Trying to catch up to Darcy and her awesome Not Back-to-School Blog Hop, here's my submission for Curriculum week. This year I have both kids in middle school: Catz, my 13yo daughter; and Mr.C, my 11yo son. Some subjects they do separately, some are done together.
We have a pretty eclectic assortment of stuff. Not that I frown on anyone using a box set for it all. I say do what works for you and your kiddos. This way just works best for us. Mulling through our choices from last year I was tempted to try something different in some areas... until I saw this year's test scores. Seems that both kids are doing well in language arts and math, while my son needs something better in reading. So we're sticking with mostly the same publishers as last year unless otherwise noted. Subjects in blue are done via computer and red are via DVD. So, here goes...
Catz :
* Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1
* Easy Grammar Plus
* Sequential Spelling {if needed}
* Wordly Wise 3000, book 8
* IEW {new this year...never used a formal writing program before}
* Sonlight Curriculum World History 1 & 2 {She's a voracious reader with great comprehension skills.}
* Apologia General Science {and listening in on Astronomy with her brother}
* Rosetta Stone Spanish level 1 {NEW}
* Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory
* Draw Today
* CS3 {NEW; learning this with me as we watch the tutorials}
* typing {not sure which program yet}
* Demolishing Strongholds by AIG {NEW}
Mr.C :
* Horizons Math 6
* Daily Grams 6
* Sequential Spelling
* Wordly Wise 3000, book 6
* Sonlight Curriculum World History 1
* Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy
* TOPS Magnets & Electricity
* Rosetta Stone Spanish level 1 {new}
* Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory
* VisionBuilder {at-home vision therapy}
* DonnaYoung.com drawing worksheets
* typing {not sure of program yet}
* Let's Make a Web Page by MotherboardBooks,
* Demolishing Strongholds by AIG {NEW}
Extras:
* Moody Science DVDs
* Greathall/Jim Weiss cd's
* Story of the World cd's
* Homestead Blessings DVDs {for Catz}
This is just the beginning of the year, so we'll see how much tweaking will be necessary. Have you used any of these programs? Are your kiddos studying the same subjects? How did you like them? What are you doing different? Please drop me a line...I love reading about what works - or doesn't - with other families. Can't wait to hear from you!
We've used Easy Grammar. I'm not crazy about any of the workbooks except I think Easy Grammar Plus is the best one.
ReplyDeleteI've had IEW for years but have had a hard time getting through the first and second Lessons. I think it's probably a top-notch program.
I love Apologia for high school and my boys have really enjoyed it too. They didn't know they liked Science until they had his books. :)
Moody Science DVD's. They are wonderful! Great resource.
I like your schedule. I've always been more relaxed as well but I kind of get more rigid (and along with that more stressed) when they hit the high school years. You just don't want to make a mistake so you try to cram too much in, I think. Also, everything just looks so interesting!