Trivium Academy Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Products like Homeschool In the Woods' Timeline Figures which are $75 for the CDs but you can use them K-12 in a multitude of ways. What are other products do you know of or have used that their usefulness far outweighs their cost? The product has to be able to be used with multiple age/grade levels... Happy Monday! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Spell to Write and Read--there is so much you can do with it for language arts as well as spelling. There is copywork, grammar exercises, and spelling. Story of the World Activity Guides--I think that this will be a long-term resource for things to do with history. Right now we mainly use the maps and coloring pages but in the middle grade levels we will be reading different books but doing more of the projects. Teaching Mathematics in Rudolf Steiner Schools by Ron Jarmon--This is a great resource for creative teaching ideas and games for math in grades K to 8. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isa Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 We've used Spell to Write and Read and that's a complete curriculum for spelling that can be used K-12. The other great feature about it is that you can use it as a full language arts program if you wish (i.e. for handwriting, dictation, grammar, etc...). Another curriculum that we've used has been God's Design Series which is a science curriculum that can be used as a spine K-8. It also follows the 4 year topic sequence suggested in the Well-Trained Mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 For us it has been Natural Speller. For $20 it can be used until 8th grade. We prefer to not have pre-assigned activities or lists, so this has been great for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 We've had to get used to the change over from Barbara Johnson to Jim Weiss. At first we preferred BJ, but over time Jim has grown on us too.:001_smile: You can use these as your main curriculum, as a supplement, or just enrichment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tami Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Resources that we have used for years (over and over!) are: Trail Guide (World and US) TruthQuest guides Science Encyclopedia Dinah Zike's Big Book of Books Field Guides Happy Monday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 IEW's TWSS Quartermile Math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Yes, I agree. Audio books are a great investment. I actually ask my 8 year old how to pronounce some of the history names in SOTW because he's listened to the text more than once. My boys learn a lot of history and Bible from Nest Entertainment audio/video and Your Story Hour as well. Other audio book favorites have been the unabridged Winnie the Pooh stories, the Beatrix Potter stories, G. A. Henty, and Jonathan Park (young earth creationism perspective -- my son learns lots of history as well as science). Leap Frog phonics DVDs -- okay, these are not multi age, but can be used over and over for each child. They are a great value for how much they teach. I recommend them to everyone. Usborne and Kingfisher encyclopedias are great for so many ages. I actually have the complete Usborne history but also the thinner paperback individual titles, like Ancient World, Medieval World, because they are more easily carried around the house. A light box and Dover coloring books and the "design your own coat of arms book" has been a hit from my oldest to youngest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrykiddos Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Painless Grammar Book The Timetables of History by Grun Mastering Mathematics by Mastery Publications Kim O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmnwife Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I would have to say Ambleside Online. We have been using it for 4 years now. It has the most constant in our hs journey. One thing I have used since the beginning is Enchanted Learning. We still use it for the maps judi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 SWR. I have used for 3 years now with another few years to go. I had to supplement it for my oldest but still it has been a wonderful investment. Winston was a good investment. We used to last year and will use it again and again. It is a wonderful review. Streams of Civilization. This resource has been used over and over for several years. Granted it is high school, but we have referred to it since 1st grade. Cursive First. Very inexpensive but effective program. It taught 2 dc to write and I still need to refer to it for my youngest occassionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda in NM Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Let's see--from our advanced status heading into highschool...:-) --SOTW on audio (we do a lot of "car-schooling") --classics on audio (my son still enjoys The Five Little Peppers, we've also got Jo's Boys (for me), and we'll be listening to some WWII audio as well as The Great Gatsby and the Nick Adams Stories (good intros for the boys to Fitzgerald and Hemingway, I think...) --IEW --Teaching the Classics --a quality microscope and telescope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 All 4 volumes of Story of the World-used over grades 1-8 for both children. First Language Lessons-used 2 years each with both children. History of US 10 volume set.Will be used over a 3-4 year span with each child,once in elementary school and once in jr. high/high school. 2 books, Science Smart and Nature Smart.We've gotten a lot of use out of these since I bought them. The computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetbaby Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I second Enchanted Learning. Great site! A very valuable resource and I'm so glad to hear that Natural Speller is also. We will begin NS in our new year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I second (or third) the SOTW audiobooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 What are other products do you know of or have used that their usefulness far outweighs their cost? The product has to be able to be used with multiple age/grade levels... Writing Road to Reading book, about $25 at the time, has given us 5 years of spelling and reading instruction so far, and will continue for another 4 or so years. Plus it helped me earn hundreds of dollars in tutoring. :) Knowledge Quest map CDs - $50 for four years' worth of history maps has give us three years (so far) of mapwork, and will continue for another possibly 7 years. This is for two kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Theophan Academy Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I so agree! This was far better for us than the books, and well worth the money, we have listened to them over and over and over and over! