Our Curriculum Choices Over The Years
We have tried different curriculum throughout the years we've homeschooled. Here is a list of the curriculum that we have gone through and what I think of them.
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Math U See
What I love about it:
This curriculum comes with a DVD where the instructor teaches your child. The instructor is able to break down the math concepts, making them easy to understand for students of all math levels. I appreciate the extra practice pages and the teachers manual as well. My boys have been largely independent with this curriculum. I just need to occasionally clarify lessons, help with a problem and grade the papers.
What I dislike about it:
I’ve been told by a few veteran homeschooling parents that if my child is gearing up for a career in math or engineering that we’ll want to switch to a different curriculum as they reach middle to high school. I’ve heard Singapore or Saxon curriculums will better prepare them for those careers.
Website:
Sonlight
What I love about it:
They use whole literature, meaning we read whole stories not just pieces of stories. Everything is planned out for you making it easy to wake up and teach. There is plenty of time to cuddle up with your kids and read together, building memories.
They also have a money back guarantee. You have one whole year to try their curriculum and use up to half of it.
What I dislike about it:
With the spacing of my children (3 years apart), there came a time when I’d need to be teaching multiple core levels. I know that it can be done but I felt stretched thin at that time. The cost also is a little more pricey.
Website:
Apologia - (Science and Bible)
What I love about it:
Written from a Christian perspective. The writing is engaging. My kids have enjoyed the lessons and the science experiments.
What I dislike about it:
Nothing here
Curriculum we used:
Apologia Science
What We Believe - Bible curriculum
Website:
Berean Builders Science
What I love about it:
Short lessons. Each one comes with an experient.
What I dislike about it:
Nothing here
Website:
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)
What I love about it:
The method they use for writing makes writing attainable even for those children who struggle with it. The curriculum is very well thought out. I appreciate the instructional DVDs for both teacher and student.
They also take an active role in educating parents on why they teach what they do. Their website is very helpful in supporting parents and giving them encouragement along the way.
What I dislike about it:
It takes more time to prep. They encourage more "hand holding" for those students that struggle with writing. This is a good thing, I think. It is just difficult when your time is limited.
Curriculum we’ve used:
Poetry
There are great benefits to memorizing. IEW has put together an engaging selection of poems and speeches that your child can memorize and have fun in the process. My boys love memorizing the poems!
Fix It Grammar
Each day has a sentence to label and correct. Each sentence is part of a larger story that they complete. At the end of the year they have copied the whole story and can read it in its entirety. They are entertaining stories.
Structure and Style
This is their writing program. It is genius the way this is layed out. Your child goes through 9 units each year. Each unit is a different type of writing. They interject greater complexity year after year into their assignments, building upon what your student has learned in the past.
Phonetic Zoo Spelling Program
This is student driven. It takes about 10 minutes a day. Very well written and includes an audio CD and flashcards.
Primary Arts of Language
This is a curriculum that teaches your K-2 student to read and write. They have phonetic games, workbook pages, stories, and lots of modeling good language to your children.
Website:
A Reason for Handwriting
What I love about it:
Assignments are broken down in small amounts each day. Each week they work on a Bible verse that they are writing.
What I dislike about it: Nothing here.
Website:
All About Spelling
What I love about it:
I wish I’d been taught this way. Students are taught a concept and then they apply that concept by spelling words, first with magnetic letter titles and then writing the words out. They are amazed that they can spell so many words! No more memorizing lists of random words.
What I dislike about it:
Nothing here.
Website:
www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling
All About Reading
What I love about it:
It’s based on the Orton Gillianham method. It uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching reading. This has worked great, especially for my child who struggles with dyslexia.
What I dislike about it:
Some people say it moves too slow for their child. I really can’t comment on that as it has not been the case for us, so far.
Website:
www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-reading
Beautiful Feet - (History)
What I love about it:
No prep work. They use whole literature. They make learning history fun and the kids learned a lot. We especially liked their Around The World With Picture Books curriculum. We learned about many different countries, their customs, animals and tasted some of their food.
What I dislike about it:
Nothing here
Website:
Story of the World
What I love about it:
It’s entertaining especially if you get the accompanying audio cd. They deal with all of history, not just the USA. There are hands-on projects and map work that go along with every lesson. Lots of great opportunities to make this learning memorable.
What I dislike about it:
They give a plethora of ideas for hands-on activities. To some people this can feel overwhelming. Just know you don’t have to do them all. You can pick and choose what you’d like to do.
Website:
