Thank you so much for showing us what you use. I homeschooled my 7 children but now homeschooling 5 of my grandchildren. I have homeschooled 13 out of 16 grandchildren some since kindergarten through high school and others a few years. I like hearing new ideas and how different curriculum works for other families to try with some of the grandchildren who may need some other way to help them learn and enjoy what they may be struggling with. Congratulations on your new blessing and good job momma lots of work and prayer in each day with all those beautiful children
Oh wow, how wonderful... to homeschool your own children and then your grandchildren as well! I agree, I am always curious to hear what other moms are using. It always gives me ideas and inspiration. Thank you! We are excited to meet this little one! :)
Thank you for this! You have great homeschool curriculum choices and I love how consistent you are. Your kids are so blessed to have you as mom and teacher!
This was helpful! If you're still interested in switching up your science curriculum, you may enjoy Science Shepherd! I recently discovered them, and so far we really enjoy it! It's a mix of video and light bookwork!
I also use AO and love it. I have 5 children and my second child will be joining us this next school year. I'm going to group my two students for everything except skill based subjects. I'd love to hear what your favorite AO reads that you do with all your children. I love the idea of family learning so I'm going to do my best to adapt AO to fit our family.
Love this! Your comment has inspired me to do a post on this very topic. It reminded me how around ten years ago I googled "Ambleside Online for Large Families" because I was looking for a way to make it fit our growing family. I felt the same as you... I loved AO, and didn't want to switch, but was not sure how to make it work with lots of kiddos.I am going to attempt to do a post on this in the next week or so, and plan to share the specific AO books that are a must read for us and other ways we have made AO work to fit with multiple kids. So hopefully I can answer your question there!
Thank you! I have been trying to find a program to outsource history. People seem to like teaching history so much, that there aren’t many recommendations
Oh, good, glad you found this helpful! Yes, Veritas Press has been a game changer for us! The kids have learned so much and I have felt relieved handing one subject off. I occasionally still like to read history chapter books when I see a good one, but I don't feel like all the burden is on me.
Good to know, thanks for the input! I have heard a lot of good things about Masterbooks and have a few friends who are using them. I'll have to take a closer look!
Music lessons and outsourcing typically cost money and for large families that can really be a huge expense. Do you have any advice for how you outsource music lessons? Are you driving your kids all around to their lessons etc every week? These are some things that have hindered my commitment to extra curricular or enrichment classes and would love any hints or ideas!! Thank you for showing us how you do things with your large family.
We have a long time family friend who gives our kids piano lessons for a very reasonable price. During seasons when I have just had a baby, she has offered to come to our house, so that has really helped. Driving for other extra curricular activities is difficult. We try to group kids that are interested in similar things. Also, we are involved in very few extracurricular things...it's very taxing on our family.
New sub here, Just found your youtube. We are doing the same science we love it yes, it gets a bit over but taking it slower and take it all in! Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Our high school kids go to a local drop off co-op one day a week. We have three of these in our area. These co-ops pay outside teachers to teach classes for high school credit. I use this for the harder math and science classes as well as fun electives for them to take. The kids are responsible to their co-op teachers for all their work and they communicate with them throughout the week, as needed. This really lifts the burden off of me since we have such a wide age span. I hope that answers your question!
Do you use any of the composition inside the Abeka workbook? Like letter writing, book reports, essays, etc? Or do you just skip those and do the grammar/punctuation only?
Good question! No, I don't. We just use the grammar sections. With copywork and narration that we do at home and a few random writing assignments/book reports they do for co-op, they get plenty of other writing practice.
Do you have any recommendations on reading for kids with adhd and dyslexia my three younger kids are picking it up fast and it’s making my oldest son feel left behind any ideas are welcome I also have dyslexia but I have no idea cuz what helped me isn’t doing it for him 😅
I wish I could give you more help answering this question. My best suggestion is to find some good resources (books or other moms) who have experience with dyslexia. It sounds like you are already doing this which is good!
I have a question, if you were only homeschooling 2 kids would you still use Veritas Press, or would you use History of The World or something else? Im looking for a history to use with a 1st grader and 2nd grader that is chronological. I was using Abeka history but it's literally all US history for all the years and I have a feeling that will get very boring year after year very quickly!
