What worked well this year, and/or what are you changing for next year?

[happypamama]

What worked well this year, mostly:

*Our form of the Finnish 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off. 45 minutes of solid work, followed by a 15 minute break, for at least the first several hours of the day. I expect we will continue that next year.

*Rotating blocks of time with Mom, first the little boys, then DS1, then DD, 45 minutes with me for each of them. Then the next day, the little boys are last, and DS1 is first, DD second, and so on.

*Individual pencil boxes, one for each child (two for some of them, because the big two each have a big set of colored pencils), including the toddler.

*Mr. Q science for DS1, coordinating Kingfisher pages for DD, and labs together

*Spiral notebooks for writing, spelling, and math, instead of loose leaf paper. Don't know why I didn't think of that sooner.

*OneNote. 'Nuff said.

 

What I'm changing for next year, because it really hasn't worked as well as I'd like:

*Science approach -- we haven't done as many labs as I'd have liked, and it's easy to push science off.

*Doing art, picture study, composer study, and geography on our out of the house day. Ideally we can do these things before we leave, but in reality, getting everyone dressed and ready, packing lunch, packing toys for the little guys, etc. takes a while, and none of us are morning people. And we get back too late to do much when we get home. So we push those things off, sometimes to the weekends, but we all need a break there, and I need to make some changes to get those things done.

*So, instead of starting the year a few subjects at a time, gently ramping up over a few weeks, starting in early July, we are going to start in early July, but we will spend about five weeks doing just science, art, composer study, and picture study (plus morning readings/memory work). Kind of like a summer class in college -- shorter but intensive. DH thinks this sounds fun, and I do too. The kids can have plenty of time for focused artwork, listening to and watching music performances, more science projects and demonstrations, without cramming those things in around outside activities or regular math and reading work. Then in early August, it'll be full tilt with the regular subjects.

 

How about you?

[waa510]

What worked well: 

GSWL- so easy, open and go...I was so wary of Latin b/c I'm learning as well but this text is so easy to use. I've been so happy with it. 

 

Holt Science- Science is getting done. Science is getting done!!! I am so over the moon to have science happening. I guess I just had to ditch homeschool science offerings. Wish I'd found this years ago

 

K12 Human Odyssey series- This has been a win, although how they order topics within a unit is a little weird to me. It's perfect as a step up from SOTW. I think I may add History Odyssey to this for mapwork and such for next year. Definitely staying with this series.

 

Spelling Workout- DD was getting lazy with her spelling. We'd done all of AAS but we needed more. I'll keep with this one.

 

What I'm changing:

 

IEW- Oy. I'm learning that turning on a DVD for class isn't working for us. I also am confused as to why this program is so darn expensive!! I've been left incredibly underwhelmed, honestly. I think it's made oldest think more about the words she's putting on paper but it's not meeting our goals like I hoped. I'm thinking Treasured Conversations with CAP Narrative 2, then WWS1..maybe more CAP too. We'll see. Writing is the one I've struggled with. I just need something to get us to WWS!!!

 

Math....We had to take a break from Math Mammoth..again...b/c Dd was confused and needed more practice. So we went with Key to which is working well. I'm hoping we can go back to MM and then to Dolciani. I really want MM to work!! 

 

Oh man...the two most important subjects are a mess! I have to figure this out!! 

[OneStepAtATime]

Worked well:

Barton Reading and Spelling

CLE Math (love this)

Typing Pal/Type to Learn 4 (one kid uses one, other kid uses the other)

CNN Student News

Codecrackers books

Vertias Press Self-Paced

Lots of outside extracurriculars that help hone skill sets

Kindle Unlimited and Immersion Reading

Marine Science through Landry (although we had a bit of a bumpy start)

 

What hasn't worked:

lots but my brain went blank...gotta run so I'll get back to you.  :)

[momto2Cs]

What worked well...

*Thinking in Threes (ds)

*EPS' Writing Skills (dd)

*BraveWriter inspired projects with both

*Jacobs Elementary Algebra (ds) (after an AoPS fail)

*Lots of reading aloud with both

*Having a quiet reading time every day for all three of us to read our own books

*Online stuff--Coursera, edX, etc. (for ds mainly, some for dd)

*Letting them lead their own educations, mostly, outside of math and writing

 

For fall/what didn't work/etc...

*Ds will move into The Lively Art of Writing. I think it will be a good follow-up to Thinking in Threes!

*Dd is having issues with Saxon, similar issues with Math Mammoth. So we are (right now, not waiting until next year), pulling out Life of Fred, which I can supplement with MM as needed. Ds says he might look at LoF too, but he's enjoying Jacobs a fair amount.

*I'm stuck on writing for dd for fall. She's a bit behind due to just getting up to fluency with reading, so I'm looking at programs like IEW's Fables, Myths, & Fairy Tales, or Jump In maybe???

*I think we'll stick with interest-led for everything but the skills areas. I know, I "should" be more worried about ds since he'll be in ninth grade, but he's going the cc route in late high school rather than regular at home high school, so I have backup there in covering his General Ed requirements, which means we can be a little more relaxed than I had thought over the next couple of years!

*We'll keep up with daily quiet reading time!

[5Wizards]

We are having a great year overall.

 

Things that are working well:

- Derek Owens Algebra and Physical Science, MM, RSO Chemistry and Life Science

- EIL Intro to Literature, Hands-on-essays, Thinking in Threes; my own writing assignment with books read aloud w/my younger kids

- outsourcing 1 class each for my kids - oldest is loving Latin

 

Not so great:

- I have completely ignored art, which my younger kids want to do but I have not made it a priority

- due to finances we had to stop piano lessons

- I haven't had any real duds this year.

