Resources
This page contains helpful links, resources, and curriculum ideas. It is a work in progress and is by no means complete. It will be updated periodically to best serve you. It is simply a list of curriculum I have used and know to be solid and good.
Reading Curriculum
All About Reading
The most comprehensive and thorough reading program I have found. This program is ideal for children who struggle with reading, as well as children who catch on super quick.
There is a free reading placement that will let you know where to start your child.
Spelling Curriculum
All About Spelling
This program can be used in tandem with the All About Reading program as they complement each other and enforce the concepts. However, it can also be used as a stand-alone program without needing to buy the reading program.
The reading program employs the use of a magnetic board and colored letter tiles for tactile and visual learners but is a benefit to all. If you are short on space in your home, you have the option of an inexpensive app instead of the magnetic board, which is great if you are short on space but still want the hands-on learning component.
Math
Abeka Math
This program is my personal favorite, not because it is Christian material, but because it is the most solid foundational math program out there. It offers the most practice in mastery of computational skills, (add, subtract, multiply, divide), of any program I have found. It is very solid in computation and mathematical processes. It uses the mastery approach to learning, which gives the students quite a lot of practice on one particular concept being taught, while offering a few review problems at the end from previous lessons. This approach works well for many students, though there are some kids that need more consistent review, or they forget what they learned.
Saxon Math
This is a very solid math program that uses the spiral approach, which mean that it teaches a new topic each day, offers a few practice problems to learn the new topic, and then the student spends the rest of the lesson doing problems that review everything he has learned to date. This method works very well for many kids, but not all. Some kids need more of a mastery approach to learning math, which offers many problems and practice on the current topic taught, while offering a few problems at the end of each lesson that are a review of previous concepts.
Science
Science Resources Online
YouTube
Chemistry - (25) Cognito - YouTube
Elementary Science - (25) Learn Bright - YouTube
Science Kits / Subscriptions
Monthly Science Kits & STEM Subscription Boxes | KiwiCo
Little Passports - Monthly educational gift subscriptions for kids
Science Kits for Kids: Elementary to High School | Science Experiment Kits (homesciencetools.com)
Writing
Institute for Excellence in Writing
In order to succeed in every area of life, children must hone the skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively. Through the process of learning to write well, students learn how to think clearly and to express themselves eloquently and persuasively. Their goal is to equip you to assist your child in this process. This program offers a solid approach to learning how to write. They also offer classes to students in all grades. So, if you do not feel confident in writing, or do not have the time, you can sign them up for classes.