Curriculums

[duboisa]

This is my first year, ok ok ok,, 1/2 year homeschooling. I spent way too much when I started this on a bunch of stuff I didnt even use!!! I am looking for ideas on what to use for my kids for next year. both boys, 1st grade and 7th grade.

Science, got that, I like Apologia

Math, used Saxon for my little one, not sure about that, my oldest, we winged it b/c i didnt get the math book

History- Like Abeka for this I think

English -- I am thinking Abeka, but am willing to entertain alternatives that are cheaper. i am on a budget here.

Any other thoughts or input are valued, b/c this year, i dont think we were up to par. i had tons of reguluar public school textbooks that I paid a wad for. and Explode the Code, Saxon Math, A little Abeka phonics, and Chrisian Liberty Press for my youngest. For the oldest, math book, YUK, Apolgia Science (astronomy), Abeka history, and Daily Grams and workbooks for English. We need a better plan for next year. I would like to keep all this under about $300 or so for this year, b/c my money isnt great.

Thanks,

angie

[Dianna]

Math, used Saxon for my little one, not sure about that, my oldest, we winged it b/c i didnt get the math book

For your younger child, I would recommend Miquon Math or Singapore Math. Links to information and samples of both programs are available at my Resources & Links page: http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/links.htm but let me know if you have any questions about either after looking at the samples.

For your older child, look at the recommendations I made in the Middle School Math Suggestions thread in this forum.


History- Like Abeka for this I think

I'd recommend using an unschooling, interest-led approach to history/social studies for both of your children. Whatever they're interested in, let them explore that topic until they're ready to move on. Use good library books, educational videos from the library, The Learning Channel, other good documentaries, field trips, good discussions, etc. I also recommend this for Science if you get tired of Apologia. If you decide you'd rather have a curriculum and don't want Abeka, let me know and I'll suggest specific resources.


English -- I am thinking Abeka, but am willing to entertain alternatives that are cheaper. i am on a budget here.

I recommend Rod & Staff English over Abeka just based on comments I've read from many other homeschoolers and my own experiences. It's also less expensive. See links to samples on my Links page. Call Rod & Staff directly to order, though: 606-522-4348


Any other thoughts or input are valued, b/c this year, i dont think we were up to par. i had tons of reguluar public school textbooks that I paid a wad for. and Explode the Code, Saxon Math, A little Abeka phonics, and Chrisian Liberty Press for my youngest. For the oldest, math book, YUK, Apolgia Science (astronomy), Abeka history, and Daily Grams and workbooks for English. We need a better plan for next year. I would like to keep all this under about $300 or so for this year, b/c my money isnt great.

My suggestions would be under $300 (total for both). For Reading, I'd suggest just reading good books that integrate with your science and social studies topics, as well as other books (poetry, biographies, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, etc.) If your youngest isn't reading yet, just focus on teaching him how to read and then let him read books based on his ability level.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions or need different suggestions.

Warmly,
Dianna

[duboisa]

I cant find any sample pages of the Miquon Math , do you have any more info on that? Has anyone else used it and liked it?

[Dianna]

I cant find any sample pages of the Miquon Math , do you have any more info on that? Has anyone else used it and liked it?

I love Miquon and have used it for three of my children so far (in combination with Singapore Math for my middle two). It really teaches math concepts well. Some parents find it difficult to teach because it's so different, and some students don't mesh well with it. My youngest son didn't mesh well with the last two workbooks in the series, so we dropped it at that point for him. Here are samples: http://www.sonlight.com/math-samples.html If you decide to buy it, make sure you get the Lab Sheet Annotations (teacher's guide), too.

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Dianna

[duboisa]

SO you used both singapore math and miquon math at the same time? how did you do that??

[duboisa]

ok.. well here is what i ended up with tell me what you think

7th grader
Science Apologia General Science
math- College math ( the one you suggested)
Hisorty- Abeka History of the World
English- Easy Grammer, will use web for spelling, volcab, and library for Lit
Art- Abeka art project book

1st grader

Math- Miquan Math
English- Abeka
Science- Apologia Botany, will probably take 2 years
History- Abeka

[raven4487]

I am thinking about k 12. has anyone else used it and if so did you like it? I am thinking I need a more structured curriculum. We unschooled this year and it worked but I would like to see more progress.

[MamaSweetie2]

Angie,

Where did you find the Basic College Mathematics book that Dianna suggested. I am interested in looking at that for my middle schooler also.

Christine

[MamaSweetie2]

Angie,

Just a quick note about the Apologia Gen Science for 7th. We used this earlier this year. If your son is NOT a reader, as you mentioned in a previous post, you may want to reconsider, especially if he is used to the public school science textbooks with a lot of color and pictures. It is a lot of reading, hardly any pictures or diagrams.

I think you can down load some sample pages from a website called the Book Peddler. I think that is where I got samples last year. I'll check on the website and get back to you.

I don't mean to sound negative about your choice, it is just you mentioned your son hates to read, as does my daughter and I found it not to be a good fit for her because of all the reading involved.

I'll get back to you on that website.

