Hi everyone! I’ve had several questions from readers asking how our 2012 curriculum choices are going. I think one of the things I like most about homeschooling is the ability to be flexible and note when something is working well and when something isn’t working! That said in order to maintain my own sanity, and thus the sanity of those around me, I’ve decided to change the things that weren’t working. And while I hate to waste money, sanity is priceless, no?
Change Number 1: Saxon –> to Math U See
I said at the start of the school year that we were trying out Saxon for the first time. Well, I have to say that Saxon just wasn’t a right fit for us! Partly because I had a hard time adjusting to teaching it, and partly because my kids just weren’t getting how they explained certain things. I found myself pulling out our Math U See blocks and trying to re-word the Saxon lessons using the Math U See principles so it made sense. After awhile of saying “remember in Math U See when we did it this way?…” I wondered why I was trying to hard to make Saxon work, when clearly MUS was what was working for us!
The other reason I originally switched to Saxon was because I thought MUS wasn’t covering some of the side subjects as well such as money, time, and measurement type of activities as well as we needed. Saxon does cover these topics well. However with the instruction time it was taking me to get through 3 different levels of math I found myself skipping some of those parts just so we could get through math and onto the rest of our day. Considering that was why I choose it to begin with, add to that the fact that I was having to re-explain the Saxon lessons so my kids could understand them, it just didn’t make much sense to keep going.
I decided it would be easier for me to add those things in on my own if needed…and so…
After about 3 months of trying desperately to make Saxon work, and me wanting to tear my hair out, I made the choice to switch back to Math U See. I have to say the first few months of school this year were H A R D. Hard, like I think I’ll stop homeschooling and ship my kids to the nearest school, HARD. The day we switched back to MUS was like smooth sailing and I’ll never look back. If I do feel free to remind me about this post ;o)
Now, let me say I’m a “finish the book” type of homeschooler, we finish what we start, and typically it’s done in one year. Starting MUS 3 mos. in means we’ll either have to continue it next year, or I’ll spend the summer making my kids do math. I’ll keep you posted on that ;o) But the amount of peace the change has brought makes it all worth it.
Change Number 2: BJU Kindergarten –> All About Spelling + All About Reading + Abeka K
(We’ve been using AAS & AAR already, so no change there, just didn’t want you to think I stopped because NO WAY! You’d have to pry it out of my cold dead hands!)
I switched off of BJU Kindergarten just about a month into our year because I didn’t like the format of the phonics lessons. This was surprising to me because I’m still using BJU for my older kids. And I actually really like it!
The main issue for me was the BJU phonics. They are built around a family of characters that represent the vowels and consonants. They tell stories about the characters and worksheets are made using them. That said it’s really hard to get around the whole family of characters. Since we’ve been using All About Spelling Tinkerbell was confused. She didn’t understand why I was trying to explain this family and who likes to hang out with who when I could just tell her the phonics rule straight up like AAS does.
So…I stopped using BJU Kindergarten and also the phonics portion of the BJU Press English for my 2nd and 3rd graders (it’s weaved into the Reading lessons, and not hard to skip at all). And for my kindergartner, I am doing All About Spelling Level 1, and All About Reading Level 1.
I had Abeka Kindergarten already since I’ve used it previously, and so I just pulled out those workbooks and started going through their phonics lessons as well. What I’ve found is I really don’t need Abeka either, but since I had the workbooks already I thought it wouldn’t do any harm to have her doing some extra phonics and reading practice through Abeka. So for now, she just completes one of the phonics worksheets per day. I make sure to check the TM to see if there’s anything that AAS isn’t covering that might be on her worksheet, but so far that hasn’t happened. Next year I’ll probably scrap it all together, but I hate to waste a workbook!
What are we keeping? (a.k.a. What do we LOVE!)
Tinkerbell (Kindergarten)
- Art: World’s Greatest Artist Study Vol. 1
- Bible: Grapevine Studies
- Phonics/Spelling: All About Spelling , All About Reading, & Abeka Phonics
- Math: Math U See Primer
- Geo/Hist: Road Trip USA!
- Science: Young Scientist Club Kits (We are using these randomly right now. Some of the kits haven’t gone so well, and supplies weren’t quite working the way they should, yada-yada, but we’re going through as we have time.)
- Spanish: Speekee TV (Tinkerbell)
- P.E.: Family Time Fitness
Turbo (2nd grade) & Strawberry Shortcake (3rd Grade)
- Art: World’s Greatest Artist Study Vol. 1
- Bible: Grapevine Studies; Kay Arthur Jesus In The Spotlight (and others in the series)
- Phonics/Spelling: All About Spelling
- Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting
- Math: Math U See Beta and Gamma
- English/Grammar/Reading: BJU Press Level 2 & 3
- Geo/Hist: Road Trip USA!
