I was schooling my son from home using Connections Academy (2 1/2 yrs) until I pulled him out in Dec. 2011. The CA lessons were moving so fast and cramming a ton of info into each lesson that it was hard for my son to keep up. My son is not a "textbook" learner and gets bored easily with endless pages of written text and workbook questions...which was the basis of CA. Now that I am homeschooling my son the traditional way, we are able to be more flexible with his lessons...adding in games, hands-on activities, videos, and more. BUT...I'm not using a basic curriculum...I am pulling stuff off of the internet...which is not the ideal situation. So, I am looking for curriculum to meet his needs that will be a good "spine" or guideline, but still allow flexibility and fun. My son is in 6th grade and loves the computer, video games, hands-on activities, and visual aids. He is on grade level. I need the basics of Math, Science, History (preferably world history), Geography, and maybe Language Arts. Does anyone have suggestions of curriculum that would best suit my son's needs? It can be from different publishers. Thanks so much
We use Plato Science, Grammarlogues, Vocabulary Vine and Jump In writing. All are good for 6 - 8 grade. I bought the 1st three through homeschoolbuyersco-op.org and the others throughout CBD online. Science is an interactive PowerPoint style presentation with pretests and a test per unit. Deals a lot with learning concepts, not just facts. The rest can easily adjusted as you see fit. We also do Thinkwell pre algebra, but I think that is their lowest level math. Oh, almost forgot, we use Mystery of History too.
I have two "non-traditional" learners too (age 14 and 12.) We hode podge everything together. They love to read, so we use Sonlight books, but not so much the "schedule" for History. We also watch alot of history videos and listen to CDs in the car. They do writing with an online coach. Science is Apologia (currently) but I'm looking at Singapore for next year. Math is the "Keys To" series supplemented with Life of Fred and games to help keep those math facts "fresh." Easy Grammar takes about 15 minutes a day. The part I love about "eclectic" homeschooling is the time it leaves for other interests. Both of mine love music and practice piano/guitar alot between lessons. My oldest is very involved in the theatre so she spend alot of time there and is always working on producing a new "video" for a documentary contest or for her own enjoyment. Youngest loves rock climbing and is at the gym as much as she can be. Best wishes!
For histrory have you checked out Homeschool In the Woods yet? Their TimeTravelers series sounds like it would be a great fit for you. There are alot of hands on projects and they have suggested readings and videos you can get out of the library.
I was also going to suggest Time Travelers. Great program, for the right kid. Also, check out Simple Schooling for science, and Raising Refounders for history. Though it is US history. History Pockets are also cool, but I am not sure what age they go to.
For math I would like at Math-U-See or Mastering Mathematics.. both have manipulative. And although Life of Fred doesn't, it is unlike any other math I've ever seen. My son LOVES it! Oh, and look at Noeo for science, too. Lots of activities there.
THANK YOU so much for each of your responses...I am checking out all curriculum suggested. I really appreciate everyone's help. I didn't know where to start since my son was using strictly Connections Academy curriculum and I wasn't all that familiar with any others. My sister homeschools her kids using Sonlight...but I think that is too much reading and not enough "visuals" and "action" for my son. He is very creative and LOVES lego building blocks and the minecraft online video game (which is basically BUILDING blocks online!) His mind is constantly thinking about the next adventure in building or creating. He's quite good at putting together those 3D puzzles where you build complex designs. Thanks again...I love the help and info that this forum provides for homeschooling families!
