Biggest mistake I made was over-buying in the beginning and then sticking to a curriculum because I wanted it to work versus what was actually working for my kiddos. I won't sacrifice our own beliefs when it comes to curriculum and to do research on the company. I won't mention names, but when I reached out to a company and asked for clarification on a few things they were very rude. The representative told me "You want to buy it or not!" with such a tone, I immediately hung up and never gave that company a second glance.
Yes! I have five kids and worldview is so important. With that being said I have 3 different math curriculum that I use with them because they all learn differently and I know people thing I’m crazy but I hate dealing with tears everyday so I had to do different curriculum, which is Math-u-see, horizons math, and Masterbooks. Thank the Lord there is no more tears but this is what works for us
Ditto here, we are using three different maths curriculum s well, my adhd child refuses to switch off TGAB (she loves the pretty) my dyslexic child is on math mammoth, and my third is on math with confidence, ideally I’d love them all on one thing, but the reality is every child is different and has different needs.
Love the video! 😂😂 Funny comment about the Charlotte Mason mom ... I'm a rebel because I also don't make sourdough bread, or ANY bread, and call myself a CM mom. 😬🙈😆 Just really love her view of children and education, but I'm not married to any specific curriculum. ❤
As much as we moms have a fantasy homeschool style, our kids can too. My oldest still gravitates back to a curriculum brand/ style that just doesn't work for her. We made that mistake last year, again, and I am bound and determined not to do it again next year, especially since high school curriculum is not cheap. I also tend to change things up when they're working, which never works out.
You are so down to earth and practical, love your advice and sense of humor. 😊 I definitely vet the companies I buy from, no way will I support or use anything that goes against our views. I have decided that I will not buy a history curriculum. Yes on the SCM! I wanted to be Sonya 😂
You have been so helpful to me in my homeschool journey. I’m on year 4 and I feel like I’m maybe starting to get the hang of it. I too, wanted to be a Charlotte Mason mom but my kids said, “nah.” 😂 I will not buy a curriculum if it goes against our worldview and beliefs. I’ll narrow things down and give my kids a choice and there has only been one time I switched a math curriculum after about the 6th week. Luckily it worked as a supplement to the one I used to replace it. 😂 Thanks so much for all you do! It’s so helpful!
@@Kiki-fe2le I never knew it did that. I heard from a good friend of mine that there is a huge emphasis on idols. I know it is a huge hit amongst Christians. Thank you for letting me know that information.
@@SeeGeekRunI have personally read SOTW Ancient Times. The author does NOT teach evolution in the book. Yes there are many stories about idols but that is something that just goes along with the time period. If you are learning about the Greeks you will learn about the greek gods. That is simply what the people from that culture believed. The author is just relaying information. If there are fables about idols that you feel uncomfortable reading to your kids it is easy to skip over. I think this can be used as a tool to teach children about how this was morally wrong and we end up just treating as a story.
@@mmv10 I see your point. Yes, those are conversations we should have with our kids. For me , I just prefer a curriculum that goes hand in hand with history and Scripture. That is my personal conviction.
Great video! I appreciate your style and also that you don’t name names 😬 That just doesn’t seem necessary to me. Different things will work for different people. I won’t buy a curriculum if…it’s super expensive, super ‘trendy’, or a different worldview from ours.
Yes! Exactly why I will never use The Good and the Beautiful (LDS/mormon curriculum…or at best ecumenical, which is still not aligned with our worldview)
@@dc4692we have used it for over 5 years and I have yet to see anything. Any scripture used is King James. My daughter has thrived with it. We have tried others and this has been what works.
I generally avoid any materials that look or read like a textbook. And anything that's called a "curriculum" is usually off my list - *especially* if it comes in a "big box." I've LOVED video materials like Wes Olsen's 101 series for sciences, and the One Year Adventure Novel for writing/ELA. And for math, IXL was a huge win.
Right now i am noticing what the homeschool fad is and not really buying into it (literally lol) my gut is telling me no. Also worldview im noticing more and more how important it is and sometimes how hard it can be to find that fits your style (we are catholic) . Very great points!
