moonlight Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 i always see the same curriculum names mentioned over and over (math u see, life of fred, sotw, AAS, etc, etc).... tell me about your favorite curriculum that is not so famous and well known. i would prefer secular suggestions.... seema Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmama Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 :bigear: I'm hoping for suggestions too. My favorite is Catholic Heritage Curricula - while I'm no longer Catholic or even Christian, I STILL use some of their materials because they are wonderful, especially their science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Galore Park. I use and love the Junior English and Junior Science curricula. I already have enough history books to get through the elementary years of several children (and I only have one!), or I would use their Junior History, too. It's secular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidirenata Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Funtastic Frogs Manipulative Math Program. Dr Seuss on the Loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Connect the Thoughts is secular and not used by a lot of people. I think if the samples were better more people would consider it. We do CTT for Science, History, and Creative Writing. The kids love it. It is very different from the usual curriculum especially the way I've tweaked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 The unit studies that we have used--and loved-- that are not so popular : A World of Adventure Prairie Primer Diana Waring's History Revealed Further Up and Further In Where the Brook and River Meet Portraits of American Girlhood (only read not used yet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 i always see the same curriculum names mentioned over and over (math u see, life of fred, sotw, AAS, etc, etc).... tell me about your favorite curriculum that is not so famous and well known. i would prefer secular suggestions.... seema I can't tell you, because most of them are out of print. They stay cheap when I keep my mouth shut and prices go up when I start flapping my jaws about how much I love them. Then when I need to get a new copy for a new student, I have to pay more. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I absolutely love CSMP math. Or rather, I love that dd7 loves it. I love that it gives my 7yo the means to do more advanced things like multiplication and division without having to delve into a 3rd or 4th grade program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I can't tell you, because most of them are out of print. They stay cheap when I keep my mouth shut and prices go up when I start flapping my jaws about how much I love them. Then when I need to get a new copy for a new student, I have to pay more. :D :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usetoschool Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Jolly Phonics Spellbinders Primary Spelling by Pattern Spellography Somewhat common but not mentioned that much - Singapore Science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 If you're ever looking for a non-roots-based vocabulary program, this one is great: http://www.perfectionlearning.com/vocabu-lit-program Vocab-u-Lits are fun and thorough, and I like how they use the words from context of literary selections. We're doing Caesar's English this year, but we may still use this again in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Cheerful Cursive-not secular, but wonderful! She introduces the letters in such an intuitive way. Ds9 taught himself cursive w/ this book, and he is NOT a self-starter but it was so well done that it made it easy for him. LOVE it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitterpatter Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 These are approximately kindergarten level. We've really enjoyed both this year. Scholastic Non-Fiction Literacy-Building Booklets & Activities (You can't tell by the title, but it's social studies.) Evan-Moor Everyday Literacy: Science (This one has three levels...Pre-K, K and First.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sagira Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Well, it used to be BFSU.. :) Now it's Peak with Books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in FL Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Total Language Plus workbooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Scott Foresman Reading-the 1998 edition. In K-2 or so, most of the stories are simply picture books, bound together, with a few comprehension questions at the end. Starting in 3rd, they're sections from novels and non-fiction books (with a few picture books still in 3rd and I believe even 4th). The workbooks are available free for download online. I got my set from my DD's former school when we left-they were cleaning out their book room, and I really credit those big colorful reading books with bridging my early reader to longer books, because she'd be introduced to characters like Ramona Quimby or Chester Cricket in the short chapters in the BIG reading books,then go to the library and bring home a stack of books by that author/about that character. The 5th grade reader ended up introducing a lot of US history before we started SL. Despite being Basal readers, they were really quite good-and well worth the price I (didn't) pay for them :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Creek Edge Press task cards. We can use anything we want, tweak them however we want, and make them fit my kid perfectly. Hands on Equations, too. I mean, it's a supplement, but I'm so glad we didn't do the year without it. The program just opened my kid's eyes to what algebra really is. That's one that'll be staying on my shelf for my grandchildren someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 KISS grammar (free online) Spelling Wisdom (studied dictation, it does have a few bible verses as famous quotes which you can easily skip.) We love these. Ruth in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I've mentioned each of these in another thread, but... Standard Service Arithmetics: Primary school series from the '20's. We use it in tandem with our math curriculum. Teaches students to crunch fairly large numbers with speed and accuracy, without having to write much down. Open University S103 (now replaced with a different course number). British secular general science curriculum. Mathematics needed for science is incorporated into the program. For Sixth Form level, but my middle schooler used it successfully. Perrine's Sound and Sense. Made my high schooler a lover of poetry who really understood what was going on in a poem. I prefer the older editions when Perrine was the only editor. I wanted MCT's poetry book to be a version of Perrine for younger children, but it wasn't. Scribner School Paperbacks (sometimes listed as Scribner School Editions). Significant literature with close-reading-based study guides that teach literary understanding and vocabulary, with good writing assignments for each chapter. Out of print since the 1960's, almost impossible to find - I had to obtain the Wind in the Willows edition through university interlibrary loan. (I am still trying to format & compress the study guide so as to be able to pass it on to others who are interested in it.) The disadvantage to these curricula is that there is no answer key or teacher's guide to them (except the OU science, which has answers for each chapter's questions in the back). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dealea86 Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Perrine's Sound and Sense. Made my high schooler a lover of poetry who really understood what was going on in a poem. I prefer the older editions when Perrine was the only editor. I wanted MCT's poetry book to be a version of Perrine for younger children, but it wasn't. I have a copy of Perrine's Structure, Sound, and Sense - probably a copy from the 80's. (My AP English teacher would give her students old books that were going to be replaced by the district - I also got a Harbrace Handbook from her.) It's good to know that someone else finds Perrine useful. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I have a copy of Perrine's Structure, Sound, and Sense - probably a copy from the 80's. (My AP English teacher would give her students old books that were going to be replaced by the district - I also got a Harbrace Handbook from her.) It's good to know that someone else finds Perrine useful. :) Yeah! Another Perrine fan! Did you find the lack of answers for the text to be a feature rather than a bug? I would be looking over the lesson the night before, trying to figure out where Perrine was going with his questions, and discovering things about poems I'd thought I knew thoroughly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.m Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 World History for Us All Free, jr./sr. high history curriculum that I'm using for my DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Well I don't know if everyone knows that Timberdoodle is now offering customizable Core packages for baby through 12th grade. My kids will be using them this coming year minus the math and we can't wait to get started. I think this is going to be our best year yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 GEMS Math and Science units First Start Reading/SRA Phonics workbooks - Memoria Press K Phonics program Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Reading Reflex It is the best and cheapest thing out there for learning to read. I can't believe no one on this board ever mentions it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharilynn29 Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Aha! Science, Learnables Spanish, Essentials in Writing, Why Johnny Can't Read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharilynn29 Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Connect the Thoughts is secular and not used by a lot of people. I think if the samples were better more people would consider it. We do CTT for Science, History, and Creative Writing. The kids love it. It is very different from the usual curriculum especially the way I've tweaked it. I'd love to here how connect the thoughts works in real life. I just didn't get it from the samples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorisuewho Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Reading Reflex It is the best and cheapest thing out there for learning to read. I can't believe no one on this board ever mentions it. I just read Reading Reflex this past week. It was great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poetic license Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Now it's Peak with Books. :iagree: Love this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Jolly Phonics like someone else listed. We use it as a supplement because we are loving AAR but Jolly phonics is wonderful. For Canadians out there we are also enjoying Modern History through Canadian eyes as a way to teach Early Modern and Modern history from a Canadian perspective. Come sit by me is also fabulous. It is like FIAR but written by a Canadian and focuses on Canadian authors. The story books chosen are great and the activities easy to implement. I like using these with pre K and K students. Meaningful composition for writing with older kids is a hit here and not mentioned too much on the boards. And Mission Monde for french instruction (Quebec french not parisian). We are also partial to Even Moor theme pockets and theme based books (we use them often as a spine in science) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I love Peak With Books. I also taught my oldest how to read with the lessons in the back of an old Why Johnny Can't read book. It's falling apart now, but I still plan on using those lessons with my 4 year old along with OPGTR. I also don't see people talking about Jane Ervin's Reading Comprehension books very often. I really like using those. I'm also a fan of older Good Apple books and Thematic Unit Study books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freerange Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Galore Park for English, Elmwood Press for maths, Pearson's Exploring Science & Happy Scientist. These are all materials my girls have asked to continue with next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heidirenata Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 :iagree: Love this one. Me too. I think Peak with Books is better than FIAR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I've mentioned each of these in another thread, but... Standard Service Arithmetics: Primary school series from the '20's. We use it in tandem with our math curriculum. Teaches students to crunch fairly large numbers with speed and accuracy, without having to write much down. Open University S103 (now replaced with a different course number). British secular general science curriculum. Mathematics needed for science is incorporated into the program. For Sixth Form level, but my middle schooler used it successfully. Perrine's Sound and Sense. Made my high schooler a lover of poetry