Coco_Clark Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I'm really enjoying the WORST thread (and am no longer purchasing 100EZ!) but what is the BEST educational item you've ever bought? What just plain worked/ gave the biggest bang for your buck/ do you find yourself suggesting over and over again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gentlemommy Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 My oldest is only 7, so for us- Miquon Magic school bus videos and books Good read aloud books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkd Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Mine is a category of items. I have a house full of kinesthetic learners. Our best learning resource is manipulatives: unifix cubes, cuisinaire rods, magnetic letters, magnetic words, counting bears, geoboards, abacus, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennynd Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Miquon. We are SM lover but I just love how miquon build up strong number sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esse Quam Videri Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 We have loved Singapore math from day 1. This year we are really thankful for All About Spelling and Prima Latina. Money well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bree Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 My kids adore the science videos that sonlight has. Also SM has been a huge success...and we have tried many math programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrygal Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Spell to Write and Read I need to say though that I think this wouldn't work for everyone. My son really enjoys writing and cried with any other phonics. He has finally started to progress with the dictation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I think I would not be teaching history if it wasn't for Story of the World. I also really liked Pianimals (Phonics for Piano) and Handwriting without tears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 I've used these with multiple kids: Phonics Pathways Saxon Math Rod & Staff English Rod & Staff Spelling A Reason for Handwriting K Story of the World (books & CDs) And WTM, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Singapore Math Getting Started With Latin Lively Latin First Language Lessons Writing With Ease Elemental Science Story of the World Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading Leapfrog Dvd' s and Magic School Bus Dvd' s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer WI Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 One of the best for me is Apples and Pears for my dyslexic son. A great purchase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 The single BEST item I have ever purchased is cafeteria style trays. It sounds ridiculous SO ridiculous, but we have traced letters in shaving cream, built sugar cube pyramids, painted Ming bowls, dug out dinosaur bones, etc. on them. We use them non-stop in our various projects and schooling and the kids can grab them and get set up themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Best? Life of Fred Singapore MCTLA SOTW Hakim's History of US audio books OUP history sets everything I've used so far from AoPS HITW Time Travelers and Project Passport Ellen McHenry's The Elements Biggest bang for the buck (and also among the best)? Miquon WWE SOTW AG IEW TWSS & Teaching the Classics Spelling Power Say Hi app for iPhone/iPad :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 The Sentence Family, CLE Language Arts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mukmuk Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Current best: AoPS Martin Gardner WWE Previous bests: Anything Ellen McHenry Manipulatives Ed Zacarro Aimsedu.org books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TengoFive Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 If you had asked me two years ago, it would have been in the worst category. After giving Rod & Staff English one more chance this year, I'm in love. I'm using it to remediate 2 kids and on grade level with a 3rd. We do it together instead of me assigning it, and that makes all the difference. They are learning so incredibly much, that I just can't believe it. Other winners here are Teaching Textbooks, Story of the World and First Form Latin. TT has made my math-phobic 9th grader not mind Algebra at all. I'm surprised how much they're learning with FFL. We are on Week 8 and it's going smashingly well. Story of the World, I just keep coming back to. I tried to switch for this cycle, and my kids threw a fit. They missed Jim Weiss. So, we're going through it again and supplementing with different books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFM Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 So, far, as we have only been homeschooling one year are: Singapore Primary Mathematics (just seems to click for us) Story of the World (love the selections -- what you can add to it or take away) love it with Biblioplan WWE (tried several writing programs and this just works for us and it's cost effective) Lots of good books :) Those are the things we have really grown to love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicoryChick Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Here it is: Teaching Textbooks (all my kids at the age for it, love it) FFL - finally found a grammar program that gets done .every.day. Apologia Elementary science - all my kids love this too (I am including my 5yo who will sit with it and look at the pictures) Writing with Skill SOTW & MOH - we love both of these, especially on audio How to Teach Spelling/How to Spell Winston Grammar - while I am not in love with it has been great for my VSL girl. I only wish it taught diagramming. The Core Knowledge Series (original) - I love using these to help "fill in" things that might not be included or I might not think to add which really help enrich my other curric such as poetry, stories, the origin of phrases, music etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Five in a Row A World of Adventure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 The Scribner School Editions from the '60s. http://www.etsy.com/listing/53311205/the-old-man-and-the-sea-by-ernest http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wind-In-The-Willows-Kenneth-Grahame-1964-School-Edition-Shepard-Illustrated-/290784082660? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 An out-of-area membership to the Big City Library. Best educational $$ I spend every year. (Our local small-town library is Not Good on multiple fronts.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Simple things are what make the difference for me. Magnetic bookmarks that prevent the daily time-wasting adventure of looking for the right page after a toddler's attempt to be "helpful" are my current love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Two things in particular stand out in my mind as having truly helped my daughter get a firm grasp of concepts in a way that other programs hadn't or couldn't. And ironically, they were both mentioned as some people's "worst" curricula! Ha! Phonics Pathways and RightStart Math levels A - C. If I could homeschool all over again, those two would be at the top of my list of must-buy priorities. In fact, those two formal programs and a library card, and I think I could do pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mukmuk Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Oh yes. The whiteboard! And refillable markers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Oh yes. The whiteboard! And refillable markers. Refillable? Link please. That sounds wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Ummm...100EZ Lessons actually tops my list! I taught all three of my children to read with it. I follow it up with R&S Phonics to solidify the phonics rules, and I have received compliments numerous times on how well my children read. Also on my list are: R&S English MP Literature SOTW Apologia Elementary Science w/Journals MP Latin series w/DVDs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Favorites: Right Start math games HWOT K Sonlight books and readers Math Mammoth AAR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 The lowercase cursive handwriting instructions in Writing Road to Reading 6th edition. The handwriting can be used alone, as a stand alone product, without using the rest of the curriculum. Regular ball and stick uppercase looks fine with the lowercase cursive, because the cursive is vertical--not slanted-- and was designed as an overlay to ball and stick manuscript. This hand works particularly well will left-handed and/or dyslexic students. I use the phonics lessons in How to Tutor as early copywork. There is no need to purchase workbooks when using a combination of WRTR and HTT. The student memorizes letter formation scripts, and then can copy directly from the book or be dictated to. I prepare handwritten student samples for the most disabled students, though. This is a student sample from a left-handed dyslexic student after just a couple hours of instruction. This sample was done on regular college ruled notebook paper as specified in HTT, and required no purchase of special paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 MEP. Every single time I use it, I take a moment and say, "Wow. Just wow." And it's free! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 My favorite programs, things I'll always turn to again and again are: Miquon math. Just wonderful. My oldest finished it and I felt a bit sad. Sequential Spelling. It seems to be either loved or hated, but for us it's fabulous. I love it and plan on going through all 7 levels with each kid. And after much gnashing of teeth researching writing programs, the combination of Bravewriter materials and WWE is wonderful. I also love love love Peak With Books for my littles. I wish I had that book when my oldest was younger. I really like Harmony Fine Arts and Artistic Pursuits. I love the organization of our art studies instead of the random rabbit trails that were the order of the day before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking-Iris Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 MEP. Every single time I use it, I take a moment and say, "Wow. Just wow." And it's free! I have most of this printed out and always forget it. Need to really work on that. Silly to ignore a great free program like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIS0320 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 The Phonics Road has been the best purchase I've made. I think I could actually teach K-3 math without a program if pressed and easily cover content areas with the library but helping my dyslexic daughter learn how to read would have been a mystery for me without PR. The DVDs are a drag but wow, I have every single piece of teacher instruction that I need to make sure I can effectively teach my child. All the time and note-taking is worth it to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tld Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 It's just our first year with DS in K. My favorite is Sonlight P4/5.... everything but the LA which we don't use . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Reading Reflex Singapore Math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Math Mammoth R&S English Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mukmuk Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Refillable? Link please. That sounds wonderful. I got these. http://www.amazon.co...t vboard master Very cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 My very favorite things in homeschooling over the years: At Last A Reading Method for Every Child - no one talks about this one but I used it on my dyslexic son and have used it ever since for the rest of the kids + Pathway readers Rex Barks - a great diagramming book - one book serves the whole family Phonics Pathways as a spelling reference for ages 6 to 16 (and older) English from the Roots Up flashcards Living Math website HWT's wooden shapes for toddlers/preschoolers who are learning to write The Charlotte Mason