We have based most of our curriculum choices based on the book, The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. One of the things I love best about homeschooling is that we get to choose! I try and keep an open mind and change when things aren’t working. Here is our list of what we are or have used this year:
First Language Lessons, Bauer. We have loved using this to start off grammar.
Spelling Workout, Modern Curriculum Press. We actually just started this workbook. I tried using Spelling Power, and I just couldn’t make it work for us. Not to mention that the cd-rom that came is not mac-compatible!
R.E.A.L. Science for Kids, Earth Science, level 1. We have had so much fun with this book. This is almost entirely labs, so we pick up books from the library to supplement. We do the labs twice a week and there has not been a single one we didn’t have fun with.
Story of the World, Ancient Times 1, Bauer. I read aloud from the text while the kids do the activities in the supplemental activity book. I think I enjoy this more than the boys do. They need a little more excitement in this subject to keep their interest.
RightStart Math, Level B. I cannot say enough good about this program! The process they use to teach is phenomenal, using lots of games, manipulatives, etc. Very few worksheets/busy work. Ironically, my kids like worksheets, so they find it a treat when the lesson calls for one!
The boys also use Zaner-Bloser workbooks for handwriting practice and they keep journals using a primary composition journal. I encourage them to just draw a picture of whatever they fancy and write a story. Sometimes it is from real life, sometimes taken from Star Wars, sometimes pure imagination. So long as they write, I am happy.
