PT 2 - Curriculum ?'s

[Verity]

See my intro posted previously:

I have decided to hmsc all three boys this year. Oldest is technically 5th grade, middle is 2nd grade and youngest is preK3. I have been researching a variety of different programs. I want to teach the two older boys a 'core' curriculum together and then have them work on their math separately. I would like to combine literature as I can and use RA's that both can respond to with different levels for free reading. Ideally I would like to do Science together as well, with the boys turning in responses/assignments appropriate to thier own level.

At this time I have been considering SL, ToG & MFW as the core history, literature, bible curricula. I'm looking at MUS as probably a good fit for both boys, I have no idea on science yet and would like to consider adding a latin primer (the boys both are strong on verbal skills and I think we should capitalize on their strengths) and then possibly add a music component at christmas when we are a bit more settled in. I would appreciate any specific feedback on these...

I was trying the placement tests for oldest son from SM and MUS and found that though he understands the general concepts he has still not memorized the multiplication tables and has a great deal of trouble figuring out basic multiplication...it involves him counting on his fingers and he gets lost sometimes and forgets what he was doing... If I talk him through each step of a long division problem he can usually figure out the math but he doesn't know where to start on his own most times and just gets more and more frustrated. I feel that he needs a multiplication program of some kind that will help me figure out how to get him to memorize the basic multiplication facts. I have tried some online games but when he gets frustrated by the math he just gives up. Any thoughts?

Currently neither child is in any extracurricular activities, I have tried martial arts for both, gymnastics for both (at younger ages), and Scouts. My oldest son has a terrible time in these kinds of things, the social and physical aspects are all trying for him. On a plus we live in Florida and have a swimming pool, but boys are good swimmers and get good exercise and appropriate sensory input from that. We also borrowed a small indoor trampoline from g-mother a few weeks ago and all three kids are getting alot from that. I have been working on sensory diet for both boys, from brushing to rolling oldest up in a comforter and using gentle pressure on his whole body. These things seem to really help him focus and de-stress.

I am both excited and daunted by the task of homeschooling all three boys but I know that they are all smart in their own ways and can be successful. I know that I can teach them better than a paid teacher who isn't personally invested in their success. I am excited that I can offer my children more indepth and quality education than they could get from any public and most private schools.

I look forward to hearing any thoughts, feedback, info on curricula or diagnosis - I have been alone with these issues for a long time if you can't tell. LOL

Aylene,
Mom to 3 SN boys, 10, 7, 3.5

[Sasharowan]

MUS has a placement test online, but from your description it sounds like your oldest would benefit from starting in Gamma which covers multiplication. I don't know about the other programs you mentioned, but we have been very happy with MUS.

[AliR]

Just giving you a thumbs up for the homeschool decision. DD7 shares some of the characteristics of your boys - since taking her out of school when she was 6 she has improved academically by a terrific amount (over 2 years progress in reading in less than 15 months), is much happier, and we can work on the social and speech problems in a more natural setting.

I am using Sonlight Core 1, with LA 2 regular and Science 1, along with MUS Beta (and some Horizons 1) All About Spelling 2 and Growing With Grammar 1. DD is a great swimmer and has a trampoline for PE. Music and art are things that I struggle to fit in!

For your son that is having problems with multiplication, start with the MUS Gamma book as this is the key area covered at this level.

I don't know if any of that helps, but I know how it feels to be terrribly alone when dealing with a child who has extra needs.

[Verity]

Thanks for the references on MUS, looking at the websites I would have liked SM as a kid but these boys aren't me. My second grader has more of a math gift (from his engineer grandfather) so I haven't decided for him, I think Gamma MUS is perfect for the "5th" grader. We can just ignore the age/level thing.

[Momto2Ns]

Verity,
Sonlight, TOG and MFW will all do what you are wanting to do. A lot depends on your teaching style, their learning style and what you want to teach.

For example, of the three, sonlight is the most reading and the fewest hands on activities. If you and the kids love to read and aren't much for crafts and hands on, that could be a great fit. Their curriculums seem the easiest to find what I want in an age range to fit. If I want to teach World History, I can choose a core that fits my child's age range and the period I want to study.

MFW, and TOG are both still literature based, but not as many books as SL. I have only looked at TOG enough to know it isn't for us, so I can't speak well to it at all. It is a repeating 4 year cycle. What I found was that my kids weren't coming in at the right place in the cycle and we just couldn't squeeze in. It also gets the most complaints for highest level of teacher prep.

MFW is something in between. It appeals to me in that it is very well designed for you and has some variety of activities, not just reading books. However, again, we came in late and when I tried to find what I wanted to teach, it wasn't at the right levels for us.

Another literature based curriculum that includes more activities is Winter Promise. My ds doesn't do activities and their curriculums are only complete through about 8th grade. However, for younger kids that are more hands on, I think these look pretty wonderful.

I guess that leave the question back to you... what are you wanting to teach (world history, American History, 4 yr cycle - which yr)? What style are you wanting to teach with? In answering those two questions, you will narrow your choices.

[Verity]

Thanks for the detailed responses! After more (and more and more) research I'm shying away from the original plans and think I'm more interested in following something more true to the WTM. Probably SotW 1, MoH 1 and Biblioplan (Ancients). I can start both boys there.

I was concerned because I stumbled on SotW last year when I pulled ds#1 out of ps and read about half of it with him, however I also drooled over the lit selections at SL and we read quite a few of those from Core 3 as an American History selection (I thought we had to start at his "age" group). It makes so much more sense to study Ancients to current in a systematic way. So, even though one ds has already read parts of SotW I think we will still use that, just go more in depth. And, I love that MoH and Biblioplan both suggest literature to go with the curricula.

[siloam]

Thanks for the detailed responses! After more (and more and more) research I'm shying away from the original plans and think I'm more interested in following something more true to the WTM. Probably SotW 1, MoH 1 and Biblioplan (Ancients). I can start both boys there.

I was concerned because I stumbled on SotW last year when I pulled ds#1 out of ps and read about half of it with him, however I also drooled over the lit selections at SL and we read quite a few of those from Core 3 as an American History selection (I thought we had to start at his "age" group). It makes so much more sense to study Ancients to current in a systematic way. So, even though one ds has already read parts of SotW I think we will still use that, just go more in depth. And, I love that MoH and Biblioplan both suggest literature to go with the curricula.

I like that plan better. :D SL is a great curriculum, but mostly appeals to auditory learners. With both MOH 1 and SOTW activity guide you can add the occasional lit title from SL, but focus on multi-sensory learning. I really think that would give you the best chance of success for your first year.

TOG is a program I love, but I wouldn't recommend it till you have a few years under your belt. It has a lot to offer, but you have to figure out all those pieces, and then you have to say no to perfectly good stuff to do, or decide to take longer than their schedule to do it in. (I tend to do the latter) ;) It would be better if you were used to hsing, knew what your kids could handle, and what you wanted out of the program before you tried it.

Heather