ISPs

One of the ways to homeschool in California is through an ISP. [The four ways to homeschool are here.] An ISP is an Independent Study Program offered through a school district or charter school.

An example of a school district ISP is CHEP. The Community Home Education Program is offered through Orange County's Department of Education.

An example of a charter school ISP is Sky Mountain. Sky Mountain Charter School is managed by a non-profit corporation that has established a number of charter schools in the state.

Long Beach resources

These are inclusive groups in the Long Beach area:

Long Beach Homeschoolers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongBeachHomeschoolers
- inclusive of all styles of homeschoolers; organizes local classes; has younger children

Bayshore/Long Beach Homeschooling
http://www.bayshoreeducational.com/homeschoolers.html

DragonTree Home Learners
http://www.vilter.us/dragontree/
- this group has been around for more than 10 years; tends toward unschooling; has many older children

This is a Christian co-op group:

Classical Conversations
http://www.classicalconversations.com

New homeschooler resources

California Homeschool Network
http://www.californiahomeschool.net

Homeschool LA
http://www.homeschoolla.org

Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling
http://www.homefires.com

Gifted resources

Bright Kids at Home
http://www.brightkidsathome.com/

Moving Beyond the Page
http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com

Language Arts - K through 2nd

Moving Beyond the Page - curriculum for gifted and creative learners
http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/

Writing Topics
http://thewritesource.com/writing_topics/

History Resources - K through 2nd

History Pockets
http://www.evan-moor.com/Series.aspx?CurriculumID=7&WT.svl=3&SeriesID=64

A History of US
http://www.amazon.com/History-US-10-set/dp/0195327268/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241969525&sr=1-5

Learners At Home
http://learnersathome.blogspot.com/2009/07/subject-study-for-summer-learning.html

Lapbooks!

I think I've been resisting lapbooks. I guess I didn't really get why these are so popular. It looked like more busy work when I needed to get some samples into our ES' hands.

Our first lapbook was a complete success. Rachel wanted to use a black marker, so it's not "pretty", but the activity was right up her alley. I followed Alicia's example. I have a little patriotism workbook and I took the first subject: the US flag. I went to the internet and found a free lapbook template and lots of info. I couldn't find a manilla folder, so I used one of Rachel's large drawing sheets and folded that. It worked out beautifully and I think looks better than the folder. We cut and glued the various parts on there, while I imparted some facts about our flag. We didn't do every activity and it's not officially done, but now we have something to show our ES. :-)

Art Resources

SouleMama
http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/kids_crafting/index.html

Art classes by Brenda Benvieniste
http://web.mac.com/bbenveniste1/insideoneart.com/creative.html