Our Curriculum Choices for 2012
This will be my 3rd time shopping for homeschool curriculum. Anyone who has ever shopped for curriculum knows that it is an overwhelming task. I have yet to find just the right fit. But rather than get frustrated, which would be easy to do, I've decided that the process of elimination is a good thing. It means that I'm closer to finding the curriculum that works best for us.
If you are just starting out, I would strongly urge you to read Cathy Duffy's book, 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum. You can read of ton of reviews on other websites about various curriculum, but the truth is, if you don't know how your child learns, you will not find the right fit.
***DO NOT buy the book in digital form. You will want to write in it. I made the mistake of buying it first for my Kindle. It was a waste of money.
***DO NOT buy the book in digital form. You will want to write in it. I made the mistake of buying it first for my Kindle. It was a waste of money.
So, after years of research, I have landed here.
R1 (boy, grade 4)
Math: Teaching Textbooks 4
Reading: Novel studies with sister. We are working our way through the top 100 novels for kids.
Spelling: Soaring With Spelling 5
Grammar: Growing With Grammar 4
Grammar: Growing With Grammar 4
Writing: Winning With Writing 4
Science: R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Earth Science
History: Pandia Press History Odyssey: Ancients
Spanish: Teach Them Spanish!
extra curricular: still deciding but it looks like guitar and karate
R2 (girl, grade 2)
Math: Teaching Textbooks 3
Reading: Novel studies with brother.
Spelling: Soaring With Spelling 2
Grammar: Growing Withe Grammar 2
Writing: Winning With Writing 2
Science: R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Earth Science
History: Pandia Press History Odyssey: Ancients
Spanish: Teach Them Spanish!
extra curricular: still deciding but basketball and gymnastics
H (girl, age 4)
She's attempting to read and do math on her own. Preschool books are too easy for her. So we are starting what I consider to be kindergarten. I don't buy kindergarten curriculum. We will be doing Hooked On Phonics, the classic set. My other two kids were reading at 4 thanks to this program. I will also be using my PreK-K packs and MEGA sight word pack with her. I'm not too worried about pushing her too much since she's only 4. I will let her desire to learn be the guide.
This week's blogs post will be centered around discussing our curriculum choices. Have a fabulous weekend!
I completely understand what you mean about how overwhelming it can be to pick out curriculum. I use to be that way until I decided to just use the computer for most of our stuff. For both of my kids, Kindergarten and 5th grade, we use Time4learning & Unit Studies. Everything we need is in those 2 choices which is such a stress relief for me.
ReplyDelete~Keri
P.s Love your Blog :)