Is there anyone who makes Canadian curriculum other than CLE? I do like CLE, and I guess that's most likely what I will go with, but I'm not sure. I really like the looks of Sonlight, but it is obviously very American.
How can you tell an American from a Canadian product...? You should check out Rainbow Resource, their catalog is MASSIVE, I'm sure there are a good deal of Canadian things but I have no idea what the difference might be so...yeah, I cant say if I've seen any or not. I believe that L'Art de Dire and L'arte de livre are Canadian products, but they are French curriculum.
CLE is the only one I've seen that actually has a Canadian Social Studies course. Also, when money is taught (I think just grade 1), they use Canadian money (they have a Canadian math and a US math for grade 1). Every other curriculum I've seen only has World History/Geo and US History/Geo. None of them focus as much on Canada as they would on the US.
I think Math Mammoth has Canadian money. I check it out, but don't have time right now. But I've heard great things about it.
Good to know. Thanks. The Math isn't such a big deal, but it is nice to have. The History/Geo is what really bugs me.
LOL. Yes, most history/geography items available for homeschool are done from a US perspective. I've taken to making up my own curriculum for history and geography and it is working for us.
I'm a very undisciplined, lazy person (I really need to work on that!) so I don't know that I'd ever be successful at making my own curriculum. Oh well, my girls are still little, so I've got lots of time to figure it all out
It doesn't have to be too involved. Just go with a time period in history or a topic and see what books your library has on the topic. Sometimes the books will have activities and ideas of things you can do with your kids.
Featherhead, I've used both CLE and R&S fifth grade social studies, and both of those focus about equally on Canadian and US - more of a "North American" approach. Well, they're a lot more Canada than most US courses I've seen, anyway! And CLE has Canadian math in both grade 1 and grade 2.
Just curious, what is the difference between Canadian and U.S.A. math courses? Are concepts introduced at different times?
No, the only difference, that I am aware of is the money thing. For CLE in grade 1 (and apparently 2 as well) where money is taught, you can choose either US math or Canadian math. After that they do not have separate curriculum because the rest is the same.
I've gotten really good early Language Arts at Indigo (Chapters) book store. Complete Canadian Curriculum for Grade X, not sure who the publisher is. It uses Canadian trivia to help emphasize the LA concepts (like reading about the CN Tower when teaching about adjectives, for example). For history, we're going to be using the Canadian Heritage Minutes. Remember those tv commercials? There are literally dozens of those commercials that I'd never seen or even heard of, highlighting early Canadian history, olympians and sports, famous Canadians, etc. You can find all of them, along with lesson plans to go along with them (for free), at this site. You can also order the DVD from them.
I have had the same trouble. The best of what I have found that is Canadian has been odds and ends picked up at Staples, homeschool fairs and from friends. Donna Ward does canadian history and geography very well. Google her, and you'll find her website. I've used Jump Math, but not sure if I will again. I would love to see an all in one package that has a Canadian focus, but haven't had much luck. What I'm interested in with a Canadian program is references to Canadian history, role models, money, metric measuring etc. But it may be easier to buy an american program and make modifications.
Question? Maybe a dumb question, but who is CLE? I tried to look them up, but not sure I found the right thing. Oh, and I just fell in love with a mapping book I picked up for my son. "My First Map Book" by Kelly Dixon. It doesn't make a lot of specific reference to Canada, but uses Canadian spellings, speed limit signs etc. It's rated K -2.
CLE = Christian Light Education www.clp.org It's the curriculum branch of Christian Light Publications, Inc. These folks are one of the Mennonite denominations. Rod & Staff is published by a completely different group of Mennonites.
Thanks I think they are one of the ones I had found but wasn't sure. I'm still trying to decide if I should be looking at something more structured for early reading with my 5 y.o. But I'm undecided!