Good question! I think it depends how much you like to do history with your kids. I personally love history and it was hard initially to give up, but felt that VP could offer more than I had time to give at the time. I still enjoy reading some of the VP book suggestions from the catalog so in that way, I feel like I am still a part of what they are learning. I grew up with year after year of US history and agree, the chronological approach really appeals to me. I like how they weave Biblical history in with world history. Another great option is is to go with other chronological curriculums that are not self-paced and where you can be more involved in the lessons. This is probably what I would choose if I was only homeschooling 2 kids. Mystery of History and My Father's World are two great options that come to mind. I hope you find something that is a good fit for you!
Just the work text and answer key. The kids go through it on their own for the most part, however I review sections from the handbook at the back occasionally during morning time with everyone to help them brush up.
I use Abeka Level 3, Levels A and B and the Composition I book. That's as far as my kids have made it. They do not necessarily complete a book in a year. I have them go through at a pace that fits the child. Then, some of our kids get more writing and composition at a local co-op in high school.
I love Abeka for Phonics! We've used them preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and next year we'll be going into 2nd so that's almost 4 years and we love how straightforward it is and how it really sticks and works! It can seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can see its super effective at teaching them their Phonics, Grammer, and language!
2nd grade...ish? Usually the younger kids sit in when we do the Apologia readings, but around 2nd grade is when I start officially including them and asking review questions, etc.
I have done Saxon for Algebra I because that's what I used in high school and it was easiest for me to use something familiar. After that, I outsource math. Our high school kids take their math classes at a local co-op. If I didn't have that option, I would probably look into Teaching Textbooks. I've heard so many good things about them.
Thank you so much for showing us what you use. I homeschooled my 7 children but now homeschooling 5 of my grandchildren. I have homeschooled 13 out of 16 grandchildren some since kindergarten through high school and others a few years. I like hearing new ideas and how different curriculum works for other families to try with some of the grandchildren who may need some other way to help them learn and enjoy what they may be struggling with. Congratulations on your new blessing and good job momma lots of work and prayer in each day with all those beautiful children
This is my dream to be able to homeschool after mine are grown. Praise God he has allowed you to homeschool your grandchildren!!
Oh wow, how wonderful... to homeschool your own children and then your grandchildren as well! I agree, I am always curious to hear what other moms are using. It always gives me ideas and inspiration.
Thank you! We are excited to meet this little one! :)
Thank you for this! You have great homeschool curriculum choices and I love how consistent you are. Your kids are so blessed to have you as mom and teacher!
Thank you so much! I am glad you found it helpful!
Such great resources!
Thank you!
This was helpful! If you're still interested in switching up your science curriculum, you may enjoy Science Shepherd! I recently discovered them, and so far we really enjoy it! It's a mix of video and light bookwork!
Ooh, thanks for the recommendation! I'll keep it in mind. :)
How wonderful! I really love what you are doing with kindergarten.
Thank you!
Loved all of your suggestions! Thank you for sharing 😊
Glad to hear! You're welcome!
Thank you for sharing 🙏😊
My pleasure 😊
I also use AO and love it. I have 5 children and my second child will be joining us this next school year. I'm going to group my two students for everything except skill based subjects. I'd love to hear what your favorite AO reads that you do with all your children. I love the idea of family learning so I'm going to do my best to adapt AO to fit our family.
Love this! Your comment has inspired me to do a post on this very topic. It reminded me how around ten years ago I googled "Ambleside Online for Large Families" because I was looking for a way to make it fit our growing family. I felt the same as you... I loved AO, and didn't want to switch, but was not sure how to make it work with lots of kiddos.I am going to attempt to do a post on this in the next week or so, and plan to share the specific AO books that are a must read for us and other ways we have made AO work to fit with multiple kids. So hopefully I can answer your question there!
Thank you! I have been trying to find a program to outsource history. People seem to like teaching history so much, that there aren’t many recommendations
Oh, good, glad you found this helpful! Yes, Veritas Press has been a game changer for us! The kids have learned so much and I have felt relieved handing one subject off. I occasionally still like to read history chapter books when I see a good one, but I don't feel like all the burden is on me.
I like Masterbooks Gods Design series for grades 3-6. It covers all of the topics in short lessons and can be used for groups.
Good to know, thanks for the input! I have heard a lot of good things about Masterbooks and have a few friends who are using them. I'll have to take a closer look!
