Our Homeschooling Curriculum

My three kids are done homeschooling now.  They're in college or have graduated.  We homeschooled all the way through and made it to the end.  It was quite a journey.  High school was different for each of my kids.  They each had a different path, so I've just listed a few of the curriculums we used. I realize that it's been a long time since my kids were in elementary school, but a few of the materials I used are still out there and are not out of date, like Explode the Code and How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

12th grade

Each of my kids transitioned to dual enrollment classes at some point during their junior or senior year.  I think this is very important for homeschoolers.  They learn how to stick to due dates, take tests, talk with professors, choose course, and navigate a different social scene than they grew up in.  

Math:  Mth U See Pre-Calculus, Teaching Textbooks Pre-Calculus

Language Arts: College Composition 1 and 2, Modern States Literature Analysis, Modern States College Comp

Social Studies:  World History (dual enrollment)

Science: Pearson Biology, Modern States Biology

1-2 elective classes.  

Beyond these classes, my kids take dual enrollment classes for whatever they are missing or to satisfy general ed requirements for when they go to college.  My oldest took 7 dual enrollment classes her senior year (2 in the summer before).  My second child took 2 during spring semester.  My third child took 3 dual enrollment classes each semester and then graduated a year early.  He also took and passed 4 CLEP tests.

10th/11th Grade-Whew!

Math:  Math U See Algebra II
Language Arts:  Mirrors and Windows, American History
          Writers Choice 9 and 10, Analytical Grammar
          Read: To Kill a Mockingbird, An American Childhood, The Economist, Our Town, The Great Gatsby, The Red Badge of Courage
Science: Holt Chemistry Interactive Reader, Labs through Co-op or DIVE interactive Science: Chemistry, Friendly Chemistry (I don't recommend this one)
Social Science:  
US Government:  icivics.org 
American History: Great Courses US History, integrated with Mirrors and Windows American History, Modern States US History II
French: Learn French with Stories with Frederic Bibard (with a tutor)

Spanish: Avancemos 1--textbook and workbook, Duolingo (but Duolingo has changed a lot and my kids would no longer recommend it)
Cooking:  Plain and Not So Plain online curriculum (free! and it's great!)
Art: 
Photography: taught by Me at co-op using my curriculum and Better Photo Basics
Modern Art: The Art Quilting Coloring book by Thomas Knauer (awesome!!)
Drama and Yearbook through co-op
PE:  Walking, Yoga, Contemporary Dance, Mountain Biking

Leadership: Civil Air Patrol Curriculum
  
9th/ 10th Grade

Math: Math U See Geometry

Language Arts: EMC Mirrors and Windows, IV

         Glencoe Vocabulary, g.10

         Writer's Choice 9

         McGraw-Hill Sentence Diagramming, Analytical Grammar

         Read Julius Caesar, The Time Machine, Pygmalion,             Chinese Cinderella, Beauty by Robin McKinley,               Homecoming by Cynthia Voit, The Second Mrs.Giaconda,              The Hiding Place, The Economist

Science: Prentice Hall Physical Science

Social Studies

Economics: The Bluestocking Guide and Study Guide by Richard Maybury

         How Statistics Lie 

Government: icivics.org (awesome!!)
Personal Finance: 4H Financial Curriculum, Book 1

French 2: Breaking the Barrier, 1 (hated)

Art: Drawing, Independent Study with an artist

Bible: The Most Important Book You'll Ever Study by Starr Meade
Logic:  The Thinking Toolbox

Eighth Grade/9th Grade

For each of my kids, 8th grade was a combination of 8th grade and 9th grade.  If your child completes a high 

8th Grade / 9th grade

My oldest daughter earned over 5 high school credits in 8th grade.  My second daughter skipped 8th grade.  

Math: CA Holt Algebra I

Language Arts: EMC Mirrors and Windows, IV

         Read Huckleberry Finn, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Gift of the Magi and Other Stories, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey,Jane Eyre, Little Women, Don Quixote (abridged version), Importance of Being Earnest 

         Spelling Power or Megawords

         Writing: Writer's Choice 9

         McGraw-Hill Sentence Diagramming

Science: Holt Earth Science

Art:  Artistic Pursuits High School Book 1

Elective--Logic:  Fallacy Detective--1/2 credit

Health: to be completed over 2-3 years (1/2 credit)

         Yr 1: Holt Health, ch. 1-5, Babysitting Class

         Yr 2: Sex and the New You,Concordia Press

         Yr 3: Holt Health, ch. 6-15

French: EMC French 1

PE: Homeschool PE, Yoga  90 hours logged = 1/2 credit

Bible: The Most Important Book You'll Ever Study by Starr Meade (1/2 hour per day)

Sixth & Seventh: Middle School

These years are preparing for high school work.