I won’t ever use curriculum without the same worldview as mine. We just need more consistent worldview and I’ve noticed it tank a bit within some curricula we have tried, like halfway through there’s a snippet of, hmmmm, that sounds kinda wishywashy or lukewarm. Either full on, or lukewarm but I need it consistent instead of starting strong, or ending half truths wrapped in fun activities or something. Hope that makes sense.
Under the Home has free curriculum for music appreciation , art ap. , and lots of *extras. A great way to enhance your kids’ education after all the money was spent on the basics.
Thank you for this video. I have a long question. I hope it is ok to ask. My son completely does not like language arts. We were in a public school done online last year for kindergarten and he hated it. He still hates it. I am torn between language arts curriculum. I found a company that I truly loved the aspects of it, the literature inside, and the fact that I believe it is a good foundation for learning to read. It is also affordable to me. For that curriculum, it is a Christian company and advertisers a Christian company. The writers of that company have many different world views. I have looked through many of the sample pages and do not see where it the tears off of basic Christian values such as honesty Etc. I'm wondering if because the writers are of different world beliefs than mine if I should look into switching. Like I said I've known people who've used it and looking into it from just a basic view it does not seem to have World Views pushed into it. What's your advice for me
I wanted to be a Charlotte Mason mom so bad, and yse ambleside online and do all these picture studies and learn about birds etc etc, neither i nor my kids are Charlotte Mason 😂 thats just not how they learn. We used easy peasy, which we liked a lot, but it was hard to keep track of and our state requires a teacher review of each child every year. We are trying out ace paces this year and it's been going really well
I really liked the idea of Charlotte Mason, but that did not work out. I found my oldest responds better to more a more “regimented” curriculum. He loves textbooks and worksheets. 😂
Im seeing this now with the curriculum I bought at the beginning of our school year looking at a different curriculum now I feel my children are not loving it at all.
I'm struggling to find a curriculum besides Math (we so far enjoy TTbooks). I am struggling with my fourth grader to do any type of school work... We pulled him out after Christmas break due to bullying, so I hate to threaten him having to go back if he doesn't do any type of school work at home. But I don't want to force a curriculum he doesn't like. I'm at a loss what to do. 😕 For me, it would be easy if you want to stay home you do the school work Mom chooses with input...
give him a chance to deschool and decompress a bit; the bullying was a lot on his shoulders I bet. And, it's okay to let him breathe a little. I'm not very far into my journey...about 3.5 years, but I do know that deschooling was very beneficial for us, and during that time, I focused on reading to them, a little bit of writing, and Math (but life skills type Math like money and budgeting).
@@KjmecklingI was just popping in to say this very thing! ❤ It sounds like your son (and you!) have been through a lot. You may just need to enjoy life together for a while. When you are ready, check out Campfire Curriculums. They have unit studies on all kinds of interesting things. Titanic, Volcanos, Military, Gardening, Zoology, Home Defense, Car Maintenance, Pirates, and so much more! They have a really unique style of approaching learning and it may just work for your son. ❤
I’m done homeschooling now, but I let my kids have a lot of input in curriculum choices. I told them that I would ditch a curriculum if it put them into tears. I was all for them enjoying what we bought. I also told them we had to give new things a fair chance. This idea stuck with them, and is part of their adult vocabulary. My three year old granddaughter told me she had to “give new veggies a fair chance”and we agreed that three bites would constitute a fair chance in that instance. It is a valuable concept for navigating all sorts of new things.
After many moons being in the homeschool world. I also judge a curriculum by the companies behavior. How they conduct themselves online and who they partner with on youtube. I know this sounds very judgemental, but I feel your behavior reflects what you surround yourself with.
For us IEW was the one I kept trying to force to work, 3 different times!! It just was not working for my son and I kept trying and wasted so much time and money and my son never got a great foundation because of all the switching 😭
Same here! I think it's just too much for my kids. The video lessons were too long and there are too many things to include. I tried it several times and finally threw in the towel. We currently die EIW which is a better fit for our family. I think both are solid programs. We are very fortunate to have the ability to choose what works best.
I won't buy curriculum that is super heavy with manipulatives or has all these pieces. Just not my thing. My biggest mistake is thinking a curriculum will work, because it's popular and everyone says "It's so amazing!" In all honesty, I have gotten along better with curriculum that goes under the radar. Things like Master Books math, Happy Cheetah Reading, Miacademy, and EIW (which is becoming more popular) just works for my kids. They might not be the biggest names out there, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't still be considered.