[happypamama]

We are having a great year overall.

 

Things that are working well:

- Derek Owens Algebra and Physical Science, MM, RSO Chemistry and Life Science

- EIL Intro to Literature, Hands-on-essays, Thinking in Threes; my own writing assignment with books read aloud w/my younger kids

- outsourcing 1 class each for my kids - oldest is loving Latin

 

Not so great:

- I have completely ignored art, which my younger kids want to do but I have not made it a priority

- due to finances we had to stop piano lessons

- I haven't had any real duds this year.

I'm sorry about the piano lessons. Are you using an actual piano or a keyboard? If the latter, perhaps check out Synthesia and MusIQ? My kids have learned a lot from those, not quite as much as with actual lessons, but they've been better than nothing.

 

Art. . . I really want to do more art with my littler ones. But time.

[5Wizards]

I'm sorry about the piano lessons. Are you using an actual piano or a keyboard? If the latter, perhaps check out Synthesia and MusIQ? My kids have learned a lot from those, not quite as much as with actual lessons, but they've been better than nothing.

 

Art. . . I really want to do more art with my littler ones. But time.

 

We have a piano which was given to us years ago.  Two of my kids have taken a couple of years of lessons, but my youngest only had a few months.  Thanks for the suggestions.  This summer I am going to explore what is out there and see what we can do.

 

I am also hoping that I will do art this summer.  I have tons of resources here - I just need to use them.  You are right, though, it's the time more than anything else.

 

[73349]

Wins:

• planning far ahead so I don't have to worry about what to do now
• proClicking work together in 3-week booklets
• having a wall timeline by the couch, where we cuddle up and read history :)
• The $5 school table has adjustable legs--we had to move it up a notch, but there are about 5 more, so it'll last a long time.
• ETA: Pathway Readers. DS really likes the stories and he is reading well now.
• ancient history, anchored by SOTW.

 

Fails:

• the science curriculum I chose (and it's a pdf, so I can't even resell it)
• the Spanish program I chose
• Parks & Rec PE choices (mostly day/time issues)
• I often don't get around to "life skills" or projects.

[RootAnn]

Our "enrichment" time is mostly going well:  finally getting to art, art history, geography, and little odds & ends that usually get skipped. What we don't get done, I don't feel bad about because there are so many things we are getting to.

 

Unfortunately, I don't see me having the timeslot next year to continue it. Adding another kid to the school mix always means shuffling & craziness.

 

I'm going to try some sort of checklist for dd#2 & dd#3 for their independent work ... and there will have to be more of that next year or I'll go crazy for lack of time.

[Momto4inSoCal]

Wins:

 

Math Mammoth 

Having my daughters trade off watching the twins so I can do one one one math

my self created history program 

having the whole year planned out ahead of time. 

 

Fails:

AAS (I couldn't handle all the parts to it)

MiF (after 2 months of her crying and me screaming I gave up)

Saxon math (other daughter would finish in 5 min, too easy for her )

every single lit guide I tried, I am now watching TTC hoping to solve this problem

 

Well I guess we are well balanced between wins and fails... hoping to tilt this towards more wins next year. 

[Amira]

I don't think anything was a fail this year. My two high schoolers are doing completely different things that work well for each of them, and my 1st grader is in school and is so happy there. I have no control over the few things I wish I could fix. :)

[Heidi]

I ditched MM5 this year (used 1-4) and went with CLE 5. WIN!!! It think I will use MM 1-3 and then switch to CLE 4-6 with the rest of my kids.

[SeaConquest]

Wins:

 

Singapore

SOTW

Shalom Alef Bet

Homegrown life science

Rod & Staff Spelling

Progressive Phonics + AAR Readers 

 

Needs to Improve:

 

Haven't gotten around to Latin as much as I would like

Typing

Geography

Learn to read in French and Spanish

More Torah study

 

[La Condessa]

Whoa, are we already close enough to the end for this?

 

My dd turned 6 this past weekend, and I started on my K plans with her when she turned 5, so it has been a full year--but with schooling so broken up during that time. Between pregnancy complications, birth and new baby, a move, various health problems for the baby, job change for my husband, and another move, school has had many, many interruptions. We stuck to our basic 4 and everything else has been sporadic or fallen by the wayside.

 

What worked:

Singapore Math-she went from loving math, to deciding she hated it and basically being horrible whenever we did it, to us working on attitude and back to enjoying it and asking for more. I think the hating it phase was more because of my stress coming through in impatience and me being too nervous about gaps to skip extraneous repetition, and not because of the curriculum itself.

OPGTR + Easy Readers-we've had to backtrack to build her confidence in reading several times, but overall she's made great progress.

Pianimals-she's made a lot of progress in learning to play piano, but the greatest value has been in her learning to attempt hard things and conquering her perfectionism

Cursive in Pictures-she now quite enjoys handwriting practice

 

Sort of Worked:

SOTW-my kids adore it and have gained a love of history, but our use has been very sporadic with all the craziness this year

 

Fell by the Wayside:

Spanish-we planned to watch salsa, practice those words in real life, and read lots of stories in Spanish, but it hasn't happened in a long time

Art-my kids color, or maybe even paint something once every few months. That's it.

Science-we loved BFSU while we were doing it. I pre-bought a bunch of supplies and started to organize them into bags by lesson, then ran out of time. I think we only made it one lesson past the pre-made grab-and-go bags. I know now that if I'm going to make this curriculum work in the future, I have to prepare everything in advance or it will not happen.

Younger dd's everything, I'm sad to say. We're trying to get started back up on preschool, now. (In theory I do preschool strictly on-demand for my kids, but this one's on-demand would be every subject, every day if she had her wish).

