motherdear Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I've rarely hear people talking about it and I think it's a gem! I wrote this review: This year, I chose to use the program, America with my nine year old son. It has proved to be (in my opinion) among the most wonderful unit study programs out there. The program utilizes Peter Marshall and David Manuel’s The Light and the Glory trilogy. It's kind of funny that I always contemplated developing my own unit study using these books (there are so good!), only to find America quite by accident!. This unit study/book combination is a hidden treasure. Author Chris Rowe has supplemented the program with other "living" history books. Since the program is broken up into two levels (grades 3-4 and grades 5-6), some of the additional books are different for the different levels. In the lower level we are using books such as: The Mayflower Secret, Pedro's Journal, The Courage of Sarah Noble, and The Matchlock Gun, The Cabin Faced West, among others. The upper a level uses several of the same books minus a few plus a few. The daily guide is very user-friendly and there is VERY little preparation work for the parent. For the most part, you can pick up the book and go. All of the hands-on activities are very doable with things found around the house. We have been "notebooking" much of the written and art activities and are developing quite an impressive notebook. The Bible study/applications are very practical and thought provoking. Science is integrated in a biweekly form and even English is included in it! We are truly enjoying it! For those of you interested in checking out the scope and sequence and looking into this program, you can google Christian novel studies: America: an integrated approach. (I don't think I can post actual links here) BTW-there is a Year #2 which follows this study (up to present-day America, I believe), however you'll have to check the web site for details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMom2One Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Hands down, Tapestry of Grace. It has changed our lives! Blessings, Lucinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyz Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Well we are only half way through K but the two best programs we have used are Phonics Road and Singapore Math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmschooling Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Heart of Dakota and Math Mammoth! Best things ever for us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Hands down, Tapestry of Grace. It has changed our lives! Blessings, Lucinda Wow, way to make me salivate and make me think we've been missing out all these years, hehe! We probably have. I thought about buying it when I was expecting ds (and several times prior to that), and someone advised me not to. Worst decision I've made in years and the last time I listen to anybody on curriculum. You have to go deep in your gut and take a chance, not be persuaded by board advice. I might give it, but I'm done taking it. There's also a fine line between giving someone options or perspective vs. telling them what will or will not work in their situation. Oh well. My only reconciliation in my soul is that we probably weren't ready for it. We've had a messed up 12 months, with lots of distractions and things. Now I KNOW we're ready, on lots of levels, and can be fine. So hopefully it turns out to be for us all it is for you! If it's not, it was my choice, my responsibility. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalphs Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 (edited) Thank you for sharing your resources motherdear! Our familly combines CM and WTM philosophies. Here is what we have liked best so far... Pre-K: Little Saints Preschool Curriculum www.emmanuelbooks.com and Letter of the Week www.letteroftheweek.com Math: Horizons Math www.aop.com, Lyrical Math (Please visit www.emmanuelbooks.com for a description of lyrical math.) Science: The Magic School Bus book/dvd/science kits www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus, Sonlight Science Cores K-1 www.sonlight.com, Let's Read and Find Out Science book series Handwriting: Penny Gardner's Italics Beautiful Handwriting for Children www.pennygardner.com Handwriting Without Tears www.rainbowresource.com Early Reading: How to Teach Your Baby to Read by Glenn Doman www.gentlerevolution.com Language Arts: Color Phonics www.aop.com Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading by Jessie Wise, Plaid Phonics www.rainbowresource.com Ambleside Online language arts www.amblesideonline.org Resource Children's Literature: Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt www.amazon.com History: Beautiful Feet,"A Child's History of the World" by V.M. Hillyer www.calvertschool.org and SOTW by SWB Geography: Galloping the Globe and Cantering the Country www.geomatters.com Art: How to Teach Art to Children by Evan-Moor www.evan-moor.com Music: Check Verita's Press www.veritaspress.com and Emmaunel Books www.emmanuelbooks.com online site for music resources. Edited February 7, 2011 by kalphs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiaNKids Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Our favorites have been... Beyond Five in a Row Apologia Science (the zoology ones and astronomy one) Math U See Homeschool in the Woods (any of the time travelers cd's) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I've been thrilled with many, but if I had to choose just one that made the most difference that we love it would be All-About-Spelling. I also love everything in my signature. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommybostic Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I've only been homeschooling for about a month, but I already have some favorites. I really like Life of Fred. My son is doing well with it and, most of all, enjoys it. As far as the best resource for myself that I have found is The First Whole Book of Diagrams. I teach my own lessons out of it using MCT as a guide and we are doing quite well. Honestly, we are cruising right along with most of our programs. I like SOTW, too, along with the Usborne book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYC Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I love MEP and Singapore Math. A couple months ago, I started using Dr. Wright's Kitchen Table Math Bk. 2 to help me teach Math better to my 3rd graders, and I love it! I wish I had used Dr. Wright's books from since their pre-school years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 We've been thrilled with: Singapore Primary Math Sonlight Science K Horizons Math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Oak Meadow K - I wish I would have used it with all my children instead of just the youngest and I hope I will be able to speak so highly of higher levels in the future. MCT Island - This program has really brought out a love for creative writing in my oldest ds. Again, I hope to love the higher levels, but we're not there yet. McRuffy Color Math - It took me some searching to find a program that would work for us and that's why I appreciate this program so much. If this had been the first thing we had ever tried I probably wouldn't think it was anything special and that any other math program might suit us just as well. Because I know that so many programs don't suit us and we had to suffer for so long with something we didn't like while I was on the hunt for what we really needed, I am happy and relieved that Color Math exists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I am a curriculum junkie. But the only thing I would say I love and wish I had found earlier is AAS. Other things are decent and work well but AAS is fabulous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aquiverfull Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 For us it has been "The Phonics Road". Awesome program! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnMomof7 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Sonlight! Everything we have right now is working, and I would recommend more or less depending on the product (we like MUS too, DD says Steve Demme is a genius), but Sonlight is me. I love to read so it makes my heart sing :). We're doing Core K right now, amd I was just playing with my 1+2 binder this morning :D! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemongoose Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 For us- Phonics Road and Tapestry of Grace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basketmaker Amy Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Story of the World, of course! It even helped my ds pass a Western Civilizations CLEP test...and it had been 3 years since he listened to it!!! LOVE ALL the Story of the World volumes! Thanks, Susan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Life of Fred :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnsinkableKristen Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Explode the Code & Horizons Math - LOVE them both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryyans Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Tapestry of Grace, Explode the Code, Teaching Textbooks, WWE, All about Spelling..there's so much that we've liked this year!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 We love Sonlight. This was my first year homeschooling and I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend so much money, but I love to read and my son begs for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnMomof7 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 What everyone seems to forget about SL is that the teaching guide isn't so expensive, it's that you are buying a huge box of beautiful, wonderful BOOKS that you get to keep. Sonlight...it's for bibliophiles ;). I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowfall Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Rightstart B! I can't comment on any of the other levels, and if you would've asked me how I liked RS a year ago, I would've said we didn't, lol. Somewhere along the way, though, dd actually started liking the games (well, most of them anyway, not all of them) and looking forward to math. Add that to the fact that she's doing so well in math and I can't help but love it now. It just WORKS and it's interesting. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Math U See Winter Promise FLL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3byzaz Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 CLE Meaningful Composition 2 favorites.... Also, love - MOH and God's Design for Science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This is only my second year, but I would say, FIAR from last year, and CSMP for this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daffodil Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 My daughter is only 5, but I have to go with RightStart Math. I love the way it presents concepts (expecially place value). The other day my 2 year old asked, "Why Sissy do her math?" and her sister answered, "Because it's fun!" :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Singapore Math. Even if it turns out that he has learned nothing else, I would still not regret homeschooling if only for our experience with Singapore Math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homeschooling6 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This is our first year using Bob Jones Math but I love it and plan to use it with four of my children next year. Sonlight K. Loved it! It was one of our best years. MFW Adventures. It was perfect, not too much or little. I didn't feel overwhelmed with too much to read and I loved the schedule;) Phonics Road. I had levels 1-3 and The Bridge. Absolutely the best grammar program I have seen. Although I am going a different route I loved teaching and using it for almost two years. Saxon Phonics. The schedule is great, my little guy is reading and I have already purchased Saxon Phonics 2 for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 My favorites are: The Story of the World (all four volumes) The Phonics Road Math Mammoth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleWMN Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This is going to vary widely by family, but for my oldest (4th grade) a surprising hit has been CLE! Math Reading LA (in that order) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This is going to vary widely by family, but for my oldest (4th grade) a surprising hit has been CLE! Math Reading LA (in that order) For us as well....in the same order. Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Jo Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Well the biggest surprise to me was Mrs. Stewart's Piano - it really makes sense to me. The biggest success was SWR. But I like all the curriculum I'm using. Oh - Holling C Holling books. We have read Paddle to the Sea, and are now reading Seabird and Pagoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBee Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 So far...Math U See. It has truly blessed my family. Also www.amblesideonline.org and www.oldfashionededucation.com That is kind of where we started dabbling in Classical Education. They will always hold a special place in my heart and I refer to them regularly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyInTraining Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Teaching Textbooks 3 (LOVE the computer grading for me!!!) Not a program, but, Joanne Calderwood of www.urthemom.com I plan on utilizing her planners to produce independent learners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 For us it is definitely Michael Clay Thompson's grammar series and the Mosdos literature programme. Both dd and I love these - they are the only things we really love to do. Lively Latin, despite some "teething problems" in the development of the programme has also been a great choice for us. Nikki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Sonlight - It's what ties us all together and brings joy to our homeschool. If I didn't have this program, I don't know if I'd still be homeschooling. Rightstart Math - The early years are wonderful and I'm so glad I used it as an introduction to math for both of my kids. I'm even thinking of doing the Geometry level with my daughter when she gets to that point. Galloping the Globe - So much fun and so many good memories came from this program. MFW K - I have absolutely precious memories of my daughter from the time we did this. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 #1 for us is Tapestry of Grace. After that I would say CAP's Logic texts and The Lost Tools of Writing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Closeacademy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Oak Meadow is the best decision I ever made. It has made my life easier and my girls enjoy the lessons. Rod and Staff Math is also a gem because we are no longer getting stuck in math.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom28kds Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I love Sonlight history. I used it with my 4 older kids years ago. To this day they love History. I will be using it with my younger kids as I am now beginning to HS them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momof8 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Here are my favorites... Sonlight! Song School Latin First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind Teaching Textbooks (The VERY best math curriculum I have found) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackenziefoust Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 what a great thread! Getting subscribed to this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolally Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 At this point, I'd say I'm most impressed with Omnibus, CLE English for the elementary grades, and Life of Fred math--as a supplement it has been great! I've enjoyed reading the other replies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani3boys Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 We LOVE Tapestry of Grace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCamper Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 MCT for grammar and writing - DD looks forward to it!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 (edited) Heart of Dakota and Math Mammoth! Best things ever for us! Ditto! These are my two favorites right now...although I also love Singapore, but my DD needs lots of review that MM offers. I really wish we'd used HOD from the beginning. It makes HSing so easy for me and I can still add extras or make substitutions if needed. I also need to add ETC and McGuffy Readers to the list! Edited February 7, 2011 by Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Not necessarily a traditional curriculum but I am so blessed to have found ElizabethB's free lessons for teaching Webster's Speller. We have been working through her lessons since the beginning of January and I am so amazed at DS5's progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBear Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 We enjoyed MFW K, 1st, 2nd & ECC. DD still reads the history books from Adventures. Won't let me sell them. DD enjoys Saxon's Math Dive CD, she can listen to the lesson and doesn't have to wait on me to read it from the teachers manual anymore:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julikins Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I've loved AAS, it's been a blessing for my my daughter who has struggled in the past and is finally finding success in spelling. We Loved Sonlights K Science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 RightStart A Dancing Bears Jolly Phonics/Jolly Grammar Atelier Art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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