Homeschoolers who use curriculum, what are you getting for next year?

[Brenda]

My giant Rainbow Resources catalog came, and so I have been starting to plan our curriculum for the upcoming year.

We are actually only taking a few weeks off from school this summer because we take weeks off during the rest of the year. So, our school year will be starting some time in July.

We'll stick with Singapore Math, and I liked their science lines too when I previewed that, so I think we'll do that for all the kids. Luis is going to be Science Experiment Guy, so he'll coordinate those with Isabella and Vincent's science level and do Abigail's stuff with her too.

I'm expanding the Language Arts study this year for the girls, and I think we'll use some Spectrum stuff, their reading, writing, vocab and language arts books. We'll do Daily Handwriting for Isabella to improve her skills and use Easy Grammar for Abigail to keep on top of that simply. Vincent just started reading lessons with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and we are working on improving fine motor skills for writing.

I like the Spectrum Geography books and both girls will do those for map skills and geography. I'll also do a Wisconsin History book we have with Isabella. Abigail is going to do US history, and I have been struggling with this. Anyone have a program to recommend?

[gfrach]

Oh, I practically swoon when I get a Rainbow Resources catalog. They're the best!!

[indigo]

Here is what we're using:

Math: Teaching Textbooks, level 7
Science: Real Science 4 Kids, Physics 1
Latin: Classical Latin Creatively Taught: Latin for Children
Hebrew: Hineni 2 (this is really through his Hebrew school but still)

The rest we're not using a curriculum for.

[Brenda]

Here is what we're using:

Math: Teaching Textbooks, level 7
Science: Real Science 4 Kids, Physics 1
Latin: Classical Latin Creatively Taught: Latin for Children
Hebrew: Hineni 2 (this is really through his Hebrew school but still)

The rest we're not using a curriculum for.

Real Science 4 Kids is fantastic. We have the Chemistry, and I want Luis and Abigail to work through that this summer before she starts the Singapore MPH stuff.

[indigo]

Real Science 4 Kids is fantastic. We have the Chemistry, and I want Luis and Abigail to work through that this summer before she starts the Singapore MPH stuff.

I hope C likes it. We did the first chapter in Physics 1, and he was almost in tears. He apparently thought it was going to instantly be teaching him a bunch of new stuff and the first chapter was just talking about the scientific method and the concept of a physical law. I had to quickly leaf through the rest of the book to show him that there was lots of stuff he didn't know yet.

I really like it because it teaches real concepts and very much stresses scientific *thinking*. this was a big pet peeve of mine with the science he had at school. The only time it ever addressed scientific thinking was when it was time for the science fair!

[alottatea]

We don't really "use" a curriculum, but because of one of my jobs, I have access to a whole bunch of Oak Meadow curriculum stuff. The kids saw me going through it and went nuts over it, so if that sticks, we might be doing a lot of Waldorf-inspired stuff a bit more formally than I'm used to. It all sounds so fun, though

Also, Maya is on my back to put away all the spare change I can find because she wants the Rosetta Stone Latin program. We got to try it once from the library (they don't seem to have it anymore) and we fell in love with it.

Also, she's getting to the age where she's self-conscious about her handwriting compared to her friends', so I'm considering offering her something more formal in that arena, I'm just not sure where to start.

[Bonny]

Only my 13yo ds will be home. We will use SOTW history as a starting point for history, and maybe do some sort of science shooting off of that, as well as some sort of grammar something or other - I'm looking at the Transitive Vampire. I think that's what it's called.

[indigo]

Only my 13yo ds will be home. We will use SOTW history as a starting point for history, and maybe do some sort of science shooting off of that, as well as some sort of grammar something or other - I'm looking at the Transitive Vampire. I think that's what it's called.

Transitive Vampire looks HILARIOUS! I might get it for k even though she's not homeschooling. So funny!

by the way, (not addressed to you) we are loving Teaching Textbooks for math. It is so perfect for C that I ordered the algebra for K. I figured it would be better than the textobok she's using this summer and it's not a waste of money because C can use it too.