Music lessons and outsourcing typically cost money and for large families that can really be a huge expense. Do you have any advice for how you outsource music lessons? Are you driving your kids all around to their lessons etc every week? These are some things that have hindered my commitment to extra curricular or enrichment classes and would love any hints or ideas!! Thank you for showing us how you do things with your large family.
We have a long time family friend who gives our kids piano lessons for a very reasonable price. During seasons when I have just had a baby, she has offered to come to our house, so that has really helped. Driving for other extra curricular activities is difficult. We try to group kids that are interested in similar things. Also, we are involved in very few extracurricular things...it's very taxing on our family.
New sub here, Just found your youtube. We are doing the same science we love it yes, it gets a bit over but taking it slower and take it all in! Thank you for sharing.
Welcome to my channel and thanks for the subscription! So glad you are enjoying Apologia Science!
Thank you so much for this video. I’m definitely going to look into the history! So do your children do the daily lesson altogether?
You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
When they were all younger, they did it all together. Now I have them do it separately on their own.
I enjoyed this video! Thanks for sharing. Can you share what high school coop your older children are involved in?
You are so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Our high school kids go to a local drop off co-op one day a week. We have three of these in our area. These co-ops pay outside teachers to teach classes for high school credit. I use this for the harder math and science classes as well as fun electives for them to take. The kids are responsible to their co-op teachers for all their work and they communicate with them throughout the week, as needed. This really lifts the burden off of me since we have such a wide age span. I hope that answers your question!
@OurLifeHomeschooling that is great! What a good opportunity! Thanks for sharing.
Do you use any of the composition inside the Abeka workbook? Like letter writing, book reports, essays, etc? Or do you just skip those and do the grammar/punctuation only?
Good question! No, I don't. We just use the grammar sections. With copywork and narration that we do at home and a few random writing assignments/book reports they do for co-op, they get plenty of other writing practice.
Do you have any recommendations on reading for kids with adhd and dyslexia my three younger kids are picking it up fast and it’s making my oldest son feel left behind any ideas are welcome I also have dyslexia but I have no idea cuz what helped me isn’t doing it for him 😅
I wish I could give you more help answering this question. My best suggestion is to find some good resources (books or other moms) who have experience with dyslexia. It sounds like you are already doing this which is good!
I have a question, if you were only homeschooling 2 kids would you still use Veritas Press, or would you use History of The World or something else? Im looking for a history to use with a 1st grader and 2nd grader that is chronological. I was using Abeka history but it's literally all US history for all the years and I have a feeling that will get very boring year after year very quickly!
Good question! I think it depends how much you like to do history with your kids. I personally love history and it was hard initially to give up, but felt that VP could offer more than I had time to give at the time. I still enjoy reading some of the VP book suggestions from the catalog so in that way, I feel like I am still a part of what they are learning.
I grew up with year after year of US history and agree, the chronological approach really appeals to me. I like how they weave Biblical history in with world history.
Another great option is is to go with other chronological curriculums that are not self-paced and where you can be more involved in the lessons. This is probably what I would choose if I was only homeschooling 2 kids. Mystery of History and My Father's World are two great options that come to mind.
I hope you find something that is a good fit for you!
For the abeka language arts, do you get all of the things along with it or only the student work text?
Just the work text and answer key. The kids go through it on their own for the most part, however I review sections from the handbook at the back occasionally during morning time with everyone to help them brush up.
Do you use Abeka language from grade 3 on, or do you only use the grade 3 and 4 book (level A)?
I use Abeka Level 3, Levels A and B and the Composition I book. That's as far as my kids have made it. They do not necessarily complete a book in a year. I have them go through at a pace that fits the child. Then, some of our kids get more writing and composition at a local co-op in high school.
I love Abeka for Phonics! We've used them preschool, Kindergarten, 1st grade, and next year we'll be going into 2nd so that's almost 4 years and we love how straightforward it is and how it really sticks and works! It can seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can see its super effective at teaching them their Phonics, Grammer, and language!
What year do you start with apologia?
2nd grade...ish? Usually the younger kids sit in when we do the Apologia readings, but around 2nd grade is when I start officially including them and asking review questions, etc.
What do you use after Singapore?
I have done Saxon for Algebra I because that's what I used in high school and it was easiest for me to use something familiar. After that, I outsource math. Our high school kids take their math classes at a local co-op. If I didn't have that option, I would probably look into Teaching Textbooks. I've heard so many good things about them.