Homeschool World Forum

[manuela]

I have looked at several curricula which friends have recommended - Bob Jones, Sonlight, A-Beka, among others; but I have not fallen in love with any of them. Instead, I feel strongly I want to build my own curriculum, using older books which seem to have had higher expectations of children. I myself have had a classical education at my grammar school in Italy and then at University, and feel strongly children ought to be exposed to sophisticated, rich English rather than the simplified, banal English and pointless, banal content my children were exposed to at their private and then public schools.
My boys are 8 and have completed the 2nd grade this year.
I would love to hear from homeschoolers who have built their own curriculum - I am terrified of making some major mistake and ruining my boys' future (University admission comes to mind).
Also, if anyone is planning to homeschool their 3rd grader and to build their own curriculum - I'd love to compare notes and exchange information.
Thanks in advance to all who'll reply.

[hscoach]

I always build my own curriculum. My youngest son just completed 3rd grade this year. I would be happy to share ideas with you or answer any questions you may have.
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Laura L. Barth
http://www.freehomeschooladvice.com

[hsingscrapper]

Since you're interested in the older books, have you looked at Old Fashioned Education or Ambleside Online? They both use older books, some of which you can find for free online or for dirt cheap at used book sales or stores specializing in old or used books.

I haven't checked the free curriculum sticky but I will post the links there if they aren't already.

Hope this helps.

[ncmom]

I used to buy boxed sets but in the last several years have switched to building my own. I have kids in 11th, 7th, and k4 this year with one still under school age...I don't think you can mess it up as long as you make sure that the curriculum you use is best suited for their learning styles and your belief system. I use a little of everything...DVD's, computer, books, lapbooking, ect.

I am picky about my history curriculum because so much is left out and twisted out of context in a lot of the current materials. So far, I have found what I considered good ones, but it has been tough. Math we use DVD curriculum for high school and what ever works best before that. Science is the same way and Language arts is tailored to each child so I don't have set curriculum I like over any other. I just start doing research and eventually I will find what I am looking for.

[oremb]

The most important thing is what are your child learning styles and what are their interests. If you build you own curriculum around that, and make sure you are happy as well with the amount of grammar and English they are absorbing with it, you should be fine. Children actually are proven to learn better and more when you play towards their strengths.

As far as twisted history in the reply above, I couldn't agree more having taught it for nine years. I would be happy to help find some good history resources, but right now you'll need to tell me specific topics, as I have moved and my resources are still packed. There are some good, accurate, and non-bias ones out there.
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Brent M

http://classroomsacrossamerica.blogspot.com/

[OvercomingDyslexia]

When building your curriculum add Nature Study to your plan- kids LOVE this! We go outside, any season, and draw something that we find in nature. we use colored pencils. My 6, 8, 10, 11 & 12 year-olds think this is the best part of the day. When we did school in the summer the neighbor kids would come over to join our kids for "Nature Study"
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Mother of Eight- Abundantly Blessed.