[AimeeM]

What's working:

Dancing Bears for DS5 - we'll continue with this next year.

CLE Language Arts for DD13 - she really enjoys diagramming.

Miquon for DS5. We finally found our groove with it, and I love it.

CLE's flash card system for math facts with DS 5 - I use it alongside Miquon.

 

What isn't working:

CLE Algebra 1. Nothing wrong with the program, but DD is SO tired of amish-like word problems. She's sick of CLE in general. It ends after algebra 1, but if she hasn't finished algebra 1 by this fall, I will probably move to a different algebra program, just because she looks completely devastated every time the book comes out.

[sarahj]

What worked: almost everything, but I've been most happy with our LA lineup: OPGTR (DD7 is almost finished and I'm so happy with her reading this year; in the fall I'll be starting it all over with DD5), AAS, WWE, and FLL. I've also been pleasantly surprised with the MP 1st grade enrichment and MP Storytime Treasures and More Storytime Treasures.

 

What didn't work: Sassafras science. I can hardly stand to read it aloud, but DD7 likes it, so I will finish out the book. Next year we are switching to Nancy Larson science. Also, Beyond the Code was not DD7's favorite, so we quit after the first book. I think she gets better reading comprehension from the MP Storytime Treasures.

 

What could work, but isn't: nature study. I think we've done five nature walks total this year. It's usually the first thing to go when the day gets busy.

[SFM]

Success: 

Rod and Staff English (my DD was thrilled to switch from FLL to R&S)

Phonics Pathways (so thankful I decided to stick with that -- thorough, effective, and no gimmicks)

Story of the World (my children LOVE this)

Killgallon Paragraphs for Elementary (my DS loved this program, he felt it gave him structure while still fostering independence). I saw great improvement in writing this year. 

APPLES AND PEARS (my DS is spelling and enjoying it FINALLY)

 

Fails:

Memoria Press Prima Latina (just boring)

Science this year has been a fail, I have been using elemental for a few years and I think my kids are just burned out on it. Switching it up this next year with DH doing experiments each week and myself doing all the book work and I'm hopeful we all enjoy it more. 

 

WWE gets done by DD but not with zeal, gusto and fervor. :) However, if it ain't broke don't fix it, eh? Pardon the grammar, I didn't use R&S as a child. ;) 

Singapore also gets accomplished but not with the gusto it once fostered in our home. My daughter seems somewhat lost and my son has ebbs and flows. He will stick with it this next year (6A/6B) but my daughter might try out a few others, specifically R&S and CLE. 

 

DS 10

DD 7

DD 5

 

[....]

I have to post this for two separate groups of kids who are almost polar opposite.

 

Oldest two kids - what worked:

 

1.  Lial's math series - one is using Basic College Math and the other Algebra 1.  I love these math books.

2.  K'Nex Bridge-building kit

3.  Thames & Kosmos Physics Pro - my son is only a little ways into this, but really enjoying it.

4.  The History of Medicine and The Way We Work - my daughter really enjoyed these two

5.  The Great Brain, Tom Sawyer, Animal Farm, Julie of the Wolves, The Yearling, Where the Red Fern Grows... - my kids really liked these books

6.  Intermediate Language Lessons - my son did really well with this

 

Oldest two kids - what they didn't like:

 

1.  Spectrum Writing - just a cheap writing workbook that got the job done - *I* liked it, but my daughter complained every time it made an appearance.

2.  The Borrowers - I think my son contemplated running away from home while we were reading this.

 

Younger two kids - what worked:

 

1.  Using a Charlotte Mason/WTM-ish method with them

2.  MCT's Grammar Island series - she's not finished with it, but it's going well

3.  Usborne Impressionist Paintings Activity Cards

4.  Story of the Orchestra

5.  Writing with Ease, Story of the World (of course)

6.  Using the Mensa Booklist (it's on their website) for book suggestions 

7.  Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Audubon's Birds of America, About a Dog...

8.  Snap Circuits

 

Younger two kids - what they didn't like:

 

1.  Prairie Primer - we're really trying to make this work.  For some reason, they just can't get into it.  I'm going to make them plow through it a little longer tho.

2.  Doing any schoolwork after lunch - if I don't work with the little ones first, the day does NOT go well...  

[Peaceful Isle]

What worked well for us:

 

Math U See

Essentials in writing 

SOTW

tons of library books to read

piano/band/voice lessons - a total win! They love music.

 

What we had to scrap:

 

Lifepacs 

Apologia General Science

 

We have a few meh subjects that we just plug along with that are kinda in the middle :)

[silver]

What worked:

 

* Block scheduling for history and science. We do three weeks of science followed by three weeks of history. Lather, rinse, repeat. I like having less to focus on each week. I like having the time to immerse ourselves in the topic at hand.

 

* Borac Competitive Math for my son. He loves puzzles and this gives him a fun break from MM each week.

 

* Task card scheduling. I made a visual card for each subject and slide them into a card protector sheet for a 3-ring-binder. The kids get a visual list of what they have to do for school that day and can choose what to do.

 

 

What didn't work:

 

* BFSU for my daughter. She hated having discussions. So I'm just using it as a topic and book list right now and added in Sassafras Science, which leads me to the 2nd doesn't work.

 

* Sassafras Science. My daughter loves it, because she loves all stories. I don't like it. We're using just the book, and I don't think she's learning much science from it. I don't like that the little bit of science in the story is only facts. I would rather focus on ideas about animals (ex: the idea of adaptation for survival in an extreme habitat) or classifications of animals (ex: the characteristics that all mammals have) than facts about length or weight of one specific animal. I also don't like the storyline of "the twins hated science until it became an adventure on made up invisible zip lines, then they thought science sure was fun!" It's mentioned a lot in the book, which I find odd since homeschoolers can't take their kids around the world (on zip lines or airplanes) just to study science. I'm afraid of the constant comments about adventure making science fun might put ideas in my daughter's head that the way we do science, with books and at home, is boring.

