It seems a desire of homeschoolers to go out and purchase whatever great curriculum is out there. Fortunately when we got started, that wasn't an option, so I started with whatever I could find at the library. I like "curriculum of concepts," if that makes sense. I started with "What Your Kindergartener Needs To Know" by E.D. Hirsch to give me a sense and order to all that I could teach my children. Over the years, I have sampled and tasted of different series and curriculum but have only used a few regularly, finding them to either completely fulfill their purpose for many learning styles or were easily adapted to do so.
I am a minimalist when it comes to supplies. My houses have always been small-ish (or full-ish with kids) so classics (not textbooks!) are my weak-spot with very few "curriculums" on my shelves. The books I select need to be as close to original source as I can get, full of feeling and truth and not be teaching belief systems that are counter to my core beliefs in God. The older works may have some different world views presented but more from an "objective" point of view...or at least as objective as I can find, so my kids can draw their own conclusions.
History:
"Story of the World" by Bauer
Bauer's series for older students starting with "The History of the Ancient World"
Childhood of Famous American series
Music CD "Take Your Hat Off When The Flag Goes By" by Brady
Science:
Apologia series
"In the Beginning" by Wilde (younger ages)--comprehensive general science book with short lessons and do-able experiments
Amazing Steve Spangler "Naked Egg" experiment book: awesome collection of minimal supply requirement experiments!
The world around us, the many beautiful library books and nature videos, field trips and museums are the best curriculum in my mind. To awaken their curiosity, to expose them to the magnificence and scope of God's creations, in my mind, is the purpose at younger ages. The Apologia series offers structure with easily adapted experiments for when they are older and desirous to compartmentalize and organize their learning. It is my goal to set aside time each week (or each day, as your priority requires) to immerse them in this marvelous world of discovery, ask them questions, and apply it to our studies.
Math:
Saxon Math series
Khan Academy
Mathematicians are People, too vol. 1 and 2
"Go Figure"
"Phantom Tollbooth"
"String, Straight-edge, and Shadow"
Sir Cumference series
books by Tang
Games: Set, Q-bitz, Farkle, Greed, Rack-O
Math Inspirations (free starter kit with awesome games!)
Language:
Duolingo.com
Getting Started With Latin
Reading:
The Pathway Readers series--a series published by the Amish community full of wonderfully repetitive words, engaging stories, and values of work, respect, and kindness
I am a minimalist when it comes to supplies. My houses have always been small-ish (or full-ish with kids) so classics (not textbooks!) are my weak-spot with very few "curriculums" on my shelves. The books I select need to be as close to original source as I can get, full of feeling and truth and not be teaching belief systems that are counter to my core beliefs in God. The older works may have some different world views presented but more from an "objective" point of view...or at least as objective as I can find, so my kids can draw their own conclusions.
History:
"Story of the World" by Bauer
Bauer's series for older students starting with "The History of the Ancient World"
Childhood of Famous American series
Music CD "Take Your Hat Off When The Flag Goes By" by Brady
Science:
Apologia series
"In the Beginning" by Wilde (younger ages)--comprehensive general science book with short lessons and do-able experiments
Amazing Steve Spangler "Naked Egg" experiment book: awesome collection of minimal supply requirement experiments!
The world around us, the many beautiful library books and nature videos, field trips and museums are the best curriculum in my mind. To awaken their curiosity, to expose them to the magnificence and scope of God's creations, in my mind, is the purpose at younger ages. The Apologia series offers structure with easily adapted experiments for when they are older and desirous to compartmentalize and organize their learning. It is my goal to set aside time each week (or each day, as your priority requires) to immerse them in this marvelous world of discovery, ask them questions, and apply it to our studies.
Math:
Saxon Math series
Khan Academy
Mathematicians are People, too vol. 1 and 2
"Go Figure"
"Phantom Tollbooth"
"String, Straight-edge, and Shadow"
Sir Cumference series
books by Tang
Games: Set, Q-bitz, Farkle, Greed, Rack-O
Math Inspirations (free starter kit with awesome games!)
Language:
Duolingo.com
Getting Started With Latin
Reading:
The Pathway Readers series--a series published by the Amish community full of wonderfully repetitive words, engaging stories, and values of work, respect, and kindness
No comments:
Post a Comment