My boys are 13 and 16 (technically 7th and 10th grade), we hs'd last year, and we pretty much winged it, using whatever I could find. Due to the fact that we did NOT plan to hs last year, I was not prepared, and did not have the finances to BUY a curriculum, because I had spent the $$$ on ps supplies, clothes, shoes, ect. I used what I could find. So, now this year I'm know we're hs'ing and I am planning on buying a curriculum for both of them. How do I know what level they are on? I know the youngest is behind on math and reading, but he enjoys more workbook type stuff, the oldest one HATES to read, and only wants to do "stuff online." How do I find a good match? Because whatever I buy has to work. I live in a small town, and drive to the nearest "big town" to Mardel's to get things. I see all the curriculum there, but haven't a clue where to begin.
many of the math programs have placement tests online you can print or take. I am having mine take a placement test for SOS math 7 annd 8 to see where he fits. SOS is an on the computer type of school curriclumum from Alpha Omega. Its not the best for some but I think my ds will be okay with it. Mostlyl 7th and 8th grade maths are review of fundementals up to Algebra levels. Its like a survey of work. So its pretty easy for your 13 yr old to get what he needs in 7th! Check with Math U see, and Teaching Text book for your 10th grader, I think these are the best ones for High School, I also loved the lessons for another Math on the computer one but I forget the name, its Talking text books or something similar. MUS is a DVD program where the teacher is on a disc, then you go over what the lesson is about in the teaching book, they do the work more independantly as they go at the 10th grade level. MY daughter used MUS for Geometry and has begged us to get the Alg1 and Alg2 both! We are working on that cause it is priced kind of high if you get the whole set, but they are out there second hand in great condition! Teaching Text books is a Computer based program wiht the lessons done in graphics form, so if your kid is into that they are good! I have heard a lot of good stuff and actuallylooked at it as something for my ds if SOS does not work for us. My son is going into 7th this year too, but Horizon math is putting him ahead of the 7th level so we are doing SOS 8 because I already have it from my other two kids. ( one graduated this year one next year! Wee!) SO I suggest if you have no problem about Christian products go to CBD.com and look up your students ages, check out the curric they have and go to the web sites for the ones you like and then look for placement tests. That will help alot! There are other places like Homeschool.com that has lists of courses too, and lots of people here who will give you sites too! Welcome to the spot and homeschooling! There are also a lot of free stuff learning currics out there, not as many for our kids ages but they do exist and there are a couple of people on here who will be able to givey ou the addys for them, I think Dalwinn and Chica are two of them. Colorado mom has a great site too with curric that is really good study material and she gives you freebies if you sign up! ( I think thats still available?)
So much info there TeacherMom Thank you so much for your wisdom. I don't know how the summer has gotten away from me, and I haven't gotten as much done (as far as planning goes) that I wanted to have done. All in due time I suppose. At least now I have a direction to go in. Before, I was running in circles LOL. Again, thanks so much
My kids are younger but I can highly recommend looking at Rainbow Resources website for great prices (especially on workbooks that it's hard to find used and not written in). www.rainbowresource.com (owned & operated by a long time homeschooling family and has some product reviews too). For placement, you can get many of the math online as previously mentioned. Sonlight has many of them at their website (www.sonlight.com). For Language Arts, you could look at the scope & sequence for many online to see where they might fall....each companies will be a bit different. For science and history, I'd just go with what they would typically do at that age even if you have to slow it down. For 7th grade, I'd recommend Apologia's General Science if you want a Christian program that's thorough (I will warn you that I've heard the first chapter is the hardest so don't be discouraged). We're using their Elementary series and my non-science-liking daughter LOVES it For history, we personally use Sonlight, but that probably wouldn't be a good fit for kids who don't like to read (although you could potentially use the same Core for both kids). I'm sure other ladies with older children will chime in with more suggestions soon. Rhonda
hey, this is nice how they have the Sonlight web site I recommend going there too cause it does snow a lot of good information on each book and subject... for all the grades! I looked in to see what I was missing and its pretty much like what I am using, MOH, but SOTW is different time period for 7th than it is for us here in my area, so it worked good for me to use MOH 3
Before you spend a lot of money, maybe you want to see if my free math courses can be of some help. They are aimed at students 13 - 14 yrs and up. I have a pretest posted that checks if students are ready to start the algebra course on the site. (This test only matches up with the course on the site; it does not indicate grade level). Contact me if you would like a key to have a look at the algebra course to see if it would be suitable. The geometry lab is open to any student; no pretest is required and no key is needed. I have listed two free online resources that students can use to learn geometry. The labs are designed to illustrate the principles of geometry in a hands-on way, supplemented by free software. Additional free online resources are provided with many of the experiments. I have 15 experiments so far, but only 4 are posted. I am waiting for a few people to check out the format before I post the rest. All courses have a monitored Help Forum where students can ask questions. Erna.
