Homeschool Curriculum Reviews

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by Blubayou

I have heard good things about Saxon Math- the only drawback I saw with the Saxon series- this was several years ago- was a lot of repetition work. I have known several school systems that have used them with a lot of success.

They still use repetition. However, the newer editions are not as repetitive as the earlier editions.MO


Sinatra

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by JaneEyre

I know some folks who used this curriculum and liked it. They did not homeschool their children, but it was used in the church school. Several of the students went on to win honors in college.

Check this out.

https://www.abeka.com/

I know several who use this and love it. However, my youngest absolutely detested their Science book. She was simply bored out of her mind by it. My oldest liked the Science books and is now in college working on a degree in medicine I think it's all about finding what works for each individual child.




Sinatra

[Darcie]

Originally Posted by Sinatra

Sorry, I never used any of the kindergarten math books. I researched what info. a kindergartener needed (math wise), and just taught those concepts my way. LOL. Not the most orthodox way to do it, but that's what worked for us.



Sinatra

I'm begining to realize that's the way to go with Kindergarten. My daughter started this school year in Pre-K. In January I bumped her to Kindergarten workbooks. I'm begining to think I may be able to start her in 1st this new school year.

[Sinatra]

Originally Posted by Darcie

I'm begining to realize that's the way to go with Kindergarten. My daughter started this school year in Pre-K. In January I bumped her to Kindergarten workbooks. I'm begining to think I may be able to start her in 1st this new school year.

That's great! You know, that's one of the wonderful things about the blessing of being able to homeschool. You're children aren't locked into a "set" grade level, but they are able to learn and advance at their own pace.


Sinatra

[MissBrattified]

This time around, I did a lot of research--and looked through the curriculum on display at our Christian bookstore for hours--before I picked anything! Part of the problem last time was that we used School of Tomorrow (it was ACE when I was a kid), and we hated it. I think ACE and Alpha Omega Life Pacs are similar. The only props I'll give SoT is their phonics program, which is pretty good.

This time around, I went with BJU Press, and it so good. I love the in depth Teacher's manuals, everything is full color, and there are lots of hands on activities to choose from for every lesson, especially in Math and Science. This is definitely the curriculum we'll be using again next year.

The only down side of BJU Press is that it requires quite a bit of teacher prep, especially IF you plan to use their methods of presenting Math and Science. I don't mind that, because I'm home fulltime, and I like being involved with the kids all day. For someone with less time on their hands, though, I wouldn't recommend BJU Press across the board, although it could still be used for Math and Science.

It's also on the pricey side, BUT nowhere near as expensive as putting your children into a private school--even a cheap one. I'm saving the Teacher's Manuals from Hannah's 7th grade curriculum for Sarah, so when Sarah's 7th year rolls around, I'll save about $25 - $50 per subject.

I did purchase additional Science kits from www.homesciencetools.com, because they offer full grade kits packaged by curriculum, and it's very convenient. Hannah's kit came with a preserved frog & earthworm, a dissection kit, and other things I would have trouble locating on my own. That was another extra expense, but well worth it, IMO.

The Science is presented firmly in support of Creationism, but does not shy away from thoroughly investigating evolution, biological evolution, mutations, adaptations, etc. If you want your child to have well-rounded views, and have a clear understanding of where good science ends and agenda-driven fact twisting begins, this is a great curriculum.

Jeffrey's K5 material is great as well, he is already reading quite well, and can sound out unfamiliar words phonetically, and writes notes to stick on his sisters' backs, also spelled the way they sound. ("Im Stoopud" was one recent example) He's already conquered the Math--I probably could have started him on 1st grade Math, but I'm a bit persnickety about making sure all the bases are covered. He complained about it the other day, though, because I was boring him with subtraction drills, so we called it quits and moved on to more interesting material.

My review of BJU Press is an enthusiastic A+ for parents who have time to put in a full day, and like lots of hands on activities.

[Blubayou]

I loved Abeka's early reading program, very phonics based, but good. Again, I am not current on these programs, because I retired 5 years ago and have not done anything in the field since then.
Miss B- you sound like a born teacher.
Another curriculum you might look at is Direct Instruction- It is scripted and was originally written for student who have trouble learning- but many schools are using it with success. I think some Charter Schools are using it.

Yall are making me want to start teaching again. I can think of nothing I would rather do.

[Darcie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

This time around, I did a lot of research--and looked through the curriculum on display at our Christian bookstore for hours--before I picked anything! Part of the problem last time was that we used School of Tomorrow (it was ACE when I was a kid), and we hated it. I think ACE and Alpha Omega Life Pacs are similar. The only props I'll give SoT is their phonics program, which is pretty good.

