Curriculum Choices

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I’m in a Homeschool planning phase – and I know how much I like personal recommendations – so in hopes of starting conversations, here are some curriculum choices we have made for our current year:

All:
History: Story of the World V1 (with extra work for oldest)
Bible: A mix of books – “Dangerous Devotions”, “Don’t Check Your Brain at the Door”
Language Arts – all the boys are writing books in preparation for a book writing coop class we are taking with our local HS group.
Spelling – Spelling Power

J1:
Math – Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
Science – A Beka Matter & Motion
Language Arts – Reading, Journaling, etc

J2 & J3:
Science: Apologia’s Elementary Astronomy
Language Arts: Pathway Readers & Workbooks
Handwriting: Getty Dubay Italic

J2 Math – Teaching Textbook 5

J3 Math – Saxon 3

My thoughts on Teaching Textbooks

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Lately on a small homeschool group I particpate in we’ve been talking about Teaching Textbooks which I started to use this year with my two oldest boys.  Also I shared my thoughts on using it with a child with significant reading disabilties on the Teaching Textbooks yahoogroup this weekend – but it never posted for some reason.  So here are some of my thoughts/responses on this product for anyone searching for information.

Teaching Textbooks are currently offering Math 4, Math 5, Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry and Precalculus.  Pre-Algebra and above offer the lecture and practice problems on CD-Rom and then the student works on their own.  If they are stumped they can use the solutions CD to walk them through to the correct answer.  Math 4 – 7 are all on CD-Rom.  The student watches the lecture on the computer and then completes the practice problems and lessons too.  They are given hints if needed,  immediate feedback, and a second chance – and if they still get it wrong, they are walked through the process to get the correct answer.

Below are some of my replies to specific questions.

RE Sufficient review/dyslexia

I’m using TT with two of my sons.  We are using Pre-Algebra and TT5.  My son who is in TT5 is 12 yrs old, but reads at a 1st/2nd grade level.  However, he has no trouble with comprehending and math.  We were doing Saxon in the past, but that required I teach/read him the lessons and walk him through the practices as well as read him most of the problems.  So while he could do it – it was hard on both of us.  Then, this year I needed him to be more independent when we started Homeschooling his brothers also (14 and 8 yrs old) and adopted their baby sister.
So to answer your question – yes, I’ve found that there is sufficient review throughout the year.  In fact, my son loves that because even if he struggles to learn a new idea,  he knows there will review that will be easier for him.
As a almost non-reader, he’s doing very well with the program.  A few times they will ask him to find the words for a number (Two Hundred Thirty-two and 8 tenths) and he will tell me the answer and I will show him which words on the screen corresponds with what he says.  I’ve never helped him on those – if he said it wrong, I showed him the wrong one.  I felt bad the first couple of times I did that, but he seemed to really learn from it.  And, lately as his reading is improving, he seems to ask me less and less for help.
The other thing I love about TT for him is the immediate feedback whether his answers are right or wrong.
It has been nice to have a program that he can excel at – without my help.  It has really helped him realize he’s smarter than he thought!
I’m sold on TT – I just wish the upper grades were formatted the same way.

RE WHETHER WORKBOOKS ARE NECESSARY:

In the lower grades, the workbooks are not being used by us.  But in the older grades, only the lecture and practice are on the computer.  Then he goes to the table and uses the book and has to write out all his answers.  I then correct it – he tries to fix his mistakes.  If not, then he views the solution CD where they walk you through the problem.

I hope this helps someone!

Someone’s been studying ordinal numbers LOL

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I’m helping J3 write his story for his book.  He’s dictating – I’m typing.

Here is a section of his story – can you tell he’s been studying ordinal numbers in Math? lol

The other kids said, hey this is weird. I said what is going on?

John said I got captured first.

Billy said I got captured second.

Jerry said I was captured third.

Billy said you got captured last.