First of all, do you know their learning styles? You can Google Learning Styles, and read through them to f9igure that out. That way you can narrow down what curriculum could work for each one. For music/art history check out Harmony Fine Arts at http://www.harmonyfinearts.com/ They have something for every grade--very cool! Math-- CLE (Christian Light Education) Reviews: http://www.homeschoolmath.net/curriculum_reviews/christian_light_education.php Life of Fred---Written differently than other programs, but is a complete program. It works great for my kids. My dd will be in 7th next year and is doing the Beginning Algebra with the Home Companion. It's gaining popularity and my kids LOVE it! http://www.stanleyschmidt.com/FredGauss/index2.html Saxon---A well-known product to homeschoolers. It didn't work at all for my kids, but many kids are very happy with it. http://saxonpublishers.hmhco.com/en/saxonpublishers.htm Teaching Textbooks--My kids really liked this and it's gaining popularity in homeschool circles also. My dd did the Pre-Algebra in 5th grade and did fine. Their levels are "low", meaning, if it says 7th grade, is more like 6th grade work. If it says Algebra 2, it's more like Algebra 1. To me that's not a problem, I just tested them (they have an on-line placement test) and put them in the level they tested into. It's a good program if you get the right level. Just thought I'd mention that, cuz I wouldn't want you to spend that much and end up with the wrong level! These are easily resellable here or on the Well-Trained Mind Sale Board, or Homeschool Classifieds, etc. http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math7.htm Math U See---I don't know much about this one, but have heard good things! http://www.mathusee.com/ For your older son, which math has he already taken? There is also: VideoText Algebra. The whole course covers Algebra 1 & 2. They also have VT Geometry http://www.videotext.com/homeschool.htm Other classes: Writing--Write Shop ( http://www.writeshop.com/ ) is what we're using next year. We'll see how it goes. A good writing program really prepares them well for writing for the SAT/ACT and for college classes. Grammar-- Hake Grammar & Writing ( http://www.studygrammar.com/ ) Analytical Grammar ( http://www.analyticalgrammar.com/ ) They also have Junior Analytical Grammar (JAG) that says it's for 4th & 5th grades, but if they haven't had much grammar, or struggle, JAG is good for review/catch-up. I am looking at getting JAG for my dd who will be in 7th grade and struggles with grammar. The AG is expanded and goes deeper that the JAG Rod & Staff English/Grammar ( http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Building_Christian_English_Series/ ) Very thorough program. This is the opposite of the TT math. R&S's 5th grade English Grammar book is more like 6th or 7th or more in most schools! If they're just starting, even the highschool kids, they need to start with the 5th grade book and go from there Science-- Apologia ( http://www.apologia.com/store/?PHPSESSID=ce7c1dea05977ecd8dd41819657740cb ) This site shows a schedule of which science to use for which grade, and you can click on the links at the left to take you directly to the info. about each one. For your 7th grader: Literature-- Lightning Lit. ( http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/book/blight.asp ) Actually, they have LL 7 and LL 8. Many highschoolers who have not had any literature analysis use one or both of these to break them into the idea. You don't have to use all of what's assigned, you just use what works for you. Logic-- The Dandy Lion Series ( http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/critical-thinking/dandy-lion-critical-thinking.htm ) That's a review. Last year, in 6th, my dd, who hadn't had logic yet, did the first two books in the 3-book series, and will do the last one this year. It's a fun intro. if the student hasn't had logic yet. For your 10th grader: History-- Notgrass ( http://www.notgrass.com/index.php ) Places to look at curriculum: Queen Homeschool http://www.queenhomeschool.com/ A Beka http://www.abeka.com/ Bob Jones http://www.bjupress.com/page/HS+Home These are just some of what's available. Many sites have placement tests, so, check for, and take those before deciding on what level to get. Oh, that's another thing. We always call them levels, not grades. My kids are "ahead in some areas, "normal" in some areas and "behind" in other areas. That's all relative. The important thing is to get a level at which they will be challenged, but not overwhelmed. Where they will learn, but not be bogged down. Whether that's "ahead" or "behind" does not matter! One of your goals for homeschooling should be to find the curriculum that fits the best to build a strong base and move them forward! It's no credit to them or anyone if they work on a level "ahead" if they don't understand the basics of what they're doing! They'll actually just keep getting "behinder and behinder", and will be frustrated with it all! Go to a level that they understand and can work upwards from!
Ok - so I was looking thru the posts - trying to make sure I didn't repost questions already answered...like how to determine what I should be getting, curr/age/ability wise for my 2 oldest - and TA-DAH here's this. So for anyone just starting - here are some ways to determine blah blah blah....especially if you're not starting with a K. My boys have the problem of being severely ahead - so I would rather teach to their abilities than state mandated whatnot (that they already know.) This post was very very very helpful in getting my feet wet with how to determine their abilities (beyond my supermom senses.) Thanks.
