My goodness, there are so many curriculum choices!  It can be very overwhelming to choose just the right thing sometimes.  Even when I choose something that I think will be perfect, it isn't always.  Thank the Lord for places like Vegsource and Ebay!  As the years have gone on, I've gotten much better at choosing things that I don't have to turn around and sell almost as quickly as they come in the mail!

As I share some of my favorites, I'd love to think they might be your favorites, too, but your children and mine may not be alike.  Your style and mine may not be alike.  Either way, I hope this list encourages you to use curriculum that inspires your child.  Yes, inspires!

Is it important to me that my children get a complete education?  Yes.

Is it important to me that they learn certain things that they really couldn't care less about?  Sometimes.

Is it important for me to make sure they have a good foundation in the basics?  Absolutely.

But, most important to me is that they are inspired.  That they love to learn and know how to find answers to their questions.  That they leave most (not all) lessons with a sense of purpose.  That what they learn fits their learning style so well that it hasn't been a source of complete frustration.

Figuring all this out hasn't happened overnight.  I've made a lot of mistakes, and will continue to.  But, I have no problems chucking one not-so-good thing for another better thing when needed.  I feel like it's my responsibility to create an inspiring atmosphere over just a "here is your work for the day, get it done" atmosphere. 

Some people ask, "How do you know you're covering everything if you don't follow one complete curriculum all the way from 1st grade through high school?"  My answer:  Who's to say THEY are covering everything?  Especially everything that MY children need to know.  My children have special talents, skills, interests and desires that God gave them.  I'm much more qualified to see those things and teach towards them than a pre-set curriculum, right?  Also, if I'm using a variety of math curriculums, let's say, I'm most likely going to cover just about "everything" at some point anyway.  And even more importantly, if I "miss" something, they will have all the skills and resources necessary pick it up when needed.  No one person or curriculum can possibly teach EVERYTHING anyway.    

So for my favorites (so far):

PK

NOTHING formal

Lots of read alouds, crafts, easy experiments, easy cooking, letter and number games, songs, poems, free art time, dress up, dramatic play....

K-1st

Teach You Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons

BOB Books

Starfall.com & Workbooks that go along

Expode The Code

Reading To Learn Series from Christian Light Publications (1st-3rd)

Spelling Workout (late 1st)

First Language Lessons (late 1st)

Five In A Row

Horizons Math

Miquon Math

Keyboard Capers (music theory)

Still lots of the same informal learning as PK.  My lessons were/are very short at this age.

2nd/3rd

Reading To Learn Series

First Language Lessons

Abeka Grammar (3rd)

Spelling Workout

Mind Benders

Horizons Math

Miquon Math

Five In A Row

Apologia Elementary Science

Considering God's Creation

Lapbooking Units from Hand of a Child and Knowledge Box Central

Story of the World (I start this in 1st)

History Pockets

4th

Intermediate Language Lessons

Saxon 5/4

Story of the World

Mystery of History

Apologia Elementary Science

Lapbooking Units from Hands of a Child and Knowledge Box Central

Bible and Character Training for PK-4th

The Child's Story Bible

Big Bible Timeline

Miller Stories

Discovering Jesus in Genesis

Jotham's Journey

Answers In Genesis DVDs and Seven C's Curriculum

For Instruction in Righteousness

Jonathan Park Adventure CDs 

I've used many other things, but these are my favorites.  I'm never using everything at once, just in case you think the lists look really long! 

I would love to hear some of your favorites!  Please add them to the comments.