What Homeschool Curriculum Should you Use?
With all the different curriculum choices out there it can be very difficult in deciding on a curriculum. So although everything our family does may not work for you, it may be a springboard for you or helpful in seeing what another family uses.
Our family does school year round
(with a longer break in July), but we will officially move the kids to their new grades end of July / beginning of August. I just finished printing out my Homeschool Forms so I am ready to track our attendance, fieldtrips, reading, and what-not. I have lesson plans ready to help guide us and I am ready to go! So here you go - our curriculum choices for 2013-2014.
Math
We are continuing using Sinagapore Math. I love that students using it are statistically outranking their peers. We love that it teaches math in several different ways, with a heavy emphasis on problem solving. It gets the job done with practice, but not worksheets at nausium. It is also pretty inexpensive – we get our 2 semester textbooks/workbooks/lesson plans from My Father’s World for $45. {There is a free placement test} if you are switching over from another curriculum.} Goofy is using books 2A & 2B this year for 2nd grade, but because it tends to be more advanced make sure you take a placement test before ordering for the firs time.
Language Arts
We are also continuing using Sing Spell Read and Write. We have really enjoyed the program and I am amazed at how well Goofy is reading! He is almost 2 grade levels ahead, which considering how hard it was to get him started, is nothing short of amazing! We are using Grand Tour 1 & 2 for 2nd Grade which includes reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and comprehension . I will note that I was a little hesitant to continue with this program this year because of how much more expensive it was this year! The teachers book is no longer included in the pack, neither are the assessment tests. But we really loved the 1st year and after reading various forums I felt comfortable we could do it without a teachers manual. The other fact that sold me was that each reader was information about one of the US States an we are planning on studying the states this year.
We will also be completing Literature Study Guides of some wonderful classic books.
During the summer Goofy is completing Reading the Easy Way 1st grade to ensure that he is fluent in the 1st Grade Sight Words! He was also working through Summer Learning RRR to help him review & keep up on his reading, writing, and math so he doesn't suffer the 30% summer learning loss!
Social Studies
This year we are planning on studying all 50 states, one at a time. You can follow along our From Sea to Shinning Sea Unit & grab the FREE State Worksheet Packs I’ve made to go along with our study. {packs have activities for toddler – 5th grade to accommodate family learning} As part of this study we will take a look at different Animal Habitats.
Science
I’m super excited to start our Science this year. We are using Bright Ideas Press’s Christian Kids Explore Biology text book and Student Workbook. The curriculum looks amazing & is super affordable too. Plus you can print out copies of the student pages for all the kids in my home!I am planning on sharing our science fun with you throughout the fall – so make sure to grab your own copy if you want to join us in our study! {there are other studies within Christian Kids Explore Science and they also produce the Mystery of History – one I've had my eye on ever since I saw it in Cathy Duffy’s curriculum choices - we plan to use in a couple of years!}
Art
We plan to continue learning about the World’s Greatest Artists. This year we plan on studying Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Renoir, Matisse, Michaelangelo, and Okeefe.
We will continue to use Childsize Masterpieces – this is a great way to review artist names and their work in a fun, hands-on way.
We will be using our Draw Write Now books to draw things in unit, history, and science units that come up. It does such a wonderful job of teaching kids how to draw!
Music
We will be working on piano lessons and if funds allow Goofy will be getting violin lessons {he has been asking to play the violin for years!}
We will continue with Color the Classics. We love how this program exposes kids to a variety of music and some great composers in a way that is fun & memorable to them. This year we will be studying: Luther, Wesley, Watts, Newton, Crosby, Telemann, Mozart, some Christmas Carols, Mendelssohn, and Dvorak
Spanish
Goofy is starting Rosetta Stone Homeschool Spanish (Spain). I’ve heard so many great things about this program and I think it is exactly what Goofy needs to jumpstart his Spanish! Plus I can use it with Minnie when he is done! Look for a thorough review of Rosetta Stone coming soon!
Physical Education
Although we get a lot of exercise as a family talking walks, riding bikes, and just running around the backyard I always like to add lots of organized sports. I think it is great for socialization, team work, and offers opportunities that can be difficult to replicate in a homeschool setting.
Goofy will also be taking swimming lessons, be on a soccer team, basketball league, sports class, and gymnastics this upcoming year. {don't’worry they don’t overlap!}
Typing & Computer Skills FUN
Disney’s Adventures in Typing with Timon & Pumbaa – I know my Disney loving son will be excited to learn with some favorite Disney characters!Disney's 1st & 2nd Grade Bundle – including Phonics Quest, reading Quest with Aladdin, and Search for the Secret Keys,
Buzz Light Years 2nd & 3rd Grade
I don’t have a 1st grader this year, but here is our 1st grade curriculum choices.
