Spring has officially arrived, but in our part of the Midwest, Mother Nature rarely reads a calendar.  Yes, we may be still getting snow storms (in mid-April for Pete’s sake!), but my mind has begun to turn the page on this school year and make plans for this summer and fall.  Let’s do a little 2017-2018 homeschool year in review, shall we?

I will proclaim spring whether it feels like it or not!

Shot through the window because I am NOT going out there! (It’s April 18th people!)

I hope to share with you in the next weeks what our plans are for summer school and the next academic year (I still need to sit down and lay it all out before Husband), but today I want to look back over the materials we used this 2017-2018 academic year.

This homeschool year has seen the fewest mid-year changes of curriculum since we began this homeschool journey and I’m quite pleased with where we stand going into next year.

I credit this year’s homeschool success to lots of prayer, Husband’s encouragement, having a rubric to refer to when choosing curriculum, and to those easy-to-use-and-unfairly-hated textbooks and workbooks!

I know so many of you are choosing your curriculum for next year at this time, so let’s get right to it and I’ll give you the nitty gritty on our homeschool successes and failures this year.

Lowell (age 10, completing 5th grade)

Math-Saxon

Verdict:  success, as usual

Long time readers or friends may recall that we switched Lowell mid-3rd grade from Singapore to Saxon.  We continue to love Saxon for all the practice it provides on old concepts as it slowly adds new material.  We were hesitant to use Saxon because Husband’s family did not like it 20 years ago when they were homeschooling (I think there was a older version that is known to be quite bad), but it has been a real blessing to us.

• nearly self taught
• lots of practice
• lots of built in review
• built in testing
• no preparation
• can be used for multiple children!

English-Seton 5

Spelling- Seton 5

Verdict:  success

We continue to love Seton workbooks for English and Spelling.  They are unbelievable easy to use and are rigorous.  I’ve learned to diagram sentences right along with Lowell and …it’s fun!   The ease of Seton has been a blessing to our family and I repent of all those nasty things I said about it early in our homeschool journey!

You can see from the picture I sometimes like to spiral bind their workbooks to make working in the “cracks” a bit easier!

Husband is a Seton grad and he is normal…..right?

• nearly self taught
• lots of practice
• lots of built in review
• no preparation
• Catholic faith integrated throughout

Writing- Writing and Rhetoric (Classical Academic Press)

Verdict- success

We continue to wade through the Writing and Rhetoric series, though we skip a lot of the grammar because Lowell is already covering that in both Latin and English.  I like that everything is laid out and that it encourages creative writing; however, I would be willing to switch to another writing program if I thought it offered even more daily practice in the actual act of writing (though not in an overwhelming way).

While Lowell has made progress in his writing capabilities and can complete the assignments, I would like a little bit of practice in non-creative writing (maybe we’ll get to this later in the series!).

I’m considering copying Seton’s format of quarterly book reports and weekly paragraph practice for next year.  Let me know in the comments if you have a writing program you love!

• no preparation

Latin- Latin for Children (Classical Academic Press)

Verdict- success

This was a new curriculum for us this year, but not a new subject (see below).  The DVD lectures and chants are well done (compared to MP’s speed talking teacher who gives no break in their talking for students to respond), though the lecture is a bit lengthy making it more difficult to work into our normal homeschool schedule. Next year I’m considering watching the lectures on Saturday.

Lowell and I love reading the history reader together and trying our hand at translating.  The extra activity book makes using Latin fun.  I do wish the program came with affordable flashcards for extra vocabulary practice.

• nearly self taught
• lots of practice
• lots of built in review
• no preparation
• built in testing (to show retention)

First Form Latin (Memoria Press)

Verdict – too scary to even try!

Lowell had completed and enjoyed Memoria Press’s Latina Christiana and Prima Latina, so when I went about planning last year’s curriculum, I naturally leaned toward First Form Latin.

However, I was somewhat hesitant because it seemed like I would have to take a lot of my time in directing his Latin studies, which I was not keen on doing.  Number one, I have no Latin background, and two, I prefer a subject to direct itself so I can focus my time and energy on subjects where my students really need me.

After the materials had arrived, I promptly decided what my gut had told me before ordering.  The course looked much too much “mom intensive” and cumbersome to use.

Husband and I had already been disappointed with the DVD lecturer in Latina Christiana talking much too quickly.  I turned around and sold the materials and then purchased Latin for Children, which has been successful.

• not self-taught in any way!

