Homeschoolers - What Curriculum(s) do you use and why?

[cathyz]

Hi!

I am totally new to homeschooling. I will be starting with ds13 (Aspergers and ADD) this year. I hope to add ds10 (ADHD and Anxiety Issues) next school year or maybe in January.

My main problem right now, other than my DMIL, is what curriculum to use. I know I'll probably change things as time goes on, but I am so OCD and there are SOOOO many choices.

I'm deciding between 'Chalk Dust' and 'Math U See' for Math (duh!) since this is DS's most difficult subject. We will also use 'Rosetta Stone' for German; he's very excited about this.

Science is an unknown. It's not my favorite subject, but I think he could really get into it with the right program. It just needs to be interesting and fun. 'Rainbow Science' seems good and 'Sonlight' seems really popular. I would kind of like something a bit more 'non-secular', but I really don't have any huge problems (either way) with that issue.

History, DS's favorite subject, seems to lend itself very well to 'Unit Study'. We've already got his 1st one planned - "World War II". This also touches Reading and Language (reports, etc.). But, I still think we may need a little extra 'REgular Language' to round it out.

Do any of you do 'Unit Studies'? If so, how do you approach this?

Any advice or information is greatly appreciated!

 

[JMSMommy]

Well, we are using Sonlight for Language Arts, Reading, History, and Bible. (Their Core packages cover those subjects, then you have electives.)

Then, also bought from Sonlight but not put together by them, we are using Singapore Math, Spelling Power, Explode the Code, and a workbook on grammar/phonics. OH, and A Reason for Handwriting.

Science I feel comfortable teaching my son at this point. He's very much a hands on learner, and we're mostly doing experiments. Other times we do a "student led" approach to unit studies. Then Science classes at the science museum.

I've also purchased other things like Wordly Wise A, Five in a Row, lots of texts, and I supplement whenever he needs it.

Why Sonlight? I wanted a Christian based curriculum, I liked the idea of all the books, I felt comfortable with the Teacher's Guide having it ALL laid out for me, I appreciated the step-by-step instructions, I like not having to come up with study questions, and I really like how the geography is interwoven into the core package.

THEN, I liked how Sonlight has more of a world view instead of being US centered. I want my children to learn about the histories of other countries from THEIR point of view (and if Sonlight doesn't give me enough texts on that I will hunt them out).

What do I NOT like about it? THE PRICE! Forget ever selling the core as a whole, your children will NOT let you part with the books.

 

[dfamily]

I can totally relate to being overwhelmed by all the choices out there!

We are in our 2nd year using Sonlight and we love it. Kindergarten year we pulled from many different options. We chose Sonlight for 1st and 2nd so we wouldn't have to do so much of that. We also wanted a chronological, biblical, world approach to history (as opposed to beginning with American history). We supplement the history spine with MYSTERY OF HISTORY (there's lots of explanation for this on the Sonlight forums). We use Singapore math and Math U See. They seem to complement one another and my DS enjoys the change between the two. We also ordered additional language workbooks from Sonlight. Explode the Code is a great series of workbooks and my DS likes doing those. We ordered Science 2 this year from Sonlight and enjoy all the Usborne books that are a part of that.

We've also bought material that we've never used! That's the joy of homeschooling. If something doesn't work, move on to something else that does. HTH! Feel free to ask any more questions. Good luck with your decision

 

[Brier Rose]

For DD 13, we are using The Morning Star Academy.

For DS 6, we are using the The ABeka Academy DVD Program.

We chose both of these because we like the "school at home" approach.

I like the fact that both schools keep transcripts on them.This helps me feel more at ease in terms of getting them into college.

We don't follow any certain schedule, but we know we have to finish the work within a certain time period, so that keeps me on track. Something I really needed help with.

They love getting report cards in the mail, and I love knowing that there is a teacher ready and waiting to answer any questions that I can't help with.

DD loves the whole "technology" feel to her school, and DS pays more attention to his TV teacher than he ever did to me!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My oldest is K--so I don't know that what I can say will help you.

So far we are enjoying Math-U-See. I was always good at math but pretty much stunk at trying to help my brother for example ("come on--it's easyyyy!!!". Math-U-See to me seemed pretty straightforward...it is tactile, visual, and audio.....see it, hear it, do it. My daughter loves it. We don't have any disabilities--so not sure how that will do for you.

At this point--we are developing our own curriculum. I'm pretty particular--and the idea of spending money for a curriculum in a box is overwhelming for me...b/c I like to pull from a variety of sources.

My hubby will be the main science influence in the family--so he shops for that stuff.

