Continue creating my own curriculum or move to a boxed or...

[jennjogood]

I am home schooling for the second year. We are "accidental" home schoolers since we didn't intend to home school, but decided to do it after a sour experience for my son in public school. It was a great decision for him, and then I added my daughter just so we could all be on the same schedule....however she was doing well in public school. Anyway, this year we are doing a combination of 5th and 6th grade, I use Saxon Math, time4learning, work books, books, text books etc. I am continually concerned that I am not doing enough, and I am considering moving to a complete curriculum like Calvert or perhaps purchasing just certain subjects....not sure what to do.
Any advice?
Thanks!

[hscoach]

I prefer to pick and choose my own curriculum like you are doing. I have never bought a boxed curriculum. (Complete curriculums are so expensive.) But I know it makes some people feel more comfortable - especially when they are first starting out.

You might want to look at a scope and sequence and use it as a guide, just to make sure you are covering all the topics. Here are two that I like.

http://www.worldbook.com/typical-course-of-study.html

http://www.educationworld.com/standards ... ndex.shtml

I think you would be surprised that you probably are doing enough. We have used Saxon math at times, but we use Teaching Textbooks now. (love it) I can tell you that if you are using Saxon, your children are probably doing fine. A lot of the public schools use it.

A definite way to know for sure if your children are doing okay is to give them an achievement test at the end of this school year. I have used the California Achievement test and ordered it from Bayside School Services. My children have always done great and that helps me to know that I'm doing my job correctly. It will show you any areas where they are weak and you can work on those more. Some states require this type of testing yearly. If it is not required in my state, then I usually test my kids every other year. Here is a link for Bayside.

http://www.baysideschoolservices.com/