I have a child that absolutely hates every curriculum we have ever done. He hates school work. I have tried everything. He hates it all simply because it is school. I do not take his opinions into consideration because if it were up to him, he would not choose any of it. He's a middle child going through his rebellious phase. Guest Hollow is one of those curriculums that I was not prepared for regarding their world view. Their online textbooks are good, and I was using that as an indicator for their curriculum plans. I was not prepared for every single book, video, website, and article to be secular. Not a single reference to a Biblical world view at all. I watched tons of Christian homeschooler videos saying how great the plans were. Same thing with Sonlight and Easy-peasy, nothing but secular resources when it comes to science. There is a gaping whole in the curriculum world when it comes to Biblical science resources. Unless you want a textbook, the only company trying to put out Christian science reference books is Master Books.
@genabrady1348--You are absolutely correct! I bought their elementary geography and I will not be purchasing anything else from them. Thanks to Mandy, I have been getting the Generations curriculum and so far so good. I haven't done the Generations Science yet though.
@@mandy-maltz Generations doesn't have any high school science. Apologia is out of my price range. I've got a $500 budget for 3 kids, 2 high schooler and 1 middle schooler. That puts most biblical science curriculum out of reach. We are not big fans of textbooks. I end up using a lot of public domain living books like The Storybook of Science.
@@genabrady1348Master Books and Answers in Genesis are Awesome!!! I would love Generations but we are not reformed and avoid Calvinism teachings as Fundamental Independent Baptists.
I always tell new homeschool mamas NOT to go into debt! If the curriculum isnt in budget this year, save and look at it again next year. It'll still be there. There are SO MANY wonderful free or budget friendly options that going into debt is so unnecessary.
My oldest is going to be going into the 7th grade, so I can’t give my opinion on Curriculum past the 6th grade currently but, I really LOVE The Good and the Beautiful. I have used all of their revised stuff for my 6 year old, pre-k-1st, and he is reading amazingly. (First one I ever taught how to read 🥳) I know they are redoing their History but I am using their old version and my kids and I are learning so much. I also use their science 😅. Again they are the best open and go, but also not too crazy long of a lesson for my littles to be involved OR playdough can keep them happy while I do the lesson.
First thing I look for is a Christian company, then ask does my kid hate it (oldest always hates math but maybe she hates one less than another), then content (does it emphasize or focus on what I want to learn that year and does it meet state requirements for the subject - by this I do NOT mean common core standards lol but like if they have to have a physical science for middle school), then thoroughness, and there canNOT be too much prep work on my part or I will lose steam. It has also come to be a MUST to have some sort of Christian and church history to fill in for each time period because that is LOST on people today.
Yes, Easy Peasy is amazing! We love it (we use their history, reading, and math) Under the Home is also awesome because like Easy Peasy it is really free and all you need is notebook and pen (also probably art supplies if you plan to do art) Others like Ambleside online (a Charlotte Mason curriculum) gives you book lists and tools to use them BUT you have to have/get/borrow the books so not completely free. Freedom homeschooling is a great site for having a list of free homeschooling curriculum
I won't buy curriculum that costs more than my yearly car insurance premium. There are so many quality resources available for low or no cost that I just cannot justify it right now. I'll probably reevaluate our budget once we get to high school but community college is cheaper than a lot of the more expensive curriculums.
Many of them do, in fact, claim to be neutral. I got an ad for one just the other day on my newsfeed. While many may not use the word, there are companies using it as a selling point now in their ads. I'm simply pointing that out, and that it's an impossibility.
Buying EvenMore science workbook level 6, was my biggest mistake... I had to rip out half of the worksheets because of the big bang theory. From now on, I really look into Biblical worldview and there is no shortcuts in that... God give us all wisdom 🙏 especially, if the curriculum is controversial, run, no matter how pretty it is and how marketed it is....
I won’t buy curriculum that doesn’t align with our Christian beliefs. I won’t jump on the trendy bandwagons. I won’t buy curriculum without discussing it thoroughly with my husband and children. I want curriculum that challenges my children (they are 11 and 13) so I won’t buy “gentle” curriculum. Finally, I won’t buy/change curriculum for the sake of wanting something new or different. What we are using is working really well, my children love it, and I love it. I’m not afraid to change if what we are using is no longer working, but if it is, I no longer have FOMO. It took a few years and too much money for me to finally realize all of this.