[MEmama]

Big wins:

 

IEW. Love love love. We're almost over the writing hump.

 

Jacobs Algebra. Just the right amount of challenge. Finally.

 

Using fewer resources. Lots of extra reading, documentaries, etc worked well in younger grades but paring down significantly has been just right this year.

 

Big fails:

 

CPO Earth Science. Another year, another failed science program.

[laughing lioness]

Wins: Foundations and Essentials (Classical Conversations)

Bridgeway Academy Learning Labs ;

First Form Latin

Grammar of Poetry

TeenPact

Shakespeare Camp

 

What didn't work. Being too busy- not enough chillaxed time together.

[happypamama]

Big wins:

 

IEW. Love love love. We're almost over the writing hump.

 

Jacobs Algebra. Just the right amount of challenge. Finally.

 

Using fewer resources. Lots of extra reading, documentaries, etc worked well in younger grades but paring down significantly has been just right this year.

 

Big fails:

 

CPO Earth Science. Another year, another failed science program.

I'm sorry to hear that. It has to be frustrating when you try several things and aren't hitting on one that works for everyone. I hope your next year is more productive in that area!

[ForeverFamily]

What worked...

 

My Oldest, Dd9

-MCT Island.  Grammar Island, Sentence Island, and Practice Island have been huge hits!

-AAS

-Singaore Math and Beast Academy.  I have loved having the freedom to switch back and forth between the two.  It has kept things more interesting.

-Treasured Conversations. Used the first section and loved it.  Will continue with remaining sections next year.

-Grandmas Attic, my Dd loved these books.

-Timez Attack

 

My Younger two, Dd7 and Dd5

-Switching to Singapore math, and leaving behind RS.  Using C-rods instead of the Abacus.  I think they both really liked RS math and the abacus, I just needed a change.

-All About Reading.  My kids have loved the games.  The readers not so much.

-Startwrite. I had been trying to piece together handwriting pages this year and it wasn't getting done. I finally gave in and bought startwrite. I love that I was able to sit down and create custom pages, and now I can just print out each morning what we need. Handwriting is finally getting done.

 

All

-Doing math first thing and doing it all at the same time.  I first start my Dd9 on her math, then do my Dd7 math and Dd5 math.  The younger two work on their handwriting pages if they are waiting for my help.  This way I can check math off my list at the beginning of the day. 

-Read Alouds.  I really dropped the ball on this one most of the year.  We have picked it up again and my kids are loving it.

 

What didn't work...

-Moving and trying to put in a yard while homeschooling, it has been a crazy year for us

-Trying to do both History and Science each week.  I finally dropped science for a while and we are focusing on history.  I plan to do science through the summer.

-CAP W&R, just not working for us this year.  Will try again next year.

-Morning Circle, we just never got to it this year.  It was one of my favorite things last year.  I plan to make this a big priority next year.

 

 

[ForeverFamily]

*So, instead of starting the year a few subjects at a time, gently ramping up over a few weeks, starting in early July, we are going to start in early July, but we will spend about five weeks doing just science, art, composer study, and picture study (plus morning readings/memory work). Kind of like a summer class in college -- shorter but intensive.

 

I love this idea!  I may be borrowing this idea for next year!

[happypamama]

I love this idea! I may be borrowing this idea for next year!

That's why I started this thread, to share ideas. I'll post back in August and discuss what we thought about it!

[MEmama]

I'm sorry to hear that. It has to be frustrating when you try several things and aren't hitting on one that works for everyone. I hope your next year is more productive in that area!

Science? Eh, my kid is very mathy and science oriented. We just haven't found anything he doesn't already know. ;). It's not something to stress ourselves over, more just that it's disappointing for him. No decent middle grade science books just gives him more time to explore his true love (astrophysics), I guess.

[PineFarmMom]

What worked:[/

 

* Task card scheduling. I made a visual card for each subject and slide them into a card protector sheet for a 3-ring-binder. The kids get a visual list of what they have to do for school that day and can choose .

Could you explain this more? I am always tinkering with our schedule...always!! I'm trying to give them more of a pattern for each subject of what to do based on the day of the week. This sounds helpful!!

[PineFarmMom]

What worked:

 

Tog, all they offer except the writing. This has worked for us for a while, but we are in our 4th year and I just get it now and have a flow going.

 

CAP W&R 1 and 2 a this has been fun. I combined two of mg kids and we have enjoyed it and they have learned a lot.

 

Latina christiana 1 combined with Memoria Press Grammar Recitation book - grammar just gets done and so does Latin. Most of the time we love it but even when we don't, learning is happening and they are eager to learn more. The grammar has been simple but it has enabled us to do some other things while still learning grammar...not time consuming at all!

 

Combining my 3rd and 5th grader more. They have. A healthy competition that makes them strive to learn more.

 

What didn't work:

 

AIG science - it is just so boring!!

My plans to do nature study - I just can't seem to make it happen

[silver]

Could you explain this more? I am always tinkering with our schedule...always!! I'm trying to give them more of a pattern for each subject of what to do based on the day of the week. This sounds helpful!!

 

 

I got a pack of these sort of card holders: http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Pro-Pocket-Page-Protectors/dp/B005HIOVOG/

 

In Word I made a table were the boxes were the right size for the sleeve and then made cards for each subject that my kids do. So there will be a card showing a picture of cuisenaire rods for math, a card showing a picture of a child reading to indicate that they should read, a card showing the cover of a LOE Foundations book to show phonics/spelling work, etc.