We are doing the classical approach and so far we love it. DD5 is learning poetry (the kid LOVES poetry) and about paintings and such--in addition to her phonics, handwriting, religion, and math.

 

[TiffanyK]

Have you checked the sonlight forums? They have lots of good info on them. We're starting our ninth year of hs today. We've used sonlight for every year except the first. For my 13 yo I also use Saxon math, Bob Jones English (like this for the way it's put together), Apologia science. I think those are the major things.

Another plug for the Sonlight forums. Great people on there. Good luck with your homeschool adventure!

 

[dis-happy]

Saxon Math with DIVE cd's
Saxon Phonics
Handwriting w/o Tears and Italics Handwriting (different kids)
The Learnables French
Sonlight with one child for a couple of years
Calvert for the rest (really like the classical curriculum and emphasis on writing and grammar)


dd in 11th grade, ds in 6th, ds starting K this year---have homeschooled all along the way!

Hope you all have a great year!!!


ETA: Exploring Creation (Apologia) science: high school biology, chemistry and starting anatomy this year which together with the biology will be an AP course

 

[momimouse27]

I, too, pulled my daughter out in 3rd grade for ADHD and she also had some anxiety issues as well. She is now 12 and in the 7th grade and eons more adjusted that she used to be! Her 8 yr old sister is now at home too.

I have heard excellent things about Math U See. We use Modern Curriculum Press, but we chose it for financial reasons. It is okay, but what you suggested is probobly better. We did unit studies for the first two years of homeschooling. My dd loved it. The way we did it was simple-and very cheap. My daughter would tell me something she was interested in-then we would go to the library and get some books on it, we would read a biography on someone, get vocabulary words about that thing, draw and make things related to it, etc...

Very inexpensive and fun. I would even suggest you could do that with science also. You will really enjoy teaching your boys...and don't forget all the trips to Disney where you won't be waiting in line!!

 

[clori]

anyone know of any good secular homeschool programs. I don't mind religion but we are Jewish. My dd5 is currently starting public school kindergarten while I explore homeschooling. I am very nervous since dd has alopecia areata. DD is already reading on a 2nd to 3rd grade level but otherwise is probably on grade level or just slightly advanced. She understands simple addition/subtraction but does not have them memorized. Her handwriting needs major help at this point.

 

[jann1033]

we used Clonlara School ( Ann Arbor Michigan ) for ele. ( took them out of public in 2&4 grades) and American School for high school ( this was 10 yrs ago so it was pretty much "unheard of" then. I liked Clonlara cause it gave general guidelines and i had something to show the "authorities" ,American they actually sent the test ect in to them and got a score back ( not sure what the law is now, at the time there was tons of paper work for high school) Both are doing well as adults one works for an accountant, the other is an equine med. assistant

Both are secular schools

 

[Kewz1]

anyone know of any good secular homeschool programs. I don't mind religion but we are Jewish. My dd5 is currently starting public school kindergarten while I explore homeschooling. I am very nervous since dd has alopecia areata. DD is already reading on a 2nd to 3rd grade level but otherwise is probably on grade level or just slightly advanced. She understands simple addition/subtraction but does not have them memorized. Her handwriting needs major help at this point.

There are Jewish families who use SL. Their cores can be easily modified to fit your families religious beliefs. We chose it for the same reasons JMSmommy mentioned but I love the versatility of the curriculum. Visit the message boards and do a search.

We do not use their Bible stuff because we do Awanas at our church. I have also added some products from Geomatters and Evan-Moore to beef up the geography.

This year we are using Core 4 (second half of American His) but I opted to not buy all the books.

We really enjoy it!

Kristen

 

[sweet maxine]

***********

 

[mom2rb]

We do it a little bit different. For English we read anything and everything. As long as they are reading, I'm happy. My boys also go to Spanish twice a week. They can now read almost as well in Spanish as they can in English. We are adding French in October. I send them to tutors for the languages. For Math we use Math Fun by Kelly Wingate Publications. I love this book. For the other subjects we just read about them or do experiments at home. For me, Reading, Spanish, French, and Math are the most important things we can do right now. Anything else we do is just for fun.

 

[minkydog]

We are out of the homeschooling game now, but we did it for 12+ years with great success. In elementary years we used KONOS unit studies for my older, ADD kid--very good, hands on--and Veritas and Calvert for my well-regulated daughter. Of those I preferred Calvert. There was no preparation on my part, just open the teacher's manual and do what they tell you. Send the work off for grading and recieve a report card. After several years of writing Unit studies, this was just what i needed.

