Homeschool

Hi everyone! It’s that time of the year again! You know the one…when you realize that summer’s almost over and you barely remember it starting.


The one where you think “Yikes! I better order my curriculum so it’s here in time!”

Yep…that one.

I’ve had lots of emails asking about our curriculum choices for this year already, so I know you all are planning away out there too! Of course I’m happy to share our choices with you, but I also want you to stand firm in your own choices and not beat yourself up thinking you should’ve done something else just because I or any other blogger recommends it! Each family is different, and I know you’ve prayed over your choices, just as I have, so we can take comfort in knowing that we’re being obedient to our calling!

So here it is, our choices for the 2011-2012 school year! (Wow, I had a hard time typing 2012…I remember back when even the thought of the year 2000 was like back to the future hover-cars and stuff. But I digress…

Anyway, we’re starting something new this year. I’m tired of referring to my children as “my 2nd grader”, “my preschooler” blah blah, so I’ve come up with some fun names for them! Plus it just seems more personal while at the same time protecting their anonymity somewhat!

We’re branching out and trying some new things this year, I’m a little nervous, but I have the flexibility to change if need be, so I’m keeping an open mind.

So I’ll now introduce the players: BTW, they all (with the exception of The Teeny Tot), picked their own aliases. Teeny Tot was kind of already locked in.

 

First up we have “The Teeny Tot”. IMG_2844(Tot School)

You all know and love her already. She’s the only one with a pre-existing alias, which incidentally has become a nickname around here too. I know she’ll eventually out grow it, but I still love it!

The Teeny Tot is going to be doing some official Tot School Stuff this year. More to come on that ;o)….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next in line is “Tinker Bell”: IMG_2829(Kindergarten)

You know her previously as the sweet little preschooler who modeled all of my Letter of the Week and K4 Curriculum for you! This year she’ll be your tour guide through Kindergarten!

 

 

 

Then we have “Turbo”: IMG_2821(2nd Grade)

He’s the sole boy in this crowd of girls poor dude, but he is all guy. I find his choice of aliases ironic considering he’s rarely in a hurry to do anything! He’s going to lead you through 2nd grade this year.

 

Finally is my firstborn, “Strawberry Shortcake”: IMG_2838(3rd Grade)

(She’s very tall for her age, but Strawberry Tall-cake just didn’t sound as good.) She’s a mini-me for the most part, very helpful and leader of the pack. She’s going to be your host for 3rd grade this year.

More awesome curriculum available on my website:

Letter of the Week:

LOTW_AD

K4 Curriculum:

K4_AD

Road Trip USA:

RT_AD

Expedition Earth World Geography:

EE_AD

Expedition Earth World Animals:

EEA_AD

World’s Greatest Artists Vol. 1

ART_AD

What is your curriculum line-up for next year? I’d love to hear what others are doing! And I hope you all have a wonderful homeschooling journey!

82 Comments

  1. Thanks for your list. I love seeing what others are using. It gives me some great ideas.

    My Kindergartener is using:
    Religious Ed. – Mom made Unit Studies, Catholic Children’s Bible, and Picture Book of Saints
    Phonics – Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, YouCanRead (1+1+1=1), & Ready2Read (The Moffatt Girls)
    Math-U-See Primer
    Handwriting Without Tears Letters and Numbers for Me

    Would you mind sharing your reasons for switching out of Math-U-See? I’m curious since we are using it.

    Catie
    Reply

    1. Hi Catie,
      I know it’s lame, but some friends talked me into trying Saxon. I’m a little nervous after looking at the Teacher’s Manual, but I got it used for $5 at a used curriculum fair, so I’m not that invested. If it doesn’t go well, I’ll be switching back to MUS. I actually really liked MUS, so no complaints. Some reviews I’ve read say that kids are a little behind after using MUS, but I think it’s just because they teach in a different order.

      We’ll see how Saxon goes this year, I’m not totally sold on it! But no real reason for switching from MUS.

      erica
      Reply

  2. Hi Erica,
    I am a mommy to my 3 year old Daughter. We are going to homeschool, this year is our first year and we are doing a mix of things for learning Preschool. I am so excited to get started and you are the person who makes me think I can actually do this. So thank you so much for all your time, effort and loving thoughts to guide and encourage all of us…

    Megan
    Reply

  3. Wow you did change it up! But it looks so good! I can’t wait to hear about K5 beginnings. It looks likes a really delightful program.. I thought their phonics 1 looked really good too..with all their little helpers Mrs. Short and Mrs. Long… a nice follow up to K5 beginnings. The English/Phonics 1 reminded me of the letter people of the 80’s ..loved them! I was wondering will you be using the dvd’s? I have four little ones and the dvd’s seem like they would be extremely helpful at times.

