When it comes to curriculum I am like a kid in a candy store. Educational stores are my weakness and a true threat to my budget. I see all the colors, pages, book covers, sizes and shapes and I want to look through every one of them. Picking one can be such a challenge as I want to pick only the best for my kids. At some point, I just have to bite the bullet and make a decision. For better or for worse, I pick out a science, math and language curriculum and close my eyes and pay.
At that point, I forbid myself to look further as it will only cause me to purchase more or have buyer’s remorse. After eight years of homeschooling, I have seen a lot of curriculum come and go. I have had opportunities to review many different curriculums from many different companies. This makes narrowing down a bit difficult as I have been introduced to some wonderful items. In the end, I have to pick what I believe will foster my goal of educating my children in a way that challenges, inspires a love for learning, prepares them for future demands, and encourages critical thinking. I am a sucker for anything that promotes hands on methods or real life applications.
Due to my experience as a homeschooler, my curriculum hopping year after year, and my review opportunities, I am often asked what I choose for my own children. Here is a list of what I choose for my kids but by no means is this list something you should copy. I choose this curriculum partly based on my children’s learning style and personalities. I also chose some of it because of it promoted a Christian worldview. Overall, I did choose what I believe I have found to be some of the best in each category.
Math:
For my 7th and 5th grader I choose to use Saxon. This is a bit of a departure as it is more textbook in nature and traditional. However, I love the solid foundation of traditional math and the organization of Saxon. It may offer quite a bit of busy work but there is no hard and fast rules saying you cannot skip an assignment or two.
For my Kindergartener, I decided to focus on manipulatives, real life applications and living math. I will use games and random workbooks like Kumon. I searched high and low and no matter what the source of the cost all Kindergarten math was pretty much the same.
Language:
Again, I chose the same curriculum for both children; Rod and Staff. I am using Rod and Staff for language and spelling. Rod and Staff is challenging and provides a solid foundation for language and spelling skills.
For my Kindergartener, I am focusing on reading lessons by using Kumon workbooks, flash cards, games, Bob Books, Red Chair Press Readers, Abeka, and plenty of books to read out loud.
Science:
My 7th grader will be using Apologia’s General Science. I went all out and purchased the huge lab kit which can be found on Christianbook.com. You can also purchase a smaller and less expensive one on Home Science Tools.
My 5th grader will use Real Science 4 Kids Biology Level 1. This program offers a clean and clear science book easy to read yet not compromising in quality or detail. He will also have a lab book and the language extension book that teaches Greek Roots of Biology terms.
My Kindergartener will use Real Science 4 Kids Biology Pre-Level 1. This program mirrors my son’s so they can have the same lectures and very similar lab experiments. The Pre-level books do not dumb down the information but take real terms and concepts but make them easier to digest for a little one.
History:
All children will be using Mystery of History this year. This is a great multi-level history program from a Christian worldview. This program also includes enough instruction in geography as to not have to add a separate geography course.
Those are the basics of what I choose for my children. They all have extracurricular work as well. I used the same method in choosing those courses. However, you need to have a solid core before you branch out.
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