In the middle years,4-8, I used Calvert for DD & Sonlight for ADD son, with mixed results. He loved the reading & writing. We both hated the sonlight science, except for 5th grade science (anatomy). We used several different maths, including Saxon, Bob Jones, and Calvert. I really liked Bob Jones the best. More colorful and easier for my students.

DS19 just graduated from American School. He took about half his credits with AS and half at the local high school. We love American School! They provide the books and the tests. You can study as fast or as slow as you need to, then send the tests for grading. If you fail a test, you must do a retake--no moving forward until the work is mastered. The only course he really struggled with was Algebra, so he had a tutor for that. Some courses he zipped through in 2 months, others took 8 months. I usually set up his schedule, made homework assignments, and told him when he would be tested.

Cathy--mom to John(19), Eleni(12), & Christian(10)

 

[Twende]

We used Konos during the grade school years. We just loved it!

It was easy to prepare but you did need to put your input into it. It allowed us freedom to take lots of trips and vacations and include everything in schooling. We did use Winston Grammar and I think a 65 Saxon Math as it covered most everything they would need for high school level math courses.

Once they reached the high school level we switched to Saxon maths and eventually Alpha Omega Switched on School house for most subjects.

Most of all enjoy your children because before you know it they will be grown!

 

[woody5]

We use Calvert. It is a total curriculum. I am truely amazed at what they have. It is the same curriculum that they use in their private school which has a tuition of over $14,000. There is no religion in this package. They have a web site www.calvertschool.org for more info.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Anyone know where to find Math U See? Is it just available for order online, or is there somewhere I can look at it before buying?

We are fortunate to have a rep a hop, skip, and a jump from our house.

on-line..before you can find out who the reps for your area/state are. If they are close--you can probably inquire about stopping in and looking.

Otherwise--we attended the presentation at a conference. I recall them having DVD's that you could watch that explained Math-U-See and I think they were even free.

You might be able to call and get that DVD so you can see how it works. It is a very easy system to use. A little pricey--but with hubby and myself being math geeks---to us it was worth it. And then once you have your set, you just pay for the new workbooks for the new levels and supplements as needed per the level.

 

[nuzmom]

We've used Konos for Unit Studies. You don't need all the volumes, just pick one and go with it. We liked that it was based on character traits. There is bible verse memorization, but I think it could easily be pulled out. I liked this for young elementary, but didn't feel comfortable "covering all the bases" with it for older kids. Just my opinion.

Love the Apologia science curriculum. I have taught Physics to high schoolers and Astronomy to my DS9. This year he'll do Botany and I'll also teach Chemistry to high schoolers. The fact that God created the universe is in the text as well as pointing out the faith of famous scientists as they are studies. Curriculum is tough, but very well explained.

We used Math-U-See (foundations) and are going to use Primer for DS4 this year, but haven't received it yet. Math-U-See does accept returns within 30 days for books, but DVD/Videos are not returnable. Still the cost is reasonable. I would recommend the student book and video/DVD. The teachers manuals have nice extras in them as well as the answers and the blocks are great to have, but with some work, legos can be used. I like going with blocks, books, and dvd and I think that's about $40 - well worth it.

We switched DS9 to Saxon Math 54 after completing Math-U-See foundations. Saxon works well for him, but it is MUCH more work (for him and me). We have some jr. high schoolers in our co-op that use Saxon and some use MUS. For the most part, the Saxon students are the ones who "get math" easily and the MUS is for the more "visual/tactile" learners. Again, IMHO, Saxon is tough, but very good.

Spelling Power is great. Plan on using it FOREVER. They only study words they don't know and they COMPLETELY work at their pace. Word groups are based on phonics rules and get progressively harder. Also, words groups are the most commonly used words. Does anyone know how many words are actually in this program? Must be 100,00 or so?

For History, have you looked at "The Story of the World" as your base? Our co-op LOVES it and we do too. There are lots of activities in the teachers manual that can really bring it to life. It also lends itself VERY well to Unit Studies. Just get library books that go with each time period. The curriculum reads as stories and make History "come alive". I also really like that it is arranged chronologically - I never really understood why we take two events that happened at the same time, and study them at different times.

There's more, but this is long enough already and I think the main questions were on Math and History. Good luck on your decision. It's true, you can always change your mind if a curriculum just doesn't work for your child. Or, you can change the next year to something else. Flexibility - don't you just love it? (but it keeps me up at night deciding what curriculum to go with, too )

 

[beautybelle]

Has anyone had any experience with ACE (accelerated christian education)? My son will be doing ACE this year and to be honest im a little unsure of myself.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Just a quick note o say we love Chalk Dust Math. DS11 spent last year with the 8th grade course and understood it very well.