[Storymama]

Psst, don't miss Nirinjin's thread in Commerce forum - she's got a ton of stuff there! nt

[Brenda]

Only my 13yo ds will be home. We will use SOTW history as a starting point for history, and maybe do some sort of science shooting off of that, as well as some sort of grammar something or other - I'm looking at the Transitive Vampire. I think that's what it's called.

I have been thinking about SOTW, but All American History looks like it would be a good fit for Abigail. History Odyssey looks good too, as do the History of the US books by Hakim.

I love history, and I don't want to pick the wrong thing, KWIM? I want my kids to love history as much as I do. As with all curriculum fields, there are so many choices. I just need to pick something and try it.

[Brenda]

Psst, don't miss Nirinjin's thread in Commerce forum - she's got a ton of stuff there! nt

I saw that. I've been sorely tempted by SOTW, but I just don't know...

[gfrach]

I know it's easy for me to say as an unschooler, but you don't have to limit yourself to one. My son has read all the SOTW, all the Hakim books (regular history and history of science), and the Zinn-based history books, too. He says he likes SOTW best, but has read them all with interest.

[gfrach]

Thanks for mentioning History Odyssey--this looks like something C would really enjoy. He does love his history.

[Brenda]

I know it's easy for me to say as an unschooler, but you don't have to limit yourself to one. My son has read all the SOTW, all the Hakim books (regular history and history of science), and the Zinn-based history books, too. He says he likes SOTW best, but has read them all with interest.

I am kind of thinking of doing All American History or SOTW this year, picking up the Hakim books at the library as supplement if she is interested and then cycling through History Odyssey's middle level in the next year or two for World History. History Odyssey looks So Cool.

Did C just read the Hakim books or did you get the teacher's guides too? I have discovered that she and I do better with some structure, which is why I am thinking of just using them for enrichment. All the books plus all the teacher's guides would be wicked expensive.

[gfrach]

He just read them (and he just read the SOTW, though we have done some activities from the activity books, too). Thankfully our library has the Hakim books, so the cost was not an issue.

One of the things we've loved about SOTW is the lists of additional books on the various subjects (these are in the activity books).

[threecubs]

I think we'll stick with Sonlight for Bible, History, Language, Science (especially because we haven't finished last year's!).

For Math, I'll continue with Teaching Textbooks for Kaleb, start TT for Bethany, and continue with Singapore for Ian.

[threecubs]

Transitive Vampire looks HILARIOUS! I might get it for k even though she's not homeschooling. So funny!

by the way, (not addressed to you) we are loving Teaching Textbooks for math. It is so perfect for C that I ordered the algebra for K. I figured it would be better than the textobok she's using this summer and it's not a waste of money because C can use it too.

I am just so tickled that you and C are both liking TT! I have been so impressed with it...I'm so glad you found the perfect fit! :-)

[threecubs]

Only my 13yo ds will be home. We will use SOTW history as a starting point for history, and maybe do some sort of science shooting off of that, as well as some sort of grammar something or other - I'm looking at the Transitive Vampire. I think that's what it's called.

I am so glad you mentioned Transitive Vampire! I've never heard of it and I looked it up. It looks like something my kids would really like! Thank-you! :-)

[riversprite]

I am so glad you mentioned Transitive Vampire! I've never heard of it and I looked it up. It looks like something my kids would really like! Thank-you! :-)

Oh my. I read "transvestite" vampire and was thinking "hey cool! I'd love to have my kids learn History via a transvestite vampire". :yay:
It amuses me that my interest left when I realized that it didn't say that. :rofl:

[indigo]

I am just so tickled that you and C are both liking TT! I have been so impressed with it...I'm so glad you found the perfect fit! :-)

Are you the one who recommended it? I think so, and thank you! He is an absolute riot. he's one of those people who talks as he does math. So he sits there with his laptop and the book opened and discusses out loud (with not expectation that I'll answer him) every observation that he makes about the problems. He said today, "I LOVE this math!"

One thing I really appreciate is the review in each chapter's problems. We skipped half of the book because he had gotten so burned out on fractions in 4th grade. But he doesn't mind at all that most of the problems are review of fractions, as long as he's learning new stuff too. I'm really confident so far that this program will give him a strong background in math.

