Choosing Curriculum

Choosing curriculum is something I spent many hours researching. Almost to a fault. As soon as I thought I made a good decision I would notice another curriculum and think that was even better so eventually I had to just make a decision and walk away from the computer. I am very excited about what we've choosen to use for next year. We are focusing on Reading, Writing and Math.

For Reading I chose "The Reading Lesson: Teach Your Child to Read in 20 Easy Lesson". We have been working on reading a little over the summer to make sure I was even capable to teaching a child to read. This book is wonderful!! I like it and the kids like it. It has fun stories with pictures. So far this book has been great!

To go along with this we are using "Explode the Code 1". This book is a great addition to "The Reading Lesson". It has great, short lessons to help with phonic awareness.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for writing (or if I wanted to do it at all) until I found this adorable and easy writing curriculum. I found it on Teachers Pay Teachers. It doesn't force the kids to write about things that they don't care about which I love. They emphasize that it doesn't have to be prefect (incorrect spelling is allowed) but that they just try their hardest. I am super excited about starting this workshop with the kids and see where it takes us!

Last but definitely not least I have chosen Math Mammoth for our math curriculum. I could not find one negative review of this curriculum. I love how they break down every concept that we need to cover. They have youtube videos for each concept as well. We are going to start with the Grade 1 book and work slowly through it unless it just clicks!

Where to start.....

Why are we choosing to homeschool? I have gotten this question quite a few times from all kinds of people. We are not trying to keep our kids away from certain situations or for religious reasons, we are simply homeschooling because we think that it's best for our children.

Now for a little background. I grew up in public schools where I did well. Kellen grew up in public schools were he did great! I went to college were I received my degree in Education. I became a 5th grade science teacher for a year before I got pregnant with the twins. We made the decision that paying $1000 dollars for daycare was not for us. The school I worked for was a wonderful school and in one of the best districts in MS. Overall is was a wonderful experience. Then I stayed at home with my kids. Never in a million years did I think I would be a stay at home mom. Never. Staying home was the best decision we ever made. When the time came to start thinking about schooling for our twins the more I researched homeschooling. Homeschooling gets such a bad rap. Why??? The people who do it, love it and the people that don't do it, think it's crazy. I understand the whole....your kid needs to be around other kids for socialization. Blah blah blah....Needless to say, I am excited and scared about what next year holds. So here we go....