 

I use one sleeve to show the group work we do together; that hangs on the wall. Then each child has one with their clipboard cases that hold their papers for the week. The page on their clipboard shows the work I want them to get through today.  When they've finished one of the subjects for the day, they slide the card out, flip it over, and slide it back in.

 

Some things we like about it:

* The kids know what to expect just by looking

* It gives a visual of how much work is left in the day

* It makes it easy for them to choose the next subject (they take turns choosing what we'll work on for school)

* If they don't finish one of the subjects, that card remains in place for the next day

 

 

Since the sleeves come in packs, you could, theoretically, set one up for each day of the week. In fact, my kids started joking around by flipping their page protector over (showing the completed cards) and saying "this is my work for tomorrow!" After they did that enough, I printed up extra cards and I have it set up so that the front (with the pocket openings) is today and the back is the plan for tomorrow. I'm not sure why, but my kids really like that.

 

I think as they get older and more independent, I will set up one page per day and let them know that they can work ahead in some areas (the subjects that don't need daily practice the way math does). Eventually, I hope I can hand them a stack of cards for the week on Monday and let them choose which day they want to place each card, to give them practice with balancing their load and prioritizing things.

[My3girls]

hits: *36 week file folders for youngers was awesome.

*Writing & Rhetoric was a rough start but is now going well.

*Code.org was a huge hit with the youngers

*DD8 is digging Mobymax (not sure why. looks boring to me.lol)

*Intelligo is working for us.

 

 

misses: *Spanish & Hollister books kind of fell by the wayside.

*36 week folders did not work for dd13. too many of her books referred back to previous lessons so we had go back and dig stuff out of other folders which was a pain. We're keeping everything intact next year and using a spiral notebook for daily checklists.

 

Everything else we're in our second year of so they just continue to be hits.

[birchbark]

What worked:

*Our first attempt at an online class. DS is taking writing from TPS and it's been a fantastic experience. I'm planning on continuing online writing for high school.

*Super happy with our math. Next year will be the last level available though!

*Oldest DS using a student planner, with me making goals for him every six weeks.

*Still loving Circle Time.

 

Changing for next year:

*An earlier start to the day! I'll have three students next year, one in high school.  :willy_nilly:

[sbgrace]

Working/Will Continue:

 

CLE math; Singapore word problems (Process Skills). I can't believe this is working so well for my two very different kids. It's taken most of the stress out of math for me.

 

Finding my own way with composition. It's a work in progress, but I finally feel good about our direction in composition.

 

Spelling Power. It seems to be sticking, and it's painless.

 

Killgallon

 

Typing Instructor for Kids.

 

Didn't work:

All the composition programs I've purchased this year. Ugh.

 

I'm not sure what I think of Fix It Grammar yet.

 

I think this is my last round of MCT. It's just too expensive for the benefit we're receiving, and I'm finding myself supplementing/reteaching too often. This last bit annoys me enough that I think we're done.

 

We're not getting to history often enough. I need to do something to get it done more regularly here.

 

I switched to Getty Dubay. I'm glad I switched, but my messy, easily tired writer is still sloppy and weak despite regular practice.

 

I need to prioritize working with my special needs son on some of his stuff. So often it's getting pushed out for academic or social things. I need to fix that.

 

Similarly, I'm off kilter in the dynamics between all of us. I'm feeling a bit like a pushy drill overlord or something. My special needs kid is bright, but so inattentive that it takes us way too long to get through everything. Our days are feeling a bit like drudgery. I need to find some kind of balance.

 

 

 

 

[ondreeuh]

We've been having a GREAT year. My first year that I haven't done an overhaul and started over with new stuff!

 

For my 7th grader, what is working well:

*Holt Science & Technology Life Science. We'll continue on to the physical science text next year.

*Holt Middle School Math; Course 2. We'll continue with Course 3 next year.

*Math Minutes. We've been doing these for a couple of years and I LOVE that they review & preview math.

*Human Odyssey vol. 2 is great. We'll hopefully read through vol. 3 this summer (w/o assignments), but we will be moving into US history next year with Hakim.

*Essentials in Writing 7. We've gotten SO much more writing done this year because of this great program. I'm not sure if I will just re-use the level next year or buy grade 8.

*Youth Digital classes. He's doing well with Mod Design and will move on to Game Design next year.

*Chess and Robotics classes.

 

Changing:

-Moving Beyond the Page literature ... the grammar is just not systematic enough for my son and we don't like extra projects, so I'll be choosing something more streamlined with discussion questions, literary analysis, & straight up writing assignments along with a separate grammar program. I'm planning on using Novel-Ties lit guides and Exercises in English.

-P.E. ... we didn't do anything this year but I'm going to make him take a homeschool PE class or SOMETHING next year.

 

For my 1st grader, what is working well:

*McGraw-Hill Science. Almost done with grade 2 and its been a nice springboard for discussion, further reading, and extra activities.

*Adventures in America history. LOVE THIS. My son has read a bunch of historical fiction and biographies that I lined up with AiA, and he has a very good understanding of early American history.

*Daily Geography 2. We do a week at a time.

*SOTW- we started listening in the car, and we are halfway through vol. 3 right now. Both boys love it.

*Math in Focus 2. I love that the word problems are challenging and we can go at our own pace.

*Horizons 2. I love that it is spiral, colorful, and doesn't feel like very much work. I use it when we are in a hurry, or I can tell that he doesn't have enough patience for MiF.

*Treasures LA 2. We use the textbook and practice & grammar workbooks. We're almost done with grade 2. Simple and effective ... but even with the "beyond" practice sheets (3rd grade level) it is too easy.

