still struggling deciding on next year's curriculum

[duboisa]

guys, I am still really struggling with what to buy for next years curriculum. The only thing that I know for sure is Math u See. I got the demo and loved it. My kids watched it with me, and they liked it too.

I dont know what on earth to do..

here is where I am .

The story of the world, seems to advanced for my 1st grader, but too young for the seventh grader. Mystery of History is too advance for my first grader, but seems not to cover enough of what I would like to cover in a year. (using the worldbook guidelines)

for Science for my 1st grader, i have no earthly. Thinking of APologia General Science for the oldest because there are so many experiments. I think we will read out loud, etc to make it better for him.

For english for my 7th grader, Easy grammer, worldly wise and spelling workout, and comprehensive composition to assist.
for my 1st grader, not sure b/c he doesnt read yet, so phonics is an issue, but I cant find a fun one that i think he will get into. Spelling and volcabulary (ha ha, he doesnt read yet, not even going there ) There is a program called first language lessons, may try that a little bit.

i was thinking about the worlds of adventure and five in a row. but i am not sure that it will be in depth enough for english and science. SOunds great for history though for my seventh grader.

so in a few words.. i am stuck.. going to the used sale in pontiac this weekend coming up, so i would like to have a good idea by then, so maybe i can buy used.

[reedross]

You might look at Truthquest History - it's easy to use with varying ages........ although you'd probably want to start with American History for Young Students (web site: truthquesthistory.com).

Rod & Staff is pretty good for English and is pretty reasonably priced.

I really enjoyed the Apologia Elementary Science - we used Botany and Zoology! Also Answers in Genesis has a creation based elementary science program you might look at too!

- April C

[MamaSweetie2]

Hi Angie,

I know how you feel. There are so many options and you want to do what is right for your kids, been there , done that. I am struggling with planning for High School after next year.

First off, decide why did you take your kids out of public school. What wasn't working for them in public school? What do you envision "homeschooling" to be. Everyone has a different idea about it. Some envision snuggling and reading good classic books, others expect the kids up and ready at the kitchen table by 8am, with a timer and every 45 minutes switching subjects. There is no right or wrong way, over time though I think most start taking a little more relaxed approach than what they initially did. Another thing to remember, there is no perfect curriculum.

If I remember right, you started homeschooling in Jan? Take a few minutes and make a list of what worked and what didn't work these past 5 months. Let that be your guide.


For your 1st grader, I would concentrate on learning to read. Spelling and vocab will come later....learning to read should be your priority for Language Arts for 1st. You can always have read alouds of books he isn't able to read yet to broaden his horizons, so to speak, and to introduce him to new words in a more relaxed way instead of memorizing vocab lists.

Christian Book Distributors has the Hooked on Phonics, Learn to Read program for $89. They have a Kindergarten and a First Grade program. The website is www.cbd.com , haven't used the program, just passing on this info.

I would keep it laid back for science. There are a lot of science/nature books for that age level at the library. For example: say he has an interest in whales. Get a few books to read from the "Easy" section about whales. The library has a video/dvd on whales. He could draw whales (Art). See where I am going with this? It doesn't have to be so "textbook" for the little ones. I found a paperback book at the Dollar Store a couple years ago, called Super Science Fun, simple 1 page experiments using household items. You could look for something like this at Barnes & Nobles and just have a science day once a week to do a fun experiment. You can study about the seasons, why the leaves turn, do a collage with the colored leaves. In spring, plant flowers or seeds and watch them grow. Keep track of weather conditions each day, make a chart, keep track of rainy, cloudy, sunny etc., using tally marks (oops...a little Math skill thrown in! LOL)

Same with history or social studies. You can keep it simple and read about people in the community (ex: Firemen, Police, Mailman), plan a trip to Fire Dept to tour . Or you can read easy biographies about Abe Lincoln and George Washington in February (presidents day), Johnny Appleseed, Davy Crockett or easy books about the wild west. There are easy Little House on the prairie books. (My First Little House books - I found these at our library) www.enchanted learning.com has some ideas for projects and sheets to print out for various things. Personally, my dd is in K this year and we read our Bible Story book for History. We just read it for enjoyment and spoke about the pictures and I asked her basic questions. For Geography I took a laminated wall map. During the Winter Olympics, we kept track of what countries won Gold medals and located that country on a map and placed a gold star there. Both kids had fun with it, but by having "fun" my Kindergartener can identify USA, Canada, Italy, The Netherlands, Africa, Madagascar, China, Russia, Australia. Not bad for a 5 yo. You can be as creative as you like with any subject.

Now Five in a Row doesn't teach formal Lang Arts, or Math. You would need to have a phonics or learn to read type program. Five in a Row though, does give nice activities that go along with the assigned books in a variety of subjects. If you are leaning towards a laid back approach with science and Soc. Studies, this may be good for you since all the suggestions are there and you don't have to make things up. Have you gone to their website and looked at sample pages?

I have their Vol I - The first lesson is on The Story About Ping, it is about a duck on the Yangtzee River in China. Some activities are: 3 activities to choose from most subjects Social Studes - Relationships, Geography - China, Geog - Culture (chinese culture) Literature - What is a classic story, Fiction, Literary Device; Repetition. Art - Medium used by illustrator, Drawing Water, Viewpoint, Composition. Math - counting skills. Science - Animal Kingdom, Buoyancy, Health and Safety, Reflection of Light.

And remember, the World Book guidelines are just that.... guidelines, you aren't bound by them and you can change, omit, add to them anyway you like. In SC we are required to teach certain subjects, but SC Homeschool law doesn't tell us what we need to teach within those subjects.

Take a deep breath......look over your objectives for what you would like to accomplish next year and how you would like your homeschool set up. You don't have to purchase everything right now. Perhaps go to the SCHEA convention and curriculum sale. I think it is June 16 & 17 in Sumter. They usually have speakers there and you can see curriculum hands on. I'll find out more info and post it here for you.

Hope this helps in someway. If anything, know that you aren't alone and that whatever you choose will be the best thing for your children, because no matter what curriculum you are using or how you are using it you are giving them a wonderful opportunity to be taught and nurtured by the one person that loves them the most!

Keep us informed!

Homeschool Hugs!!
Christine

[MamaSweetie2]

Angie,

Here is the link to the Homeschool Convention in Sumter.

http://schomeeducatorsassociation.org/convention.htm

Christine

[Dianna]

Angie, have you gotten any closer to deciding on your curriculum for next year?

Dianna