Ariston Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 This is sort of a spin-off, but I was wondering what have been the 2 or 3 curricula that you just wouldn't even want to homeschool without? We all have things we like and love, but what are the few things you've found that have just been essential for you? I've only been doing this 3 years, but so far for me: MEP-after trying some other programs, ive come to the conclusion that I wouldn't even want to teach math without it! Visual Link Spanish- after years of buying books and discarding them, and just winging it, we finally have something that is painless and WORKS! I used to put so much energy into Spanish and now i feel like a huge burden is lifted from me....VL is his main learning, and anything I do is just supplementing, so I feel a lot less pressure. I would have never thought a computer program could be so effective for learning a FL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Writing With Ease Writing With Skill Math Mammoth Phonics Pathways Story of the World Analytical Grammar Learning how to implement IEW on my own and integrate it into our other writing Khan Academy Math U See Epsilon and Zeta You said 2 or 3 so I'll stop :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Visualizing & Verbalizing Miquon Math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariston Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Writing With Ease Writing With Skill Math Mammoth Phonics Pathways Story of the World Analytical Grammar Learning how to implement IEW on my own and integrate it into our other writing Khan Academy Math U See Epsilon and Zeta You said 2 or 3 so I'll stop :) Wow, you have struck gold that many times?!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Wow, you have struck gold that many times?!! :) Well, this is over the course of many, many years. I get sick to my stomach when I think of all the programs that have been complete flops. These programs are plain and simple, no bells and whistles, straight forward and to the point. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Math Mammoth All About Reading Handwriting without Tears (for K) Sonlight readers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Handwriting Without Tears K Life of Fred Elementary All About Spelling Home Art Studio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 (edited) . Edited July 10, 2022 by SilverMoon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Art of Problem Solving I'm sure I would fan-girl all over Richard Rusczyk if we ever met :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 ORIGINAL Doubleday hardback What Your _ Grader Needs to Know series grades 1-6. The covers are sponge painted and there are no children on them. There are not pre-school or kindergarten books in the original series. How to Tutor and/or Alpha-Phonics but I use the HANDWRITING instructions in Writing Road to Reading 6th edition Draw Write Now (especially the map drawing) Writer's Express is new to me, but I really have high hopes for it. I've been using Arithmetic Made Simple since the mid 1990s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Five More Minutes Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I probably couldn't face my homeschool day without: Miquon Singapore Primary Math Story of the World MCT Language Arts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedgehogs4 Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Writing With Ease Story of the World Tapestry of Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Sonlight CLE Math Hake Grammar Oh, and there are so many others I'm starting to think of like Writing Tales, SWR, WWE, WWS, but I'll leave it at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Another Lynn Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Classical Conversations - Foundations and Essentials CLE Math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 SCM's free curriculum guide--I printed it all out, just in case it's ever taken down. :lol: We use this as the basis of our curriculum. SCM history guides--It's the only lit-based history that hasn't overwhelmed us with books and activities. McGuffey readers--great for copywork, dictation, reading aloud, vocabulary, phonics, grammar, writing, etc...and they go through high school! MUS--as soon as I opened the books, I knew this would be a hit. I just love how well organized it is...and I hardly have to teach math. :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 100EZ lessons/R&S Phonics 1 & 2 combo - thorough, fits all learning styles, and the student comes out the other end a great reader. MUS for my middle child. She has made me promise multiple times to never switch her to another math curriculum; she wants Mr. Demme to teach her all the way through high school. R&S Math (grades 4+) - for non-struggling learners it is hands-down the best curriculum I have ever seen for those levels (I say levels and not grades because I have used it ahead of grade level). Top notch word problem instruction, incremental teaching of all concepts in very clear language, good review in the TM and in each lesson, excellent mental math practice, and all of that in way smaller lessons than other (*cough* Saxon *cough*) math curriculums I have seen. R&S English - can be done mostly orally, and it is extremely thorough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Math in Focus (saved this American brained mom to be able to teach Asian math!) All Through the Ages (not an actual curriculum, but an amazing book list reference that I use every year) Reading Made Easy (no matter what else I try I always wind up back at this book to teach reading) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Story of the World. I will have fond memories of our years reading and crafting together for the rest of my life. Rod and Staff for Math. I personally love a lot about some of their other subjects as well, but it doesn't suit everyone. But the math, I can make work for anyone. Well Trained Mind as a guide for science and history in general. And basically for everything. I use it to plan everything. Latina Christiana. I use MP for latin from PL on, but so far LCI was my favorite year! I am looking forward to doing it again next year w/my dd8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieK Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I second the SCM history guides (we combine years 1,2&3 into a summer term and one year and do the bible separate) Saxon math Math Mammoth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 SOTW # 1, 2, and 3 (Number 4 is in the mail) Mr. Q Science (Daddy made audio recordings of the book and they listen) Handwriting without tears 1, 2, and 3 (Okay, it's tolerated, but I can't think of a handwriting curriculum my boys would like. They were excited about them at first now it's just a thing they do to get it out of the way. But it's quick and effictive, and with the exception of one time never caused tears) Spelling Power (tolerated, but get the job done. Eldest doesn't like it, but doesn't usually like anything involving pencil to paper unless it is making board game pieces or cards of his own design) We liked Pi-animals when my boys were younger. Now they are on different books with a teacher that is a good fit in all ways. Beast academy 3A was a hit. 3B a flop. now onto 