I will not use curriculum that is overtly biblical world view unless it’s easy to avoid. I’m a Christian too, I just have reservations about others theology.
yes!!! I would definitely not buy a curriculum that goes against my values and what I want to teach my kids! we've been lucky enough that the curriculums that we are using is a great fit for us but I'm still always looking at others.
Biggest mistake I made was over-buying in the beginning and then sticking to a curriculum because I wanted it to work versus what was actually working for my kiddos. I won't sacrifice our own beliefs when it comes to curriculum and to do research on the company. I won't mention names, but when I reached out to a company and asked for clarification on a few things they were very rude. The representative told me "You want to buy it or not!" with such a tone, I immediately hung up and never gave that company a second glance.
Oof I’m sorry you had that response 😞
Girl, name names!!!
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that it was Masterbooks?
Yes! I have five kids and worldview is so important. With that being said I have 3 different math curriculum that I use with them because they all learn differently and I know people thing I’m crazy but I hate dealing with tears everyday so I had to do different curriculum, which is Math-u-see, horizons math, and Masterbooks. Thank the Lord there is no more tears but this is what works for us
Ditto here, we are using three different maths curriculum s well, my adhd child refuses to switch off TGAB (she loves the pretty) my dyslexic child is on math mammoth, and my third is on math with confidence, ideally I’d love them all on one thing, but the reality is every child is different and has different needs.
Hello Mandy! Thanks for your video. I love your hair! Continuing prayer for your health! ❤
Thank you so much!
Love the video! 😂😂 Funny comment about the Charlotte Mason mom ... I'm a rebel because I also don't make sourdough bread, or ANY bread, and call myself a CM mom. 😬🙈😆 Just really love her view of children and education, but I'm not married to any specific curriculum. ❤
That’s so funny! I use some things that are CM inspired but I’m definitely not a CM momma, as much as I’d love to be 🤣
Great advice, and yes, worldview is SO important.
Thank you so much!
As much as we moms have a fantasy homeschool style, our kids can too. My oldest still gravitates back to a curriculum brand/ style that just doesn't work for her. We made that mistake last year, again, and I am bound and determined not to do it again next year, especially since high school curriculum is not cheap. I also tend to change things up when they're working, which never works out.
You are so down to earth and practical, love your advice and sense of humor. 😊
I definitely vet the companies I buy from, no way will I support or use anything that goes against our views.
I have decided that I will not buy a history curriculum.
Yes on the SCM! I wanted to be Sonya 😂
Thanks so much!
You have been so helpful to me in my homeschool journey. I’m on year 4 and I feel like I’m maybe starting to get the hang of it. I too, wanted to be a Charlotte Mason mom but my kids said, “nah.” 😂 I will not buy a curriculum if it goes against our worldview and beliefs. I’ll narrow things down and give my kids a choice and there has only been one time I switched a math curriculum after about the 6th week. Luckily it worked as a supplement to the one I used to replace it. 😂 Thanks so much for all you do! It’s so helpful!
Thanks so much ❤️ it took me years to get the hang of it. Maybe I’ll feel really confident by the time my kids graduate 🤣
@@mandy-maltz that’s exactly what I told my husband! 😂
I will not use a Science or History curriculum that does not have a Biblical worldview.
Exactly what I was planning to say.😊
Same. Idk how Christians support Story to The World and it denies the Creation account the Bible tells us.
@@Kiki-fe2le I never knew it did that. I heard from a good friend of mine that there is a huge emphasis on idols. I know it is a huge hit amongst Christians. Thank you for letting me know that information.
@@SeeGeekRunI have personally read SOTW Ancient Times. The author does NOT teach evolution in the book. Yes there are many stories about idols but that is something that just goes along with the time period. If you are learning about the Greeks you will learn about the greek gods. That is simply what the people from that culture believed. The author is just relaying information. If there are fables about idols that you feel uncomfortable reading to your kids it is easy to skip over. I think this can be used as a tool to teach children about how this was morally wrong and we end up just treating as a story.
