I'm currently looking for (mostly) secular suggestions for my 2nd grader for the following subjects: -Geography -History -Science I'd like something with project ideas/hands on lessons along the way...I saw something before that was reading aloud chapter books then projects that went along with it but can't remember what it was... I'm also looking for spelling suggestions. We started Horizons spelling in 1st grade, but neither of us were thrilled with it...any input would be greatly appreciated =)
Hmmmmm....For that age, I'd do a lot of reading! Sonlight - although a christian curricula - has readers that are just amazing and not all are religious content. You could pick the period of history your want to concentrate on, and you can even get science from that. I will say for those grades, most of the time they do a lot of American History, Social Studies is all about careers, people in our neighborhoods and general studies of other countries (at least that's what I found). The Explore & Learn Books would be excellent for all three subjects. They are fun, amazing, have projects, art ideas, etc. Hope you find something that you like and works for you. OH...on spelling, we love www.spellingcity.com - free - and they have lots of different lists already preloaded! ETA - Oh goodness!!! can't believe I forgot this - www.learningpage.com - GREAT STUFF....free, great starting point for Science. I used in Kinder, 1st, 2nd and 3rd - not solely, but it could be with books from the library and such like that.
I have heard that a lot of people like Real Science 4 kids, and it is supposed to be a "neutral" (not that I believe in that possibility, haha) program, meaning it does not touch evolution or creation. I don't know any secular history, though! Still new myself!
For secular science (and for science period) I don't think you can do any better then Singapore Science. For second grade they offer Earlybird Science. It's VERY affordable at under $20 for the year. I started my son in 3rd with MPH an have been really pleased with it. I think you'd get enough structure that science wouldn't get forgotten but a good selection of pretty easy but fun experiments to do with your child. The thing about Singapore materials is that they push thinking skills like nothing else. Content is important but the kids are constantly getting pushed to make mental leaps and new discoveries.
My suggestions for what we are using for 2nd grade is in my signature, all of it is secular. Now my take on everything since we started using is... WWE (writing with ease) Really can be a great program. We are just having a bit of a problem with the whole we are writing about books/stories we have not read or just read a couple paragraphs about. FLL (first language lessons) I have a love hate with this one right now. It is very very slow and very very repetitive. To the point of making it hard to open up and do daily. We do love the poems that they memorize. R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey We love love this program. It is a wonderful program, very fun, easy to implement. We have had a blast with this so far. History Odyssey Another great program. We are having so much fun with this. Explode the Code (ETC)- fast, easy to implement, and simple to do. Trail Guide to World Geography- a bit over my little guys head right now, so I am in the process of getting it to be usable for us. Saxon Math- I really do love this program. It has the right amount of review, use of manipulatives, and daily work. My son is learning so much with this program.
I just started Spelling power with my son. We love it. I like mostly that it is non consumable, and you use it until you are done with spelling.
I use Spelling Power with my sophomore, 6th grader, 4th grader and next year with my second grader. This is the best spelling ever, imho; we have used it for 2 years now.
