I'm trying to look now for what ds will be doing when he starts K in about a year. All these choices have my head spinning. I feel so overwhelmed! I wish I could go somewhere and browse curricula in person. I want to flip through books and really look at what each program has to offer. Is there any place like that? Or maybe a site that offers in-depth comparisons of all the available curricula?
All those curriculums makes ones head spin and spin till it's ready to roll off your off. Perhaps your state has a curriculum fair. Rainbow Resource catalog has a huge book that describes curriculums. There are also several homeschool sites that review curriculums. If you type in "Homeschool curriculum review", you should get some sites. Also, once you get a name of a company that sells curriculum, ask if they will send you a catalog. One more suggestion, Cathy Duffy has a book that reviews curriculums and much more that you will probably find of interest. Good luck and happy hunting.
two things... I, like you, want to flip through things and get a good "smell" on the books. but as we live in Podunk, that has not been possible so well... second...It doesn't matter exactly what you finally get because, some of it will work and some of it won't and you will second guess yourself anyhow. Have fun!
I echo the seeing if your state has a curriculum fair. I find these so helpful. I usually have to really look at something to decide, personally. I've also found tons of things I THOUGHT I'd use and never did!!! Rainbow Resource catalog is HUGE....like large city phonebook huge. BUT, it does have great descriptions of stuff, so it's a nice read, too. (yes....I've read it!!! LOL ) www.homeschoolreviews.com is helpful too. I also echo the Cathy Duffy book. It focuses on determining your child's learning style first THEN finding curricula that fits that style. This can be determined by WATCHING how your child absorbs information. I would find often that would find a curricula that fits my TEACHING style, but not my childs learning style. It was just NO FUN for anyone involved. And still - in my 6th official year - find things that don't work and scrap halfway through the year! Another thing, is for kindergarten you can be VERY flexible and focus on the majors - readin', ritin', rithmetic!
Curr. Fairs are wonderful resources. I have went so far as looking into the states next to us and going to those as well. A lot of publishers as go to these fairs and you sometimes are able to purchase things with no shipping charges if purchased at these fairs. Also with it being K. you can focus and the majors and went it comes to Science and History do things that are hands on. You can also use the library as a huge resource for what I call free goodies. Books I don't have to pay for lol. We also LapBook. I know there are posts here on Homeschool Spot that have to do with that as well with links. They are mini books that you create off os a subject and you use file folders to place all your "info" you have gathered in. Great resource for new learners. Youtube has a lot of videos on how to create certain types of mini books. And like us I expanded it to create mini offices for each of my children for each grade level. For Art I would stick with the basics and wouldn't bother getting a curriculum for that. Use the crayons, coloring, scissors, paper plates, construction paper that kind of thing. Here is a site that can make things a little easier with templates and instructions. http://www.dltk-teach.com/ Make sure at this level you are not soaking yourself cash wise in a bunch of stuff that you find out you child doesn't like or you are not comfy with. Stick with the basics and find out how your child really learns and just go with it.
Thank you so much for the input, everyone! I ordered the rainbow resource catalog. I'll have to look into some hs fairs around here!
Yes, I agree, we've all been there! And we often change our minds a few times before finding what works for us (still trying to do that). One other thing I would suggest in addition to the curriculum fairs and books. If you happen to not be able to find a fair close by, you might want to see if there are other hs'ers in your area that would be willing to let you take a look at their curriculum. There have been a few in my area that was gracious enough to let me take a look and it helped me decide what I wanted to try...and didn't want to try. Best of luck with whatever you decide.