@@mmv10 I see your point. Yes, those are conversations we should have with our kids. For me , I just prefer a curriculum that goes hand in hand with history and Scripture. That is my personal conviction.
Great video! I appreciate your style and also that you don’t name names 😬 That just doesn’t seem necessary to me. Different things will work for different people.
I won’t buy a curriculum if…it’s super expensive, super ‘trendy’, or a different worldview from ours.
Thank you ❤️❤️
What curriculums do you use please?
Hi Mandy, have you ever tried Sonlight? What are your thoughts on this curriculum, would love to know your thoughts.
Yes! Exactly why I will never use The Good and the Beautiful (LDS/mormon curriculum…or at best ecumenical, which is still not aligned with our worldview)
Same!!!
Yes, and they are VERY good at marketing.
Does TGTB teach lds/Mormon things in their curriculum?
@@dc4692 I do not use TGATB but many ex Mormons have come out and said there are references to the LDS church.
@@dc4692we have used it for over 5 years and I have yet to see anything. Any scripture used is King James. My daughter has thrived with it. We have tried others and this has been what works.
I generally avoid any materials that look or read like a textbook. And anything that's called a "curriculum" is usually off my list - *especially* if it comes in a "big box." I've LOVED video materials like Wes Olsen's 101 series for sciences, and the One Year Adventure Novel for writing/ELA. And for math, IXL was a huge win.
Right now i am noticing what the homeschool fad is and not really buying into it (literally lol) my gut is telling me no. Also worldview im noticing more and more how important it is and sometimes how hard it can be to find that fits your style (we are catholic) . Very great points!
I won’t ever use curriculum without the same worldview as mine. We just need more consistent worldview and I’ve noticed it tank a bit within some curricula we have tried, like halfway through there’s a snippet of, hmmmm, that sounds kinda wishywashy or lukewarm. Either full on, or lukewarm but I need it consistent instead of starting strong, or ending half truths wrapped in fun activities or something. Hope that makes sense.
Yes! I'm the same way!
Under the Home has free curriculum for music appreciation , art ap. , and lots of *extras. A great way to enhance your kids’ education after all the money was spent on the basics.
I agree 💯 with what you said 🙏
What are some good options for language arts for 3rd grade. We have yet to find one that just really hits all the marks and that we like.
Thank you for this video. I have a long question. I hope it is ok to ask. My son completely does not like language arts. We were in a public school done online last year for kindergarten and he hated it. He still hates it. I am torn between language arts curriculum. I found a company that I truly loved the aspects of it, the literature inside, and the fact that I believe it is a good foundation for learning to read. It is also affordable to me. For that curriculum, it is a Christian company and advertisers a Christian company. The writers of that company have many different world views. I have looked through many of the sample pages and do not see where it the tears off of basic Christian values such as honesty Etc. I'm wondering if because the writers are of different world beliefs than mine if I should look into switching. Like I said I've known people who've used it and looking into it from just a basic view it does not seem to have World Views pushed into it. What's your advice for me
I wanted to be a Charlotte Mason mom so bad, and yse ambleside online and do all these picture studies and learn about birds etc etc, neither i nor my kids are Charlotte Mason 😂 thats just not how they learn. We used easy peasy, which we liked a lot, but it was hard to keep track of and our state requires a teacher review of each child every year. We are trying out ace paces this year and it's been going really well
I really liked the idea of Charlotte Mason, but that did not work out. I found my oldest responds better to more a more “regimented” curriculum. He loves textbooks and worksheets. 😂
Im seeing this now with the curriculum I bought at the beginning of our school year looking at a different curriculum now I feel my children are not loving it at all.
I'm struggling to find a curriculum besides Math (we so far enjoy TTbooks). I am struggling with my fourth grader to do any type of school work... We pulled him out after Christmas break due to bullying, so I hate to threaten him having to go back if he doesn't do any type of school work at home. But I don't want to force a curriculum he doesn't like. I'm at a loss what to do. 😕
For me, it would be easy if you want to stay home you do the school work Mom chooses with input...
give him a chance to deschool and decompress a bit; the bullying was a lot on his shoulders I bet. And, it's okay to let him breathe a little. I'm not very far into my journey...about 3.5 years, but I do know that deschooling was very beneficial for us, and during that time, I focused on reading to them, a little bit of writing, and Math (but life skills type Math like money and budgeting).