This time around, I went with BJU Press, and it so good. I love the in depth Teacher's manuals, everything is full color, and there are lots of hands on activities to choose from for every lesson, especially in Math and Science. This is definitely the curriculum we'll be using again next year.

The only down side of BJU Press is that it requires quite a bit of teacher prep, especially IF you plan to use their methods of presenting Math and Science. I don't mind that, because I'm home fulltime, and I like being involved with the kids all day. For someone with less time on their hands, though, I wouldn't recommend BJU Press across the board, although it could still be used for Math and Science.

It's also on the pricey side, BUT nowhere near as expensive as putting your children into a private school--even a cheap one. I'm saving the Teacher's Manuals from Hannah's 7th grade curriculum for Sarah, so when Sarah's 7th year rolls around, I'll save about $25 - $50 per subject.

I did purchase additional Science kits from www.homesciencetools.com, because they offer full grade kits packaged by curriculum, and it's very convenient. Hannah's kit came with a preserved frog & earthworm, a dissection kit, and other things I would have trouble locating on my own. That was another extra expense, but well worth it, IMO.

The Science is presented firmly in support of Creationism, but does not shy away from thoroughly investigating evolution, biological evolution, mutations, adaptations, etc. If you want your child to have well-rounded views, and have a clear understanding of where good science ends and agenda-driven fact twisting begins, this is a great curriculum.

Jeffrey's K5 material is great as well, he is already reading quite well, and can sound out unfamiliar words phonetically, and writes notes to stick on his sisters' backs, also spelled the way they sound. ("Im Stoopud" was one recent example) He's already conquered the Math--I probably could have started him on 1st grade Math, but I'm a bit persnickety about making sure all the bases are covered. He complained about it the other day, though, because I was boring him with subtraction drills, so we called it quits and moved on to more interesting material.

My review of BJU Press is an enthusiastic A+ for parents who have time to put in a full day, and like lots of hands on activities.

Thanks so much for the info Ms. B. I was sold on the BJU English already. Jaden will be in 3rd grade next year. I'm gonna search it out for math. Have you compared BJU Math with Saxon?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Darcie

Thanks so much for the info Ms. B. I was sold on the BJU English already. Jaden will be in 3rd grade next year. I'm gonna search it out for math. Have you compared BJU Math with Saxon?

I did look at the Saxon math briefly a couple of weeks ago, and I intend to look at it a little more before we order our new curriculum. However, we like the BJU Press Math so much (so far), I doubt I'll switch, unless we hit a roadblock.

Really, everyone should investigate numerous styles of curriculum. That's the beauty of homeschooling--you can design it to fit your teaching style, your kids' learning styles, and your lifestyle. (too many "styles" in that sentence...LOL!)

Our Christian bookstore will be having a curriculum fair/sale around June-ish, and I intend to be there!

[Darcie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I did look at the Saxon math briefly a couple of weeks ago, and I intend to look at it a little more before order our new curriculum. However, we like the BJU Press Math so much (so far), I doubt I'll switch, unless we hit a roadblock.

Really, everyone should investigate numerous styles of curriculum. That's the beauty of homeschooling--you can design it to fit your teaching style, your kids' learning styles, and your lifestyle. (too many "styles" in that sentence...LOL!)

Our Christian bookstore will be having a curriculum fair/sale around June-ish, and I intend to be there!

I was checking out the BJU Math and I'm still leaning to Saxon. I'm not a math person (at all) and I like how Saxon is so scripted. I'm a really creative person, so I don't have problems teaching any other subject using the library, internet, etc. However, because I'm so weak in Math, it paralizes me.

I use Ed Hirsh's "What Your_____ Grader Needs to Know. Its our "homeschool bible". It's a great guide for History, Science and Language.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Darcie

I was checking out the BJU Math and I'm still leaning to Saxon. I'm not a math person (at all) and I like how Saxon is so scripted. I'm a really creative person, so I don't have problems teaching any other subject using the library, internet, etc. However, because I'm so weak in Math, it paralizes me.

I use Ed Hirsh's "What Your_____ Grader Needs to Know. Its our "homeschool bible". It's a great guide for History, Science and Language.

We used Saxon for our Math program. One of my sisters is using BJU and loves it. Another uses ABEKA.

Darcie, I appreciate what you said about being weak in Math. That was not my forte either. I leaned on this handbook for terms and methods. Sometimes I needed something else to understand a little more what Saxon was trying to explain. You would love having this in your library.

http://www.amazon.com/Math-Call-Math.../dp/0669508195