What homeschool curriculum do you use?

@ragmama (536)
United States
March 3, 2007 10:49pm CST
We are just beginning to homeschool (my daughter just turned three, so we do some preschool things on and off), but I'm already researching curriculums for when she's a bit older. The two that are standing out to me at the moment are Weaver Interlock and Five In A Row/Before Five In A Row - both for preschool/kindergarten, of course. Which curriculums do you use or have you used? Would you recommend them?
2 people like this
18 responses
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
5 Mar 07
We use Christian Liberty Acadmey Satellite School We go at our own pace with workbooks, scannable tests, nice books, and teacher editions. They have tutorials online. There will be a graduation after 12th grade and we get gradecards. This works really well for us and like the unstructured structure we create to learn this and more. We are thrilled that colleges, the military and others are beginning to look for us homeschoolers and we will be ready to take advantage of that. There are sometimes legal issues so this curriculum is very legit and we also belong to Home School Legal Defense Fund. You never know and it is better to be safe that sorry. Good luck. I would wish all children would become homeschooled.
2 people like this
@ragmama (536)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Hmm, I have heard of satellite schools, but haven't really looked into them. I guess I should do that before deciding completely. Thanks for the reminder!
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Mar 07
Satellite schools are basically just an extension of public schools. As such you will be under their discretion so be careful. Brenda Marie Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/ My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683
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@lillake (1630)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Right now we use an unschool appoach, but I plan to weave in some Enki curriculum. www.enkieducation.org
2 people like this
• United States
5 Mar 07
Enkie sounds really interesting. I've been looking for some cross-cultural things to weave into our unschool too. Thanks for sharing! Brenda Marie Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/ My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683
1 person likes this
@ragmama (536)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I haven't heard of Enki, but I'll definitely look into it - thanks!
1 person likes this
@malcido (422)
• United States
10 Mar 07
We use a pretty eclectic mix of materials and resources. The two main things that we use are sonlight for history and literature and time4learning.com bowling on Mondays, homeschool park days, chess club, piano lessons, seasonal sports, robotics club----these things add some opportunities for learning in groups and developing good social skills with people of all ages and personalities
• United States
4 Mar 07
Unfortunately, I can't be much help as we're unschoolers. However, we do use a lot of lapbooks. A great site for that is http://www.handsofachild.com Brenda Marie Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/ My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683
2 people like this
@ragmama (536)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Thanks for the links - I'll check out the lapbooks as well as your blog. I wish I had the nerve for unschooling, but I feel like *I* need the structure to keep *me* on track!
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 07
I hate schedules, structure is another thing though. I don't know that I'm totally unstructured since we do 30 minutes of book work per day. I just don't want to end my dd's childhood too soon. When she's older and probably around high school age, then I think that things will be a lot different. Brenda Marie Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/ My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683
3 people like this
@Kellrae (69)
• United States
7 Mar 07
We use OFE (old Fashioned Education) from Hillbilly Housewife.com . It's free. We also do Unit studies on one country at a time and the kids fill out sheets to put into lapbooks. When they are finished, they have a neat book with facts about different countries to look back and review. I would have to say to first of all, check your states laws on homeschooling. HsLDa has them listed by state on their site. Some states require that you report to them and take tests.Be sure to document everything! That way, there is no problems down the road if your states laws change!
13 Apr 08
Hello we use complete curriculum from barnes and nobles it cost around $16 great curriculum. We also watch the history channel, grow our own garden, for spelling my children have twenty words aweek.For our 5yr old we are using basic skills you can get it off ebay at a good price.
