Our Homeschool Curriculum Picks for 2018/2019 School Year

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If you are starting to think about homeschool curriculum, but don’t know where to begin, don’t worry you aren’t alone. First, think about what your budget looks like and consider financial planning for child education. If you want to undertake the task of homeschooling on your own, it can be overwhelming but so rewarding!

I’ve been homeschooling my children for a total of 7 years now (not counting preschool years, even though you totally should). I have been “around the block” and have concrete opinions on certain curriculum and what works for my children. While I know every child is different, I believe my curriculum picks could work for a larger audience. I will speak about my elementary and middle school book choices. I will write separately about what I do for preschool and babies in another post I will eventually link here.

4th Grade Curriculum Choices

English: Since Kindergarten, I have usually done a DIY English Homeschool Curriculum. I would find the standards for his grade level, and find appropriate worksheets, activities, or lessons, We have also used Evan Moor and Brain Quest books to fill in the blanks. This year, I have decided to get him Abeka’s Language A workbook. Abeka has an amazing English curriculum. I have been using it for my eldest for years, now. My favorite part: sentence diagramming.

Penmanship: I also went with Abeka, because I liked the flow. Its short and to the point. It also cost me less than $10 to get it new. I used to just print off Scripture from online, but Abeka has Scripture and poems to copy in it.

Vocabulary: I use Sadlier-Oxford. I was not sold on the idea of using Abeka for vocab. I know Sadlier-Oxford; the books keep going till senior year of high school. They are excellent standardized test preparation. A child can do very well on the SATs using their curriculum. They also have free online games and quizzes for each chapter, as well as eflashcards.

Math: I love Saxon. Saxon for every grade. I have used the meeting manuals. I believe Saxon can work for the majority of students. Most grades only have 120-140 lessons, which leaves 40-60 days of buffer room to insert your own activities or practice the things your child has a hard time with. We like to have multiplication and division flashcard/ 5 minute math worksheet days.

Science: I am a big Apologia fan. I also grew up using it. Their elementary Young Explorer’s Series curriculum are amazing. We have used Exploring Creation with Anatomy and Physiology, Exploring Creation with Astronomy, and my fourth grader, who is obsessed with physics, will be doing Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics. My only recommendation is to definitely prepare for the experiments at least a month out. He is the most excited about this curriculum.

Reading: It may seem unconventional, but I am going to be using a science curriculum for his reading this year. He is the type of child where if he does not enjoy something, he drags his feet. To avoid that, I figure he can get training in reading comprehension (as well as research and art) from Queen’s Discovering Nature: Walk With Aunt Bessie science curriculum. Its a Charlotte Mason approach to science, so I know he will be reading. He will also be researching and reading other non-fiction books to complete his work. We will read some fiction throughout the year, because I know it is important.

History: I have very limited experience with Story of the World vol 4.  The first children I tutored used it (almost a decade ago!) and I remember loving it. It is another Charlotte Mason-style approach, so that means: reading, research. cool crafts, and discussion. We usually cuddle and take turns reading pages in books. We look forward to taking books out of the library and making history-themed food. You could use this homeschool curriculum like a “red brick schoolhouse” for all your elementary students. I only choose the fourth volume, because he is most interested in the modern age.

Catholic Studies: We have two things we are doing this year for Catholic studies: Family of Faith and Jesus Our Guide.

Family of Faith is cute, does not take much time, and really does not get started till October. The activities won’t take my children more than 5-10 minutes, on average. The book introduces saints and gets your family praying every day.

Jesus Our Guide is apart of a classic Catholic Curriculum. Your children probably used a book from the series for their First Communion. It also is not much work daily. It will; however, be laying strong religious stones in my children’s heart to give them a firm foundation.

Bible (general): I find it necessary to systematically go through the Bible to get the facts and stories down. We used Veritas Press’ curriculum Genesis Through Joshua and Judges Through Kings, last year. This year, we will be doing Chronicles through Malachi. It is pretty straightforward and can be done only three days a week if you wanted.

Elective: Junk Drawer Robotics by 4H. This is something very new and out of my comfort zone. He really wanted to do it. I’m giving myself grace, and I will only be doing this twice a week. I am also going to be asking for my husband’s help. This homeschool curriculum is appropriate from grades 3-12.

8th Grade Curriculum Choices 

A little bit about my 8th grader: she is two years ahead in all of her subjects. She should be entering 6th grade, but she works (and tests) far above her actual grade. Do not be afraid to advance your children if you see fit.

Math: She is in year 8 of Saxon and she is going strong. She has already completed 1/3 of her 8th grade Saxon 8/7 curriculum as of July.  I will probably have to buy her the 9th grade Algebra curriculum by November. I do not worry about her forgetting how to do something, because each lesson has 25-30 questions of review questions. If I notice she is struggling with one concept, we turn to Khan Academy, which is free.

Grammar: Abeka has an amazing grammar homeschool curriculum. That being said, it is difficult. It takes a lot of concentration. On the other hand, it is thorough; I love how it pushes her to be an amazing writer. She has a really firm grasp on her syntax and grammar rules. Her IOWA exam told us that she was operating on a 13+ grade level. I do not question what works!

Reading: Last year for our reading homeschool curriculum, we did Abeka’s book Of People. This year we are doing Of Places. All we need is lined paper for the questions, and she can work independently. It also exposes her to a large variety of Literature, many with Christian teachings. Its good for her to get that quick reading comprehension in, daily. I am also picking out books to correspond with her American History course. We are starting with Johnny Tremain in September.

Vocab: She will be doing level C of the Sadlier-Oxford series. Again, I love it due to the fact that it is making her SAT ready. It is also simple, direct, and mostly independent work.

Science: Usually, I do use Apologia. I thought my eight grader could use a reprieve. She prefers stories and hands-on activities. She also has to get used to more research papers. Sandi Queen’s Discovering Nature: Every Herb Bearing Seed is so awesome. We will be making elderberry syrup, herbal teas, and preparing for if we got sick. She will be researching herbs, other types of medicine, and essential oils, Best of all, this course counts as a high school level course. I definitely recommend this book.

Catholic Studies: My daughter is doing the last book in the Faith and Life series: Our Life in the Church. It is definitely intensive, but so worth it. We are doing this book 5 days a week and it’s probably the most important subject of all, in my opinion.  The teacher’s manual gives songs, notes for the student, and what to pray. However, it is crucial to get the teacher’s manual!

American History: I majored in Sociology with an American History concentration. I am a little picky about which book to use, I settled on BJU’s American Republic, because I love the activity book. I also do a lot of projects and readings outside of the textbook. Some may say that the information leans to the Christian-Right (politically). I agree a little bit, and you can determine if that is right for your family. As a note, the BJU history tests for the book are very difficult. I will be making my own.

Government: Her other high school course will be government. I am somewhat DIY-ing it. The first semester will be government, and the second will be constitutional literacy. I’m using my government textbook from college, American Government by Turner. Combined with the free Harvard edx course (also titled American Government) and some other online resources, I intend to impart a good understanding for her. Since there would be an election in November, I thought it was appropriate. The second half of the year, we are doing the Constitutional Literacy course. All you need us the one book and the DVDs. Thank goodness she loves to read!

Overwhelmed yet?!

Don’t worry!  Homeschooling does not always come easy. Take it one year at a time. Just remember you are doing more for your kids than anyone else will! 

Drop any of your questions about homeschool curriculum in the comment sections. What are you most excited about?