Geography- Geography 1 (Memoria Press)

Verdict- success, but we may make some changes

I liked MP’s geography course, but I found it took Lowell more time to complete than I would have liked during our homeschool week.  There is a lot of copywork, some of which I think is over-kill.

I would also like to see the program laid out in a little more user-friendly way (so it is clear to the student what needs to be done each day).  While a syllabus is available for purchase online, the schedule did not work for our family, so I ended up creating a syllabus of my own so Lowell would know what do each day.

The geography textbook and flashcards are great though!  I love that the program focuses on memorizing world locations which is what I was looking for.

This is definitely a subject I need to converse with husband about before making plans for next year.

• nearly self taught
• lots of practice
• lots of built in review
• no preparation (minus the syllabus I created)
• some reusable materials
• built in testing (to show retention)

Religion- Sacrifice of the Mass and Living through God’s Gifts (Our Lady of Victory)

Verdict- success, but….

Husband and I prayed hard about our religion curriculum last year and were delighted when the Lord led us to Our Lady of Victory.  We love how they focus on God’s love and then bring the child to God’s law instead of the other way around (does that make sense?).  We will stick with the Living through God series for next year.

HOWEVER, the supplemental book, Sacrifice of the Mass, was not a good fit for our family.  The book is pre-Vatican II, so the responses and some of the liturgical form have changed considerably.

If you are able to attend a Latin Mass, this book may work for you, but that is not Latin Mass is not an option that is available for our family.  A lot of the information did not apply to Lowell, so I ended up just having him read through the text instead of answering the questions at the end of every chapter.

Lowell became an altar server this year, and I should have searched harder for a book that would fit our church setting.  Any suggestions?

• nearly self taught ( though I like to discuss during our weekly review together)
• no preparation ( I created a syllabus for this too!)
• Mass book didn’t match up with our form
• reusable materials (saves $!)

Introduction to Catholic Apologetics for Kids

Verdict-success

This was a course I taught to a small group at our homeschool co-op.  I loved putting the course together and the kids had great discussion and interest in the topic.  It was such a success, I cleaned it up and now you will find it in the shop.

It will definitely be something I do with our younger children.

Piano-  Hoffman Academy

Verdict- awesome possum!

Last year, much to Lowell’s frustration, I wanted to give him a grounding in music.  However, I wasn’t willing to commit to being out of the house for lessons, was too cheap to hire a private teacher, and was afraid he would just hate the whole thing.

I stumbled across Hoffman Academy and what a blessing it has been!  Mr. Hoffman is AMAZING and Lowell, who did NOT want to take piano, loves to practice and is always begging to take another lesson.  The lessons are entertaining but very sound and Lowell has learned more music theory than I did in all my years of singing (which included taking private lessons at two different colleges).

I have it on my to do list to send Mr. Hoffman a personal email.  This program has been a real blessing to us financially and school wise!  We will be using it for years to come and I can’t wait till Christian is ready for it!

• nearly self taught
• lots of practice
• no preparation
• super economical!!!

Typing- Typing.com

Verdict- success

We continue to use the free typing program on Typing.com.  The one improvement I need to make on this program is actually sitting near Lowell as he does his work so that he types with the needed form and doesn’t form poor typing habits. 

Our tentative plan is to continue this course until he can reach 40 words per minute.

• nearly self taught (though I need to supervise form more!)
• lots of practice
• no preparation
• built in testing
• free!

Art- Drawing Textbook

Verdict- success

We had this from our Mother of Divine Grace days and Lowell was able to work through it on his own this year.  He doesn’t care for art, but doesn’t complain about this easy to use book.  I do think it has improved his drawing capabilities.

• self taught
• no preparation
• super economical (costs less than $20 and can be used for subsequent students!)

Science- The New Way Things Work

Lowell would read a section a week and then write a paragraph summary of what he read.  This book is a family favorite and Husband (an engineer) can often be found reading it aloud to the children on winter evenings.

Christian (age 7, finishing K???)

Christian’s medical issues have meant learning has not been our top priority for him the last couple years.  As Husband says, we aren’t looking for a slam dunk right now, but just trying to advance the ball down the court.  I can’t really say where he is grade-wise.

Despite all our struggles, he has been blessed to not lose much ground and has actually made some progress.  He will continue to face challenges, but we hope, now that he is medication free (praise God!) school will be slightly easier.

Christian’s school materials have seen the most changes this year.  This is due in large part to the fact that he has made slow progress and needs lots of repetition.  Eventually we get tired of something and need a change.