who really understood what was going on in a poem. I prefer the older editions when Perrine was the only editor. I wanted MCT's poetry book to be a version of Perrine for younger children, but it wasn't. Scribner School Paperbacks (sometimes listed as Scribner School Editions). Significant literature with close-reading-based study guides that teach literary understanding and vocabulary, with good writing assignments for each chapter. Out of print since the 1960's, almost impossible to find - I had to obtain the Wind in the Willows edition through university interlibrary loan. (I am still trying to format & compress the study guide so as to be able to pass it on to others who are interested in it.) The disadvantage to these curricula is that there is no answer key or teacher's guide to them (except the OU science, which has answers for each chapter's questions in the back). I have a 1978 copy of Perrine's Story and Structure. I used to own Sound and Sense, too, but it seems to have been lost, alas. Sharon, do you have any suggestions for poetry at the elementary school level? I also own MCT but am not terribly keen on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorisuewho Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Me too. I think Peak with Books is better than FIAR :iagree:I, too, liked Peak with Books better than BFIAR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Pentime Handwriting (not secular) LOVE THIS FOR YEARS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I have a 1978 copy of Perrine's Story and Structure. I used to own Sound and Sense, too, but it seems to have been lost, alas. Sharon, do you have any suggestions for poetry at the elementary school level? I also own MCT but am not terribly keen on it. I have come to be convinced that trying to teach structure explicitly, as Perrine and MCT do, to younger children is counterproductive. I like to use Rose, Where Did You Get That Red?, which teaches children to pay attention to good poetry and to write their own with the lesson poems as models. This seems to lay the right basis for more technical understanding later, and has worked very well for us. Koch provides a dozen or so lessons - enough that you can get a good feel for his method - and the teacher or parent takes it from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Harry Noden's Image Grammar for Middle School and High School. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I have come to be convinced that trying to teach structure explicitly, as Perrine and MCT do, to younger children is counterproductive. I like to use Rose, Where Did You Get That Red?, which teaches children to pay attention to good poetry and to write their own with the lesson poems as models. This seems to lay the right basis for more technical understanding later, and has worked very well for us. Koch provides a dozen or so lessons - enough that you can get a good feel for his method - and the teacher or parent takes it from there. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girl Power Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Me too. I think Peak with Books is better than FIAR Off to go look this up . . . what age would you recommend this for? Beck ETA: Do you know if there is somewhere I can see a sample of this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girl Power Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Summarings, Paraphrasing and Retelling - great tool for working on these skills. I try to keep a balanced writing program by working on skills and writing across the curriculum without using a formal writing curriculum, and this really helps hone in these skills. We've used WWE and WWS in the past, but I find we enjoy practicing these skills without it being the center of our writing, in other words, leaving plenty of time for other writing. Beck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorisuewho Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Off to go look this up . . . what age would you recommend this for? Beck ETA: Do you know if there is somewhere I can see a sample of this? Thanks! I don't know about seeing a sample. I think it would be great for pre-k through k, maybe even 1st. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girl Power Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I don't know about seeing a sample. I think it would be great for pre-k through k, maybe even 1st. thanks:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 History texts for grades 5-8 from the Catholic Schools Textbook Project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Off to go look this up . . . what age would you recommend this for? Beck ETA: Do you know if there is somewhere I can see a sample of this? Thanks! Check Rainbow Resource for a small sample. It's not much but was the most I could find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girl Power Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Check Rainbow Resource for a small sample. It's not much but was the most I could find. Thanks, Lexi:001_smile: Beck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HootyTooty Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Off to go look this up . . . what age would you recommend this for? Beck ETA: Do you know if there is somewhere I can see a sample of this? Thanks! You can see samples at the Moving Beyond the Page website, locate here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlejcbs Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 My daughter used Reading Eggs to learn to read. She loved it and it was completely on the computer. (They sell books now but we didn't have them and it was fine) I have seen coupons since on Homeschool Buyer's Coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Reading Reflex It is the best and cheapest thing out there for learning to read. I can't believe no one on this board ever mentions it. Stripe keeps recommending this to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dealea86 Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Yeah! Another Perrine fan! Did you find the lack of answers for the text to be a feature rather than a bug? I would be looking over the lesson the night before, trying to figure out where Perrine was going with his questions, and discovering things about poems I'd thought I knew thoroughly. To be honest, I haven't looked through it much since I used it in high school. And 12th grade was a long time ago... but, yes, from what I remember I think it's more of a feature than a drawback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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