Curriculum

There are many types of curriculum, but still never enough! All children learn differently and once you think you have it figured out- it changes.

At least that is how I feel with my son and that is why I use a variety of different styles and books. I incorporate a lot of reading and writing on a regular basis.

Then I pick some good history books from the library, the Robinson CDs, and my own collection. Then I fill in with other core subjects. I make it simple and fun!

I put on the bottom a couple of attachments of my lesson plans for classes, a yearly lesson plan of my son's school year, and a template of my son's high school transcripts. You can open up and save to your computer and modify for your family or just look how one other family does their home schooling to get more ideas.

Curriculum Packages

Full Curriculum Packages (most allow for the Eclectic approach, meaning you can pick one or two of the subjects and not the whole curriculum)

Abeka, 1-877-223-5226

http://www.abeka.org/ , http://www.abekaacademy.org/, https://www.abeka.com/

It includes preschool through high school. You have 3 options- 1. video, 2. Abeka academy , traditional parent directed with text books. 3. A variety of teaching materials for picking choosing materials. Some of the subjects are math, reading, literature, science, social studies, history, geography, and health.

Sonlight, (303) 730-6292

http://www.sonlight.com/aboutus.html

Sonlight Curriculum is a Christian company specializing in literature-based homeschool curriculum programs that includes all subject areas. We provide complete curriculum packages and individual resources and materials so you can build the preschool or K-12 homeschool curriculum that best meets your family's needs. Sonlight is based in Littleton, Colorado and serves customers in over 150 countries worldwide.

The Robinson curriculum, (517) 546-8780

http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

Is based on the theory of the Independent Learner - When you teach something you truly learn it. This is the key to the self-teaching approach of the Robinson Curriculum. It has all kinds of books in a package of 22 CDs, which you can print and read. It includes answer keys when needed. It has a wonderful grammar primary with answer key that I used for my son. (I have put the list of books on the MHSG package CD for your reference). The only thing they do not include is math. They recommend Saxon.

LifePac, (800)622-3070

http://www.schoolhousesource.com/lifepac.htm, http://www.aophomeschooling.com/lifepac/

LIFEPAC is a full-color worktext curriculum which uses mastery learning - students master concepts in each unit before progressing to the next unit. The curriculum is comprised of consumable worktexts which conveniently coordinate lessons, exercises, projects, reviews, and tests. Five core subjects are available - Bible, Math, Language Arts, History & Geography, and Science - plus numerous electives! For grades K-12.

Switched on Schoolhouse, (800)622-3070

http://www.aophomeschooling.com/campaigns/lp/?cpc_brand=sos&gclid=CLq-1rmNhaACFYNo5Qodw0Qdmw

Switched-On Schoolhouse is a comprehensive, Bible-based curriculum that offers computer-based learning for grades 3-12. With 3-D animation, video clips, and other fascinating multimedia, Switched-On Schoolhouse is the perfect homeschool curriculum for today's generation. With this flexible, best-selling curriculum, you can customize student learning to fit individual educational needs. I have chosen to use the science curricul7um CDs for my son and he enjoys them very much and it grades and keeps track of everything for me. It is also reasonably priced.

Horizons, (800)622-3070

http://www.aophomeschooling.com/campaigns/lp/?cpc_brand=horizons&gclid=CJOegrKPhaACFYNo5Qodw0Qdmw

Horizons is a brightly illustrated, engaging workbook curriculum filled with consumable lessons and hands-on activities. Designed with fast-paced lessons, Horizons uses a spiral learning method to help your student master concepts through the process of introduction, review, and reinforcement. This learning method allows students to quickly grasp difficult concepts in a colorful, motivating format. It includes four main subjects and two electives. It also starts with prek and goes through high school.

Weaver, (800)622-3070

http://www.aophomeschooling.com/weaver/overview.php

The Weaver Curriculum is a unique unit-based, Bible-centered homeschool curriculum. For grades PreK-12th, this family-based curriculum uses the same daily Bible theme as a foundation and then creates lessons for each student. Your students are then studying the same main subject the same time with individual lesson assignment geared to each student's grade level. For example if you were teaching about the plagues of Egypt, your student would learn about frogs in science, Egyptian topography in geography, pharaohs in history, and so forth.

Tapestry of Grace, 800-705-7487, 877-621-7021

http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php

A homeschool curriculum of study that helps parents provide a Christian, classical education using a guided unit study approach, with the history of the world as the core organizational theme. From Grades K–12, all students cycle through world history every four years, with all ages studying the same slice of history each week, each at their own learning level. Detailed lesson plans and discussion outlines enable parents to be their children’s primary teachers and mentors and shape their students’ biblical worldviews.


Time4Learning, (954) 771-0914

http://www.time4learning.com/homeSchool-curriculum.htm

It is an interactive, on-line program that can be used as supplemental tutoring or as part of a homeschooling curriculum. The lessons cover science, math, reading, language arts and social studies. The lessons follow the learning targets for the school districts in the students’ area, and the student is allowed to work at his or her own pace - even working at different grade levels for different subjects. Plus, for parent/teachers, the activities and quizzes are graded and recorded on easy-to-use and reference printable reports. I have been using this program for two years and really like it.

Individual Curriculum Packages

Easy Grammar, 800-641-6015

http://www.easygrammar.com/index2.html

Easy Grammar texts uses the prepositional approach combined with effective strategies. This helps students to understand grammar, a tool for speaking and writing properly.

Story of the World, info@peacehillpress.net

http://www.susanwisebauer.com/articles.php,

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/the-story-of-the-world-history-for-the-classical-child/

The Story of the World is a series by Susan Wise Bauer.

Saxon Math, (800)-289-4490

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_(teaching_method), http://saxonpublishers.hmhco.com/en/saxonpublishers.htm

I do recommend the dive CDs that go along with the Saxon text books.

Apologia Science, (888)524-4724

http://www.apologia.com/

Apologia provides fun and challenging K-12 creation-based science curriculum specifically designed for home school. Written by a former university professor and homeschool parent, our courses provide college-preparatory science in a way that is both clear and challenging. Our texts are readable, easy to understand, and full of engaging experiments that can be performed at home. We even provide a FREE help line to answer any questions or problems you may encounter and a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.

Writing Strands, (800) 688-5375

http://www.writingstrands.com/curriculum.asp

Dave Marks, the founder of National Writing Institute and the author of the Writing Strands and Reading Strands series of books, graduated from Western Michigan University. He then received a Masters of Arts degree from Central Michigan University and did 45 more hours of graduate work in English at Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University. Dave retired after 30 years of teaching writing in college, high school, junior high and grade school. When their son was in the fourth grade, Dave and his wife Lea realized that he was not being given the training they felt he needed and elected to homeschool him in language arts. To prepare him for college writing, they designed a series of lessons, which he completed by the age of twelve. That summer, they enrolled him in freshman English at Lake Michigan College, where he received his first A in college work. He is now a poet and university professor.

Additional Curriculum Resources:

I found a great resource of free physics experiments and activity books, and more. Check out this site. Diane a Home School mom has a great website with some homeschoolers reviews on different curriculum take a look at.

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Please email me any curriculum programs you have used with your thoughts and recommendations.

I will then add it to the page to help all families to make a more informed curriculum choice.