I’ve had to think about curriculum for 2013-14 extra early this year. Probably not early for most homeschool mamas, but I’m usually just getting packages into fall… in fact, just as the new school year begins.
But Dalton began homeschooling when we moved here. At the tail end of the year. And, since he was just 6 weeks away from finishing 5th grade, I decided to go ahead and buy his curriculum for 6th grade.
And since I was buying curriculum for Dalton, I figured I’d go ahead and buy curriculum for Asher. And Vivienne. And Poppy.
Goodbye new couch.
The up side to all my crazy online shopping is that I got what I think is some really good stuff. I mean, I bought it, so I guess I should think it’s really good. But really, it’s good. And so I thought I’d share. If you’re a homeschooling mom and have some curriculum ideas to share, I’m all ears. Nothing better than a word-of-mouth recommendation in my book.
Anyway, back to what I got. I am sticking with some curriculum I’ve used before, and I’ve dropped some we didn’t like so much. Which means there is some new stuff. In my dreams I use an all-in-one curriculum, but I’m just too much of a last-child-so-dont-fence-me-in type for that. So I have to build my own, based on my kids’ learning styles, recommendations, reputation, and just what kinda looks fun.
Okay, maybe not fun to them. Fun to me.
Asher – going into 8th grade:
Mapping the World by Heart – have had this for a year now, going to give it a whirl with both boys. P.S. I’m kinda scared of this – some how, some way, my boys are supposed to learn to map the entire world?!
Word Roots – B2
Keeping a Nature Journal – as an elective, figured we have lots of nature around us to explore… have sketch pads and colored pencils for journaling
All American History – will do this with both boys
Exploring Creation with Biology – really love Apologia Sciences
Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1 – really love Teaching Textbooks
Sequential Spelling 7 – new to us this year, using in place of Wordly Wise
Editor in Chief B2 – have used this and like it and bonus! it works for handwriting practice, too
Foundations of Personal Finance – another elective, we love us some Dave Ramsey
Writing with Skill – new to this… this is one big book
Dalton – going into 6th grade:
Teaching Textbooks 7 – use the online test before purchasing, kids are usually one ‘grade’ ahead
Exploring Creation with Anatomy
Wordly Wise – I was raised on WW, still love it
Wordsmith Apprentice – have started this, thumbs up
A Reason for Handwriting – boys do not like this, I’m not crazy about it either
Word Roots
Critical and Creative Thinking – picked this up for fun – thumbs up
Editor in Chief A2
Easy Grammar – big thumbs up, even from Dalton
Keeping a Nature Journal
All American History
Foundations of Personal Finance
Thinking Toolbox – we do this together and usually end up cracking up
Mapping the World by Heart
Vivienne – going into kindergarten:
Classical Kids and Days of Knights and Damsels – picked up at a yard sale for fun
Get Ready for the Code – these are classics, love ’em all
Get Set for the Code
A Reason for Handwriting – haven’t started this, we’ll see what Vivi thinks this fall
The Reading Lesson – well recommended, but the proof is in the pudding
Horizons Math K – haven’t started this either, but my other kiddos have used it and liked it
Poppy – will be 4 in the fall and just wants to homeschool:
I Know My Alphabet
Kumon Uppercase Letters – Poppy loves all these Kumon books, they are colorful and easy and she loves ’em
Kumon Lowercase Letters
Kumon Numbers 1-30
Mathematical Reasoning – this is over Poppy’s head right now, we have shelved it for fall
Scribbles – claimed by Poppy from her big sister – great coloring book
And that’s it. Like I mentioned above, if you have any recommendations to share, I’d love it. Would also love recommendations for reading books for 1st grade – 8th grade. I have a feeling we are going to be spending a lot of time at the library this summer.
P.S. None of the links are affiliate links. Just links for fun. In case any of y’all are crazy online shoppers like me.
ok– really interested in mapping the world by heart— we are so lacking in the geography dept– 🙂
My 8th grade son just finished Writing With Skill Level 1. It was excellent! All the way through the book, whether it was hard or easy, I was constantly reassured that he would be well prepared for upper level writing skills needed in high school and beyond. I’m going to try it next year with my 6th grade son. And I’m pretty stoked to move on the WWS Level 2 for 9th grade. Happy studies! 🙂
So funny that I homeschooled a long time ago and used some of the same stuff way back then! I’m thinking of starting homeschooling with the younger kids in the fall so this post comes exactly at the time I’m thinking about what resources we will use. I never used a “boxed” curriculum because it was so much nicer to individualize it for each kid plus you do want what is fun and interesting for the kids. I think we forget that learning is supposed to be a blast!