• United States
7 Mar 07
We unschool and learn a lot from wherever and whenever. We have gained a lot of insight from www.sandradodd.com/unschooling
2 people like this
@magnet (2087)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Here are some homeschool resources: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.littleexplorers.com/Dictionary.html Online picture dictionary http://www.makingfriends.com/f_Friends.htm Paper dolls and clothes for boys & girls http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-...sson-6281.html Lesson plan forms http://lessonplanz.com Free lesson plans http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ Free lesson plans http://www.kididdles..com/mouseum/index.html Database of lyrics for kids’ songs http://www.theeducatorsnetwork.com/m...sheetindex.htm Worksheet generator http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm Preschool and kindergarten worksheets http://www.educationalpress.org/educationalpress/ Printable flashcards and worksheets http://www.dltk-teach.com/ Printable and online activities and crafts http://www.learningpage.com/ Free printable worksheets and clip art http://www.first-school.ws/ Very detailed lesson plans with preschool activities and crafts http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/print/color.html Links to lots of coloring pages and activities / also, lot of character coloring books (Barbie, Clifford, Garfield, etc.) http://www.first-school.ws/ Writing paper, ideas to teach letters and numbers, holiday ideas, craft ideas, Sunday School lessons and more! http://www.do2learn.com/sitemap/ Lots of neat stuff for kids with disabilities. http://www.letteroftheweek.com/ Letter of the Week! http://www.kidsgardening.com/ http://www.easyfunschool.com/ http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/ http://www.nhen.org/ http://www.besthomeschooling.org/index.html http://www.funbrain.com/ http://mathforum.org/dr.math/ http://www.doverpublications.com/samplerkids/ph/ TEACHING WITH TIMELINES , she has pics too to explain and this is wonderful for hands on history!!! http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TimelineHelps/ this nice mama is sharing her hs forms and awrds etc.. she has created for you to print out to use- http://www.geocities.com/highland_heritage/Forms.htm I have really been enjoying this site- http://www.4reallearning.com/ It is Catholic Charlotte Mason but has super links and lists for everyone that loves 'real' books http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/wondernetdisplay.html?DOC=wondernet\topics_list\index.html http://school.familyeducation.com/educational-issues/parenting/34358.html http://www.kinderart.com/ Christopherushomeschool.org Waldorfresources.com WEHomeschool.org Waldorfhomeschoolers.com Waldorfworld.net http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/ http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com/ Classic Educational Programs from the days of Old Time Radio Especially for Homeschoolers http://www.homeschoolarts.com/main.htm Free Art Lessons http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/ Web Guide For Kids http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/ entertain and educate the under-10s...coloring pages, puzzles, printable crafts and games, traditional crafts, worksheets and wallpaper http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/ Craft Ideas http://www.metmuseum.org/education/index.asp Metropolitan Museum of Art http://www.papertoys.com/ Paper toys to print fold and glue http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/play/play.html ArtEdventures are interactive online games for teachers and students. In these fun and educational activities, you'll discover how great artists made their famous works—while learning tips and techniques for creating your own art! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/krampf/ Weekly science experiments that can be done with household items. Topics vary from physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, etc. Most are easy enough for young students, and most can be adapted for older students and adults. http://www.brainpop.com Educational animated movies for K-12. The company creates original animated movies to explain concepts in a voice and visual style that is accessible, educational and entertaining for both children and adults...demystify Math, English, Science, Health, Technology and Social Studies topics. http://www.freecycle.org It's a grassroots movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator (them's good people). Membership is free. http://www.starhop.com/NASAERC.html NASA’s Educator Resource Center http://www.entre-ed.org/ This web page is for teachers, instructors, program developers and others who help students of all ages find their own entrepreneurial opportunities. http://www.nga.gov/education/classroom/loanfinder/ Connect art and curriculum by borrowing free learning materials from the National Gallery of Art’s Division of Education. http://www.windowsintowonderland.org/attend.shtml Windows into Wonderland electronic field trips (eTrips) are designed for students in grades 5-8, although younger and older students will also benefit from them. All classes and individuals are encouraged to register free of charge. http://lessonplancompanion.com/FreeSamples.asp 24 free sample worksheets http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/ A free series of textbooks on the subjects of electricity and electronics http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/readbooks National Braille Press, along with Seedlings Braille Books for Children, is distributing attractive braille book bags to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth to seven, across the country. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and early intervention professionals. http://www.homeschoolfreestuff.com/ A FREE Weekly Newsletter with FREE curriculum, resources, and more http://www.sitesforteachers.com/ A ton of free resource links here http://www.abcteach.com/ 5000+ free printable pages and worksheets http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/ lesson plans, thematic units, teacher tips, teacher discussion forums, downloadable teaching materials, printable pages, themes, and more These sites have great visual learning worksheets. www.speechfun.com www.speakingofspeach.com A few astronomy links http://spaceweather.com/ http://www.heavens-above.com/ http://hubblesite.org/ (sorry if this has been posted already!) http://www.nineplanets.org/ ( solar system stuff ) ELECTIONS STUDY Ben's Guide to US Government for Kids http://bensguide.gpo.gov/k-2/index.html Printables for Election unit http://abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/social_s tudies/elections_theme_unit/ President coloring pages http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/presi...lor/index.html Scholastic News online (lots of activities) http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/election2004/ American President http://www.americanpresident.org/ Election lesson plans http://atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Elections/ Outline maps of the US (some good ones if you want to color in the states during election night) http://nationalatlas.gov/outline.html Congress for Kids - lots of election-related activities and links http://www.congressforkids.net/games/Elections_ele tionpres/2_electionofpresident.htm White House for Kids http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/go/jump2.cgi?ID=1038 Columbus Day Part 1 of 3 Sailing across the sites of the World Wide Web I discovered these interesting and informational resources for your files to use for Columbus Day activities. Columbus Biography: http://www.jeannepasero.com/colbio.html Columbus Books For Children: http://www.jeannepasero.com/colbooks.html Columbus Day For Children: http://www.jeannepasero.com/colprojects.html Columbus Day Theme: http://www.childfun.com/themes/columbus.shtml Columbus Report Form: http://abcteach.com/MonthtoMonth/October/report.htm Columbus Timeline: http://www.jeannepasero.com/coltimeline.html Christopher Columbus: http://metalab.unc.edu/expo/1492.exh.../columbus.html Christopher's Crossing: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/edtec6.../Columbus.html Columbus Coat Of Arms: http://metalab.unc.edu/expo/1492.exh...s/columbus.gif Columbus's Crew: http://www1.minn.net/~keithp/crew.htm In 1492: http://www.teachingheart.net/columbus.htm The Columbus Letter: http://www.usm.maine.edu/~maps/columbus/ ABOUT MRS. ALPHABET.... Mrs. Alphabet is a National Board Certified Teacher (EC Gen), author, trainer, and educator who devoted 36 years to teaching young children foundational skills, creating original materials, and updating old techniques. I have a masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and have instructed children from 2-12. This newsletter grants me the pleasure and opportunity to share my wealth of knowledge and expertise with parents, students, and educators in cyberspace. ------------------------------------------------------------ Questions? Comments? email: mailto:alphabet@gophercentral.com ----------------------------------------------------------- To SUBSCRIBE: http://www.gophercentral.com/sub/sub-alpha.html http://sewfunky.ca/homeschooling.html For Christmas: http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/christmas-countdown-ms/ http://www.literacycenter.net/ http://www.writingfix.com/index.htm http://www.mymoondrops.com/info/spelling.html http://www.studydog.com/ http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/index.htm http://www.dositey.com/ http://budgethomeschool.com/ I use brainybaby and babybumblebee videos with my toddler.
1 person likes this
@magnet (2087)
• United States
9 Mar 07
And here are some more: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.centralconnector.com/GAMES/scorshet.html Printable game sheets for Yahtzee, Clue, and Uno etc http://activitypad.com/ Printable dot to dot, mazes, preschool activities http://www.tampareads.com/ Printable worksheets- alphabet, phonics, vocabulary words, word lists by grade level http://www.edhelper.com/ Lesson plans and worksheets http://www.free-ed.net/ Free online classes and tutorials for upper grades http://www.kidskuisine.com Cooking for kids http://www.teachersmousepad.com/Read...ng%20Sites.htm Reading sites http://www.robertmunsch.com/storytime.cfm Online audible books for kids from the author of Love You Forever http://www.dltk-kids.com/ Printable crafts, coloring pages, cards http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/cartoons/zoo.html Cartoon color pages and crafts i.e.: Arthur, Clifford, DragonballZ, YuGiOh, HelloKitty, Spongebob, and the list goes on and on. http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/index.htm