Time for Curriculum Choices and Decisions!

I have been thinking about curriculum all year but it is starting to get close to buying time.  The final countdown.  This year I had curriculum for one.  Next year I need curriculum for three.  I am trying to not get too overwhelmed. 

This year I quickly realized that if something doesn't work it is easily changed.  We changed Science curriculums early on.  We tried several language arts books.  We tried two math programs (completed both of them). 

The research for curriculum is actually fun.  I enjoy looking through catalogs and websites to see all of the different options.  Maybe I am odd but I have a feeling that most homeschool parents enjoy it too!

I think that I have come up with our curriculum for next year... this may change .... several times. 

MFW Exploring Countries & Cultures (includes Bible, Social Studies (Geography and International Cultures), Science, Music, Art, and Read-Alouds)  and can be used for all three kids!  WooHoo!!

Singapore Math 2A/B  4A/B and 6A/B
Additional math workbooks (B loved Mind Benders this year.  He actually was disappointed when we finished one and wanted the next book right away.)

Language Arts ... not completely sure about this.  We tried the books that MFW recommends and they didn't work for us.  Might try Abeka Language Arts ... maybe something else... still looking.  I am going to get Spelling Power though.

Spanish - Rosetta Stone for LV1 Latin America Spanish.

I am also contemplating adding an Apologia Science.  We really loved our Apologia Science (Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology) this year! 

Getting finished with our current books!  And yes, we have Lego Stormtroopers protecting our books.  Don't you?

Our Curriculum choices for 2011/2012

Well, this is our first year of homeschooling and all of the curriculum has been purchased!  I started looking into curriculum last summer when I first made the decision to homeschool.  I think I made the final decision to go with Sonlight in the spring.  I was a little leery because it is literature based ... and my son is not a big reader.  But, I think that the subject matter is interesting enough that it may change his view on reading.  At least that is what I am praying will happen.  The idea of putting together my own curriculum terrified me so that was not an option!  We haven't started school yet (August 15th - yeah!!) but the Instructor's Guide seems easy to follow and very detailed.  Less work on my part!   So choosing Sonlight was pretty easy.  We are starting with their Core D+E (includes History, Geography, Bible, Readers and Read-Alouds) because B loves American history. And we also added Sonlights Science F - Health, Medicine and Human Anatomy (it looked really cool). 

Sonlight's Language Arts program coordinates with the reading in Core D+E so that was a no brainer.  We are also trying Sequential Spelling for ... you guessed it ... spelling curriculum.  For handwriting we are going to do Handwriting Without Tears.  No reason other than that is what they used in the public school.  I don't think it would be good to teach B a whole new way of writing cursive now!

Now the hard part ... it took me a long time to decide on math and art.  Ok, I haven't officially chosen the math curriculum yet.  I have two and I am going to try both.  My problem was one (Teachable Textbooks 5) seemed too easy.  He took the placement test and got all the problems right.  And the other curriculum (Singapore 5) seemed difficult.  We did a little bit of Singapore 4B this summer to prepare and he did well.  I am going to start with Singapore 5 and use the Teachable Textbooks as more of a review.  That is my thought right now?  It will probably change!  Love that about homeschooling!!  :-)

My hubby is going to help out and use the Money Matters for Teens Workbook with B.  No, he is not a teen yet, but it says it for ages 11-14 (and B is 10).  And my hubby is much better at the money stuff than I am.  I can hear it now ... B "How much money should you save?"  Me "As much as you can unless there is a really good sale at Ann Taylor Loft".  Yep, my hubby will be much better at the money matters workbook.

For Art we are doing the Worlds Greatest Artist's books with the great Unit Study that Erica at Confessions of a Homeschooler put together.  If you're interested, I have the link on my curriculum tab.  It looks great!

P.E.  should be pretty easy.  B plays ice hockey (2 practices a week plus 1-2 games a weekend) ... Also, Sonlight's Science includes some health and nutrition as well.

Oh, and I almost forgot, I ordered some DVD's from Mike Huckabee's Learn Our History.  We start with one on 9/11 and then get another video each month.  Can't wait to check them out!!

So, that is pretty much how I came up with the curriculum for the year!  I have everything listed with links on my 2011/2012 curriculum tab.  Check it out!  Thanks for stopping by!