Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and founder of Steady Mom
I vividly remember the moment I walked into my first curriculum fair at a homeschooling conference. 250 exhibitors had tables lined up side by side, there to show off their stuff (and convince me to buy it.)
In a word, it was overwhelming.
What I really wanted, what I really needed, were experienced friends who could let me in on what they’ve already learned about the curriculum-buying process. What worked for them, what didn’t? What resource was worth investing in–and what wasn’t?
Starting today on Simple Homeschool we’re doing just that–kicking off our own curriculum fair, simple style.
Over this month each of our contributors will write about the resources that have worked for them. From preschoolers to high schoolers and all ages in between, stay tuned to discover unbiased opinions from moms in the trenches just like you. Moms working with real budgets, real successes, and real challenges.
Get ready to find the inspiration you need to tackle planning for the upcoming year with confidence.
Welcome to the fair–grab your coffee and browse at your own pace. See you back here on Wednesday to get started!
If you could ask any question relating to curriculum or homeschooling resources, what would it be? We may be able to work some of the answers into our posts over the month.
Like several other readers, we are now researching and thinking through our schooling options for our two year old son. In having minimally been exposed to all of the homeschooling possibilities out there thus far, I am most interested in learning more about:
1) Those who have experience with homeschooling in a Waldorf-inspired way.
2) Those who have experience using the Oak Meadow Curriculum.
3) Those familiar with the methodology and practice of “unschooling.”
This will be an exciting series and I look forward to learning more through this incredible community of homeschooling families! Thank you!
Teaching reading…. One of my children is visually impaired so I need LARGE Print in regular handwritting letters, nothing fancy.
Materials that are great for extra practice, creative and hands on for afterschool from around the house with minimal preparation.
Yeah I know. I have lots of requirements….
I’m pretty sure I’ve been “home educating” since the day my 1st child was born 10 years ago. Since then we’ve been blessed with 3 more children with our 5th on the way. We really only tried home “schooling” our 1st born, her kindergarten year. We bought the A-Beka kindergarten program, and by the end of that year she appeared to be a genious (compared to all the other little kindergarten grads who were sounding out “C-A-T”, while our little prodigy wrote paragraphs IN CURSIVE!) However, something really interesting happened the next year, as I began to teach my 2nd child a little “pre-school”, I began to realize that the whole world didn’t revolve around my kids. I had 2 children to teach, at 2 different levels. I quickly realized that the “school at home” grade based approach wouldn’t work anymore. Even if we only had 2 children,there was no way I could spend 5 hours witheach one every day doing the scripted lessons. And thus began our families journey into real home and life education. I soon realized that ALL my children could learn reading, arithmetic, spelling, ect. just the same way ALL my children could get bathed and dressed and read to and hugged. We still have alot to figure out about what works really well for each of us, but I’m certain that we’ll never go down that completely age/grade segregated road again.
P.S. A few of our favorite things are Math-u-see, Apologia science, and the Answers in Genesis and Vision Forum suppliments.