I am just finishing my first year homeschooling. I did Kinder with my Nov 2007 daughter. After bouncing around with different phonics, I have to say check out All About Reading. I so wish I had started with it. I didn’t buy level 1 until Febuary, but it was amazing how fast my daughter started reading. It was so painless! I also am using Miquon Math which is so cool! Seriously unlike anything I have ever seen. Have you heard of the math Life of Fred? Really neat too.
All About Spelling is the first spelling curriculum that has worked for us. I saw dramatically higher test scores with my spelling-hater child.
I agree that Saxon is the best math curriculum, but my 9 year old needed a mom-free subject. He’s using TT for his math this year. We will definitely move back into Saxon to begin Algebra and all of the higher maths.
Institute in Excellence for Writing is hands down the best way to teach writing that I’ve ever seen. I realized that I had never been taught how to truly write well (and I’m certified to teach any child in our state how to write!)
Bethany just completed 8th grade and we used Sonlight (which is a lot of reading). Have y’all read Gladys Alyward? I believe it’s a Christian Heros then and now book. She was a Chinese missionary and oh my!!!! Amazing book! Some of her favorite books this year were:
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis (about a family in Afghanistan)
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan (based in India)
The Ravenmaster’s Secret by Elvira Woodruff (London)
Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan (Germany)
The Broken Blade, Escape from Warsaw, The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn….
Don’t be afraid of Mapping the World by Heart. There are only about 190 countries worldwide, so it is entirely doable. Think one country a day. What a gift for a child to know this!
I love that Poppy wants to be homeschooled. That’s “our” girl!!
I love it:) And Lula’s gonna be crying because she doesn’t have homework!!! You’d best whip up a little curriculum for her, too, Stefanie!!! LOL
Thanks so much for posting these!! I’m so excited and just ordered the first four you have listed that you are using with Poppy for our 3 year old son Gabriel!
I have used a bloggers material from California called “The Moffatt Girls”, reading program that she designed herself. Lots of hands on and review. Can order and download and print. Not published in book fromat. My granddaughter learned to read when she was 4 yrs old and last year in K she was reading on a 4th grade level. We just played last summer. We don’t home school.
We finished the History this year and I loved it. I’ve been looking at Wordsmith. Glad to hear good things. I’m trying some new things this fall, too. It’s always so exciting. Enjoy!
Oh, I LOVE to read. These would be some of my favorites for those ages:
I Love you Stinky Face
Officer Buckle and Gloria
The Adventures of the Great Brain series by John D. Fitzgerald
anything by Carolyn Haywood
The Boxcar Children
The Happy Hollisters
Prairie School by Lois Lenski
Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
The Cooper Kids Adventure Series by Frank Peretti
some of the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace
And my all-time favorite kids’ book The Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum
Some of these have been my kids’ favorites…some are mine. : )
Happy Reading!
Hello there. 😉 we have been homeschooling for almost eleven years now-wow! That sounds so long. Lol. We have tried a lot and have needs to fill differently. I really like “Handwriting without Tears,” The Prairie Primer (It incorporates all subjects.), Math U See for younger and middle grades, a Child’s History of The World, Susan Wise-Bauer’s History series, and you have to check out The Queen’s Homeschool for copy work and other resources, including spelling. I love how she has incorporated Charlotte Mason’s approach into her materials. Lots more, but these are just some favorites, along with Simply Grammar and Daily Grams with Easy Grammar. I will definitely have to check out your Mapping book!! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
question— since you have the actual book handy– the mapping the world by heart– can you use that book for more than one kiddo? can you just photocopy more pages/stuff as needed?
well shoot, now i feel like i’m stalking you– didn’t read the end of your post– book suggestions– tons!
oh– and here’s something i just found for preschoolers–
http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/gods-little-explorer-preschool-curriculum/
just found it– $14 for a 28 week download– looks cute..
anyway–
books-
here are my tried and true fans, kid tested.
And these have to be read aloud– because they are that awesome….