[MamaSweetie2]

Angie,

Book Peddler doesn't have the sample pages, but you can look at them at the Apologia site. http://www.highschoolscience.com/ , click on General Science in the left hand column.

Hope this helps

Christine

[Dianna]

SO you used both singapore math and miquon math at the same time? how did you do that??

We just used Miquon until we needed a change, and then Singapore until we needed a change, then Miquon, then Singapore. For grades 1 & 2, I think Miquon has the edge over Singapore. Starting in third grade, though, they both have their strengths and they complement each other well.

If you want to match up the concepts between both series, here's a chart: http://www.singmath.com/SM_Miquon.htm

Dianna

[Dianna]

ok.. well here is what i ended up with tell me what you think

7th grader
Science Apologia General Science
math- College math ( the one you suggested)
Hisorty- Abeka History of the World
English- Easy Grammer, will use web for spelling, volcab, and library for Lit
Art- Abeka art project book

Well, I second what someone else said about Apologia and kids who don't like to read. I really like a interest-led approach for both science and social studies/history, though, so many I'm just biased.

If you want to use a text for History, I really recommend the Story of the World series. It's written for you to either read aloud to younger (elementary) children, but a lot of parents let their upper elementary and middles schoolers read it themselves. The four books get progressively more difficult in reading level and cover complete world history and you could assign two books this year for your 7th-grader, and two for next year, if you'd like. Also, there are audio versions if your son is really resistent to reading. Here's a link to the series: http://peacehillpress.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2 Here are sample pages of the first book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971412960/sr=8-1/qid=1146191847/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4616684-1697713?%5Fencoding=UTF8

If the College Math doesn't work, try the Key to series. I bet one or the other will work. :smile2:


1st grader

Math- Miquan Math
English- Abeka
Science- Apologia Botany, will probably take 2 years
History- Abeka

For Language Arts with a 1st grader, I just focus on handwriting skills and learning how to read. I don't much about Abeka, though, so I can't really comment. I'd recommend waiting to use Apologia Botany until 3rd grade or so, but if you're already familiar with the series and it worked well for you before, then keep using it. Otherwise, I'd use an interested-led approach for this, too. For History, I'd recommend the same thing as for your older son. Your younger son can listen in on the audio version, or you can read it aloud to him yourself - Volume 1 this year, Volume 2 next year, and so on. There are activity books (maps, games, etc) that go along with them if you'd like to use them. See the website for more info.

Dianna

[Dianna]

I am thinking about k 12. has anyone else used it and if so did you like it? I am thinking I need a more structured curriculum. We unschooled this year and it worked but I would like to see more progress.

Dawn, I've heard some people love it, and some think it's just too much busywork (for the children and the parents). Are you looking for something you would be held accountable for? Something that provides teacher feedback and oversight? If so, K12 is an option, as well as Calvert School. I've heard that Oak Meadow is a good choice for a more relaxed, yet structured program. Have you checked into that?

Dianna

[Dianna]

Angie,

Where did you find the Basic College Mathematics book that Dianna suggested. I am interested in looking at that for my middle schooler also.

Christine

I hope you don't mind me jumping in. I recommend getting copies at Amazon.com Marketplace. Used paperback copies for the 6th edition start at $2.99 here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0321064577/ref=dp_olp_2/102-4616684-1697713?%5Fencoding=UTF8 , but make sure you check the Condition notes to find out if there is any writing in them. If it's not clear in the notes, contact the seller to ask. I very much prefer the paperback versions so my students can write directly in the text - so much easier, and less painful to math-phobic students.

Dianna

[duboisa]

Christine,
the reason i think that it will work for him is b/c he loves science so much and there are alot of experiments in it. We looked at the sample modules on apologia's website and he wants to use it. So we will see.

Thanks for the input. angie

[duboisa]

I hope you don't mind me jumping in. I recommend getting copies at Amazon.com Marketplace. Used paperback copies for the 6th edition start at $2.99 here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0321064577/ref=dp_olp_2/102-4616684-1697713?%5Fencoding=UTF8 , but make sure you check the Condition notes to find out if there is any writing in them. If it's not clear in the notes, contact the seller to ask. I very much prefer the paperback versions so my students can write directly in the text - so much easier, and less painful to math-phobic students.

Dianna
I got mine for $6.88 including shipping. I will let you know how it looks once i get it. it shipped yesterday!!

[MamaSweetie2]

Thanks Dianna!!

[reedross]

Christine,
the reason i think that it will work for him is b/c he loves science so much and there are alot of experiments in it. We looked at the sample modules on apologia's website and he wants to use it. So we will see.

Thanks for the input. angie

Angie......... I'm a huge fan of Apologia (just wanted to get the bias out in the open! LOL)........ It IS a very intense science program with lots of reading. I have some friends that are not using the General Science until 8th grade and then Physical science in 9th. I used the General with my first son and will also use it with my second son next year! My boys weren't 'used' to alot of 'textbook' type learning so we had a little bit of a learning curve.

I also LOVE the Elementary level science that Apologia offers - and it could easily go into 7th grade level!

- April C