@@KjmecklingI was just popping in to say this very thing! ❤
It sounds like your son (and you!) have been through a lot. You may just need to enjoy life together for a while. When you are ready, check out Campfire Curriculums. They have unit studies on all kinds of interesting things. Titanic, Volcanos, Military, Gardening, Zoology, Home Defense, Car Maintenance, Pirates, and so much more! They have a really unique style of approaching learning and it may just work for your son. ❤
I’m done homeschooling now, but I let my kids have a lot of input in curriculum choices. I told them that I would ditch a curriculum if it put them into tears. I was all for them enjoying what we bought. I also told them we had to give new things a fair chance. This idea stuck with them, and is part of their adult vocabulary. My three year old granddaughter told me she had to “give new veggies a fair chance”and we agreed that three bites would constitute a fair chance in that instance. It is a valuable concept for navigating all sorts of new things.
After many moons being in the homeschool world. I also judge a curriculum by the companies behavior. How they conduct themselves online and who they partner with on youtube. I know this sounds very judgemental, but I feel your behavior reflects what you surround yourself with.
I can totally understand that. I think I do that as well to an extent (and I'm sure we all do).
For us IEW was the one I kept trying to force to work, 3 different times!! It just was not working for my son and I kept trying and wasted so much time and money and my son never got a great foundation because of all the switching 😭
Same here! I think it's just too much for my kids. The video lessons were too long and there are too many things to include. I tried it several times and finally threw in the towel. We currently die EIW which is a better fit for our family. I think both are solid programs. We are very fortunate to have the ability to choose what works best.
I won't buy curriculum that is super heavy with manipulatives or has all these pieces. Just not my thing.
My biggest mistake is thinking a curriculum will work, because it's popular and everyone says "It's so amazing!" In all honesty, I have gotten along better with curriculum that goes under the radar. Things like Master Books math, Happy Cheetah Reading, Miacademy, and EIW (which is becoming more popular) just works for my kids. They might not be the biggest names out there, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't still be considered.
As long as you find what works, stick with it! Good job, momma!
I have a child that absolutely hates every curriculum we have ever done. He hates school work. I have tried everything. He hates it all simply because it is school. I do not take his opinions into consideration because if it were up to him, he would not choose any of it. He's a middle child going through his rebellious phase. Guest Hollow is one of those curriculums that I was not prepared for regarding their world view. Their online textbooks are good, and I was using that as an indicator for their curriculum plans. I was not prepared for every single book, video, website, and article to be secular. Not a single reference to a Biblical world view at all. I watched tons of Christian homeschooler videos saying how great the plans were. Same thing with Sonlight and Easy-peasy, nothing but secular resources when it comes to science. There is a gaping whole in the curriculum world when it comes to Biblical science resources. Unless you want a textbook, the only company trying to put out Christian science reference books is Master Books.
For biblical science, Generations and Apologia do a fantastic job of incorporating the Biblical worldview into their curriculum.
Abeka is very biblical based. Used that in our Christian school. I wont buy if its not Bible based .. no evolution, no big bang, no lgbt.
@genabrady1348--You are absolutely correct! I bought their elementary geography and I will not be purchasing anything else from them. Thanks to Mandy, I have been getting the Generations curriculum and so far so good. I haven't done the Generations Science yet though.
@@mandy-maltz Generations doesn't have any high school science. Apologia is out of my price range. I've got a $500 budget for 3 kids, 2 high schooler and 1 middle schooler. That puts most biblical science curriculum out of reach. We are not big fans of textbooks. I end up using a lot of public domain living books like The Storybook of Science.
@@genabrady1348Master Books and Answers in Genesis are Awesome!!! I would love Generations but we are not reformed and avoid Calvinism teachings as Fundamental Independent Baptists.
I won't buy a curriculum if it claims to be Christian then attacks other Christian curriculum companies. 🤔
Say it louder for the ones in the back. I have stayed away from a lot of the "Influencer Cool" curriculum for this reason.
I always tell new homeschool mamas NOT to go into debt! If the curriculum isnt in budget this year, save and look at it again next year. It'll still be there. There are SO MANY wonderful free or budget friendly options that going into debt is so unnecessary.