The Dangerous Journey- Pilgrim’s Progress– AMAZING version of this book– the pictures are incredible– for 6+
The Mysterious Benedict Society (ages 7+ for read aloud, reading level 9+) but read these aloud– the most fun series ever- and SO well written. they are 300+ pages– so have a glass of water handy
The Phantom Tollbooth– read this aloud please– you will love it– older kids will totally get all the play on words– younger ones (6-7) may not– but they’ll love the story
Some Roald Dahl– Fantastic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach, the BFG– lots of fun there
Please read The Seven Wonders of Sasafrass Springs– you will then buy it b/c you love it– so awesome– we read this every year (6+)
The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane (6+) you’ll cry at the end.
The Tale of Desperaux.. the movie does NOT do this book justice..
The Seven Tales of Trinket– such fun– some scary parts– 7+
The Great Turkey Walk– we listened to this on CD– very fun story
The Candymakers– LONG– listening to it on CD_- another fun story
The Hobbit– the movie was good— but the book is 100% better
For read alones– my older kids (8,9) LOVE the Percy Jackson series— tons of Greek mythology in there- the gods are real, etc… but my kids’ faith is strong and their knowledge that they are in fact, myths, and not real– doesn’t make me worry about them reading it– i’m reading them as well- good vs. evil– lots of fun.
Ramona Quimby Series— great for mischievous girls 🙂
I have a list of books we’re trying out this summer on my blog– all newbury winners– but have never read them– so can’t vouch for their content…
http://www.adcoxfamily.blogspot.com/2013/05/summer-school-and-summer-reading.html
i may have a book addiction problem..
😉
Those look great! Have you read the reviews on TT though? I was all set to order it last year and then decided against it based on the common complaint that it doesn’t ” teach to the test”… Meaning act and sat scores are low for kids who used TT:( We love Easy Grammar. I think it’s by far the best grammar curriculum out there. I use Abeka phonics for my littles until 3rd grade… Solid stuff. I am also really in love with the math we used this year; CLE. It’s so great!!! I highly recommend it.
We don’t homeschool—yet (3 year old and 9 month old…), but the countries are TOTALLY doable. I know it’s really strange, but my 3 year old knows many (probably 50+) of the countries just from a DK Atlas and an IPAD app. The Ipad app is Stack the Countries and the same person made Stack the States. I highly recommend both. They aren’t toddler apps, but he loves it! His favorite country is “Cheena” and everytime he says it, it makes me think of your family. China, Haiti, Russia, Yemen, Ehiopia, the Seychelles, etc. And he knows all his states and where they go from the States one too. It’s pretty crazy and totally not because I “work” with him on them so I get none of the credit. He will ask “Mom, what’s that?” and I tell him once and he remembers. My husband says it sounds like we might have a missionary on our hands, since the countries he loves are full of unreached people. All that to say, check out those apps–and I may have to check out the Mapping the World curriculum in a few years!
Great curriculum list! ;o) Can you tell me, does the All American History student activity book include the images (pictures, flags, etc.) required for the lesson pages? And also…. can you give an idea of what the map-making activities (boundaries, rivers, cities??) are like……… I was needing to find an American History text book and am so glad to see your post !! I have a state information and map skills book that I really like and wonder if they would be too redundant. Thanks so much!
We are a Lifeline family. So happy for you in “your” new role with them. ;o} Blessings on your summer and school year ahead ~
I am not a homeschooling Mom, just wanted to first commend your choice of an elective– personal finance! The public schools are extrememly lacking in teaching our youth this extremely valuable information that will greatly effect them throughout their life. A huge gripe I have with public eduation is that they do not do enough (baically nothing where we live) to teach kids about how loans work etc. I see me taking charge of teaching this to my kids as they get older.
I used the Reading Lesson with my Kindergartener and Pre-Ker; We started in September and finished working through it in May for K and are on chapter 15 with my Pre-Ker. The beginning of the first few chapters was a little rough for my older one– she doesn’t like to be frustrated, but once she got the hang of how it worked it went really well. She is reading early reader books now. My younger daughter likes it, we just go slower.
I also used most of the Kumon books you listed with the girls when they were younger. As I said, I am not a homeschool mom– these are just the few extras I provide them at home to supplement school. I try to keep it fun.
Our books for next year have been arriving and it is like Christmas for ME!!!! (Think the STAPLES back to school commercial) My upcoming 10th grader’s Western Civilization book just came and I have been reading it every night.