*Paired reading (I read a page, he reads a page): We have gotten through several great books and he is now willing to tackle longer chapter books on his own.

*Audiobooks & Legos. He has nearly completed the entire Harry Potter series, and before that he listened to a couple dozen chapter books on audio. WIN.

*Homeschool swim lessons

 

That said, nearly everything is changing for next year. Mostly because he needs more of a challenge. The only thing I plan on keeping is Math in Focus. SO, the plan is to first end this school year with a chocolate unit study. We'll be reading three novels, experimenting with making our own candy bars, designing wrappers, learning about the history of chocolate and how it's made, reading a biography of Milton Hershey, and doing a bunch of writing & math activities.

 

Then next year:

*MBTP 7-9 .. the reading is too easy but I think the writing will be fine. We can move through it quickly I suppose. I have the whole program so it includes science and "social studies."

*SOTW 1 w/ activity book & supplemental reading.

*Ancient Science correlated w/SOTW 1

*K12 literature 3

*Exercises in English 3

*MiF 3 and Beast Academy 3

*Composer study

 

I plan to start MBTP in the summer and add in SOTW & K12 when/if we are ready for more. Maybe we will run through MBTP 7-9 and then switch to SOTW, Ancient Science & K12 lit when we're done. I have everything planned out in Skedtrack so I can play around with the dates. We mostly school year round so it doesn't really matter when we start/stop stuff.

[Wildiris]

Grade 6

What Worked:

• Singapore Primary Math 6A & 6B
• Horizons Math for review
• CPO Earth Science
• The Human Odyssey combined with The History Odyssey--Excellent combination outlining and summarizing The Human Odyssey and extra reading in The History Odyssey.
• Memoria Press Geography-Best so far. 

What Did Not Work:

• Daily Paragraph Editing--too repetitious
• Vocabulary From Classical Roots--DD knows too many words. I guess we will start going through SAT vocabulary flashcards.

What Needs Improving:

• A more focused approach to literature study. Considering Lightening Literature for 8th grade because I know she would enjoy the book selection.
• A more focused approach to writing. Considering Writing Companion

[momto2Cs]

What worked well...

*Thinking in Threes (ds)

*EPS' Writing Skills (dd)

*BraveWriter inspired projects with both

*Jacobs Elementary Algebra (ds) (after an AoPS fail)

*Lots of reading aloud with both

*Having a quiet reading time every day for all three of us to read our own books

*Online stuff--Coursera, edX, etc. (for ds mainly, some for dd)

*Letting them lead their own educations, mostly, outside of math and writing

 

For fall/what didn't work/etc...

*Ds will move into The Lively Art of Writing. I think it will be a good follow-up to Thinking in Threes!

*Dd is having issues with Saxon, similar issues with Math Mammoth. So we are (right now, not waiting until next year), pulling out Life of Fred, which I can supplement with MM as needed. Ds says he might look at LoF too, but he's enjoying Jacobs a fair amount.

*I'm stuck on writing for dd for fall. She's a bit behind due to just getting up to fluency with reading, so I'm looking at programs like IEW's Fables, Myths, & Fairy Tales, or Jump In maybe???

*I think we'll stick with interest-led for everything but the skills areas. I know, I "should" be more worried about ds since he'll be in ninth grade, but he's going the cc route in late high school rather than regular at home high school, so I have backup there in covering his General Ed requirements, which means we can be a little more relaxed than I had thought over the next couple of years!

*We'll keep up with daily quiet reading time!

 

We might end up going a lot more structured than I thought. Ds is interested in either The Big History Project + additional reading + integrated sciences, OR LLfLoTR + British history + integrated sciences. And dd is talking about wanting to have me read LoTR aloud, and maybe reading (herself) Our Island Story, OR doing an American history year + corresponding lit (she loves Patrica Beatty, for example). And she's considering a real biology program to follow up on this year's loosely knit zoology.

 

I just don't know with these kids!

[Hunter]

I finally realized that having less books and alllowing the general minimalization habits of my life to impact my tutoring and self-education means that some things won't get learned. Period!

 

People that move to the country know their students are going to have less time in museums and they accept that and think it's worth it.

 

People in the city know their students are not going to be able to raise large animals as a 4H project.

 

There are perks for our choices, but there are also some things we need to give up, or we are going to drive our selves crazy trying to have it all. I now undersand what I am giving up and think it's worth it. I have peace now, and am able to make better choices of what to pick for curriculum.

[Seeking Squirrels]

Singapore Math was working well until recently when she started hitting a block. But she's working about half a year ahead so we're just going to slow down and review for a bit.

 

SOTW was a major fail because she's just not mature enough for that yet.

 

FLL and WWE were not big failures but neither were they a good fit for her.

 

I'm discovering that her learning style is completely different from my preferred teaching style. We butt heads a LOT over school and it's turning into a real problem. We just today started with Time4Learning and it's actually going really well. We are also doing a lapbook from HOAC. I think for a while at least we are going to do reading, HOAC lapbook, and the rest on T4L. On T4L she is doing LA, math, science, and social studies. Hopefully this will provide the breather we need and allow us to reevaluate what we want to do moving forward.

[Soror]

What has worked.....

DS-10yo- Treasured Conversations- this has been great for me and him, the step by step approach helped me as a teacher see how to break down assignments and build skills slowly

 

BA- We continue to enjoy this, although it has become a bit easy for ds, the logic chapter was especially a highlight

 

history and science- mom designed- I pre-bought(instead of relying on the library) books and planned ahead, we got so much more reading done this year of so many excellent books. I want to plan it out more next year. I want to have more details like when to watch what documentaries. We will also be probably adding in some writing to this next year, I had thought about it last year but I just wasn't there this year. 

