You've been asking for it and here we are...the bulk of where our homeschool education comes from. But first things first.
First, new homeschoolers: you do not start with this much curriculum. Consider us heavyweights in the weightlifting arena. When you are first starting, you start with a basic routine and slowly build on it as you achieve success in order to avoid injury. Same goes for curriculum! Start small, succeed small, observe where your children might need or want a little extra in a subject, and pursue options for filling that hole. Some of us have taken years and years to cultivate our perfect curriculum. Don't rush into homeschooling. A gentle acclimation to it is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.
Second, if you are homeschooling with a curriculum, remember that EVERY GRADE is different in expectation, so never compare a second grade curriculum list to a Kindergarten one. Kindergarten should be very, VERY simple.
Lastly, there are things done at different speeds with homeschool in general. In some curriculums, you may feel that the writing portion isn't as advanced as you'd like...but that's because many curriculums believe that schools push writing far too fast at the expense of allowing children to fully develop creative ideas. I've seen this with my kids. If we combine imagination AND writing in too many subjects, the depth of their learning stays shallow. But if I participate in a discussion with them instead of forcing them to write again, they are able to take off into a mental world of ideas and understanding. Writing will absolutely come and be rigorous, but in many homeschool curriculums, they believe in rigorously cultivating and protecting the wondering process as well as the writing process.
​Now....
First, new homeschoolers: you do not start with this much curriculum. Consider us heavyweights in the weightlifting arena. When you are first starting, you start with a basic routine and slowly build on it as you achieve success in order to avoid injury. Same goes for curriculum! Start small, succeed small, observe where your children might need or want a little extra in a subject, and pursue options for filling that hole. Some of us have taken years and years to cultivate our perfect curriculum. Don't rush into homeschooling. A gentle acclimation to it is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.
Second, if you are homeschooling with a curriculum, remember that EVERY GRADE is different in expectation, so never compare a second grade curriculum list to a Kindergarten one. Kindergarten should be very, VERY simple.
Lastly, there are things done at different speeds with homeschool in general. In some curriculums, you may feel that the writing portion isn't as advanced as you'd like...but that's because many curriculums believe that schools push writing far too fast at the expense of allowing children to fully develop creative ideas. I've seen this with my kids. If we combine imagination AND writing in too many subjects, the depth of their learning stays shallow. But if I participate in a discussion with them instead of forcing them to write again, they are able to take off into a mental world of ideas and understanding. Writing will absolutely come and be rigorous, but in many homeschool curriculums, they believe in rigorously cultivating and protecting the wondering process as well as the writing process.
​Now....
The Main Course
(for Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Art)
I love, love, LOVE Blossom and Root. This is the only one I will talk about a lot...the rest of my Homeschool Curriculum will be in list form below :).
What do I love about B&R? It's like a Choose Your Own Adventure every lesson. There are choices in every lesson so you can put together what's right for you and your family that day. Each lesson has the info you need to teach, including "Big Picture" messages that help you as the teacher keep on track with what needs to be learned.
After that, each lesson includes:
-a Minimalist option (reading 1-2 pages out of one of the required books together)
-a Book Basket option (usually literary or fictional works that expand on the concepts in imaginative ways)
-a Visual Learners option (links to educational videos about the concept)
-an Outdoor Learner option (usually an outdoor lab project)
-a Table Lab option (for indoor lab projects)
-a Crafts-and-Projects option (for the crafty families)
If I have a lot on my plate and can't do much that day? I do the lesson for the minimalists. If I have a bunch of time and feel like getting crafty with the kids? I do the Minimalist lesson + the Arts and Crafts add on. If I feel like reading more books, I do the Minimalist lesson + the Book Basket add on. Feel like doing a hands on project? Minimalist lesson + Table Lab add on. You can also do EVERYTHING if your kid is loving the subject. I usually always have them do the Visual Learner option during or after lunch. It is just SO FLEXIBLE.
On top of that, they have my favorite non-whitewashed American History curriculum, River of Voices. I searched high and low for an excellent American History option and thankfully, this one came out just this year. Not only was she careful to select a diverse range of perspectives to teach history from, but she vetted the the curriculum through a diverse set of reviewers and educators. She adjusted or removed anything that they felt was problematic and added books that they recommended.
Even better, this American History curriculum is for grades 3-8. It goes in chronological order, but has three pathways through it: Gentle, Standard, and Advanced in order to adapt to the age or sensitivity of the learner. The first lesson is about the Native people who already lived here, but you get to decide which pathway to take, and each pathway utilizes different books for each lesson (with advanced books going into more mature detail about the terrible things that have happened in America's past). I'm going to do the Standard pathway with my third grader this year, but when we finish it, I am going to cycle back through and do it AGAIN with the Advanced pathway when he's older.
Alright, I think I've explained enough. It's pretty damn cool.
PS- Blossom and Root has their end of summer sale right now. Everything is 30% off. Go.
https://blossomandroot.com/our-curriculum/
What do I love about B&R? It's like a Choose Your Own Adventure every lesson. There are choices in every lesson so you can put together what's right for you and your family that day. Each lesson has the info you need to teach, including "Big Picture" messages that help you as the teacher keep on track with what needs to be learned.