It’s fascinating stuff! My bigger kids do a private tutoring program two days a week that is very literature rich and biblically strong. (The senior class will be reading “The Reason For God”)
We are doing Apologia Biology this year also. Make sure you count that as a high school science credit for Asher.
We use Institute for Excellence in Writing, and Analytical Grammar also. For math I have two in Algebra, using two different curriculums, TT and Saxon. TT is self grading, which my independent learner likes, and not as advanced or rigorous as Saxon. It depends on the kid. One is a math whiz , Saxon for him, and the other is just doing it because it is required to graduate.
With my littles I use Sonlight, which we all love! Horizons Math, All About Spelling, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Jr Analytical Grammar, Prima Latina and Apologia Science.
We also LOVE Dave Stotts’, Drive Through History. That is something for the entire family.
The thing you have to remember is its all great curriculum and they will learn a lot just because it is good stuff and they are home with you and involved with everything that goes on in life, Especially with God at the center of it. It may not be on a standardized test but it will serve them well throughout their life.
I am an English teacher, and I love the way grammar and writing are integrated in the “Stack the Deck” series of books. I use them as mini lessons in my writing workshop all the time. They are small, inexpensive books. The sample sentences are so quirky and fun.
hey girl!
thanks for the tips. i’m a reading teacher (1-3), but am still having trouble figuring out just how i’m going to teach my four year old (prek this sept.) how to read. i purchased ‘the reading lesson’ and a couple of the kumon books you mentioned. we’ll see how it goes! 🙂
I’m a third grade classroom teacher and I love books at all levels so I’ll pile some suggestions here and then you can take a look at the library – some things I use with my kids will be right in between where yours are (too old/young) but the littles will be listening not read independently yet anyway right?
First, my mom used “Sing, Spell, Read, and Write” when she homeschooled me in Kindergarten and I went through more than just the K books, also finished First grade book and was SO bored in reading class when I started attending a formal school the next year! Thus began my habit (lasted all the way thru school) of reading the lit textbook on my own since we never got to all the selections as a class.
Ok other books, middle school level ish: (sorry I’m skipping the caps it’s easier that way on the phone keyboard!)
By the great horn spoon
No coins please
The 21 balloons
Where the red fern grows
The spirit flyer series
The Fayrah series
Chasing Vermeer (haven’t finished it but I know fifth grade reads it an it looks challenging)
Anything by Andrew Clements – he has picture books, second grade chapter books (Jake Drake), 5-6 grade novels, as young adult. The 5-6grade ones are the ones I love most. Each is stand-alone, focusing on one child in a public school setting, and each has a different focus – a boy who’s embarrassed because his dad is te janitor, a girl who writes a novel, a boy who makes up a new word (Frindle), a boy and girl who are ringleaders of their talkative, cootie-seeing, competitive fifth grade class…
In the year of the boar and Jackie Robinson
Bloomability (main character is female but as someone who works in an international school I LOVED this story)
Poetry! Personally I love Jack Prelutsky; he’s silly like Shel Silverstein but less morbid/gross. Explore it. Basho (Haiku). Robert Frost. Carl Sandburg. I’m just finishing a poetry unit with my class and would be happy to email you the stuff we used though again it’s not exactly the right level!
I also love the Enola Holmes series which is middle school level but about a girl – six short novels, maybe you’ll enjoy them yourself 🙂
Closer to high school level but I also love it for its character development, intelligent plotting, and emotional arc:
The thief of Eddis series
For new readers (when they get there):
Nate the great series
Mo Willems (especially elephant and piggie)
David Weisner (lots of wordless books actually)
Other author/illustrators:
Beverly Cleary (Socks is my favorite but Ramona is also close!)
Tomie dePaola – he has lots of stuff for young’uns but also chapter books about his childhood. Once you read those, a lot of the picture books are easy to connect to his own life.
Patricia Polacco – the reading level of her picture books is more upper elementary, as is the subject matter of some. Try reading The Bee Tree, Thank You Mr. Falker, and The Junkyard Kids all in a row for a look at her experience with learning to read and school. Tough stories but good. Other books are more appropriate for all levels to hear.
I know I’m forgetting some good ones but that’s enough for now!
Oh! The Clementine series. Like Ramona but modern. (Ramona was young when we were!)
