Looking for Multi-Level Science and SS Recommendations

[chellesnead]

Hi, I'm new to homeschooling and starting in September with a 1st grader and possibly a 2nd and/or 3rd grader.  We live overseas and some of our children are in local schools, but not all and not necessarily next year.    

 

The one curriculum I've decided on for all of them is using BJU language arts/reading as well as reading some great books.  LA is my weakness and I need a program that is very structured and complete.

 

I'm hung-up on what to do for science and ss/history.  I have Story of the World and it just doesn't work for me.  Also, b/c we haven't ever lived in America with kids, they are completely clueless to some of the simple things that kids learn as early as kindergarten in the States. :)  For the SS component next year, I'd love something America based so that they can learn more about their home country.  I'm ashamed to say that all 4 of my kids can belt out every word to the Chinese national anthem, but not one of them can make it through the entire American one.  I'm not opposed to textbooks, but think they would enjoy something different if there is something that would work.

 

For science I definitely want something hands on but haven't found just the right thing yet.

 

One thing that is important to me is that I'd really like to use a program with a predictable scope and sequence, something that if we continue year to year, but the end of their elementary years, they will have hit everything they should know without me having to piece other things together to fill in the gaps.  It's filling in the gaps that overwhelms me.  I also want something that will work as multi-level as I have kids in 1st through 3rd grades next year.  I know that obviously I may start something, not like it, and need to switch.  I also know that there may not be something perfect that has everything I'm looking for and I may need to reconsider after a year or two.  I'm just trying to avoid something in these subjects that will require me to start from scratch year to year...if I need to I will, but want to consider more complete programs first.  Make sense?

 

Thanks so much for any suggestions!

[silver]

For elementary, I don't think you have to worry about gaps in history and science. It's just exposure/giving the kids interest at this point. So you don't have to worry about something not being "complete" or the s&s not being "perfect".

 

Do you want something christian or secular? For science is having a hands on component important for you? Are you looking for American history that would be multi-year or one year? Or are you hoping for more of an American government/culture course than a history course?

[chellesnead]

I'm definitely okay without complete or perfect.  I just don't want to have to curriculum hunt for every subject and every topic every year.  I'd like something that if we like it can be continued onto the next year.  Make sense?

 

Christian is great, but not a definite requirement.  I won't use anything that is explicitly anti-Christian.

 

Hands on is very important!  My upcoming 3rd grader is super creative, always wanting to get her hands on anything she can.  I'll consider textbook for these subjects, but feel that she'd love it so much more if it wasn't.

 

American history is fine one year or multi-year.  I'm looking for more history than govt/culture.  While I'd love something that I can continue, it's more important to me that my kids learn some basics about America.  I would feel much better moving onto to something else next year if they at least knew the basics.

 

For a long time I thought I would use Sonlight, but I really hate the way it jumps from book to book all within the same day.  I also struggle to read out loud to my kids for long periods (headaches), so didn't think a curriculum made so much of read-alouds was a great fit for me.  However, I do love pulling literature into what we do.  I simply cannot do that for hours a day.

 

Thanks!

[silver]

For a hands on science curriculum, take a look at "Science in the Beginning". There are currently two books in the series, but there will hopefully be more in coming years. The first book divides topics by days of creation, the following books following scientific discovery through history. All the lessons have a hands on part to them.

 

https://www.bereanbuilders.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=ELEM

 

 

I'm not sure for American History, as I haven't done that yet with my kids. I know that several companies do have specific American History programs for elementary before going into a World History cycle. Hopefully someone will be able to chime in for that.

 

[Jerico]

For a hands on science curriculum, take a look at "Science in the Beginning". There are currently two books in the series, but there will hopefully be more in coming years. The first book divides topics by days of creation, the following books following scientific discovery through history. All the lessons have a hands on part to them.

 

https://www.bereanbuilders.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=ELEM

 

 

I'm not sure for American History, as I haven't done that yet with my kids. I know that several companies do have specific American History programs for elementary before going into a World History cycle. Hopefully someone will be able to chime in for that.

We love science in the beginning! It works for multi levels.

[mysticmomma]

Adventures in America

[chellesnead]

Thanks for your input!  As I've been looking at what others are using, I have decided to go with My Father's World Adventures in U.S. History.  It incorporates both science and ss and will work great for the ages of my kiddos!

Thanks!