Phonics/Reading-

This subject is the one that has seen the most changes in our homeschool.  Christian needs lots of review and we get tired of using the same materials.  I have still to hit on a program that teaches reading from beginning to end.

1oo Easy Lessons

I like to start my kids in 1oo Easy Lessons as it teaches blending and basic phonics in the best way I’ve seen (I also love that it is reusable and SUPER easy to use!).  However, kids always get bored with it, the stories get to long for a beginning reader, and it only takes the child so far on their phonics journey.

• Easy to use
• No prep
• Non-consumable and super affordable!

Alphaphonics

I like the concept of Alphaphonics, but the kids get quite bored with it after a bit of time.  I can pick it up to work on a specific rule and for basic phonic instruction, but it is a bore on a daily basis.

• Easy to use
• No prep
• Non-consumable and super affordable!

The Good and the Beautiful

Needing a change mid-year from 100 Easy Lessons, I took the plunge into The Good and the Beautiful.  I was very hesitant about using the program as it was created by a Mormon and my first choice is always Catholic.

Christian didn’t quite take to it like I would have liked.  It may have just been where his precious brain was this year.

We like the readers and have been able to make some slow progress through the book.  I don’t plan on purchasing other levels, but it was a nice change of pace for us this year.

• Easy to use
• No prep

Reading Eggs

After hearing about Reading Eggs from a friend, we gave the free trial a go and Christian was immediately hooked.

It has been a no-prep, yet fun way for him to practice what he is learning in his reading lessons.  It has increased his reading speed and fine motor proficiency by just using it in the past month.  We watched for a sale and got a year’s subscription for him to use for the coming year.

It is somewhat expensive when you figure that it is a “consumable” resource, but it has provided him with some much needed extra practice in a fun to use format.

I like that some of the games in the Reading Eggs program requires him to respond quickly.

• Easy to use
• No prep
• Built in testing
• Somewhat self-directed (I like to sit by him as he completes the lessons as he sometimes needs my help.)

Readers:  Bob Books, Seton Readers, and many, many others

Math

Abeka K

We began the year just using old workbooks because we weren’t sure what he would be capable of this year.  A couple months ago we jumped to Abeka (which is our first experience with it).

The workbook is colorful and he seems to enjoy it!  We’ll be sticking with it for next year, as I can see that Christian is not suited to Singapore.

• No prep, no fuss
• Colorful and fun
• Easy to use workbook format

Penmanship-Seton K

I like the Seton handwriting books as they offer lots of practice.  I’m still deciding if we will stick with the Seton handwriting series next year or look into Writing Our Catholic Faith.

• Catholic faith integrated throughout
• No prep, no fuss
• Easy to use workbook format
• Lots of practice

Other:

Once Upon a Time Saints

• a family favorite that we used for weekly narration practice

Animal Life Nature Reader (from Our Lady of Victory)

• Lilla and Christian really enjoyed this and I heard Lowell listening in quite often.  We used this for narrations too!

She looks stressed in this picture, but I assure you, gluing sequins to a piece of paper was not too traumatic for her!

Lilla (age 5, completing Pre-K)

Lilla is an advanced little girl, so I’ve been combining her with Christian quite a bit.  You can see reviews for her materials in Christian’s sections above.

Math- Abeka K

Penmanship-Seton K

Reading- 100 Easy Lessons and The Good and Beautiful

Lilla was on the Pre-k level of The Good and the Beautiful and it was the perfect thing to keep her busy during school time.  It had lots of little activities (which she loves) that required no preparation from me!

Other things:

If you are a fellow homeschooling mom, you will realize that the above curriculum does not encompass everything in our homeschool.  Here are just a few of the other things we studied, read, or worked our way through this year

•  Story of the World Audiobooks  (listened in the car on the way to swimming practice or co-op)
• The World of Augustus Caesar (occasionally read at lunch)
• 40 Dreams of Don Bosco (occasionally read at supper)
• Swimming Lessons (for Lowell and Lilla.  I’m still not ready to put Christian in the water!)
• Homeschool co-op biweekly (Lowell studied Catholic apologetics (above), art, and baking!)

You’ll also like:

10 Criteria for Choosing Homeschool Curricula

Mother of Divine Grace Update

Create a Custom Scope and Sequence

Required Reading List for 2nd Grade

Facing Our Ugly

10 Must Do’s in Your Catholic Preschool

All the Homeschool posts can be found here!