Have you conisidered the Words Their Way program for spelling/phonics? I used it with my second graders for the first time this year, and I was amazed at my students’ growth. I had four to six different spelling lists going on at the same time in my classroom, depending on the time of year. I gave everyone a placement test to see what level each child was at when we started the year off, and then I repeated the placement test 2 or 3 times to see if kids were still at the right place. It was amazing. I purchased the main book plus three or four of the sort books to get myself set up. 🙂
http://www.amazon.com/Words-Their-Way-Vocabulary-Instruction/dp/0137035101/ref=pd_sim_b_5
http://www.amazon.com/Words-Their-Way-Alphabetic-Three-hole/dp/0135145805/ref=pd_sim_b_2
Great Read Aloud for 2nd graders:
Gooney Bird Greene – It’s a series, but my students LOVE to hear the first one. It really gets kids interested in learning new words. Gooney Bird is all about vocabulary.
I also read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory aloud (minus a few inappropriate parts) and it was fabulous for helping my students visualize while reading. It was the best thing I found for that skill. Roald Dahl was amazingly descriptive in that book.
Wow!! Love your selections. Great readers and read alouds on amblesideonline.com and from Sonlight. I am off to explore your links!! Excited about the geography curriculum. Do you homeschool all the kids? Are there more curriculum choices to come??
I love Apologia too! We just finished the Anatomy book this year for my 1st & 3rd & 5th grader – GREAT book! Next year for my 7th grader (he’s skipping 6 th grade) we are moving to General Science and my 4th grader will be moving to the Chemistry book. For Omnibus we have used Mystery of History – but she hasn’t finished the next book yet! So we are moving on to Everything You Need to Know About American History Homework(4th grade) & Omnibus II: Student Text – hope we like them! I love Shurley Grammar for all levels of grammar. I haven’t used Easy Grammar b/c Shurley has worked so well for us. I actually used Wordly Wise and loved it – my kids not so much! Like you, have to go with what works for them! I just rec’d a BIG box of curriculum this week and have another huge order to place!
We love Apologia as well. Well, my science-minded ones do. My history/bookwork doesn’t so much, but he says if he has to do science he’ll take Apologia!
I wanted to mention a HW book/series we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! A Reason for HW didn’t work out for us, but others do love it. I have nothing against it; just didn’t work.
I found these PDFs on currclick and own several of them now. They are very thrifty b/c you can print as many copies as you need for future students once you buy the PDF. I make mine into spiral notebooks and the kids LOVE THEM!
This is the one I used with Li’l Bro and Li’l Miss when they were entering K two years ago (how can time fly like that?!). Anyway, they both loved it!
http://www.currclick.com/product/21135/A-Z-I-Like-Animals?src=s_pi&it=1 (this is not an affiliate link either! 😉 And yes, I love some on-line shopping too.
I have NOT done a thing for purchases. CRAZY I know, but we are still in the midst of moving and packing and renovating and … moving to a farm!?! Still having to pinch myself. But, anyhow, I wanted to mention this resource above. They have other copywork books too. We have used several of the animal ones and Li’l Miss is using the elegant floral one now as she wants to learn cursive and she loves flowers.
Oh and we give a thumbs up for Word Roots and anything from Critical Thinking. I love the CD-ROM versions as they grade for me. 😀
I’m not a home school mom but I did set up a summer classroom for us. Em is struggling with reading. She was promoted to second grade but I’m concerned enough the we got some recommended books ans we do some school work daily and she has to write in her journal. I am also using my mom’s “dick and Jane” books from her childhood. While a little digital is okay to play spelling games and such we’re doing good ol paper d pencils. In 3 days I taught her multiplication and each day she does another number until her multiplication chart is complete. She will enter 2nd grade ahead in math! These tips and recommendations are great.
One of the best books I’ve read to my kids was ‘Wonder’ (Palacio). It’s most appropriate for older elementary and up. A wonderful book on teaching tolerance and kindness toward others. I HIGHLY recommend it. Read it to them last summer.
Disclaimer: there might be a bad once or twice (it’s written from a middle schooler’s and high schooler’s point of view). I just changed the word or omitted it. 🙂
I taught both of our girls to read from a book called ” Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Lessons”. It works. It’s easy. When you finish the lessons your child will read at a second grade level. Can’t beat it!