    Well here is to a great year! Blessings!

    Meg
    Reply

  4. I will have a first grader and a pre-K-4’er.
    For the 1st grade monkey:
    First Language Lessons
    All about Spelling – level 1
    Math mammoth level 1
    practice handwriting by writing out his awana verses
    practice reading by reading to the 2.5yr old

    Pre-k-4’er

    Ordinary parents guide to teaching reading
    Handwriting without tears
    LOTW curriculum
    free play with math manipulatives and math games

    All together we’ll take turns reading their awana lessons for bible time. And we’ll be using Five In A Row for our geography, history, social studies etc as a group in the afternoons.

    The 2.5yr old will tag along with the 4yr old for most of the stuff but not in a strict sense and the 1yr old will hopefully play peacefully with the toys on the other side of the room. lol We’ll see how that goes. I might do a few more dedicate “tot school” activities for the little two each week but we’ll see. This year my priority is keeping on track with the 1st grader, teaching the 4yr old to read, and keeping it fun in the process.

    Samantha
    Reply

  5. Your curriculum looks great. Thank you for the artist study as well. I printed it out for both of my children and have ordered the books as well. It looks great and like a lot of fun. Does anyone know where I might be able to find a composer study as well?

    Sabrina Hubbard
    Reply

      1. Yeah! This is exciting to me, as I’m doing a unit on this starting in the fall……so when you say you’re working on this do you mean in the future (as in next year, 2012, some time), or as in it just might be available for this fall?

        Hoping, hoping!
        Becca

        Becca
        Reply

  7. Hi! Love your site! We are so excited to use roadtrip usa this year for my first grader and 3 yr old. I was wondering if you have ever used math you see? If so did you like? Why have you chosen to go with Saxon? Thanks so much!!

    Jen
    Reply

    1. Hi, yes we used MUS for the last 3 years and I do like it. I’m switching to Saxon this year just because a friend talked me into it. Lame i know, but Saxon covers money, time, and measurements a little better so i thought we’d try it. We’ll see how it goes. I’m not totally sold on it yet, and I got it for $5 used, so if we don’t like it I’ll be heading right back to MUS! :o)

      erica
      Reply

  8. Hi Erica!
    I can’t believe it is almost time to start either! I just posted our curriculum choices for the year too! We are very excited to start Road Trip this fall! You have created such wonderful resources! We have chosen Saxon math as well. When I met with a homeschool mom (homeschooling since the 80’s) after first making the decision to homeschool, she told me Saxon Math was a ‘gem’! Can’t go wrong with gems, hopefully! : ) Are you going to have a blog roll for Road Trip? That would be neat!

    Mariah
    Reply

  9. Thanks for sharing so much Erica! Thank you for all of your email input as well, per your suggestion I am trying BJU English my rookie year of HS and when it arrived in the mail yesterday I thought it looks awesome! Just wish we could afford the BJU Reading kit as well, but not quite this time. I’m so excited during this “planning” phase and grateful that I have your blog for support! Have a great rest of your week. Carlen

    Carlen
    Reply

    1. Carlen, I don’t know what your budget is like, but a good way to get a deal on the BJU Reading is Ebay. That’s how I buy most of my curriculum and you can get it like 50% off retail. Just a thought.

      Jenna
      Reply

    3. Thank you both! Why I never thought to look for used homeschool stuff on eBay says nothing about my ability to problem solve, right???? Right??? I can homeschool my child for the first time this year, right??? :o)
      I will look at both of those options right this minute, thanks again!

      Carlen
      Reply

      1. I am interested in the grapevine study… looks nice. Please update posts this year on how that is going. I really appreciate it! Also for Saxon as well.
        I have taught Saxon before (1-2nd grades in private school) but as you stated, some curriculums follow a different order. I’ve considered MUS and Horizons Math as well, and I am not sure if we will stick with Saxon or not either.
        My kids like it fine but I will possibly skip around a bit because they just came from public school where some repetition may bore them and other might be necessary so they will not forget so much. 😉
        At any rate, I appreciate your honesty and how you share so much here each week. I know it is a lot of time and effort you put into your sharing. I appreciate it all!!

        Deanna B.
        Reply

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