Lisa's Blog - Love homeschooling

Nov. 15, 2007 - Love homeschooling

Well, I was going to post pictures of the Mary Ingalls dress I made for Rebekah for Halloween, but I can't figure out how to downsize the pixels so the file is small enough. Sooo, hopefully I will figure it out soon, and then be able to post. If not, I can always email I just wanted to post now, because I think I have settled on some curriculum I like. I have decided that I just can't wing it well, and need a little bit of guidance in my teaching methods. So I have shelled out a bit of money for some programs that I like and have been tailoring them to suit my style. I chose Sing, Spell, Read and Write for reading, and it is working well. Rebekah isn't even done with the program and she is already reading amazingly. I tested her out of curiosity and she got to the third grade reading level of the reading comprehension part of the test before she got bored and wanted to quit. Her word recognition was at the fifth grade level. Sam is reading phonetically and he seems to be following the same pattern of progress as Rebekah.

For math we have been using the Math U See program, and I love it. It is simple to use and covers the basic with a multiple sense approach. Say it, write it, and build it with the blocks. The blocks really help my kids to understand better...espcially when trying to solve for an unknown. Great program and not that expensive.

For science I have found a program called Gods Design for Life that teaches from a Christian point of view...obviously from that title I really like this program because once again it is easy to adapt to my own style, and I can use it for all of my kids at the same time, each child absorbing as much as they can. It is done in several books covering the different areas of science. So far we have just bought the body book and the animal kingdom book, but I have been very impressed with the simplicity of the lesson plans and the flexibility involved. Each lesson has a page explaining the concepts that you can read verbatim if you chose, but I usually just paraphrase the info for my kids and then we do the hands on projects that correlate with the topic covered. It makes science fun and makes sure to point out the creator of our scientific world!

For History/geography I have found a program I really think I will like. It has been a bit pricier, and because I have just gotten it, I have not actually taught a lesson yet, but I have looked through it, and like the layout. It is called Heritage Studies by Bob Jones University. Once again it teaches history and geography from a Christian perspective. The thing I really like about this program is that for first grade most programs taught "My community", and "Community Helpers", etc. etc. Blah, blah, blah. I didn't want to spend money on watered down junk, that seems so obvious. This program actually delves into real history, and geography. I bought the teachers manual on amazon used for $3 and then payed more to ship it than I did for the book! But still saved money over buying it new. Then I bought the textbook and the student workbook from Rainbow Resource for $25. So overall it wasn't too expensive, but I didn't but everything in the program. I skipped the tests and answer key, feeling it was unncessary at this age, and I didn't buy the timeline either. I may end up going back and buying that dependant on how much it is needed.

I also bought Alfreds Basic Piano Course and have started giving lessons to Sam and Rebekah. They are really enjoying this, and for now we are doing okay with me teaching them, but eventually I will need to get an experienced teacher when I am out of my league:)

Anyhows, we are having a great time learning, and I am so glad I have been blessed with this opportunity to homeschool.

I'll post more later:)

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Comments

Nov. 26, 2007 - Sounds Good!

Wow! sounds like you are doing great! i am hoping to take a look at some curriculum and get settled down into a rythm. I am thinking structure with flexability is what I need too. If we cover the basics, our kids are bound to pick up their interests as they go along on their own. Cameron is going to start violin lessons after a short course in kniting. They weren't aloud to join anything until eight and now that she's turning eight, she has them all lined up. In the summer she wants horseback riding lessons. Good for you teaching your kids piano. Let me know how you like the piano course your teaching. It might be something I do for our kids. Chloe and Xander really enjoy the piano. It was nice talking to you earlier today. Let's do it again soon.
Tara

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