Craft projects listed by “materials needed” ie: paperplate crafts/egg carton crafts http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery....SetupForm.html Customize word puzzles http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math/ Create math worksheets http://www.schoolexpress.com/fws/ 5000 free worksheets http://members.tripod.com/~bobbie24tj/color.html Color pages -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/amazing.html Links to 700+ Great Sites for Kids & Parents http://flashcardexchange.com/index.php The Flashcard Exchange - free printable flashcards http://www.abcteach.com/ 5000+ free printable pages and worksheets http://www.parentcenter.com/calculat...ightpredictor/ ParentCenter - Height Predictor and links to other parentcenter pages http://www.kinderstart.com/index.html KinderStart Search Engine to Tons of Sites http://www.shehomeschools.com/freeprintables.html She Homeschools.com - Free Printables http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/5senses.htm Preschool Activity - The Five Senses http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/chsense.html Neuroscience for Kids The Senses http://family.go.com/crafts/ http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/go/MI USA only - Michigan schools - elementary, middle and high school information, MEAP scores, etc... (You can change to another state if you need.) http://www.bookadventure.org Online book quizzes (like Accelerated Reader) http://www.abcteach.com/ 5000+printables http://www.redinkworks.com/historical_fiction.htm Historical fiction resources http://thurbers.net/teatests.html Home school testing materials http://kinderart.com/biglist.shtml Art lesson database Customize your own tracer pages for handwriting print and cursive http://www.starfall.com/n/N-info/download.htm Starfall Download Center - writing exercise sheets http://www.michigansafekids.org/ Michigan Safe Kids - Working to Protect Children from Unintentional Injury http://www.edbydesign.com/kidsact.html Interactive, educational activities for children 5 -14 http://www.activitiesforkids.com/kids.htm Activities for Kids http://www.sesamestreet.com/sesamest...c/anniversary/ Sesame Workshop - Sesame Street: Fun To-Go http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/...ddler/open.htm 101 Activities To Do With Your Toddler http://www.microsoft.com/kids/freestuff/ Microsoft Kids - games, activities http://www.learningpage.com http://www.opticsforkids.org/teach/teach.cfm http://www.neufeldmath.com/worksheets/fractions http://www.wesleyan.org/ssd/bkex/BSCframes.htm - Bible Story Cards http://Kidsdomain.com http://www.handwritingforkids.com/handwrite http://www.theteacherscorner.net http://50states.com http://www.ilovethatteachingidea.com...r/langarts.htm http://www.schoolhousetech.com - free math worksheet generator http://www.scottbryce.com/mathwork - Another free math worksheet generator http://www.microsoft.com/education/d...ble#homeschool - Microsoft Homeschool discounts http://www.apple.com/education/k12/homeschool - Apple Homeschool discounts http://www.dltk-kids.com/ http://www.mainstreetmom.com/budg/homeschool.htm Hope this helps
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
13 Jun 07
I use many of these sites too but I'm going to have to copy & paste the lists for the ones I hadn't heard of yet. Thanks for sharing :)
• United States
22 Mar 07
These are all great links, I use some of them myslef, I wish I could bookmark this for future reference though.
• United States
16 Mar 07
My mom homeschooled my brother's and I. We went through Cambridge Academy. It's a correspondance school. They send you all the books and lesson plans. You teach your kid and send in homework and tests. They grade it. And if you continue through high school, you actually get a diploma (as opposed to getting a GED).
1 person likes this
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
4 Mar 07
Hi! We use unit studies. You can see an example of them at homeschoolingk@blogspot.com
@ragmama (536)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Thank you!
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Mar 07
I use the Core Knowledge series as a basis for my made up curriculum. I wanted to save money on curriculum to use on field trips and supplies, so I found their "Need to Know" series helpful in helping me to plan my own curriculum. I use premade lesson plans from the Baltimore Curriculum Project and others, but I also only go at my ds's pace. So I guess I call myself a scheduled unschooler! lol Basically I have a plan, I have it scheduled, but we do the lessons when my son wants to. I feel that the learning should take place on his terms not mine, as it's his education. I just try to have the materials ready when he's ready!
1 person likes this
@HSMomma (23)
• United States
30 Apr 07
Have you checked out http://www.homeschoolshare.com/? I was interested in FIAR last year for my 1st grader, but couldn't ever get a full grasp of what it is...and there were no samples to be found anywhere! I found homeschoolshare and it is very similar to FIAR only it's free! We have done several of the ones from that site and my boys both love them! Also, I love love LOVE Time 4 Learning as well, it is fun and educational and very inexpensive...plus, you can print off everything you need from the lesson plans and keep track of what kind of grades your child is getting! Good Luck!
