Curriculum shmurriculum

Ok, my sister has asked me a seemingly simple question: "what kind of curriculum do you use?" Well, this is not as simple to answer as you might suppose.

As is probably the case with most homeschoolers, my curriculum is now made up of a variety of bits and pieces from several different sources. Each year I change one or two things, always in search of the "perfect" material to suit each child. I have tried, and enjoyed aspects of, Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace, Mystery of History, Bob Jones, Abeka, Rod and Staff, and some others whose names I cannot recall at this time. They all have positives and negatives.

Currently, for history, I am using Mystery of History. I like it, but have had difficulty finding many of her reading selections at my library. There are those who can afford to buy all of the necessary books straight from the website, but I cannot. So, I basically have been using this as an organizational tool, leading me in what general historical period to study next, and then I go to the library and pick my favorite selections on that time period from what is actually available to me. This has been working out pretty well. I also use the internet to research creative projects to do with the kids, adding interest to the reading material.

I have adopted the same sort of process for my science, too. I tried Sonlight science, which provides all the books and kits for the year in one package. It was ok, but I wasn't feeling it. It was a bit simplistic in the early years. I am thinking of trying it again now that we're in the higher stuff. At this point, though, I am researching the kinds of things that I think they would enjoy learning about and putting together lessons using the reading material I can find at the library and projects I have come up with from the internet or my own noggin. I did like the Bob Jones curriculum for this, but felt it was sometimes too simple for Jacob and a bit boring for Josh. (There is a theme beginning to build here. See if you can figure it out by the end.)

For grammar, we are currently doing Rod and Staff. The book we are in now (3, Beginning Wisely) basically teaches them everything they will ever use in this area and probably a little more than they actually need to know. It is also a bit boring. Ok, a lot boring. But, once they've made it successfully through this book, I will feel like they are completely prepared in this area. I will then move to a fun, easy grammar, like EZGrammar (yes, that is actually its name) to keep it all fresh in their heads in years to come. I believe they will be incredibly grateful for the change, and probably will kiss my feet.

I think it is important not to change your math curriculum too often. Each math curriculum takes the kids through in steps, and you don't want to accidentally miss something important by changing, or confuse them with a completely different style of learning. However, that being said, I also think you have to assess and change if it is totally not working for your children. We did Singapore math for a couple of years, and, while I like it for a lot of reasons, the boys just were not getting it. So, I switched them last year to Horizons Math and have been very happy with the change. I do wonder if this or that other math would work even better, but I think I'm going to stick with this one rather then risk confusing them with another change. If I were to try something else, though, I think it would be this new thing I'm hearing a lot about called Teaching Texts (from Sonlight catalog. I think that's the name anyway...). It uses the computer and sounds pretty nifty.

Writing. sigh. Well, I am just not happy with anything I've tried in this area. I've purchased books and books on teaching your child writing, but none of them have really spoken to me. I tried Write on Track, but hated how it was organized. Sonlight did nothing for this. Mystery of History, Tapestry of Grace, zippo. This year I am using Writing Strands, but I don't like it either. So, next year I will finally be biting the bullet and putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak. (don't you just love switching images mid-sentence?) Yes, I am going to buy the way-too-expensive Institute for Excellence in Writing program. I have seen ample evidence that it is what I have been searching for, but I have been loath to spend so much on it. However, my little writing prodigy must be challenged, so that is what I will be using from now on. -sigh- It had better be worth it!

Ok, lets see. I did history, math, science, grammar, writing...um...Oh! Ok, I am teaching using the classical method, so the boys are also learning Latin. They actually really like it, believe it or not, and it will provide them with a backbone upon which to build all latin-based languages. We're using Prima Latina this year.

In reading, I taught them using a book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, plus I basically hounded them about their letters from the day they turned two. Yeah, mom can attest to this. Julia should easily be reading by age three at this rate. Actually, I strongly suspect she already can read some words, but refuses to because mommy just wants it too much. I would not put it past her.

The boys read all the time. I assign them literature that I think would be good for them (you know, Classics. Historical fiction. That sort of thing.). We also go to the library once a week, where they pick out a bunch of stuff. I encourage them to pick some books from all of the categories, not just fiction. This has also added to our science and history, as we follow the paths of their interests throughout the non-fiction areas. That's why reading is such a passion for me. I want my kids to read from as early an age as possible because, once they can read, the whole world becomes open to them. They can educate themselves simply by reading about the things that excite them.

As far as extra-curriculars, they both do gym and art at the YMCA, plus seasonal sports. I also asked each one what they wanted to be when they grow up, and we do some vocational training towards that end. Jacob currently wants to do something computer-ish, so he is learning programming using Phrogram (a kid-oriented programming language), plus typing. For Josh, who wants to be either a rock-star or a chef, there are piano lessons, plus chorus, and weekly cooking lessons with me (basic cooking from a very basic cook!).

So, the theme here is this: Try whatever you think will work out well for your kids but, in the end, don't be surprised if you find yourself building a one-of-a-kind hodgepodge of a curriculum based on what is best for the very individual needs of your very individual kiddos. One-stop shopping is convenient and attractive for us busy moms, but most children really don't fit into any pre-made mold. Experiment, assess, change if necessary, and understand that, no matter what you do, as long as you are passionate about their education and love them with all of your might, you are going to provide them with an excellent learning environment in which to grow into the women and men God means them to be.

There, see now why I couldn't just answer your question with a two-second comment? :) Love ya!