When my husband and I decided that we were going to homeschool the first thought that came to my mind was curriculum. How in the world was I going to choose the right curriculum? What kind of curriculum, and where do I find it?
I spent a good amount of time on the computer searching for curriculum. I also looked at the different methods of homeschooling.
Being new to homeschooling, I became overwhelmed at the choices that were before me. We knew we wanted a Catholic curriculum, and that a classical approach was the most appealing to us.
I found some sites that helped with our decision. I looked at all the Catholic curriculum sites and applied for all the catalogs.
I found out quickly that being a homeschooler is being apart of a community. Interacting with other homeschool families and talking about curriculum and experiences is much more valuable that glancing at a catalog.
We knew one homeschooling family from our church. When I told them about my interest in homeschooling, they were gracious enough to invite me to their home. I was able to look at their curriculum and discuss why they chose it. I was told about other families in my area, and about attending a homeschool conference.
I visited other families, looked at their curriculum. I went to the conference and looked at more curriculum. The advice I was given from these homeschooling families was incredibly helpful.
After all our research we decided that we were going to pick certain curriculum based on if we liked it and if we thought our children would respond to it. Instead of going with one set curriculum we decided to mix it up.
Here is a break down of what we will be using this year.
5th grade
Religion~ Faith and Life series
Math~ Saxton 6/5
Science~ Harcourt Science (Kolbe Academy offers this Science curriculum)
History~ Catholic Heritage, From Sea to shining Sea
English/language~ Catholic Heritage, Language of God
Reading~ Seton readers and the Dear America series to start. Miss loves the Dear America series, and you can get the questions for each book on Scholastic’s website.
Writing~ Each child will have a journal to write in. I also purchased the book Stories with a View. I love this book. It is great because both kids can do it together. There will be book reports, creative writing, etc.
Handwriting~ Seton handwriting for young Catholics
Geography~ Seton Map skills
Spelling~ Spelling Workout
2nd grade
Religion~ Faith and Life series
Math~ MCP math
Science~ Harcourt Science
History~ I really could not find any history that I liked for 2nd grade. Either there wasn’t any or it was boring. So I decided that what ever Miss was learning about in her history book. Lil D and I could do a unit study on the subject. Then Both Lil D and Miss can do the crafts together.
English/language~ CHC Language of God
Reading~ Seton readers, Lil D loves these readers. He has been reading them to me all summer. I love these. CHC Devotional Stories for Little folks.
Writing~ Journal and Stories with a View.
Handwriting~ Seton Handwriting for Young Catholics
Geography~ Seton Map Skills
Spelling~ Spelling Workout
If you are new to homeschooling thinking about curriculum can be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. Get in touch with families who homeschool in your area. They are full of information and in my experience are more than willing to share what they know.
Go to a conference. You can look through the curriculum in person, and talk to other families about what they like and dislike.
The best piece of advice I received was don’t sweat it. If you have decided on a curriculum and find that you or your children don’t like it or it is not working, you can always change it. That is what is so wonderful about homeschooling. The curriculum you choose is not set in stone. Homeschooling gives you the freedom to pick what fits your child the best. Think of your children while you choose your curriculum, in doing that you can’t go wrong.
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Kelly can also be found writing at Soul Pockets.
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