- Science: BJU Press: I found BJU Press Science 3 at a used book store and started going through the lessons. They’re fun, easy, and hands-on! (We’re still doing some of the Young Scientist Kits as we have time…see Tinker Bell’s list for details)
- P.E.: Family Time Fitness
- Typing: Typing Instructor
- Spanish: PowerSpeak Spanish
- Writing: Write Shop Primary
Moral of the story:
I’m sure Saxon and BJU Press Kindergarten are solid programs, They’re just not for US and that’s what matters. No homeschool family will look the same, and when you find something that works, stick with it! If it’s not working, give something else a try. You might just relieve yourself a huge amount of stress in the process!
More awesome curriculum ideas available on my website:
Road Trip USA & Road Trip USA Animals!
Expedition Earth World Geography:
Expedition Earth World Animals:
World’s Greatest Artists Vol. 1
Thanks Erica for sharing your journey with all of us. We’re just starting our homeshcoolling journey with my daughter in preschool right now, it’s so nice to see what other families are using. I feel so clueless. If I can just find some great programs for our subjects I’d feel so much more confident. Your reviews have been very helpful.
I’m so glad when homeschooling moms are open and honest about things working/not working for them. I have to say that I’m using Saxon Math and Saxon Phonics. (Because my husband requires we get through a level of those a year if I want to keep homeschooling). I would definitely say that Saxon is a very intense and frustrating program. I’ve been running it about a year now (tried to start mid year last year and Saxon just isn’t a good mid year starting curriculum). I was so ready to give up and take the fight on with my husband because I couldn’t figure out how I’m going to run 4 different saxon programs (2 for phonics and 2 for math) for next year. I was thinking we’d never have any time to do any of the “fun” stuff. Then all of a sudden my older son had one of those aha moments and everything fell in to place. Now I’m making up all the time that I missed in the beginning trying to figure out how I could possibly go on when he just didn’t get the concepts. What was taking me and him 45-minutes to an hour to complete a lesson. I did a math and two phonics today in a half hour because everything is just clicking for him now. I also think that I’m not going to run 4 different saxons next year. I’m going to wait an extra year to officially do them with my younger one. I think they are going to be easier to run with my younger one because he’s used to the language of them from listening in now. I also think they will be easier because I will have run them before and know what to expect/plan.
Thanks for sharing! We love your preschool printables. I have a question about Road Trip USA. What is the age range for that?
This is my first year usingSaxon math. I love how it explains concepts but I don’t like the amount of time required. I have not found something that I like that does not take as long. (sigh) Way to go, that you found something that feels right. I am also a person that believes we must finish the book and whatever we don’t finish will carry over into the next year. (Type A personality)
PS. I wanted to thank you for posting your meal plan calander I am now using a mix of your calander for my meal planning. It has helped me so much.
I love the flexibility of changing curriculums that don’t work right for our family. Alyssa REALLY enjoys Math U See Primer and All About Spelling. I have been wanting to take a look at your World’s Greatest Artist Study Volume 1. Thank you for reminding me. LOL!
Tracey
I had a hard time deciding on a math curriculum, but after 2 of my homeschooling friends started MathUSee and getting a first hand look at the books, etc.. We got it and I love it! My 3 year old is working on the Primer, just started the addition portion (sob) and asks to do math almost every morning! My 5 year old is on Alpha and loves the songs for skip counting and addition. Now we listen to the CD whenever we are in the car! I do agree on the money/Time issues, but I ordered a couple of small workbooks on each from a neighbor child doing a school fund raiser (win/win) and added in some of the David Ramsey Teaching for Financial Peace. But, I agree. You must shop around and find out what is best for you and your family.
We are also going to start Roadmap USA and the Greatest Artists Curriculum next year after we have had a chance to settle into a routine with the new baby… We decided math is pretty easy to continue and they are doing science, which includes Language Arts over at a neighbors who is also a homeschooler, but adding new curriculum is not feasible right now. I really love your ideas Erica and am jealous of your homeschool space with all the shelving for boxes etc!
Awesome post. And thanks for giving me lots to think about. Right now I have a 2nd grader and a Pre-K’r, and I’ve often thought how I would be able to swing Saxon once we have two doing it, but since my son learns in a completely different way than my daughter I’m already thinking of something else in that route for math and most likely any spelling (we have saxon for her also, we tried AAS for her, but she wanted worksheets, but I’ve kept it since I think it’ll be great for my son.) Thanks again!
I switched my 6th grader from Saxton to Teaching Textbooks and switched my 2nd grader from ABeka phonics to AAS. Boy, has this made a world of difference!! Being my first year homeschooling I am learning early how my kids function. I also ‘set up’ a work area for the kids (just last week) and I’m finding they like that better than their individual desks. It’s been great fun!
I too didn’t like Saxon with my younger ones, it didn’t seem like a good fit and we did Math-U-See. I loved it and I just supplimented with money and time workbooks from the store. But after about 4th grade, I didn’t like the MUS anymore and returned to Saxon where it seemed to fit much better than before.