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Help! "Curriculum in a can survivor" needs advise!
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We are new to homeschool; Last year was our first and we used a complete set for 4th and 6th grades (BJU Press). I t was very thorough but rigid and I’ve been studying everything I can possibly read about CM… Here are my specific questions: ( My kids are 11 and 13; 5th and 6/7th grade approx)
1. What about the “Beautiful Feet” American History jumbo pack for our History class? Comes with a worktext and about 15 living books…Any other top choices? I’m a little scared of going to the “living book”style; will these books really cover all that is needed for a sound foundation, or do we need a standard History book as well? The company claimed all can be covered for Am. History in this kit alone, and will cover for literature as well…too good to be true?
2. Want to switch our math also from BJU levels 3 and 5 ( my kids STRUGGLE with math; what are your top picks?
3. Same for BJU English levels 4 and 5; they were in fact very thorough but again my kids dreaded the worktext.. We want to cover all the needed grammar, but what other way without exercises?
4. Finally Science; I have seen many posts on Apologia, but also have been to the Creation Museum. Oour pastor uses the Answers in Genesis materials for our Sun. School class; seems very interesting..Any thoughts on which would be better for kids who love Science but do have some learning challenges… In summary, my husband and I want to prepare our kids for whatever future they face to the best of our abilities…whether that includes college or not. We would appreciate any opinions we can Get, thanks!!!
1. My kids will be 2nd and 3rd grade next year. So far we have only used SCM. I have found it to be thorough enough for us. There is a history spine and living books that are both read. If you look at the samples, the spine is read during family time. Then you add to it the books that are recommended for your child’s grade level.
2. We LOVE Math U See. Their website has a demonstration video found under the “About” tab. There is also an assessment for placing your child. It comes with a DVD where Steve Demme, the author of MUS, teaches each lesson. We watch the lesson together and then they do the worksheets. There are manuplitive blocks to use as needed and the lessons are short. We have been very happy with our math.
3. At this point we just introduced grammar this past school year. We used Queen’s Language Lessons. They are short but my DD seems to be catching on and learning what she needs to at this point. Someone with older kids can help you more here. I know that some people use Queen’s in the early years and then switch to something else.
4. I would love to hear more on science. We are using SCM’s 106 Days of Creation which is recommened through 6th grade. I am thinking that I’ll do Apologia next, but still keeping options open and checking out other things. Queen’s also has a science curriculum that might be worth looking at.
For Math, I’m planning on using Cornerstone Curricullum’s Making Math Meaningful. I noticed that they have a science curricullum too, but my oldest is going into kindergarten this fall, so I don’t really need a science curriculum yet.
Beautiful Feet is a wonderful curriculum. You don’t need a “history” book. Another option is to use one of the history modules from this site. They also use wonderful living books and you don’t need to add more.
We’re Right Start users and love it. A lot of people here love Math U See. For those that struggle a bit Life of Fred might be a good catch-up. I have my boys do it “for fun” along with their regular lessons. And yes, I had my 11-yr-old go back and start with the first book. He loves them and he’s a “math” person.
We do Mad Libs for grammar practice. You can also try Grammarland. This is an area we haven’t done a lot of formal lessons in yet so I can’t help beyond that. We plan on using Junior Analytical Grammar along with Our Mother Tongue and Jump-In over the next year or so.
We use a mix of science. I love Real Science 4 Kids. We’ve also used the Jeannie Fulbright series Exploring Creation with…. We’ll be using God’s Design for _______ this year for the first time then move into Apologia. I also love to take a topic and grab lots of living books and videos and do that for a month or so.
Heather
There are many great options out there. Here’s just what we do:
1) History: SCM guides, w/Truthquest History commentaries (biblical worldview). I think living books (including living spines/commentaries) are MUCH preferred to textbooks. I was an ‘A’ student, college-educated and can’t remember hardly a thing I learned about history. But I learn every day w/my kids in our living books:) Kids remember more if they care/are engaged.
2) Math: We also love Math-U-See. Have always used it and always plan to (8yrs. so far). The instructor gives a short video lesson that I watch w/my kids ea. week (funny, engaging, former math teacher). I help them with the first couple problems of new concept, and then they’re pretty independent. If your kids really struggle, I’ve heard Teaching Textbooks can be helpful.
3) Writing/Grammar: I’m using http://www.edudps.com/WWTB.html with my 12yo this year and next and it’s wonderful. You could combine both your kids in it. It’s to the point, helpful, and CM-friendly. For grammar, we use http://www.analyticalgrammar.com/. It’s pretty rigorous, but I like that it’s thorough in a short amount of time. You can just do it 10 weeks a year for 3 years. Or Our Mother Tongue sounds interesting (I just haven’t really checked out because I already own AG). If your kids need some spelling, we plan to try out SCM’s Spelling Wisdom this next year.
4) Science: We use Apologia. I think for college prep you can’t go wrong w/Apologia. But I’m not sure what to recommend if you have learning challenges (we haven’t gotten to h.s. level yet). I’m not familiar w/AIG’s h.s. level, though I must say I much prefer Jay Wile over Ken Ham. Jay Wile is a former college professor and is humble and open to other Christian views. Just my humble opinion:)
I hope you find peace in your decisions. There are lots of options to pray about. I think the more you learn about CM the more you’ll fall in love with her ways:) Blessings, Gina
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