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in VA Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Analytical Grammar - hands down the best money ever spent. VideoText has been well worth the money as well. I will be using it with multiple kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmsurbat Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Over the 15+ years I've been homeschooling, I've purchased most of Sonlight K-7th. We live overseas and most of those books have been read and reread by all the children; sometimes my college daughter picks one up on vacation to reread and enjoy pleasant memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leila Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I would say, Spelling Power and the SOTW Activity Guides. They can be used with several kids.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April in NC Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 We love the Knowledge Quest historical maps. I purchased the complete download for a great price, and will have maps to go along with our history for as long as we conceivably need them. Also, we are enjoying the Historical Timeline Figures from Geography Matters. The CD is $20 or $25, and includes simple figures that are quite suitable for grammar stage. We plan to upgrade to a more extensive/elaborate set, probably when we hit logic stage. (I know myself, and I know that there are too many cool timeline figures out there for me not to get restless with using only one set all the way through!!! This way when we get tired of the inexpensive ones we have, we can get an even better/more elaborate one, and at an age when the kids will fully appreciate them.) We definitely love our Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History. I'm also enjoying our Discovery streaming subscription this year. We will probably be renewing if the Homeschool Buyer's Co-op renewal price is anywhere close to within our means. We are using DS to supplement science and math as well as some Spanish. Oh, and we LOVE our subscription to Gametap, which we've had for 2 years. For $60 or so a year, you can get unlimited access to all kinds of educational (and entertaining) computer games (Jumpstart, Reader Rabbit, Freddie Fish, Lego, etc). One of my twins taught herself to play chess with their Lego chess tutor. Plus they have Civilization - My 7 year old daughters have learned SO MUCH about the progress of history, the development of technology, the reasons for wars, diplomacy, government, and so on by watching dh play this game. It has been an excellent complement to SOTW for them. They beg him to play on a daily basis, in fact. And dh and I enjoy all the non-kiddie games Gametap has, as well, though I never seem to have a lot of time for computer games these days. And I use on a weekly, if not daily, basis our three hole punch, paper trimmer, stapler, and dry erase boards (plural - one on the wall, and one hand held!). I use our fax/scanner/copier/printer thingy all the time, too! If I had to pick only ONE resource to get our learning done though, it would be, hands down, the Internet. Even if you limited yourself to using the stuff that is available for free online, you'd have enough for a lifetime of learning. Even more if you mix it with your free local library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pamjk Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Home Learning Year by Year- I bought this about 6 years ago and I still reference it to this day! Mostly just for supplemental booklists, but it's a great resource. Also the Sonlight catalog(free :)) for book ideas! Pam K in NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MakingScrapbooks Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I would say Spelling Power, Great Science Adventures books, Abeka Readers.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Story of the World and activity guides Five in a Row http://www.enchantedlearning.com Jim Weiss' cds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I'd have to agree with SOTW and AG--We LOVE those! Also, I'm so thankful for TWTM book itself, with so many ideas and resources! We also use our Kingfisher History Encyclopedia a lot for all sorts of things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 1. Homeschool in the Woods Timeline figures on CD 2. History Scribe, they've ALL been packaged now, you get grammar-high school. 3. Simply Spelling by Laurie Hicks, ABC's and All Their Tricks 4. Teaching the Classics 5. Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia 6. Usborne & Kingfisher History Encyclopedia 7. Themes to Remember by Classical Magic (all the books) 8. The Story of Painting by Sister Wendy Beckett 9. Science Scope by K. Stout 10. The Harp and Laurel Wreath by L. Berquist 11. Dover Coloring Books 12. Writing Aids by Tapestry of Grace 13. The 100 Top Homeschooling Picks for Curriculum by Cathy Duffy 14. Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp Of course I think Tapestry of Grace, and MapAids (all levels for each year) are worth their weight in gold. I hope Analytical Grammar will be... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Science in a Nutshell kits have been well worth the price for me, as I use them over and over again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Ledge Academy Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 i would say, your story hour cd's, sotw cd's, geography songs, and chronicles of Narnia books on cd, we have been through those several times each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 1. Spelling Power and Writing Power- large initial investment but have used every year for all 3 kids. 2. Saxon Math-also use each book for all 3 kids 3. SOTW and activity guides 4. Well Trained Mind book 5. Rosetta Stone Spanish- use it for all 3 kids and love the results 6. History Scribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 The product has to be able to be used with multiple age/grade levels... I've been using SWR phonogram cards for 8 years with 4 kids. Timeless approach to teaching letters sounds/reading/spelling. I used them w/ my son when he was 4 (he's almost 13), before he attended private school (which also used Sanseri's method). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyinNNV Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 IEW All through the Ages by Miller SOTW Uncle Josh's maps on CD-ROM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 For us it has been Natural Speller. For $20 it can be used until 8th grade. We prefer to not have pre-assigned activities or lists, so this has been great for us. I'll second this! Natural Speller is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I think the only thing I've used with all my kids (so far) is K12's Phonics. It's the best investment I've made, hands down. I figure once they're great readers, even if I screw up everything else, they'll still be able to function as adults. :) The second best investment is probably my Amazon prime membership, which I've had since they started the program in 2005. :blush: With the amount I spend on books, it rapidly pays for itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 For us it has been Right Start Math, Natural Speller and SOTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Indeed Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 For us- Five in a row- I have used this for all 4 of my children and still using it for my little one! Teaching the Trivium Reading made easy- actually only lasts 1 year per child, but used it with the last 3 children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 1. WTM book. It was my first hs book and is still the best (of dozens). I get more out of it every time I pick it up. 2. Pathway Readers 3. 100 EZL 4. Singapore Primary Maths series text & workbooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Rod and Staff Bible readers Pathway Readers Starbucks gift cards for me (though they get run down and need to be replaced fairly often) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shanna Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Not a curriculum but it is what allows us to continue and be sane. Homeschool Tracker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceandaughter Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 http://www.librivox.org http://www.amblesideonline.org http://www.gutenburg.org http://www.mainlesson.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trivium Academy Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 These are free, but thank you for contributing! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in GA Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 (Not in any particular order) 1. Homeschool in the Woods Timeline Figs CD-Rom WOW!! 2. Uncle Josh's Outline Maps (have the book and now I want the CD) 3. Spell to Write & Read, specifically the WISE Guide and the Alpha List 4. The Harp and Laurel Wreath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in GA Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Ask me in a year or two, and I'll add the Omnibus texts. Background info, discussion, comments, questions and tests on the great books -- what a resource for logic & rhetoric-stage studies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in GA Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I'm buying that Uncle Josh CD!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda in TX Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 We're new to IEW, but I love it and it definitely has the potential to last. I use Uncle Josh's Outline Maps all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 13. The 100 Top Homeschooling Picks for Curriculum by Cathy Duffy I have loaned this book out to everyone who ever asked: "How do I start homeschooling?" (Ok-I refuse to loan out my WTM and Charlotte Mason Companion-can't afford to loose those) After about 6 families used this book to begin their journey I lost track of who had it and then moved. Hopefully it is still "out there" helping more families! I may not be using it over and over but my one copy has helped several families and that must be a good value. And perhaps its a bit silly but...our Prismacolor Pencils. Fun time, art time, mapping, history...the uses go on and on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann@thebeach Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 I have to agree with the Leapfrog DVDs-my now 6 yr old got alot out of them and my now 3 yr old knows all his letter sounds and loves them. I nice quality globe is totally worth it-we use ours quite often. Abacas-not a big money issue but it's been used for 2 yrs and will be used for many more. A good quality magnifying glass! I bought lots of cheap ones only to have them get scratched or have a terrible distorted view. I finally bought a good one and it's great! The Well Trained Mind bk-I refer to it often. field guides-my son uses them all the time and we've learned more from them than any science program! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verena Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Yes, Homeschool in the Woods timeline figures is one of them. The other is SWR and MUS- I'll be using those with all my kids so it'll be money well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelaC Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Some of my favorites: SOTW audiobooks--the books, too. We just cycle around and use them again and again. First Language Lessons Videotext Algebra--it is pricey, but I now have a third child going through this set--I also bought these when they ONLY sold videos, but I'm not selling! We have a nice library of Usborne books--science, history, etc. which we have literally worn out and bought new ones to replace. Our fiction library grows each year. I wouldn't part with them for anything. Some of these books have also been replaced because they were simply worn out. Rod and Staff Grammar. While we don't use these each year, they are a solid, steady set we've used a lot. Audiobooks are wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 turned out to be one of the best investments. I bought a stack of audio books recorded by Jim Weiss at the Midwest Home Schooling Conference last year in Cincinnati. My dc have listened to them over and over again. CM and Professor B Math have been great investments too. And of course, my well worn copy of WTM :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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