Understand the following:

      1. You are a parent first.

      2. Your time is limited.

      3.  Do not expect to create your own curriculum.

Running a household is enough. Remember, kids get sick, you get sick, time is often not available, you need curriculum that is easy to follow and easy to implement.

How Do I Know I’m Picking the Best Curriculum?

The best curriculum has been time tested with a solid track record of success.

The best curriculum works with EVERY child.

Choose something easy to use that takes all guesswork out of the equation.

1. Research ~ Cathy Duffy reviews curriculum.
2. Direct, Explicit, Systematic Instruction is easiest to follow.
3. Scripted curriculum is convenient.

But, Doesn’t a Scripted Curriculum Stifle Our Creativity?

If we don’t have to expend creativity on creating on our curriculum we are actually much freer to be creative.  We can add puppets, paint, draw, march, jump, sing.  It’s fun to add to nicely laid out curriculum. And when we’re tired (which is often), the curriculum we’ve chosen has us covered.

Christine’s Picks

Classical Education

Here are some examples of Classical Education Curriculum Choices in Charter Schools

                                                           Macon Georgia ~ Classical Education  

GREAT HEARTS CLASSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

 For Gifted and Talented or Any Kid Really! (There’s a Dyslexia Section on this site!)

ROYAL FIREWORKS PRESS

Ideas for curriculum choices.

Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Spelling)

CHRISTINE’S TOP PICK: Sing, Spell, Read & Write (Out of print but you can buy used kits)

SUPERKIDS READING PROGRAM ask for the Homeschool Bundle

McRuffy Language Arts Program

FOUNDATIONS ~ The LOGIC OF ENGLISH

CATHY DUFFY’S REVIEW OF LOGIC OF ENGLISH

Writing:

Time 4 Writing

SHURLEY ENGLISH

IEW

Math:

SINGAPORE MATH

SAXON MATH

                                                                    Cursive Handwriting Practice Book

SCIENCE for small group work:

 Science Memorization with Music

SCIENCE IN A NUTSHELL

Reading Remediation:

The LOGIC OF ENGLISH – ESSENTIALS

IdeaChain

Linda Mood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing

What Time of the Day Do I Teach?

Morning is best.  Reading (English Language Arts) usually comes first then math then other subjects.

Have a routine.

Have rules and stick to them.

Reward hard work with whatever you choose but keep it simple. A simple high five works. “Congratulations!” “You can do it!” “Great work!”  These words mean a lot!

( Stickers and prizes are more trouble than they are worth!  Just my two cents! )

My Motto:

Keep it Simple Because Teaching Kids Always Has Surprises!