 

We've been doing a bit of one room schoolhouse here, doing math all together and that has been fabulous. I'm hoping we can still keep with it next year when adding in dd2.

 

DD-7yo-

Horizons Math- MiF was ok but Horizons has been great for her, because it is incremental and has so much review she is able to do a good chunk on her own which is a great boost to her confidence and her independent nature

 

meh- I LOVED MCT Island but Town hasn't had enough new to make it really worthwhile, I've got to do Caesar's English but I don't know if we are doing any more of MCT.

 

LoE is a big love but our move to LoE- D has been bumpy- she has just had difficulty becoming fluent

 

For the most part we've worked on developing some more independence while nailing down some skills that will help ds go deeper next year and a bit on his own and I think we're getting there. As a teacher I got more practice planning our studies myself and I'm feeling much more confidence in my ability and looking forward to taking it a bit further next year.

 

 

[Ad astra]

What worked well for DS who turns 5 in May

- Reading : He's read all books from FIAR 4 volumes, Sonlight p3/4 p4/5, and some of Core A and other recomm read-aloud lists. Also read nearly all easy readers and easy nonfiction books available at our local public library. He's been reading some early chapter book series, too.

- Handwriting : He just finished Evan-Moor's Daily Handwriting Practice after HWOT series.

- Korean : He's mastered Korean phonics (Hangul) and started to read aloud easy readers in Korean. He's watching Korean kids TV shows without English subtitles, too.

 

What did not work

- Math Mammoth 1st grade was a big struggle. I love MM and tried to use it for review after Singapore 1st grade but DS didn't like it and chose Korean math drill program instead.

- FLL, WWE, AAS : I've been slacking around and not followed these programs consistently. We've done school for about 30 mins a day so there was not enough time for these... We'll try to focus more on language arts during next school year. 

 

Changing for next year

- He'll go to a full-time Public Kindergarten in Missouri from this fall, mainly for social time and special classes while I'm dealing with younger DD with ASD. I'll afterschool him on 3R's and Korean at his level.

- Less screen time (hopefully). Start sports (baseball, soccer and swimming) and piano lessons.

 

 

 

[rwilk]

For DD (3.5): 

 

Worked:

LOE Foundations A.  I am so happy with this curriculum!  The assessments every five lessons has been great for me to know how she's doing and progressing. The kiddo has memorized a lot of words so it's hard to tell how she's doing with phonics just by having her read to me.  The variety and game-style of Foundations has been great for us.

MEP reception: Love math that doesn't involve writing at this age!  She can understand addition/subtraction, and knows many of those facts, but doesn't have the fine motor to write numbers yet. MEP works perfectly for that.

Kumon mazes: DD really struggles with fine motor, and hates art/coloring/beading.  But magically loves mazes, so it's great. 

Reading constantly: We read so so much.  10 short chapter books a month (80-100 pages), 50 picture books a month, and plenty others as the kiddo requests. 

First Five classes: Early childhood ed center has free classes for kids under 5, and we take full advantage. They are six weeks long, once a week, and DD loves the variety. We've done a science class, a mindfulness class, and a gym-ish class. 

 

Mixed success:

Critical Thinking co books: These were our first purchase of the year, and she goes through about 100 pages a week---correctly.  She loves them, so we will keep doing them. She also seems to be getting stronger at thinking with them, and is willing to do a lot of writing/drawing in them, so it's a fine motor win.

 

Fail:

100EZ lessons: We tried this at the beginning of the year, and so glad we tried a library copy first. She was so frustrated by it, that I was convinced she wasn't ready to read. 

 

For next year:

Adding MBTP 4-5, moving on in LOE and MEP as finish levels. Still keeping school-y things to 1 hour a day max.

[Wabi Sabi]

What worked this year: 

Math Mammoth for both
WWE/FLL for youngest
CAP W&R/FLL for oldest 
Outsourcing foreign language for oldest

Song School Latin for youngest
Enrolling BOTH kids in piano together and giving it the same priority in our day as reading, writing and math
Cutting back- cutting out extra activities, volunteer duties, learning to say no in order to have more downtime at home
Adding in more read alouds and audiobooks as an integral part of our day

What didn't work: 
 

Choir- my son hated it this year and will not be re-enrolling next year
Formal science- still working on getting it done regularly, but in the meantime, we do a good job with informal science (nature classes, documentaries, museum visits, etc.) 
ETC- It was great for my youngest last year, but this year she was just over it. She stopped midway through book 5. 
OPGTR- We got midway through this as well before it just become drudgery work and felt unnecessary. 
BFSU- I'm finally accepting that in order to have any curriculum work for us that it needs to simply be open and go. I can't handle things that require a significant amount of lesson planning. 
Bravewriter- Same issue as BFSU. Nice overall concept, but I just need to open to the next lesson and have it tell me what to do on that given day. 
Morning basket- I want it to work, but our schedule is so unpredictable from day to day. Going to keep working on it though... 

[EmilyGF]

I need to come back and read this, but my two unexpected wins were:

 

Junior Analytical Grammar - easy, rigorous, remembered

Sequential Spelling - daughter loves this, took to it like a duck to water, and her spelling has improved across the board because she is paying attention

 

Emily

[sunflowerlady]

Lifepac Language Arts is working for my dd. (grade 10) Now, it isn't fun but it is getting done. :)  We started it late in the homeschool year, so she will continue through the summer and finish up early in the fall.  

 

I am not sure about what we will do for next year. If finances allow, I may enroll her in a co-op for Algebra 2. 

