I have to tell you first that I’m not being paid to write this! When I like products I like to talk about them. I don’t know about you, but I like to hear from other parents what works, what doesn’t and why it did or didn’t work for them. Once upon a time, when I was first starting out, someone told me that they hated Sonlight because it was ‘too flexible, too much reading out loud, and too many stories from other cultures.’ I knew by that comment, that Sonlight was a curriculum I definitely had to check out and I do actually use it for many of my subjects.
Eagles Wings is a small company with only a handful of products. I have the impression from the materials that I’ve seen and from dealing with them personally, that they put significant time and energy into their products so that when they offer a finished product they offer it confidently being able to say, “We are positive this is one of the best products on the market.” You should know that this is a Evangelical Christian company and their science and history are definitely written with that view. However, they also offer a phonics program, a curriculum on Old Testament holidays and celebrations, and a math program all of which I think many different people would be comfortable using.
I have looked at all of their things but we use their science curriculum, “Considering God’s Creation” in our science co-op. There are several very positive points about their curriculum:
1. It is thoroughly done. You could easily use Considering God’s Creation for a whole year (or two) for all of your elementary aged children. It gives a very solid foundation in general science at the elementary level. Dare I say it? If you are teaching science from a creationist view this is, in my opinion, one of the best curriculums on the market.
2. It is geared towards note booking and lap booking. You don’t have to do it that way, but when you’ve finished the curriculum, it makes a really nice notebook.
3. It is a good mix of ‘hands on’ and method teaching. I find that sometimes ‘hands-on’ is code for ‘experiment with little explanation or understanding of the scientific principles behind the experiment’. That’s definitely not the case here.
The one last thing that I like about Eagle’s Wings is them. Awhile back I had requested some samples of their materials for a workshop I was giving. They went above and beyond in what they sent and then, as if that wasn’t enough, the person in charge took the time to write me notes of encouragement in giving the workshop, and tips and pointers on things they did as home schooling support group leaders. Clearly home schooling is their passion and these are the type of people I love dealing with. Their customer service is beyond excellent and they are by far the best company I’ve dealt with. (Which is saying a lot because I really haven’t had any negative experiences with anyone else.)
So if you’re in the market for creatively done, thorough curriculum and want to deal with people who know their stuff make sure to check them out!