessons are fairly short and she enjoys them.   I hope this is useful.  There is so much out there to look at.  Have fun and try not to get overwhelmed!

When I started homeschooling, I joined the Educational Resource Center. You can check out curriculum and get great advice for a small fee (last I heard it is only $10-$15 per year). They will be closed for summer break starting June 2 through August 4.
Education Resource Center
A Ministry of Grace Baptist Chapel
12201 Comanche NE
Albuquerque, NM  87111
Phone:  292-3156
Email:  ERC.GBC@gmail.com
Hours:  Fridays 10am-4pm or by appointment