Home School Curriculum We UseI have an eclectic approach to the home school curriculum we use in our learning program. At the time I am writing this, my son Andy is in fourth grade. We use grade-level books, as well as literature above his grade-level. In my list below, I have included recommendations of products and materials we plan to try in the near future. Although Andy is ten years of age, many of the educational curriculum can be used for older and younger children as well; in addition, the some of the publishers provide the same products for multiple grade levels. I provide this list as a suggestion. As always, take what works best for you and leave the rest. You might also be interested in seeing our
"Week's Peek"
where I write a few of the ideas we use for a particular school year season of learning. The Home School Curriculum We Use:
GeneralI use the Core Knowledge series of books, What Your 6th Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of a Good Sixth-Grade Education (substitute 6th for other grades)as a framework in choosing books for our home school curriculum. link I am collecting each of the grade-level books. This year I am focusing on the 2nd Grade and 4th Grade book, and plan to do some catching up over the summer. I also use The Educated Child: A Parent's Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade by William J. Bennett, Chester Finn and John Cribb. In the book, the authors list books and goals for each grade level. Their book is largely based on the Core Knowledge. If there is a topic listed, such as "the slave trade," then I look for quality literature about the slave trade at the library and
used book stores. I find I naturally teach the standards in English through literature readings and discussions, but I use the list to check off skills as we continue through our school year. If I know my son has mastered a particular skill, I do not reteach that particular concept. In the summer, I review the frameworks, print out what is applicable, and highlight areas of interest. The history framework is 249 pages but only 12 pages are for fourth grade. I download the entire framework but print out the grade-level pages only. If you belong to a charter school, which are offered in some states, your supervising teacher will already have the framework objectives for you. You may want to ask a charter school teacher if you are under obligation to follow the framework; this is not always the case. The framework itself is a spring board to gather concept ideas. I do not use the framework as a set guide or regimented course of study. We follow aspects of the framework, but stray from the framework at times, following our own path of discovery. For example, we are learning about ancient history and World War II which are not part of the fourth grade state framework, but I've included California history which is part of the fourth grade framework. Basically, my son is learning about three to four times the amount of history he would in the public schools. Some homeschooling families frown upon the framework, but I see the document as a valuable source in gathering ideas about what I might like to teach. However, I do foresee, in the years to come, using the framework less, as I establish my own teaching objectives. Some people feel angered, constricted and/or controlled by the mere thought of using the state framework. For those people, especially families who hold strong convictions regarding the separation of the government from education, then the framework is probably not the best idea. But for others, the framework can be utilized as another educational tool; parents can use a few of the framework's ideas, a lot of the suggestions, or none at all. Be aware, many published curriculum you may purchase base some, if not most, of their materials on aspects of the California State Framework. Many of the well known curriculum base their entire textbooks, workbooks, and other materials, on the state framework, so the school districts will be more apt to adopt/purchase their educational products. For example, many homeschoolers use Saxon math textbooks which are based on the state standards.
State Framework for California I like the Saxon Math books. I have used Saxon in the public schools and at home with my son. I appreciate the way the new concepts are presented and reviewed. The lessons are easy to modify. I do not have Andy do every problem for each lesson. We review the new math concept together, do a few review problems, and then I assign only a selection of the math problems from the lesson. I base my selection of problems on Andy's mastery and understanding. Some days he does 4 problems, some days 75% of the work, some days odd/even problems only; other days we focus on one concept and I make up problems for that concept, such as adding fractions. We don't use the textbook each day. In the early years it is important to use manipulatives (concrete objects) to represent math concepts. Look under
secular curriculm
and
List of curriculum websites
for math materials. Following a Classical Approach, in the next several years, here are some of the areas in history we will be studying:
1. We study history based on the literature we are reading. We weave literature into the history program. For instance, while studying about Native American history, my son read Island of the Blue Dolphins. 2. We study history based on the Core Knowledge Series The Educated Child: A Parent's Guide From Preschool Through Eighth Grade by William J. Bennett, Chester Finn and John Cribb. (as mentioned above) 3. We study history based on the State Framework.(as mentioned above) 4. We study history based on The Timetables of History by Bernard Grun, over 700 pages of events dating from 5000 B.C. to 2004 A.D. If we are studying a particular time period, I use the timetables as a reference to find other events happening in the same time period. Then I will go to the library, computer, etc. in search of the other events. 5. We study history through textbooks. Please note, I have explained to my sons the historical flaws regarding history textbooks. I recommend every educator (and civilian) read Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen. The author goes into detail why and how history books often distort the truth. 6. We study history through the Story of the World c.d.s. They are appropriate for all ages. I highly recommend the c.d.s. You can also get the story in book form. Ask your local library to order the c.d.s. If you look under the
Classical Approach
you will find several resources for history. 8. We study history through hands-on experience. I incorporate cooking from the era we are studying, art projects, and soon time lines. We also go on field trips. Other:
I also use the links provided in:
Beyond Basics. Some families use the History of Us books by Joy Hakim. I have read reviews about her books; according to readers, some of the descriptions of the Native American lifestyle in Joy Hakim's books are inaccurate, but overall, parents seem pleased with her writing. The books are often read-aloud to grades 1-5. I like the Eyewitness books, commonly found in libraries. We collect the hardbacks. They are great reference books. We read biographies about scientists and enjoy Penny Norman's, PH.D,ScienceWiz Kits and Books. The kits include a book and a box of materials. We have used several of these.
National Geography Standards As my son gets older and is in sixth grade, we plan on looking into
Apologia Educational Ministries science kits 
Marsalis on Music --
An African-American musician, Marsalis, focuses on elements of jazz, jazz theory, and music theory. He explains musical concepts in a direct way using simple and complex terms. This is on my to buy list. My son recently was asking about jazz music. I look forward to learning right along side him. Another homeschool curriculum I plan to use in the near future is: History Alive Through Music. One example is:
America 1750-1890: The Heart of a New Land by Diana Waring, John Standefer, Tad Suckling, Craig Russell Currently, after reading about Beethoven in The Story of the Orchestra, we are reading library books and listening to library c.d.s about Beethoven. Much to my delight, I found my son humming one of Beethoven's symphonies the other day. Art The following link has great art resources. The website is a good resource for finding good books, too.
Embracing the Child 
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