With 3 toddlers, it has to be open and go. That’s just the season of life I am in with 6 kids and a household to run. 😅
What are the open and go options? I'm in the same boat with three under 4years old two highschoolers and one 7 year old.
My oldest is going to be going into the 7th grade, so I can’t give my opinion on Curriculum past the 6th grade currently but, I really LOVE The Good and the Beautiful. I have used all of their revised stuff for my 6 year old, pre-k-1st, and he is reading amazingly. (First one I ever taught how to read 🥳)
I know they are redoing their History but I am using their old version and my kids and I are learning so much. I also use their science 😅. Again they are the best open and go, but also not too crazy long of a lesson for my littles to be involved OR playdough can keep them happy while I do the lesson.
I will not compromise on the Biblical Worldview, no way!
First thing I look for is a Christian company, then ask does my kid hate it (oldest always hates math but maybe she hates one less than another), then content (does it emphasize or focus on what I want to learn that year and does it meet state requirements for the subject - by this I do NOT mean common core standards lol but like if they have to have a physical science for middle school), then thoroughness, and there canNOT be too much prep work on my part or I will lose steam. It has also come to be a MUST to have some sort of Christian and church history to fill in for each time period because that is LOST on people today.
Looking for suggestions for free curriculum
Easy Peasy All In One Homeschool
Yes, Easy Peasy is amazing! We love it (we use their history, reading, and math)
Under the Home is also awesome because like Easy Peasy it is really free and all you need is notebook and pen (also probably art supplies if you plan to do art)
Others like Ambleside online (a Charlotte Mason curriculum) gives you book lists and tools to use them BUT you have to have/get/borrow the books so not completely free.
Freedom homeschooling is a great site for having a list of free homeschooling curriculum
I won't buy curriculum that costs more than my yearly car insurance premium. There are so many quality resources available for low or no cost that I just cannot justify it right now. I'll probably reevaluate our budget once we get to high school but community college is cheaper than a lot of the more expensive curriculums.
I really want to know what the fad curriculum was that you won’t use anymore! Don’t leave us in the dark here!
Im guess it's The Good and the Beautiful
@@hollys6821that’s all I could think of that’s been a fad.
Or maybe Masterbooks? I know she tried that in the past…
@@NatalieH-vj9schow is master books not the right worldview? I get TGTB bc of LDS, but what are you saying about Masterbooks?
Dies anyone have any books/companies that have great biblical world view history and science books?
Generations for history and lower grade science, upper grade science Apologia has great options.
Because it’s popular by the homeschooling community.
Secular curriculum doesn’t claim to be neutral. There’s religious, secular, and neutral curriculum.
Many of them do, in fact, claim to be neutral. I got an ad for one just the other day on my newsfeed. While many may not use the word, there are companies using it as a selling point now in their ads. I'm simply pointing that out, and that it's an impossibility.
Buying EvenMore science workbook level 6, was my biggest mistake... I had to rip out half of the worksheets because of the big bang theory.
From now on, I really look into Biblical worldview and there is no shortcuts in that...
God give us all wisdom 🙏 especially, if the curriculum is controversial, run, no matter how pretty it is and how marketed it is....
I want to know what all of these specific curriculums are so I can avoid them😂 I know you're being discreet on purpose though.
I don't like making enemies LOL
I won’t buy curriculum that doesn’t align with our Christian beliefs. I won’t jump on the trendy bandwagons. I won’t buy curriculum without discussing it thoroughly with my husband and children. I want curriculum that challenges my children (they are 11 and 13) so I won’t buy “gentle” curriculum. Finally, I won’t buy/change curriculum for the sake of wanting something new or different. What we are using is working really well, my children love it, and I love it. I’m not afraid to change if what we are using is no longer working, but if it is, I no longer have FOMO. It took a few years and too much money for me to finally realize all of this.
I will not use curriculum that is overtly biblical world view unless it’s easy to avoid. I’m a Christian too, I just have reservations about others theology.
Not from a Biblical worldview
Same here!
yes!!! I would definitely not buy a curriculum that goes against my values and what I want to teach my kids! we've been lucky enough that the curriculums that we are using is a great fit for us but I'm still always looking at others.