• United States
8 May 07
My kids loved FIAR. I didn't love it so much. Mainly because I had a hard time with wanting to do *everything* the manual suggested and getting frustrated I couldn't do everything I had planned. If you are not a perfectionist planner sort of person, I think you'll love it.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Jun 07
We started homeschooling at the beginning of this year in January. I did alot of research the year prior to homeschooling. I visited our state homeschool convention which allowed me to do some actual hands-on research and speak with the representatives from the different programs and take a look at their curriculum, etc. I chose ACE - Accelerated Christian Education. I was looking for something simplified as I did not want a program in which you had to be a college professor to be able to use! This program is a self teaching type of program. There are no "books" involved, only individual PACEs which are about the size of a comic book. The child completes 12 of these PACEs per subject for each school year. At the beginning of each PACE they are taught a Bible verse along with a virtue which they learn and build upon through the PACE. I have been very pleased so far with this program!
@kittenmc (464)
• United States
24 Jun 08
Never heard of Weaver Interlock, but have heard of good things of the 5 in a row series. It starts before and beyond. If I'm not mistaken, it's sorta like Abeka. Sounds like you have made a good choice to me.
• United States
7 Mar 08
We had a good experience with internethomeschool.com when my younger sister was homeschooled. The only drawback is that many people might find it kind of pricey. They hold classes online and the kids can interact with each other as well as the teachers.
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
13 Jun 07
I try for a structured unschool approach- lol- what an oxymoron. I like the concept of unschooling & if I were the student, I know it'd work well for me. But I found with my eldest if I didn't give him a little nudge & a little direction, he'd probably have spent years sleeping or studying his toe-nail growth. I've joked for years that that child is part sloth. I would do things like forward news articles online to his account & then a day or so later that would be the dinner-time subject. Anything he had the tiniest interest in I would pick up as many related books & movies as possible from the library on the subject. And I encouraged lots of experiments & hands on activities. Which meant occasionally there was soda bottles of yeast blowing up in my kitchen. He 'finished' school last year & chose to get his GED. I think our approach worked well for him. My littlest one is turning 5 and our focus for now is on field trips and hands on exploring. Our library offers free & reduced passes for all of the local museums, the aquarium, some zoos & a half a dozen or so other field trip destinations. We give our library card quite the work-out. I'd say we average 2 of these trips per month. We also participate in flat traveler exchanges, a post card swap & a shoe-box swap groups, which is a lot of fun. Oh & we letterbox, which also leads us to various adventure places.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
15 Apr 08
I think that preschoolers really don't need a structured curriculum as they can learn so much from books, videos,etc. However, I prefer to use Alpha Omega for elementary school and I am mixing things for high school. I feel that you can find so much free stuff online that there are months go by that we don't use our curriculum at all. We do unit studies and stuff like that. Good luck in your desire to help your kids and to home school them. You will be amazed at what you will learn as well.
@LadyK2 (71)
• United States
15 Jun 07
I've been homeschooling my 5 kids for the past 3 years. We don't stick with a certain curriculum as what works with one child just does not work with another. However I have learned from experience if there is a curriculum "calling" to you, grab it. I have had this happen twice and am glad I went with my instincts - Math-U-See and Apologia Science are both absolutely wonderful curricula to go with. Especially for someone who has difficulties understanding those subjects. My kids are very bright, but math is a challenge for a couple of them and science is something a couple would rather just skip. lol Findind ways to engage them in learning is great. Pool, Basketball - 2 games my kids enjoy and I have taught them physics by helping them learn to "shoot" better. Angles - you need to use the cue stick to hit the cue ball, which will in turn hit the ball you want to put in the pocket. If you hit it at just the right angle, you'll sink the ball. If you don't, you'll cause other events to happen. Basketball's the same way - you have to know just how much force to put into your shot, as well as how low/high to aim to make a basket ... and that includes having it bounce off the backboard and into the basket. Sorry to ramble on - it's exciting when you find ways to help your kids learn while they are engaged in something they love. :)