[Bonny]

I am going to have to check that out. About midyear this past year we permanently set aside math for the duration of J's homeschooling (through next year). He used to LOVE math in school, tests out of high school math now, but HATES the 2 curriculums we've tried so far. Since he's returning in 9th grade, I would prefer to set it aside then have him continue to hate it, yk? Of course, I'd love it if he'd enjoy it again ...

[indigo]

I am going to have to check that out. About midyear this past year we permanently set aside math for the duration of J's homeschooling (through next year). He used to LOVE math in school, tests out of high school math now, but HATES the 2 curriculums we've tried so far. Since he's returning in 9th grade, I would prefer to set it aside then have him continue to hate it, yk? Of course, I'd love it if he'd enjoy it again ...

If he tests out of high school math I'm not sure this would work for him then. They have algebra 1, geometry, algebra 2, and pre-calc, but all on the high school level. They're fun, though!

[lunita]

That might depend on what testing out of high school math entails. The level of proficiency of the average high school graduate is so different from the level attained by a college-bound kid, you know?

[Bonny]

He hasn't "tested out of high school math." I worded that wrong. On his standardized tests, he tests at beyond a 12th grade level in math. When he starts math in 9th grade, he will be ahead of many of his peers already, based no where he is right now. Most any math I'd be doing with him in his remaining year of homeschool, I fear, would be busy work, which is not worth his losing his love for it.

[indigo]

He hasn't "tested out of high school math." I worded that wrong. On his standardized tests, he tests at beyond a 12th grade level in math. When he starts math in 9th grade, he will be ahead of many of his peers already, based no where he is right now. Most any math I'd be doing with him in his remaining year of homeschool, I fear, would be busy work, which is not worth his losing his love for it.

Oh, I understand now! I totally misunderstood.

[aleutsi]

My giant Rainbow Resources catalog came, and so I have been starting to plan our curriculum for the upcoming year.

We are actually only taking a few weeks off from school this summer because we take weeks off during the rest of the year. So, our school year will be starting some time in July.

We'll stick with Singapore Math, and I liked their science lines too when I previewed that, so I think we'll do that for all the kids. Luis is going to be Science Experiment Guy, so he'll coordinate those with Isabella and Vincent's science level and do Abigail's stuff with her too.

I'm expanding the Language Arts study this year for the girls, and I think we'll use some Spectrum stuff, their reading, writing, vocab and language arts books. We'll do Daily Handwriting for Isabella to improve her skills and use Easy Grammar for Abigail to keep on top of that simply. Vincent just started reading lessons with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and we are working on improving fine motor skills for writing.

I like the Spectrum Geography books and both girls will do those for map skills and geography. I'll also do a Wisconsin History book we have with Isabella. Abigail is going to do US history, and I have been struggling with this. Anyone have a program to recommend?

Most likely Switched On Schoolhouse. But we still haven't ironed out DS' school choice issues. :eyes:

Oldest DD is taking most of her subjects at the Co-Op and we'll visit the local textbook exchange (ours has a special section for used homeschool curriculum) and pick up a few things - like history... unless she wants to do Switched On School House, too.

Youngest DD... still undecided if I want to start a curriculum with her... we've basically been unschooling so far... If anything I'm going to get her some things to improve her writing since that is her passion right now.

[threecubs]

Are you the one who recommended it? I think so, and thank you! He is an absolute riot. he's one of those people who talks as he does math. So he sits there with his laptop and the book opened and discusses out loud (with not expectation that I'll answer him) every observation that he makes about the problems. He said today, "I LOVE this math!"

One thing I really appreciate is the review in each chapter's problems. We skipped half of the book because he had gotten so burned out on fractions in 4th grade. But he doesn't mind at all that most of the problems are review of fractions, as long as he's learning new stuff too. I'm really confident so far that this program will give him a strong background in math.

I didn't recommend it at first, because you specifically said you were looking for a non-computer math program, but someone else mentioned it and I had to jump in and put in my two cents! Kaleb is really liking it, and I am planning on getting TT 5 for Bethany this fall, because teaching her math has been.....challenging. :-)

[indigo]

Yeah, I said "not computer" because I wanted to make sure that C didn't avoid writing out his work. But with the combination of the workbook and computer program it's perfect.

Oh, I also love how many "real life" problems there are.