Seventh Grade

Math: Holt Pre-Algebra or Math U See Pre-Algebra

Language Arts:  Mirrors and Windows, II

         Spelling Power or Megawords, 

         McGraw-Hill Sentence Diagramming,

         Writer's Choice 7, Mc-Graw Hill Research Report Writing, taught by Mom 

Science: This has been different for each of my children.  One took a co-op class.  The second is doing Bob Jones  Earth Science curriculum.

Social Studies: Holt World Regions Geography Curriculum (1st), Story of the World book 4 (2nd child)

Art:  For my art oriented daughter, she took a private water color class.  For my next daughter, I had her work through Adventures in Lettering because that was her interest.  I don't know what my son will be interested in. 

Health:  Williamson Kids Can First Aid Book, make a first aid kit to donate

Music: See my post about music curriculum for my oldest child, instrument lessons for my other children

Bible: Family Worship, Morning Devotions

Activities:  Yoga, Soccer, Bicycling, Cross Country running 

Sixth Grade 

Math:  California HSP Math 6 and Daily Math Review, or Teaching Textbooks 7

Language Arts:
Reader:  Harcourt Trophies Reader
          Curriculum Guides for Hatchet, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, Maniac           Magee
Read and Understand Poetry, G. 5-6
Vocabulary: 1/3 of Vocabulary Words in Context, 240 Words Every Kid Needs to Know (Grades 5 and 6)
Spelling: Spelling Power
Grammar:  Writer's Express, Great Source
          Daily Language Review
Writing: Writer's Express, Great Source
Science:  Christian Kids Explore Chemistry
Social Studies:  Holt World Geography Regions Curriculum
Health:  Harcourt Health and Fitness, Gr. 6
Art:  Art Classes, Teen Photography Curriculum, Wiliamson Kids Can Art Works
Bible:  Family Worship, Morning Devotions
Activities: Swim Lessons, Soccer

Elementary Years (K-5)

K-5 is about building your child's background knowledge.  Learning the foundations of reading, writing, and math.  

Fifth Grade:
Math:  California HSP Math and Daily Math Review
Logic:  Evan-Moor Thinking Skills G. 5-6, Logic Countdown
Language Arts:
Reader: Harcourt Trophies Reader
      Curriculum Guides for A Wrinkle in Time, The Railway Children, Carry On   
      Mr. Bowditch, The Cricket in Times Square, Pollyanna, The Light Princess
Read and Understand Poetry, G.4-5
I focus primarily on the reader and the Evan Moor Poetry--less on the book units.
Vocabulary: Practice Makes Perfect Prefixes and Suffixes, G. 4 and 5
Practice Makes Perfect Dictionary Skills Book
Spelling:  Spelling Power (Autumn), Megawords (Sami)
Grammar:  Writer's Express, Great Source
      Daily Language Review, First Language Lessons (Year 2)
Writing: Writer's Express, Great Source (Autumn); Writing Skills, Book A (Sami) + Writing With Ease, Year 2
Science:  HSP Math 5
Social Studies: US History, Explorers-Civil War/Reconstruction
I use Kid's Guide to American History + History Pockets
Art:  Art Classes and Photography Curriculum written by me
Health: Harcourt Health and Fitness Gr. 5
Bible:  Family Worship
Activities:  Swim lessons, soccer, piano/flute lessons     

Fourth Grade:
Math:  California HSP Math and Daily Math Review
Logic:  Evan-Moor Thinking Skills G. 3-4, Logic Countdown

Language Arts:
Reader: Harcourt Trophies Reader
      Curriculum Guides for The Magician's Nephew, A Door in the Wall, 
      The Secret Garden, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Read and Understand Poetry, G.4-5
Vocabulary:  Prefixes and Suffixes, G.3 Practice Makes Perfect
Phonics: Explode the Code
Spelling:  Spelling Power (oldest daughter)
       Megawords and 600 Most Common Words List (using custom Spelling Plan  
       from Third Grade
Grammar:  Write on Track, Great Source
      Daily Language Review
Writing: Write on Track, Great Source
Handwriting:  Handwriting Without Tears, Evan-Moor Cursive, Online Printable Cursive Worksheets
Science:  Considering God's Creation from Eagle's Wings
Social Studies: Geography (1 qtr), Learn States and Capitals (1 qtr), US Regions Study (1 qtr), Maryland State Report (1 qtr)
Art:  Art Class from See the Light and Photography Curriculum written by me
Health: Harcourt Health and Fitness, 4
Bible:  Family Worship
Activities:  Swim lessons, gymnastics, piano lessons       

