My Homeschool Curriculum…. Almost

If you read my post on Monday, you know that I am changing the way we homeschool this year.  With that, comes new books!

For the last 6 months or so I have felt like a brand new homeschooler.  I’ve been quizzing all my friends on what books they use for each subject.  After all my research and talking to friends, I have all my subjects narrowed down!!

For math, I believe I’m going to use Miquon.  I was teetering between Miquon and Mastering Mathematics.  With Mastering Mathematics, the child does one part of math at a time.  For example, they would start with “Mastering Addition”, then move on to subtraction, etc.  I’m not sure I like that, since the school system’s teach everything at once (sort of)… I mean, what if I have to put them in school unexpectedly?  I don’t want them to be way behind!  I settled on Miquon, because a homeschooled highschooler told me that’s what she used.  When she reached Algebra in high school, it was easy for her because she realized that with Miquon she had already been doing Algebra!  I like that.  I do still really like the idea of Mastering Mathematics.   A friend of mine uses it, so I got to check out one of the books and it looks great!

For Language Arts/Grammar, I will use Easy Grammar.  Easy Grammar was nice enough to let me try out their 2nd grade review book and 3rd grade Student Workbook.  I love it!!!  I’ll be honest, my daughter isn’t a big fan, but that is because I have been making her do more than one lesson a day (try 4), because she is going into the 4th grade this year and I was having her do the 2nd grade review just to make sure we have all our bases covered. (Wow, that was a long sentence!  Maybe it is a good thing I am getting a good book to teach her grammar!)  Anyway, I think once she is only doing one lesson a day, she will be fine with it.  She says the only thing she doesn’t like is how long it takes her, so that will be solved soon!

For Science, I bought Abeka workbooks and Teacher’s editions for each of my oldest at a used curriculum sale for $1 each.  Couldn’t really pass it up!  Got one for each of my kiddos (well, the oldest two).  I will use this for now and then maybe look into something else (one thing at a time).  I have heard good things about a few science curriculums (they are escaping me right now.  I will edit the post later when I remember!), but I’m not sure which one to use yet.  So for now, it is Abeka!

For History, I am still trying to decide.  I am looking into either Story of the World or Mystery of History.  Not sure of the differences between the two, they were just each recommended by friends.  If anyone has any info on either of these OR has a recommendation for another History curriculum, I am open to that, too.

That’s it for all the ‘book work’.  My kiddos will also be doing an enrichment program with all subjects on Mondays.  We have been with this program a few years now and love it.  It is all day, just like a ‘regular’ school day.  We are also trying out a new one on Friday mornings where the kids will take Geography, Science, and 5 in a row.

Do any of you homeschoolers have any feedback on any of my choices?  Seriously, I won’t take offense if you have something negative to say… like I said, I kind of feel like a new homeschooler, because I plan on doing things so differently this year.  I thank God that we are able to make these choices for our family, based on what we feel is best!

~Nicole~