Aurelia Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 (Inspired as a spin-off of the "What curriculum does it seem "everyone" loves...but didn't work for you?" thread.) Over time, I've noticed I use a lot of stuff that "no one" seems to like or be aware of, and it got me wondering about other curricula that might be worth looking into. What are your "unpopular" hits? We use a lot of British curricula because it works here. I'm not entirely sure why this is, but I think it has something to do with the colo(u)r and humo(u)r, which a lot of American curricula seem to lack. Our top (relatively obscure) curricula: Dancing Bears Galore Park (we've used Junior English and Junior Science, and will try SYRWTL English 1, Maths 1 and Latin Prep 1 soon) The Best Writing Lessons Ever - once I figured out how to implement it, DD's writing improved dramatically, and it was inexpensive, too! One Small Square books - not a curriculum, but taught DD quite a bit about different habitats Atelier Art - art I don't have to teach! It's on video! NYC Guitar School lessons (books and video) - much less expensive than lessons in person and I'm actually learning to play guitar GEMS guides for science - it's a fair amount of work to put together, but DD liked them and learned a lot 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I know some people in this site have used KONOS but not many, it is one that we love. Also Waldorf Essentials is one we loved in the past and that dd7 has been asking to do again for grade 3 next year (used it for K for her) and I do not generally see that one in the favorites listsAll the ones you listed I have seen mentioned on this site often, so while they may not make it into the listings of a specific thread they are used by many here it appears 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bensonduck Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We have started using Saxon Phonics and DS and I are really enjoying it so far. The rules are clearly explained, there are games and movement, and blending is explained very gently and very well. I never thought I would use Saxon anything! But so far the phonics is a good fit for this little guy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetpea3829 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 LOL, we are using Hooked on Phonics, believe it or not. I appreciate its first two levels. Then, I switch them to Progressive Phonics, which is another one that we use that I don't see mentioned too much. Progressive Phonics is available online, for free. When DH broke his leg in 2012, we had to get creative and thus...we came across PP and used it with the oldest two. I bought AAR for the youngest two, but have since switched back to HOP and PP. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Most of our stuff is either well known or put together completely by me. But I love The Private Eye, which is a science/art/language mash-up. It's not enough to be the stand alone for any of those subjects, but is an awesome complement to everything else. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Grammaropolis and Grammar Revolution. I put together a lot of our materials so I use a ton of resources that aren't typically mentioned but they aren't curriculum on their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syllieann Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I like sound beginnings. It's a scripted spell-to-read with manuscript writing. I think I might be the only person on this board using it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyobu Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We love Saxon math. It gets hated on a lot. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildwood Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Sister Wendy DVDs for art. She has a thick British accent, but we love her ; ) Thankfully, I bought the DVD set when it was on sale. : ) http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Wendy-The-Complete-Collection/dp/B00006G8FJ 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Amanda Bennett unit studies Write Source for writing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooakharborhicks Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Spelling U See. No one else cared for it when it came out and I was skeptical, but my son loves it and his spelling has improved dramatically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALB Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I don't think many people are using MP full curriculum, but we love it. We also use R&S Math and I don't ever come across anyone else using it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Sister Wendy DVDs for art. She has a thick British accent, but we love her ; ) Thankfully, I bought the DVD set when it was on sale. : ) http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Wendy-The-Complete-Collection/dp/B00006G8FJ I have always liked the look of those but haven't ever seen a good special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I don't encounter many who use or who have used Hooked on Phonics. It worked very well for us. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We use standard Houghton Mifflin textbooks as our spine for history instead of going the encyclopedia route. There is so much more good information/ thinking points in them, I don't know understand why they are typically shunned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Merrill Pre-Algebra from 1996. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I loved, loved, loved How To Teach Spelling. It really gave my DD a great foundation, taught her all about syllabication and, because of it, we were able to ditch spelling as a class in 6th grade. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaners Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I have a son with special needs, and I use stuff with him that I've never heard anyone else use: Stevenson Language Semple Math (HWOT - this one is popular and known) Writing Skills Activities for Special Children Life Skills Activities for Special Children I have this checked out from the library right now to look over after I saw you mention it in a different thread. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Winston Grammar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 A couple of things we like that I don't see mentioned much; Write From History - the lazy girl's way to do SWB/CM style writing across the curriculum! I love it, and it gets done. And dd loves it! The Fun Spanish - from the same publisher. One verb a week, memorize the conjugation, learn a bit of vocabulary, and put together sentences. It's been great. Writing With a Thesis: A Rhetoric and Reader - for middle school essay writing. Awesome! And then we love the Arbor School math books - Jousting Armadillos, Crocodiles & Coconuts. These are pretty new, so maybe it's too soon to say how popular they will be, but my dd loves them. I also liked How To Teach Spelling - it taught me how to teach spelling without a curriculum! So I guess it belongs on the curriculum list? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Wizards Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I have used Houghton Mifflin books to teach all 3 of my kids to read. I tried OPGTR and PP with my youngers thinking that maybe it was going to be better in some way, but I quickly dropped those and went back to what I had used with my first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 LOL! The oooooold Hooked on Phonics. :D KONOS for occasional unit studies. Life of Fred and Miquon Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons (I'm the only person in the world who's been able to make it thru both) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) . Edited July 9, 2022 by SilverMoon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clementine Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 MCP math - we used it from K-6 and found it to be the perfect fit. It was inexpensive, no-frills, and sequential. I admit to having my doubts as most of our friends were using busy, colorful programs and I did my research, but why switch it up when something is working? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarasue7272 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Recipe for Reading 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Daily Mental Math. Love, love, love it. Not a math drill, but daily practice doing all sorts of mental calculations and manipulations. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm37 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 The Young Peacemaker - definitely Christian content. This gave us a vocabulary for conflict that was part of transforming the relationship between my two very different younger daughters. As a matter of fact, they are wrestling and laughing on the bed behind me right now, lol, four-five years later! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Math on the Level. I don't use it as the spine anymore because my kids had some special needs I fill better with other sources, but honestly I love this math program. I still use the concepts/skills checklist. Awesome, awesome resource. https://www.mathonthelevel.com/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkateLeft Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I used K12 Phonicsworks to teach all of my kids to read. It's not a common recommendation here, though I'm sure plenty of people have used it. Other than that, I'd say our Italian materials are unusual - Raccontami (for younger) and Espresso (original edition, for older). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Y Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We use Write From History (as another poster mentioned). We are also Rod and Staff math users and have been for many years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sorbie Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Put That in Writing Level 1. Most of the reviews I have seen for it have been negative. The program is not perfect, but my 7th graders' writing has really matured as we have gone through the book. It is whole to parts which has helped them gain ownership over the writing process. They can actually sit down and complete their writing assignments now without me having to walk them through all the steps. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Notgrass Draw to Learn Bible curriculum The Adventures of Genius Boy and Grammar Girl Comprehension Plus by MCP Building Fractions Activity Center by Lakeshore Learning 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyhock Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We use Climbing to Good English. It's heard of, but it doesn't seem like many people here use it. We also use the upper levels of MEP math. MEP seems fairly popular for elementary but most people switch after Year 6. And then there's all my Canadian curricula. :D 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 (Inspired as a spin-off of the "What curriculum does it seem "everyone" loves...but didn't work for you?" thread.) Over time, I've noticed I use a lot of stuff that "no one" seems to like or be aware of, and it got me wondering about other curricula that might be worth looking into. What are your "unpopular" hits? We use a lot of British curricula because it works here. I'm not entirely sure why this is, but I think it has something to do with the colo(u)r and humo(u)r, which a lot of American curricula seem to lack. Our top (relatively obscure) curricula: Dancing Bears Galore Park (we've used Junior English and Junior Science, and will try SYRWTL English 1, Maths 1 and Latin Prep 1 soon) The Best Writing Lessons Ever - once I figured out how to implement it, DD's writing improved dramatically, and it was inexpensive, too! One Small Square books - not a curriculum, but taught DD quite a bit about different habitats Atelier Art - art I don't have to teach! It's on video! NYC Guitar School lessons (books and video) - much less expensive than lessons in person and I'm actually learning to play guitar GEMS guides for science - it's a fair amount of work to put together, but DD liked them and learned a lot Can you give me the link to The Best Writing Lessons Ever? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Erin, I was just going to say MEP secondary but you beat me to it.☺ My younger son loooooves it. It is a powerful and flexible program with great investigations that really stretch his thinking. My son loves the two week mastery approach with unit tests every two months. It keeps him motivated but also keeps him reviewing. Plus it is FREE! Ruth in NZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnMomof7 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 ACE LOL! It gets hated on hard and heavy, but we are pleased with it for science and social studies. It covers the basics, includes Canadian content (for social studies), and gets done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetandSimple Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We've enjoyed these for vocabulary: http://insidestoryflashcards.com/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexi Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Phonics Road I don't enjoy watching the videos but my oldest has made huge improvements in her spelling skills. My son is starting it this year and is doing well. It just works for us and it's how I learned phonics. I went to a private school that taught Orton-Gillingham style phonics. Nancy Larson Science It gets done and my kids remember so much. Easy! Love that I don't plan! My other choices are more mainstream I think... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy_of_4 Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Easy Peasy for reading for my 7yr old. He loves it and and I think it is a good program. You cant beat the price of it either! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Reading Reflex 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Ball-Stick-Bird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabelen Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I after school math with my 5th grader using CLE Math. After schooling where I live is extremely common, but I don't know anybody else who uses the same program. Kumon, Mathnasium, Math Circles, Singapore Math and textbooks from India are what most people use here for that purpose. ETA: I also use Grammarland at my daughter's request. Again, this may be popular choice on these boards but I don't think any of my daughter's friends have ever used it. For Spanish I use a variety of resources aimed at native speakers on top of continuing with the one parent one language system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curlymom Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Vintage books. For spelling we use Wheeler's Speller, for composition we use Maxwell's School Composition, and for reading we use Elson Readers. I also pull from vintage books for French and Latin lessons for my older child. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We use the Just Write series (from EPS) Foundations Press Bible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna A. Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Primary Language Lessons and Intermediate Language Lessons (I'm the only person in the world who's been able to make it thru both) No, you're not. :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna A. Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 We use Climbing to Good English. It's heard of, but it doesn't seem like many people here use it. I used two years of CTGE with my youngest with LDs. She made really great progress in both her reading and spelling skills while using books 1 and 2. I did love it, and considered continuing with it, but I confess that the poor aesthetics and print quality got to me. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna A. Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Reading Made Easy! I absolutely LOVE this curriculum and have no idea why so few people use it. (Although even I used it with only one of my three children. I had to find something different for dd #2, or who knows HOW long she would've refused to read. :glare: DD #3 had LDs and required... a LOT.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FawnsFunnyFarm Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Can you give me the link to The Best Writing Lessons Ever? I'm curious too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Reading Made Easy! I absolutely LOVE this curriculum and have no idea why so few people use it. (Although even I used it with only one of my three children. I had to find something different for dd #2, or who knows HOW long she would've refused to read. :glare: DD #3 had LDs and required... a LOT.) This was my favorite phonics/reading curriculum, such good memories! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Reading Reflex. :wub: And my mom taught a class to my kids and some others using the Most Wonderful Writing Lessons Ever, which she recommended because she'd had such great success with it in her 2nd grade classroom. Really great - straightforward, easy to follow, and a whopping $15 to buy! (is that the same one you're calling The Best WLE?) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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