Hello everyone. I asked this question before and some of you misunderstood my question so here it goes again. I homeschool my son who is going into 2nd grade the next school year. I am part of a homeschool moms support group and I am active in the group. We go to all kinds of activities and events. I do go to the FPEA convention. I wanted to get the opinion of the ladies of mamasource to make my final decision in regards to the curriculums out there. I would like to know what you have used and did not like and what you do like. I am looking for a curriculum all-in-one. I am currently using math-u-see which we love and Abeka for everything else. I would like to use a curriculum that concentrates alot on language arts, phonics, writing and spelling. I would also like for it to bring, Social Studies, Science, Health and Bible.
I would like to know what you ladies think of the following if you have used.
My Father's World
Sonlight
Abeka
Thanks for all your help. I hope to hear from all of you!
Please help me with more of your advise. I have not made me up my mind yet. Thanks to each of you who have responded, it has shed some light in this area. Please read my updated request to the same issue with more questions. Thanks again and blessings to all!
I have a friend that is involved with a home school group of families that share ideas and even outings. If you;d like, I will ask her if I can forward her email.....just let me know. Oh, and they are local!
Hi Y.,
I've only used one "all-in-one" curriculum and that was Switched on Schoolhouse when my first daughter was in second grade. My home was overwhelming at the time and the curriculum was suscinct and simple to administer. It even graded and kept grades. It's computer based, part of Alpha-Omega, and my daughter loved it. I am using the SOS curriculum for my 7th grader as well because it paces her better than I do. She loves the computer style.
I have "piecemealed" my curriculums over the years and have loved doing that so I've used several other "pieces" of others. The one that I didn't like at all was Abeka. It seemed more like busy work than teaching.
Hope I helped...
M.
I have heard good things about My Father's World from other homeschooling friends as well as Sonlight. A good resource for as they grow older is book Jumping Ship by Michael & Debi Pearl which has some of their adult children's advice. They were homeschooled in the eighties. Their website is www.nogreaterjoy.org. Our 21 yr old likes their mtl as well--she is studying to be a behavioral analyst with American Sign Language. Also, the F.P.E.A and their convention in May in Orlando has good resources. However if you go to the convention, it can be handy for some to go with experienced friend(s) to talk things over as the choices can sometimes be overwhelming. It is best to look over curriculum considering whether it will work for you before buying either at convention or perhaps better at a friend's home. Hope that helps.
Smiles, N.
Mom of seven; 21 to 6 yrs old (homeschool too)
Hi - have a look at this site: http://www.classicalconversations.com/StateManagers/SMJac... - there are classical conversations groups that meet around the US. Also, a book about Classical Homeschooling, The Well Trained Mind
http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Classical-Educati...
(You'll have to copy and paste the info to your web browser) - I too have been researching homeschooling. My sister passed this info onto me. Good Luck!
HI Y.
For a Bible study we loved suffer little children. It was thorough and we did it daily. It inspired lots of activities that we did on our own. It has a set of 3 books that you can work through.
If you have to have an all in one curriculum, try Bob Jones. If you don't mind having separate studies, then Alpha Phonics is a great easy program for teaching reading and Writing Road to Reading is great for learning all the rules. There are many more great curriculum out there.
I happen to work at a shop in Longwood Florida that has curriculum called the Homeschool Corner and you're welcome to call me there. We have lot's of curriculum that is less expensive than buying new. We have lots of families that bring us there items they're done with. ###-###-####.
D.
Hi Y.!
I teach for a homeschooling group called HomeLink in West Palm Beach. I teach writing and acting. The writing curriculum I use is amazing, called Institute for Excellence in Writing. They have an elementary level called Fables, Myths & Fairy Tales. I have created my own acting curriculum which I also teach at my studio in Boynton Beach (Standing Ovation Performing Arts). My acting curriculum teaches presentation, reading and performance!
Good luck!
I have not personally used it, YET, but my friend uses Sonlight and LOVES it. I plan on using it when my son is old enough, haha, he is only 9 months. You might check it out. Its a christian based homescooling program.
I suggest joining Cafemom.com & join one (or more) of the home school groups. It is free just like this site. I am a member of the Units & Themes group & they can tell you where to find custom stuff for your kiddo. I'm new in this too but with a 6th grader. The groups on Cafe Mom are terrific & the moms provide an awesome support system for you as well.
Good luck!
I home-schooled for a few years and found that in Boca Raton there are DOZENS of groups. So, depending on where you live, get on the internet and google "homeschooling" and get on the phone with the other parents in your area.
I used to take my sons to the museums, art galleries, taught them to play chess, tennis, and read constantly, music in the house all the time (mostly 70's rock so we danced around the house, too...!)We gardened, went to the park to play, shopped for our groceries, reading the ingredients...You may be doing all these things already; but again, get online and find a support group. Also, try meetup.com and for free join other home-school groups.
Blessings
Here's another source for you: http://www.gracechristianschools.com/welcome.php
Grace Christian Schools.
Also, there is a program called "Pace" which comes in different 6-week booklets for each subject. They used it at a one-room-schoolhouse where my granddaughter went for first grade, and it is wonderful because the chld progresses at their own pace (hencce the name...)
Good for you for homeschooling!!! Keep up the good work!!
