Another curriculum question (very much in the research stage and so appreciative of all your wisdom/help).
Before kids, I was a public school teacher in an absolutely FABULOUS school system. While I was there, we used two FANTASTIC curricula: Investigations for Math and Being a Writer for Writing. I can not say enough good things about these. However, they are written for use in the classroom, and even though I could probably tweak them and make it work, there is no cost-effective way to purchase them for homeschool. SO, I'd like to know what is most similar to these programs. If anyone is familiar and knows the answer right away, great. Otherwise, here's a description of each and maybe you could share a homeschool curricula that is similar? TIA!
Investigations: This curriculum was broken up into concept based units and centered around several real world "investigations". For example, one place value unit involved a tshirt factory where tshirts were sold individually, in rolls of 10 or boxes of 100. There was all sorts of work for students to do in the factory. The kids explored the concept(s) to work on these investigations, came up with their own strategies to solve the problems, and then were taught efficient strategies as well. Throughout there would also be opportunities to work on mental math, and play lots of fun games. It was SO much fun and I would have LOVED learning math this way as a child! (Each unit is like $80, plus all the manipulatives/supplies for games are only sold in class sets - buying this isn't an option….)
Being a Writer: Taught writing by using excellent picture books. Also broken into units, the teacher would read picture books to give kids ideas for topics, and kids would have prompts to write on based off the books. Once kids had several prompts going they would pic one to carry though to publish a piece. Then we would also use the books to model excellent craft and grammar as well. I would conference with students to help them work on specific things.
Both of these are K-5(8) programs, but I taught 4th/5th. I know that we will have to start more basic (which I need help with - I'm def an upper grade person) but I'd love to know which programs head in a direction similar to these.