2023/2024 Homeschool Curriculum Choices

If you’ve been around any homeschool mothers, you’d quickly discover that curriculum choices are some of the best days but also some daunting days. When you first begin homeschooling, it’s difficult to cipher through all of the options for each subject and child. There are many filters to narrow down the vast options and this year for our third year of homeschooling, it seemed to just all fall into place.

Technically, we’ve been doing school through the summer so we won’t have a giant transition back into school days. By keeping with our math and reading lessons, we don’t have to go through that relearn what you’ve lost period. Homeschooling is learning throughout life also so we haven’t stopped living around here so the kids have continued to learn through other means even if it wasn’t traditional lessons.

It’s important to remember that no curriculum will be perfect and that if you and/or your child begin to struggle with the lessons, you can pause, reevaluate, and even get rid of the curriculum. That’s a gift that comes with homeschooling. Also, remember that sometimes homeschool parents can be very passionate about curricula. The love it or hate it mentality can take over and it can almost seem like others are being pushy. I am passionate about teaching my children. I’m passionate about the convictions I have about media and the materials that I use. But I am not you; your children aren’t mine. God knew that you’d be the correct parent for yours and me for mine. I trust that in His providence and sovereignty, our curricula choices cannot thwart any of His plans.

This year we have a 4th grader and a 1st grader. I’m not going to calculate my grade but I enjoy learning right along with the kids so I try to find things that I can enjoy and be excited about for all of us.

The Choices

For the subjects that we’re using together as a family:

• The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski // We’ve been using this story bible for a couple of years and it’s just a favorite. The stories are simple and the discussion questions allow for simple reminders and conversations.
• The Biggest Story Curriculum // We’ve already started using this curriculum this week and so far I’m excited. I will do a full review of the set soon. There are many things free on their website and you can use the printables and the videos in your home anytime.
• Mystery of History Volume I // This might be my favorite curriculum that we’ve found. It can be as simple or as detailed as you make it. I appreciate that I don’t need to have a biblical history and a world history
• Apologia Science: Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day // Technically we started this last year and are still working our way through it. We’ve taken it slower so that we can include all the amazing books and media that are listed for each chapter. If there’s a subject that our family covers throughout our day-to-day life, it’s science. This gives us more flexibility in completing our curriculum.
• New City Catechism // We have multiple catechism options and sometimes go back and forth on which we use but this book is working well for us along with the app including the songs that make learning for us all a bit easier.
• All About Spelling // This was a new addition for us at the end of spring. We’ve done a few lessons throughout the summer but we’re all working to learn how to spell better. We love All About Reading so we went with All About Spelling as they use phonograms as the basis for the curriculum. Now we will all know the reasoning for when to use a c versus a k.

4th Grade

• Math // Singapore Math Dimensions is the choice for our boys. They learn well with the beautiful colors and simplified instructions. I won’t lie, my math skills have gotten better since going through this curriculum. We use the textbook and the workbook for each level. I do now get the teacher’s manual so that I can make sure I’m teaching everything correctly. You can also add in tests but Singapore Math customer service explained to us that we could just use the review sections as little tests instead of having an additional book.
• Language Arts // We have a few options and pieces
  • All About Reading // There aren’t enough words to describe how much I love AAR. It’s simple, open-and-go, and scripted. The workbook is colorful and gives my kids the chance to cut, play, and move around while learning new rules for reading. What was once a struggle is now something that he looks forward to doing.
  • Explode the Code // ETC is something each of our kids completes on their own while I teach the other. Occasionally, I have to explain a picture but it’s a basic template lesson that is set up the same for each lesson in every level. There are even 1/2 levels so that you can keep working or practicing before moving on.
  • Fix it Grammar // This is new for us this year. I wanted to start it last year but it didn’t work out. So far he is enjoying it. It’s simple enough to understand and complete without frustration or a ton of time.
• Handwriting // Cursive Kickoff // This is actually almost complete since we started this in the spring. This has been a very easy way to introduce cursive. Once we’re done with this booklet, we will make our own copy work practice.

The funny thing about homeschooling is grades/levels don’t always match. Levels and individual children are what matters. We’re all on different levels and completions of books. So here you’ll see some miss matched and half-completed books. Soon they will both be moving on to the next levels in math (like 2 lessons away).

2nd Grade

• Math // Singapore Math Dimensions Currently in the last chapter of 1B so we’ll be moving on to 2A next. t
• Language Arts // We have a few options and pieces
  • All About Reading // Our youngest is already rolling through Level 2. When we finished Level 1 we just kept going. We will do the same through each level. He’s enjoyed learning this way just like our oldest.
  • Explode the Code // He’s starting level 2 and will complete lessons as he has time. This is an additional learning tool for him.

Reminders:

• You don’t need to do things like we do!
• Catechisms are important
• Motherhood isn’t stealing anything from you
• Your homeschool curriculum choices will probably never align exactly with someone else’s. AND THAT IS OK!