A little home school talk...and then...I'm off!

This week, I was doing some extra house cleaning...partly because we're getting ready to leave for the weekend, and also partly because there's something about suddenly having new carpet- even in just the living room- that makes every other wall and crevice cry out for attention.
I didn't exactly get to every wall and crevice but I did feel like I accomplished a lot...my back especially feels that way!

Before we head out for the weekend, though, I wanted to try to get in on the last day of a series called Back to Homeschool Week hosted by Randi at I have to Say.
Like Randi, I don't spend a lot of time talking about home schooling on my blog...maybe because for me, blogging is sort of my "me" time.
But that is not to say that I don't fully enjoy my role as a home school mom...and I love networking with other home schoolers to see what work for them- and what doesn't!

Today's theme is Curriculum. And it's almost funny that the only topic I am getting in on is the one I feel the least qualified to talk about! Mainly because in the two years we have been home schooling, I have been using a little bit of this... a little bit of that...
But somehow this "hodge-podge" of curriculum has worked for us. Without investing all-out into one set curriculum, we have found out what we like by trial and error. Many other parents have told me that they may like one brand's math, for example, but detest their science. By picking and choosing, it is much easier (and less costly!) for us to switch to another curriculum's workbook in one subject when we need to.

We started two years ago as my oldest was going into first grade. Now, I am about to begin a year with a Kindergartener and a 3rd grader...a little more of a challenge!
But here are a couple of favorites we've discovered:

American Pioneers and Patriots, 2nd edition- Christian Liberty Press. Young readers learn about times in history through the eyes of a fictional child, living in that time...historical overviews, short quizzes, and fun craft suggestions made this a favorite with both my daughter and myself. It says it is for 3rd grade, yet we went through this book a little at a time (I would read aloud) through 1st and 2nd grade, finishing at the end of this past year.

An "over the counter" curriculum that I love is School Zone. My daughter enjoys these so much...especially the "Scholar" workbooks...i.e. Second Grade Scholar, Deluxe Edition.

So many of our reading curriculum comes from the library...although we have used "readers" also.
And I also supplement a lot from the wonderful resources on the internet. I print off free worksheets quite a bit...one of my favorite place to print off extra math worksheets is Kidzone. They have fun "theme" pictures that make doing the math exercises a little more fun!

The resources available now through the internet is almost never-ending....not just for worksheets, but for researching something we are learning about together.

Since I at one time wanted to be a teacher, I find that teaching my own children is giving me a wonderful outlet for this desire. And although some home school parents prefer to have the curriculum all laid out for them (and there is nothing wrong with this at all!) I actually prefer to figure out fun projects to do...to have them pick something that month that we will learn about on the side...or to decide what kind of science project we will try. Sometimes, I'm not feeling all that creative, mind you...but I love the freedom to have that option...and to pick and choose the pieces of curriculum that work best for us.

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Today will be spent packing and gearing up for our short but exciting weekend in the Seattle area! As most of you all know by now, along with seeing all the wonderful sights, I will also be meeting my long, lost third grade friend- who found me through this blog!
(Oh yeah...must pack camera and battery...)
My brother in law will be looking in on our dog, Mandy...as well as feeding the fishies, too...(that Uncle C....what a guy!)

And when we return, we have to sort of hit the ground running...well, maybe running isn't the right word- since swimming lessons start the very next morning! Three days a week for three weeks! (What was I thinking?!)

If I don't get a chance to come visit you all today, I will "see" you all when I get back! Prayers for safe travels and a rewarding time would so be appreciated!

Blessings!