concept of copy work and dictation My whiteboard easel Saxon math starting in 7/6 Many, many Teaching Co courses WWE and WWS Latin for Children - especially the dvds Wheelocks 501 Latin Verbs John Traupman's Latin and English Dictionary Art of Argument for informal logic Lightning Lit series for High School Lots and lots of read alouds the titles of which were culled from many catalogues, websites, this board and my own memory/exploration Magic School Bus books and shows Field trips to nature centers and museums My kitchen timer Jim Weiss audio cds and many other books on audio from our local library Ticonderoga pencils Glencoe free lit guides Pink Monkey and other sites that have free book guides Robert Einarsson's Classic Language Arts website Baldwin Project Questions for the Thinker guides by Fran Rutherford Stories in Verse (old used book I got years ago, published by Calvert) The Harp and the Laurel Wreath Homeschool classes in high school science, since I can't teach science! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 SOTW with AG, hands down my favorite program ever. Great success with Saxon here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 501 Latin Verbs Baldwin Project Thank you for mentioning these. The Baldwin Project was a chief reason I wanted an iPad - it makes my iPad a library of hundreds of great children's books. I'd looked for years for an affordable set of Alfred Church's 3-volume English History, and now I "have" it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3andme Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Violet Crown - Can you tell me more about the Scribner's Editions and why you like them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 MUS Sonlight Lightning Lit 7-8 Analytical Grammar Excellence in Lit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pod's mum Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I'd have to say a laser printer and a good local dealer for non-brand toner refills. That, a good lap-top (basic/old), and an internet dongle and we get heaps of good stuff. I'll second (third?) Ellen McHenry's The Elements http://www.ellenjmchenrydownloads.com/The-Elements_c19.htm I used lots of her free-stuff, bought several programmes and we did this as a co-op with about 20 mixed age kids and we all LOVED it. We also love her Mapping the world with Art. My favourite is a freebee, (that I would pay lots for), MEP maths. http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm I'm reusing old CD-ROMS of Maths Invaders and Word Wizard, Australian programmes especially developed for kids with specific learning difficulties. They were invaluable for my eldest and dd the younger is now benefitting from them. Westvon Publishing handwriting booklets through currclick, both their masterwriter and copywork booklets. http://www.currclick.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=90 I'm enjoying checking out others from this thread, especially lists that include things we know and like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Handwriting without Tears Math Mammoth Leapfrog DVDs were excellent for teaching letter sounds Magic School Bus and Wild Kratts have been great for science/animals. Magic Tree House books are what FINALLY got my son to actually spend time reading on his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BugsMama Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Logic of English- Hands down. It's amazing. Saxon Math K-3 is great with the right kid. Singapore Standards WITH the HIG is fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 (edited) . Edited June 11 by SilverMoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 This year? Using an annotated classic as the core of our literature. My oldest DS has spent months on The Hobbit, and his love for all things Tolkien only grows deeper. My oldest DD has been doing a somewhat similar study using Anne of Green Gables, with help from Where the Brook and River Meet. My only concern is how to top or even match this for next school year. ;) What is annotated classic? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 I have several bests: MCT K12 Literature 6-8 Singapore Math Jacobs Algebra Derek Owens SOTW K12's Human Odyssey A History of US concise (K12) K12's American Odyssey Ways of the World Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherimoya Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 iPad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Twain Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Ummm...100EZ Lessons actually tops my list! I taught all three of my children to read with it. I follow it up with R&S Phonics to solidify the phonics rules, and I have received compliments numerous times on how well my children read. I agree that 100EZ is the very best resource I have ever found. The biggest problem I have now is that my kids read so far above grade level that I have a little trouble putting together book lists for them to read during the school year. Because they read well, it has helped them to do advanced work in all of their subjects. OP, you might think about checking out 100EZ from the library and trying it out before you cross it off your list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay3fer Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Wow - best?!? From my dd7's perspective, it's probably got to be FLL, though I don't even know if she realizes that she smiles every time I bring out the book. It's hokey, and you can probably find several old threads of me complaining about it, but we have grown into the swing of it and it's an important part of our homeschool day. I am loving watching HWOT turning my ds5 into a writer - he's only 5 but I feel like, "at last." He has so much thought inside him; now he can get it out, legibly. Dd7 (when she tries!) also has handwriting people exclaim over. I love that smug feeling of "yeah, they're homeschooled and yeah, her handwriting is better than her 17-year-old sister's..." There are other curricula that have made me smile, but I'll keep it simple for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.