3C. For extra's on the side my boys liked the tv series: Horrible Histories, and Terry Jones Medieval Lives (Not the Damsels episode), The movies: David Attenborough documentaries, The Story of One, and Flatland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyP Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 If I had to homeschool with only 3 items, I could do so with: Phonics Pathways CLE Math WTM and library card If we are talking about good old googly-eyes love: Beast Academy Tapestry of Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 CLE math and MFW. I wish I'd found both earlier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Miquon and cuisenaire rods MCT Writing with Ease and The Well Trained Mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Singapore Primary Math US edition Singapore Essentials K Phonics Pathways HWT K R&S Spelling and Grammar Draw Write Now Heart of Dakota(I have used Little Hands-Preparing and I own CTC.) ETC Getting Started with Spanish Drawn Into the Heart of Reading and HOD Emergent Readers Apologia Exploring creation elementary series and many other excellent living books i.e. D'Aulaire, Opal Wheeler, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 This is sort of a spin-off, but I was wondering what have been the 2 or 3 curricula that you just wouldn't even want to homeschool without? We all have things we like and love, but what are the few things you've found that have just been essential for you? Woops I missed that you said 2-3. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakblossoms Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 After 10 years, these are the three things that my children have retained information from and enjoyed enough to ask for it. Enjoyed enough to talk about it. Heck my older two regularly quote the SOTW Audio. SOTW Teaching Textbooks KONOS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewdropfairy Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 TT- never thought I could teach math without having to "teach" it SOTW Lego WeDo Robotics And for all-around homeschooling planning and advice, WTM and Cathy Duffy's 101 Top Picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 SOTW MCT AAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 This year, Calvert... The past 3 years: SOTW But my most loved curriculum ever was FIAR. I just have warm happy memories from FIAR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Can I purposefully miss that you said 2-3? Hehe! I am a unit study gal. The 3Rs never win top favorite unless they are part of the study. So here is my list: Early elem: Five in a Row Beyond Five in a Row Mid elem: A World of Adventure Prairie Primer Further Up Further In Upper elem: History Revealed High: Where the Brook and River Meet History Revealed Notgrass So as you can see I like units which give me a good spring board and then I make it my own from there. Not all of these operate that way, but that is what I prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SereneHome Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 What is SCM? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Since this is the K8 board, I will stick to only 3 elementary level items. The only 2 things I have ever used with multiple children are Sing, Spell, Read, Write Horizons math The 3rd is Hands On Equations. I have only used it with 1 student, but I will use it with my youngest 2 when they are old enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Reading Reflex Singapore Math Real books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 What is SCM? thanks Simply Charlotte Mason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Simply charlotte mason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Since this is the K8 board, I will stick to only 3 elementary level items. Well, 2 of the 3 high school studies I mentioned can be used in elem, so maybe I didn't take up too much valuable board space. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Well, 2 of the 3 high school studies I mentioned can be used in elem, so maybe I didn't take up too much valuable board space. :tongue_smilie: ;) I'm just being completely lazy and didn't want to think through middle and high school yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edeemarie Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I could probably have a nice list, but here are the top 3: WRTR for spelling WTM 1st edition for putting things together on my own Getting Started with Latin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydid Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Ambleside Online MEP math All About Reading Handwriting Without Tears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Heart of Dakota Handwriting Without Tears All About Reading/Spelling I would also hate to school without Math U See, but couldn't manage without it if I had to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeindeed Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Five in a Row Oak Meadow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Everything in my signature...... our greatest find this year is Getting Started with Latin. Everything else was found before. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne J Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Math Mammoth Memoria Press' Latin series (Prima Latina, Latina Christiana and the Form series) OPGTR WWE/WWS *because of the lovely workbooks which save me sooooo much time*. ( I like the method as well, obviously, but oh! the time I would have spent choosing passages, copywork, and dictation!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Χά�ων Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Internet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecclecticmum Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Startwrite Konos Mary Ann Kohl Books Developing the Early Learner Everything else is negotiable. The above stuff,..... I will fight you if you try to take them. :mellow: :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Reading Reflex I can say this is one program I love and used. Of course, it helps I bought it used from someone who cut out all the pieces for me. I will always be thankful to that mama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abaent Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Can I just applaud the mom that listed "the internet" as her top choice? I could have never homeschooled without the internet. We are so blessed to have the forums, Pinterest, thousands of blogs, millions of websites devoted to homeschooling. How did the homeschool pioneers do it? :laugh: :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAM Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Life of Fred Sonlight If we had just those two, we'd be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 MCT Singapore Math MCT just makes me happy, and has taken my eldest to places that amaze me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birchbark Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 The Sentence Family Times Tales Caesar's English Found some favorites this past year, but they have not yet stood the test of time. :) I also second Lyra pencils and Donna Young's site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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