My Homeschool Top Ten
My Top Ten Homeschool Tools and Curriculum
When I made the decision to homeschool, I was confidant that I would be successful finding my way. However, I never anticipated how much 'stuff' there was out there marketed to homeschooling families. It was actually a little overwhelming! Though we've only just begun, I have a number of favorites that I know we'll continue to use even if we change paths in the future.
1. Story of the World
I absolutely love the Story of the World series. It is available in 4 volumes and activities books. It reads more like a book than a textbook, but it is very thorough for the younger grade school age child. I think it keeps their interest much better than a textbook does. Volume 1 - Ancient Times / Volume 2 - Medieval Times / Volume 3 - Early Modern Times / Volume 4 - Modern times
2. History Through the Ages
The artist, Amy Pak, has created a gorgeous time line collection. This product can be used for so many things. The pictures come with and without a description, so you can choose which format is best suited for your needs. They are also resizable so the pictures can be used for small timeline books or for full sheet coloring pages. We use them in our "Book of Centuries" or "Record of Time" notebooks.
3. The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia is huge!! It is almost 500 pages long. It has a lot of great pictures and is easy for an older elementary student to read. It gives the information in bite size chunks. It provides a lot of information about the time period and the pictures help it to stick in the students mind. This book is used in a lot of history programs because of its so thorough.
4. The Children's World Atlas
"Homeschooling is a very old way of doing things. If you look at any of the bills in your wallet or the coins in your pocket, they all have a picture of a homeschooler on them." ~ William Lloyd
5. Science Logic
As a former science specialist, I have created my own science curriculum, Science Logic. My goal in writing this curriculum is to provide a hands-on science curriculum that will challenge middle-level students and instill a love of science. I have included hands-on activities every week, readings, as well as long-term projects. All of the activities described have been field tested in the public school setting with students in 4th-6th grade. The lessons are written with homeschooling families in mind but can also be adapted to a co-op or classroom setting.
The first volume of lessons, Earth Logic: Our Dynamic Earth, is a 10 week unit study on the geology of our Earth incorporating scientific inquiry and language arts applications. It is available now - see the right side-bar. You may choose from an E-book (PDF) or a print version (comb or spiral binding).
My intent is to create three comprehensive collections: Life Logic (biology, botany, zoology, marine science and ecology), Earth Logic (oceanography, geology, meteorology, astronomy), and Physics Logic (physics and chemistry).
6. A Quality Microscope
"Educating a child is a natural process. Homeschooling is nothing more than an extension of parenting." ~ Sue Maakestad
7. Singapore Math
Singapore Math was originally developed in the country of Singapore.
It has a strong mental math component (unlike many U.S. programs) that is one of its primary strengths. Logical, unique strategies are taught that help students truly understand mathematical concepts. Students are then able to solve problems mentally without always relying on paper and pencil. Singapore's Primary Mathematics U.S. Edition includes additional information to teach math relative to American culture (U.S. currency, pounds, ounces, etc.).
The core curriculum for grades 1-6 is called Primary Mathematics. There are two books that are used together, a textbook and a workbook. The year is divided up into two parts, so there is a textbook and workbook A and a textbook and workbook B for each year. The B books are not different versions or harder than the A books; they simply follow the A books. There are also a variety of optional supplementary books which are not a formal part of the core curriculum which provide additional practice (we don't use these components, however).
8. Themes to Remember
With Themes to Remember, your child will learn about the orchestra, opera, history of the composers, their individual styles and influences, musical terms and really come to understand the music. On each CD that accompanies the book, there is the composition and a track that plays the composition with the lyrics. It is pleasant and fun.
It sounds simple but you'd be amazed at how much your child will learn effortlessly with this program by just reading the biography, learning the music terms and singing the lyrics which is just the beginning!
"I still say the only education worth anything is self-education." ~ Robert Frost
9. Internet Access
There is a wealth of activity ideas and resources available to homeschoolers on the internet. Freebies include lesson plans, printables (worksheets, coloring pages, mini-books for lapbooking, etc.), and audio/visual language lessons. Many homeschooling families now also share their endeavors through blogs - a great way to see what others are doing. Forums are also a popular place to ask questions and seek out suggestions for projects and curriculum from experienced homeschoolers.
10. Your Public Library
You local library is perhaps the BEST resource for homeschoolers. Many libraries today provide access to the internet as well as videos and audiobooks. If you can't find a title you are looking for, don't hesitate to suggest that the library order it and put it on hold for you when it arrives.
This is where readers and friends can post comments about your lens. We call it the "Guestbook" module. It's up to you to approve or delete comments as they come in.
Homeschooling Top 10 Comments - What curriculum or resources do you like best? Let us know
I use and love #1 & 7-10. Amen for public libraries! I posted what we use at https://hubpages.com/education/homeschool-curricul... . Blessed and liked.
I've used your #1, 3, 9 and 10. I love the library. Great resources you have here.
great top ten
We have some of the same favorites! Story of the World has been a good match for us. Internet is one of the biggest and the library is a treat - no matter how much we go. I agree, the choices can be overwhelming. The best way to sort through is to ask other homeschoolers their favorites - just like you are providing here. Thanks!
I was reading along with no thought to the author when I saw Earth Logic - pleasantly surprised that someone else enjoyed that too. :) Great lens. I love the curriculum that you chose as well. :)
Great job on this, Congrats on Rocketmoms Graduation. Blessed by a Squid Angel
It's great to see a microscope on this list!
Your passion shines on this lens! Now that my kids are grown I could so get into homeschooling the future grandbabes :)
Some great ideas here. Homeschoolers are always so clever. I am lensrolling it to my homeschoolfun lens
Nicely done! I'm lens rolling this to my Daycare School lens. Very creative idea for a top 10 lens. 5*****
Love the Robert Frost quote! As a retired homeschool mom I think the best thing I did for my kids was read aloud to them. That's what they say anyway!
Very nice lens! My homeschool co-op is looking for a science and/or history curriculum for next year, so we might consider your science curriculum! I'll read more about it, but we're looking for something which has both something to read, as well as lots of experiments to do.
A great resource for homeschooling parents, I'm sure. It's always nice to see what someone's absolute essentials are, based on experience. 5*
I always love getting ideas from other homeschoolers and you have some excellent ones here.
Nicely done & blessed by Brenda!
Awesome list of tools!
great article about homeschooling.
Great job, home schooling is the best! 5 stars & a Squid Angel Blessing!
This is a great Lens, it's helped me finally decide what program I want to go with for our first 'official' year of homeschooling. Thank you so much!
Nice job... lots of information here!
Very helpful info!
Great list!
Great list!
Great list! It's hard to imagine that we homeschooled without the internet (except a little bit the last couple of years), but we certainly used the library a lot! I like the sound of your science series, which I'm going to go look at in a minute, as soon as I lensroll this to my Homeschool Planning and Planners lens.
Singapore math rocks! Love how useful that is in teaching kids.
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