Home Schooling - Does anyone buy/use "pre-prepared" curriculums?

[Jellyfish]

And get pinterest. If ever I need ideas on a topic and can't think of anything, I just search there and millions pop up!

[~me~]

I have a GF who home schools her 4 boys. She doesn't use a curriculum as such. She has a great blog called Airskull, if you google it, the blog will come up. She is Irish and her boys have blog names starting with Irish....
She would be more than willing to offer advice if you ask.

It's a great read and she has just been interviewed by another prominent home schooler who loved her style of Home School.

[Rivlas]

As Jellyfish mentioned, you and your children will learn alot while traveling. Everyday is a day of learning when traveling, meals, petrol, accommodation costs, shopping etc.
When we went overseas the main thing the girls had to do was keep a diary. This was something they did at the end of the day and you will be amazed how much they take in. It takes a while to get into the groove but once they did they love it.
Also, talk to their school. Ask what they will need to know by the time you come back.
If you have internet you can keep in touch with the school while away

[LuluHB]

Thanks so much for the replies ladies. TBH given their ages I'm not really all that concerned about them taking a year off, but I do want to make sure they are where they should be with concepts in maths when we get back because they will then return to mainstream schooling. Everything I've read says that I need to submit a curriculum to the education dept for approval and I guess that's what's freaking me out a bit.

Rivlas - I'm desperate to talk to the school to see what they can offer, but figured given we don't have a departure date yet its a bit unfair to hit them now when they're organising all the back to school stuff for next week. Did you officially home school while you were overseas, or was it more that you just took the kids out of school for an extended holiday?

~H ~ thanks. Will have a look at your friend's blog.

[Rivlas]

DH is a teacher but never taught the girls even when away. We were on holiday and it was amazing what they learnt just by traveling.
The main thing is you all enjoy the holiday. Life is a great learning tool so everyday they will learn.
Speaking about your day is good as it helps with the language, geography, maths, art and other aspects of learning.
Playing in the park or swimming is PE.
Helping with the shopping, reading the speed & road signs, helping get meals ready........you get my drift.......everyday is a learning day for us all.
Even helping plan your holiday is learning.
Good luck with your planning and have a great holiday whenever it happens