Third Grade:
Math:  California HSP Math 3 and Daily Math Review
Language Arts:
Reader: Harcourt Trophies
      Curriculum Guides from Veritas Press for Homer Price and Charlotte's Web
      Comprehension Guide for Mr. Popper's Penguins
      Read and Understand Poetry, G.2-3
Phonics: Explode the Code
Spelling:  Spelling Power (oldest daughter)
Custom Plan see: http://lovetopaint.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-phonicsspelling-plan.html  and http://makingthingsstretch.blogspot.com/2013/02/free-spelling-curriculum.html (middle daughter)
Grammar:  Write Away, Great Source
      Daily Language Review
Writing: Write Away, Great Source
Handwriting:  Handwriting Without Tears, Cursive worksheets from online
Science:  Harcourt Science Grade 3
Social Studies: Harcourt People and Communities
Health: Harcourt Health and Fitness, 3
Art:  Co-Op Class
Bible:  Family Worship
Activities:  Swim lessons, Ballet, Piano lessons       


Second Grade:
Math:  HSP Math 2 and Daily Math Review (Evan Moor)
Language Arts:
Reader:  Harcourt Trophies
Phonics:  Phonics Pathways
              Explode the Code
Grammar:  First Language Lessons, Year 2
             Daily Language Review
Writing:  Write Away, Great Source
Handwriting:  Copywork and Printing worksheets from internet
Science:  Harcourt Science
Social Studies:  Harcourt About My Community
Health:  Harcourt Health and Fitness 2
Art:  Art Class videos by See the Light Shine or Art lessons from Kids' Art Works by Williamson Kids Can
Activities:  Gym/Tumbling Class, Swimming lessons (summer), soccer (fall)
Bible:  Mighty Acts of God and Matthew

Eli's sisters do more work since they are older.  As a result, he is doing more work than the girls did in 2nd grade.  I've added daily math facts for him, 240 Words every 1st grader should know (2 pg/day) and then 240 words every 2nd grader should know, a daily writing journal, First Language Lessons and Writing With Ease (both year 2).  


First Grade
Math: HSP Math 1 and Daily Math Review
Language Arts:
Reader:  Harcourt Trophies (there are 5 anthology books for first grade)
Phonics: Phonics Pathways 
             Explode the Code
Reading Comprehension:  
                 Beyond the Code, Harcourt Trophies Practice Workbooks
Writing: Write One (Great Source) first half, Writing With Ease (Peace Hill Press), Write about Me (EPS Books)--second half of the year
Grammar:  First Language Lessons 
                 Daily Language Review
Spelling:  Harcourt Trophies
Health:  Harcourt Health and Fitness
Art:  Adventures in Art 1 by Laura Chapman (Autumn)
Art Works (Williamson Kids Can Book) 
Social Studies:  Harcourt About My World
Science:  Harcourt Grade 1 Science
Handwriting:  Handwriting without Tears (oldest daughter)
Printable Online Handwriting Worksheets
Bible:  The Big Picture Bible Storybook
Church Youth Group


Kindergarten
Math:  HSP Math K/Singapore Math K, begin HSP Math 1
Language Arts:
Reading:  How to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
     Bob books and Now I'm Reading Readers (once past lesson 50, read 2/day)
     After 100 EL, I start Phonics Pathways (2 pg/day)
     Explode the Code, Book 1 and 1 1/2 (Eli)
     Harcourt Read-Aloud Anthology 
Handwriting:  Handwriting Without Tears (Autumn and Sami), Free Printing Workbooks (Eli) from the internet
Writing:  The Writing Spot, Great Source (2003 edition)
Health:  Harcourt Health and Fitness K
Science:  K Investigating Science Workbooks (Eli)--these are older out of print workbooks
Bible:  The Bible Illustrated for Little Children by Ella Lindvall


Preschool
For Kindergarten since my children are young, I focus on mainly reading and writing--if they can do these proficiently by the end of Kindergarten, first grade is so much easier for them!


PreK 4
Reading:
Phonics:  Get Ready, Get Set, and Go for the Code
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Math:  Developing Math Concepts Bk 1 by Kathy Richardson, HSP Math K
Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears PK
Bible: Read Aloud Bible Stories


PreK 3
Reading:
Phonics: Hooked on Phonics PK and The Letter Factory DVD
Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills:  Slow and Steady Get Me Ready
Read Alouds:  Recommendations from Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt
Math: Counting Activities