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A Life Better Than I Deserve
May. 7, 2009
Our Homeschool Curricula "Best of the Year" Awards
We've had a very exciting year trying out many new curricula. With perhaps only a very few exceptions, we've been very impressed by every new item we've seen and tried. Yet, our family has had some special loves this year. In most cases, we've not only been impressed by the professionalism of the company and the instructional materials, but we've also found that a product has filled a special niche in our homeschool. Some may have actually revolutionized our learning--or at least livened it up and made it much more fun--or more productive! Many have found a permanent place in our school.
So, here are my very favorite, best (mostly) new products of this year:
- All About Spelling and All About Homophones--I never expected to hear my children actually giggle and enjoy spelling so much!
- Apologia--Our family discovered Jeannie Fulbright's books a few years ago, and they have made science come alive for our children. We are similarly pleased with Jay Wile's General Science.
- ARTistic Pursuits--A wonderful art curriculum I can give to my older children and allow them to complete on their own and which has really improved the artistic ability of at least one child!
- Tapestry of Grace (Lampstand Press)--Tapestry of Grace remains our family's choice of classical core curriculum, containing enough flexibility to serve the learning needs of all the children in my family while providing them with a solid Christian education and worldview.
- Schola Publications (The Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading)--This curriculum is helping teach my eight year old dyslexic child to read, and she enjoys it!
- Five in a Row--A curriculum our family rediscovered the joy of this year. Now that we remember what we loved about it, we plan to take regular journeys with it once again!
- Critical Thinking Press--Another curriculum we've used before and we've seen excellent results with!
- Memoria Press--The Book of Roots and Roots of English are great companions to Latina Christiana, which we already used.
- Deeper Roots--A very solid Bible study which was worth the time investment!
- Auralog--A challenging, interesting foreign language study for my middle schooler.
Now, it was difficult to narrow down my main list to 10 favorites, so here are some of the others which I simply must mention:
"Best Co-operative Learning Product" Awards:
Friendly Chemistry/Spears Art Studio--Both of these are so well-done and unique they make me want to volunteer to teach a co-op class!
"It really works!" Awards:
Little Man in the Map/Times Tales Deluxe--These products have been interesting and innovative and have actually helped my children learn these subjects--joyfully.
"Most Encouraging Product" Awards:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine/Homeschooling ABC's--We all need encouragement sometimes. Homeschooling ABC's has much to offer newer homeschoolers--and even veterans, and I've loved The Old Schoolhouse magazine for several years. TOS has kept me homeschooling when I've been tempted to quit.
Last, my "Children's Favorites"--if not already mentioned, and listed alphabetically:
Homeschool in the Woods' New Testament Activity Pack--armor of God unit
Kinderbach
Schleich animal figures
Salem Ridge Press books
WriteShop Storybuilders
Thank you for joining me by reading my reviews this year. It has been a wonderful year filled with excitement, and not as overwhelming as I might have expected! Remember that the new Crew is accepting applications until May 11, so if you would like to join me in another exciting year of surprises, see this announcement about next year's TOS Homeschool Crew!
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Posted by
WriteShop 
Posted by
May. 10, 2009 - Untitled Comment
I like your favorites. We have some of the same favorites.