Attention Fellow Homeschoolers

As a new homeschooler, the choices regarding curriculum are overwhelming. I need advice.

We are currently doing preschool level work, but next year we will be doing kindergarten stuff.

What have you guys used? Did you like it? Why? Why not?

I would also love to hear from those of you who are trained school teachers. That's you, Crickey. :) What do I need to look for when evaluating materials?

Comments

Cheri said…
I'm on the road now, so I will add more info later.
My main advice is - keep it simple! Read, read, read to your kids. Get them outside a lot!

Let them color and draw and build and cook and garden and do regular life stuff!

You don't need to spend much money at all at the kindergarten level.

Later!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Kris's Korner said…
Hi Curly mommy I use A Becka for homeschooling and a lot of my friend use Alpha and Omega. A Becka is hard for some kids but we love it. I love organic produce. We have it delivered every week in this area it is reasonable in price. I also work for a food supplement company. so anyway I think that we have alot in common. I'm praying for little man
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Sunny said…
Being a public school teacher and having worked with Christian curriculum I am more for curriculum that is not Christian filled. You can always add in Christian principals but most curriculums surround everything in it to the point that it is watered down and cheesy. I have no clue where to look but I would go with solid stuff and then add in your own godly wisdom.

Just a thought!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Curly said…
Thank you for your suggestions. I'll let you know what we decide.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Anonymous said…
We tried Alpha Omega and we did not like it. It covers too many topics at one time for my liking. Very difficult for my son to follow. I am just starting a different curriculum for the rest of the year. I am combining 3 math workbooks, 2 language arts workbooks, a handwriting workbook and a book the covers literature, math, science and social studies. My son is a visual learner who enjoys more hands on activities. check my blog for updates of how it is going.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Big Pissy said…
sunny's suggestion seems like a good one.

My oldest daughter teaches kindergarten after having taught 1st grade for 4 years.

I'll ask her for suggestions. :)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Crickett said…
I agree with Cheri about kindergarten. If you get her READING and otherwise focus on those activities, she'll have the foundation she needs for first grade. No need to spend a lot of money on curriculum yet.

Love you guys!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Curly said…
What about math?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Cheri said…
See if you can find a copy of "Honey for a Child's Heart" by Gladys Hunt. She gives excellent book lists for different ages - preschool, elementary, jr. hi and high school.

For math during the elementary years we used A Beka and liked it. For sixth grade thru' high school we used Saxon.

We also used KONOS curriculum for a few years. It was fun when we had a couple of other families to do some of the activities with.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Crickett said…
Math should be learning numbers, matching, etc. This website has some worksheets that are kindergarten math. It will give you an idea of what I'm thinking....again, I don't think you need to spend money on curriculum.

http://www.kidzone.ws/math/kindergarten.htm
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Curly said…
Everyone,thanks so much for all of the great advice!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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