Our Plan

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Why post our homeschool plan online?  Well, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to get ideas for different subjects/grade levels and wished more homeschoolers would share what they are using and what they think about it.  And, I’ve always found the best way to get others to share is to be transparent first.  If you decide to share on your blog, please let me know in the comments so I can come check it out!  Who knows who we might encourage in their homeschool journey!

First, I probably should take a few moments to clarify a few things….While my son’s are 14, 12 and 8 we do not worry about grade levels…or I should say we try not to worry about them.  We consider where they are in their learning and proceed from there.   My sons started life with some big disadvantages and I feel that as long as I can stay home and work with them one-on-one – individualizing their learning experience – I will.  I already see tremendous improvement.  But the bottom line is that we use what works for us – not for the high-achievers across town or even the newest/coolest program out there.

So, here’s what we are using and some thoughts about it.

MATH

  • My youngest is using Saxon – it was a gift from the school where he was attending last year when they upgraded to the newest addition.  He enjoys it and I’m thankful for it’s provision!
  • My two oldest use Teaching Textbooks.  It’s working REALLY well for them…and I love that if they don’t understand something, there are solution CDs that walk them through every step of the problem.  I feel very confident that we can continue with this math as high as they can go without requiring that I be a math whiz!

HISTORY

  • I started this year with My Father’s World…but it just didn’t work for us.  Anyone want to buy it? 😉
  • I then tried Story of the World (with the activity guide) and love it!  Next year we will do V2 – we are all looking forward to it!
  • Next year my oldest will do a year of World History using a textbook we were given several years ago.  I plan to supplement it with historical fiction periodically using “All Through the Ages”.

LANGUAGE ARTS

  • I’ve been using Pathway Readers and workbooks for the younger two.  I just ordered some Getty Dubay Italic workbooks.  I had planned to use some software I purchased to make worksheets, but I come to realize I just need to be able to say “please do the next page”.  For $7.75/each – this will be a huge blessing!
  • Spelling Power- love it!  I can use it for everyone – giving them each an individualized program.
  • Writing Skills for Special Children – I bought this mainly for my son with learning disabilities but once I saw how it so wonderfully breaks down the writing experience, I started using it for my other sons too (at appropriate levels).
  • Next year we’ll continue with Spelling Power, Pathway Readers, Handwriting practice and writing practice for the younger two.  The older one will be doing English I from ACE.  I personally am not a huge fan of ACE and really don’t want him to use it for all his subjects.  But he really enjoys it for some subjects.

SCIENCE

  • I’ve been using Apologia’s Elementary science – Exploring Creation with Astronomy – with the younger boys and we’ve really been enjoying it now that we’ve found our groove with it.  The oldest one has been doing A Beka.
  • Next year I’ll use one of the Zoology books from Apologia Elementary (not sure which one yet) and the oldest one will be doing Physical Science from Apologia’s older curriculum.
  • And we’ll use the Sacramento Zoo as much as possible!  Thanks to Grammy!!

EVERYTHING ELSE

  • PE – continuing with backyard play, park day and doggy walks.  But I keep meaning to call our friend who’s hubby teaches kick-boxing to find out if we can afford it.  The boys really like him so they think it sounds like fun.  We’ll see.
  • Technology – Going to start teaching typing – even though they really don’t do a bad job they can use improvement. And I’m going to be looking for something to help them learn more about computer programs.  Looking at something from Motherboard Books – but need more research.
  • Health – the oldest will be getting his health requirement done early next year with ACE’s paces.
  • Bible – I hesitate to add this to our ‘school’ plan as I really don’t like to think about it like a school subject.  Lately we are reading “Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door”.  Next year the oldest will be doing “Jesus Christ, The Greatest Life” with Daddy – it’s a book that puts the 4 Gospels into one timeframe to tell you about the ministry of Christ.  I’m not sure what I’ll do on a daily basis.  Either – read through the Bible in a year or maybe we’ll read the books “Know What You Believe” and “Know Why You Believe”.

So, did I forget anything?  Do you have any questions about what we are doing, what we are using or why we are doing something this way?  I’d love a chance to talk more about it!  🙂