Math
I’m going to surprise you here, we are not using Singapore Math! I honestly have never tried their Kindergarten program, so I’m not saying I wouldn’t like it. We used Bob Jones K Math with Goofy and we really liked it. It is playful, colorful, has lots of repetition, and does a great job incorporating extras like calendar, money, and measurement. Plus I already bought the expensive teacher manual to use with Goofy so I want to get more use out of it. I can whole heartedly recommend Bob Jones K Math (get student workbook & manipulative pack) but you do NOT need the Teacher manual!
Language Arts
We are using the same wonderful program Goofy used. What can I say we LOVED Sing Spell Read and Write! Make sure you get the Sing Spell Read and Write Combo Pack which includes the music CDs, games, treasure box, charts, 2 x Kindergarten workbooks, Kindergarten Readers, 2 x 1st Grade workbooks books, 1st Grade Readers, Teacher Book, and Tests. {so everything you need for 2 full years of Language Arts.} This program includes reading, spelling, handwriting. Note: As we’ve already done this with Goofy, all we had to purchase were a couple consumable workbooks! See my Sing Spell Read & Write review for more details.
Reading the Easy Way Kindergarten to help her become fluent in essential Kindergarten Dolch Sight words. she loves the games, readers, and color by sight word worksheets!
Social Studies
We are doing Social Studies as a family - studying all 50 states, one at a time. You can follow along our From Sea to Shinning Sea Unit & grab the FREE State Worksheet Packs I’ve made to go along with our study. {packs have activities for toddler – 5th grade to accommodate family learning} As part of this study we will take a look at different Animal Habitats.
Science
We are doing science as a family using Bright Ideas Press’s Christian Kids Explore Biology text book and Student Workbook. The curriculum looks amazing & is super affordable too. Plus you can print out copies of the student pages for all the kids in my home!I am planning on sharing our science fun with you throughout the fall – so make sure to grab your own copy if you want to join us in our study! {note there are other topics within Christian Kids Explore Science and they also produce the Mystery of History – one I’ve had my eye on ever since I saw it in Cathy Duffy’s curriculum choices - we plan to use in a couple of years!}
Art
We are doing art as a family learning about the World’s Greatest Artists. This year we plan on studying Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Renoir, Matisse, Michaelangelo, and Okeefe.
We will continue to use Childsize Masterpieces – this is a great way to review artist names and their work in a fun, hands-on way.
We will be using our Draw Write Now books to draw things in unit, history, and science units that come up. It does such a wonderful job of teaching kids how to draw!
Music
We are doing music appreciation as a family using Color the Classics. We love how this program exposes kids to a variety of music and some great composers in a way that is fun & memorable to them. This year we will be studying: Luther, Wesley, Watts, Newton, Crosby, Telemann, Mozart, some Christmas Carols, Mendelssohn, and Dvorak
Physical Education
Although we get a lot of exercise as a family talking walks, riding bikes, and just running around the backyard I always like to add lots of organized sports. I think it is great for socialization, team work, and offers opportunities that can be difficult to replicate in a homeschool setting.
Minnie will also be taking swimming lessons, be on a soccer team, in ballet, sports class, and gymnastics this upcoming year. {don't’worry they don’t overlap!}
Computer Skills FUN
Disney’s Mickey Mouse / Pooh Kindergarten – my Disney loving Kindergarten is going to love the fun way she gets to learn and review!
[Here is what we used for Goofy’s Kindergarten Curriculum Choices with a more traditional Kindergarten Social Studies focus.]
I don’t have a Preschooler this year, but here is were our Preschool curriculum choices last year for Minnie's Preschool.
We will enjoy some intentional structured time together – with two in school I need to make sure I’m intentional with her! You can follow along on our playful learning fun on the blog!
- Music – sing, dance, and play the maraca
- Reading - read lots of books and build up a good vocabulary
- Play LOTS! (dress-up, roll play, creativity, cause & effect, and interaction with Mom)
- Gym – play at the park, jump on our trampoline, crawl in our church play tunnels, push her dolly around, and ride around on her ride-on truck (large motor skill development)
- Guided Play – playing through my {free} Nursery Rhyme Lapbook
- Arts & Crafts – lots of playdough, sensory bins, and crafts to stimulate her and help her practice her fine motor skills
Our {Improved} School Room
Miscellaneous:
- Why we homeschool
- Our New Workboxes
- Homeschooling 101
- {free} School Memories MEGA Pack
- 2012-2013 Curriculum Choices (Toddler, Preschool, 1st Grade)
- 200+ {free} Printables & Lesson Plans by Subject!
- Homeschooling in Illinois
- FREE Homeschool Forms to Help you Get Organized