 

I am currently looking at and researching Oak Meadow and Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum. She will be doing American History and a Biology curriculum.  She did the Biology course from Queen Homeschool last year, but it definitely had some gaps. So I want something more thorough, but not necessarily rigorous. 

[purpleowl]

What worked:

 

• Math Mammoth - especially once I decided that she didn't need to do every single problem (duh!).  
• SOTW
• FLL
• Science - making a display board with new pictures & facts learned each week (perfect for my project-loving girl)
• Choir - really fun for both girls
• Piano
• For DD#2, A Beka K4 - she's learning to read and write and having a blast with it.

 

 

What didn't work so well:

 

• WWE - it was fine, but ended up feeling tedious since she was already doing writing in other areas. For next year I'm not sure if we'll use it very scaled-down, or just not use it at all.
• Tennis - poorly run program, though we gave it a fair try; not worth it for something DD doesn't really love.  I need to figure out something new for intentional physical activity for her.
• February - nuff said. ;)

[Runningmom80]

I finally realized that having less books and alllowing the general minimalization habits of my life to impact my tutoring and self-education means that some things won't get learned. Period!

 

People that move to the country know their students are going to have less time in museums and they accept that and think it's worth it.

 

People in the city know their students are not going to be able to raise large animals as a 4H project.

 

There are perks for our choices, but there are also some things we need to give up, or we are going to drive our selves crazy trying to have it all. I now undersand what I am giving up and think it's worth it. I have peace now, and am able to make better choices of what to pick for curriculum.

Lovethis!

[ScoutTN]

nm. double post.

[ScoutTN]

Very good for my kids this year:

Phonics Pathways

Treasured Conversations and WWE

FLL - quick and effective

AAS

Cursive for Ds!

WP Equine Science

GSWL - love this!

A reading list for Dd - has broadened her horizons and introduced her to some new literature loves.

Piano and choir for both kids.

 

Ok, but not great:

Science - The Elements and The Way Things Work, both a bit of a reach and I am just not a great science teacher.

RS math for Ds - took me a while to figure out that he needs way more drill than they schedule. Ok now and making progress.

VP self paced history - too individual and no output that I can evaluate. Back to a more traditional style of learning for us next year. Books and discussion and a few projects.

 

Fails:

Morning time - We all love this, but I cannot figure out how to fit it into our routine and still get our priority schoolwork done early in the day.

 

Schedule - just too busy. dropping a couple of extras for next year and choosing early evening sports classes rather than early afternoon ones.

[mc26]

This was our first year--I have a 5th and 6th grader.  Both boys.  All in all we had a very successful year. I really tried to listen to my kids and take their opinions into account (mostly) when ditching something, changing something or adding something.  

 

What worked:  

DS1:  

Teaching Textbooks Pre-A--the right amount of challenge, bite sized lessons, full explanations.  

LOF Pre A with Biology

History Odyssey Ancients

Hake Grammar 7

The Brain (McHenry)

Megawords

Caesars English 1--parent intensive, but incredible amount of retention

Outlining (Remedia)

 

DS2:

Teaching Textbooks 6--he already finished, so I am having him work through the MM 5 review workbook to make sure we covered everything

Story of the World 1

Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Rockin' Root Words

Perplexors

 

MBTP 9-11 was a hit and a miss.  There were some units he loved, and some he complained about.  I think he learned a lot, I liked the variety of topics and books, but he is just not a crafty, activity-loving kind of kid.  I would definitely recommend this curriculum, just not for him.  

 

They both like Discovering the World of Geography and we plan to continue with the series.  

 

 

Misses:

Daily Paragraph Editing

Any of the other Evan Moor books I printed out for supplementing

MBTP 11-13 Earth Science Units (but we did really enjoy others like The Hobbit, Australia, Ancient Asia & Greek Myths)

 

Writing.  We have been all over the place with writing.  My boys are not big fans of writing.  DS1 started with W&R & Killgallon, DS2 started with Writing Tales 2.  All fine curricula.  I felt they were lacking the summarizing and narrating skills I didn't realize I wanted them to have when we started.  So we put everything aside, I got WWE3, and we are moving through it double time together.  I can see a improvement already, so I am counting WWE3 as a hit, even though they are both on the older side for it.  

To that end, I think we are going to combine for science, read alouds and writing going forward.  

 

 

[Aurelia]

Wins:

Dropping the formal history curriculum. DD is so much happier reading books about things she is interested in, and not being required to answer a bunch of questions about an event she cared nothing about.

Minimus for Latin. When I tried it a couple of years ago, it was a spectacular failure, but now, after getting halfway through GSWL, DD realizes how easy it is. She's not learning a ton of new things, but it's good to take a break and review in a different format.

Treasured Conversations. DD is finally writing coherent outlines and decent paragraphs.

A Child's History of the World. I should have stuck with this instead of dropping it after early modern times to do SOTW.

FLL4. I always swore I would never do FLL again after trying and hating FLL1, but level 4 is a different animal. DD is much stronger in grammar now. 

Mapping the World with Art. My child likes geography, or at least this program. I'm excited to try some more of Ellen McHenry's stuff next year.

 

Fails: 

WP Equine Science. Somehow it just never seemed to get done. After 45+ weeks (yeah, I tried it for more than one school year), I think we got halfway through. 

SOTW Modern Age. So much war. So much foreign policy. And more war.

Easy Grammar. DD could complete the worksheets, but it was like pulling teeth. Not so easy here.

 

 

ETA: We may be dropping Latin as a subject and doing a word roots study (like EFtRU) instead. This has been a real struggle for me to decide, because I think Latin is a really valuable subject, but I just have too much on my plate to keep up with the amount of stuff we are doing.