After that, each lesson includes:
-a Minimalist option (reading 1-2 pages out of one of the required books together)
-a Book Basket option (usually literary or fictional works that expand on the concepts in imaginative ways)
-a Visual Learners option (links to educational videos about the concept)
-an Outdoor Learner option (usually an outdoor lab project)
-a Table Lab option (for indoor lab projects)
-a Crafts-and-Projects option (for the crafty families)
If I have a lot on my plate and can't do much that day? I do the lesson for the minimalists. If I have a bunch of time and feel like getting crafty with the kids? I do the Minimalist lesson + the Arts and Crafts add on. If I feel like reading more books, I do the Minimalist lesson + the Book Basket add on. Feel like doing a hands on project? Minimalist lesson + Table Lab add on. You can also do EVERYTHING if your kid is loving the subject. I usually always have them do the Visual Learner option during or after lunch. It is just SO FLEXIBLE.
On top of that, they have my favorite non-whitewashed American History curriculum, River of Voices. I searched high and low for an excellent American History option and thankfully, this one came out just this year. Not only was she careful to select a diverse range of perspectives to teach history from, but she vetted the the curriculum through a diverse set of reviewers and educators. She adjusted or removed anything that they felt was problematic and added books that they recommended.
Even better, this American History curriculum is for grades 3-8. It goes in chronological order, but has three pathways through it: Gentle, Standard, and Advanced in order to adapt to the age or sensitivity of the learner. The first lesson is about the Native people who already lived here, but you get to decide which pathway to take, and each pathway utilizes different books for each lesson (with advanced books going into more mature detail about the terrible things that have happened in America's past). I'm going to do the Standard pathway with my third grader this year, but when we finish it, I am going to cycle back through and do it AGAIN with the Advanced pathway when he's older.
Alright, I think I've explained enough. It's pretty damn cool.
PS- Blossom and Root has their end of summer sale right now. Everything is 30% off. Go.
https://blossomandroot.com/our-curriculum/
The Other Main Course
(Math)
Beast Academy isn't for everyone, as it covers math in a very conceptual, abstract way. It is a real treasure, though, if it's something your child is interested in. It's very challenging, but also makes math so visual, beautiful, and practical, as it should be. Because this curriculum is so abstract and rigorous, I supplement with other math workbooks below. Some days we do Beast Academy and sometimes we do Star Wars math. It feels like a great balance.
​https://beastacademy.com/books
Favorite Supplements
Supplemental Math
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Supplemental Science
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Supplemental Reading and Writing
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Supplemental Geography, Culture, Languages
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Supplemental Strategy and Logic
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Supplemental Growth Mindset and Emotional Health
Overcoming anger, perfectionism, anxiety, and more.
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YouTube Learning
Science Max is one of my favorite people in the world. I grew up on Bill Nye and LOVED him, but I might even like Phil from Science Max better.
​Sci Show and Sci Show Kids are fantastic at teaching a wide variety of science concepts in fun ways.
Crash Course and Crash Course Kids are also amazing science, history, and physics shows. My boys adore Crash Course Kids.
Cosmic Yoga is great for adding yoga, storytime, and controlling-your-wiggles practice into your school day.
Favorite Online Resources
Khan Academy is a great free resource for kids, teens, and grown ups. Use online or with an app.
Khan Academy Kids is geared to younger learners below 2nd grade. Use online or with an app.
News-O-Matic is a kid's daily news source with age appropriate material. 10 day free trial, subscription required after.
Duolingo is a free language-learning resource available online or as an app.
Outschool offers an awesome selection of classes from stop motion animation, creative writing with a Pokemon theme, and special classes for kids with autism or sensory processing difficulties. My son is currently take a microbiology class through them and it's been amazing. It's not free, but you can find a range of options from $3 one time classes to a 6 week set of cello lessons. Scroll through to see the wide variety of options. There is even a story time for pre-k in case you need to buy yourself a half hour of time in the middle of the day!
Email! Setting your child up with email to send to family or friends while everyone is reducing public outings is a great way to practice typing and letter writing etiquette.
On The Tablet
Medieval Math, Truss Me, Tynker, Code Monkey, Monument Valley, Crossword Jams, Words with Friends, Inventioneers, Think a Rolls, Treble Cat, and Pbs Kids
Games - My Favorite Things!
First off, if you have a kid that would actually prefer to know MORE about viruses right now, Virulence is an excellent game from Genius Games. Pandemic is another great option as well.
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SECOND, if you are having a rough day trying to get through schooling, GAMES ARE A PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE WAY TO SPEND A HOMESCHOOL DAY or to add incentive to get through schoolwork to get board game time with a parent or friend.
Strategy and Math
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Word Play
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Science and Geography
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Miscellaneous
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I actually have a lot more recommendations for games (I know, yikes), so I will try to update this again later. My other area that I have far too many recommendations in is books, so I will make a separate post about that soon.
Remember, you CAN get things used! Thriftbooks.com and Facebook Marketplace are great options for finding books and games. During the COVID-19 outbreak, if you get something used, it's best to get it, clean it, wash your hands, and enjoy! We are back to using our libraries weekly and are getting so many incredible books back in our house again. You do not have to buy a SINGLE THING to homeschool well if you can get your hands on a library card. They have books, toys, board games, videos, AND unit study backpacks and boxes to check out.
Remember, you CAN get things used! Thriftbooks.com and Facebook Marketplace are great options for finding books and games. During the COVID-19 outbreak, if you get something used, it's best to get it, clean it, wash your hands, and enjoy! We are back to using our libraries weekly and are getting so many incredible books back in our house again. You do not have to buy a SINGLE THING to homeschool well if you can get your hands on a library card. They have books, toys, board games, videos, AND unit study backpacks and boxes to check out.
​Hang in there! Make good choices, wash Hands, and practice effective Social Distancing when Possible.
Doesn't mean you can't be outside a lot, though!
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