What curriculum have you used for the longest amount of time-in terms of years?

[HollyinNNV]

I know that we talk a lot about jumping from one curriculum product to another. But, I'm wondering what curriculum you have used for the longest? My poll asks for the # of years you have used that product. Then, might you post what curriculum gets the award for long-term use?
Holly:D

[VaKim]

Rod & Staff English. :)

[nutmeg]

We have used R&S English for grades 3,4,5, & 6, and plan to continue with it. :001_smile:

[HollyinNNV]

I, off the top of my head, thought it would be SL. However, IEW just edged SL out. I've used it for 5 years. Wow! Time flies.
Holly

[ClassicMom]

for the best LD products. Great content written at lower reading levels. My daughter has been able to complete Jr. High and will complete High School using mostly Steck-Vaugn products. I highly recommend them for children with disabilities.

[Homeschooling6]

Rod & Staff Reading & Phonics.

[Melissa B]

We have only been homeschooling five years, but I have used these the full five years and plan to use them into the future.

Saxon / Singapore math

First Language Lessons

Hooked on Phonics

[Paula in PA]

We've used it for K, 1st, & 2nd, and will be using it this year for 3rd.

[Amy loves Bud]

MathUSee for five years, which was when my oldest started K.

[LisaNY]

I am going into my 13th year of hs'ing and I just finished my 9th year of using R&S English.

[Pongo]

Shurley English, IEW, Bob Jones Math, Singapore Math and SWR seem to be our mainstays of 5-6 years :001_smile:

[nutmeg]

Oh, phooey - switch mine to 6 years. How could I forget Singapore math!

[mommaduck]

Abeka Phonics. It's the only phonics program I use, it works, and it's taught the way I was taught. I used Abeka when I was in 3rd grade and had to go through their phonics program in a summer course before being permitted to enter the private school. It jumped me from a naturally good reader to a speed reader.

[cbollin]

I'm going into my 6th year of using MFW. details in my siggy line

-crystal

[Pam H]

We've used MUS and ETC for 11 years.

We've used TOG for going on 5 years.

[Rhonda in TX]

I think I've finally figured most things out now, though, so I should have longer time periods to report next year. :)

[tmkclscroggins]

Rod & Staff - going on 5 years. We've used math and English. I haven't found anything as easy to use or as complete as these! Yes, we've needed to take a break from it every now and then but overall, it's been great!


Melissa

[JudoMom]

We're on our 5th year of it (we've used it since the beginning, and I don't see us ever changing).

[StephanieZ]

Tops in our homeschool:

Singapore Math -- 7 yrs & counting
Zaner Bloser Handwriting -- 7 yrs & counting
R&S English -- 5 yrs & counting

[sweetbaby]

We've been using Explorer's Bible Study for four years.

[Krista in LA]

I put 6 years because that's how many years we've been homeschooling. During that time, the things that I have not wavered on have been Singapore math, SOTW (yes, it took us 6 years to get through it), and Rod and Staff English starting in 3rd grade for both kids. Those happen to by my kids' favorite books too.

[TracyR]

I've used BJU math with my oldest for K , 1, 2 and 3 . So for 4 years . I stopped at 4 and 5 and wished I didn't . We're going back and maybe starting with BJU 5 for this coming year .

I've used Calvert for grades 1, 2, 3, 4 so for 4 years there too . We're not going to continue with it though after this year .

I've also used 100 Easy Lessons supplemented with The Reading Lessons for 3 of my daughters so far .

[Kathy in NC]

That's how long we've used Singapore Math, IEW, and Sonlight (although we are switching to TOG this fall).

[SheilaZ]

I have been homeschooling for 7 years.

I've used MCP math for 7 years.
Spelling workout for 6 years.
Handwriting without Tears for 6 years.
Rod and Staff English for 3 years.
Explode the Code 3 years.

These are the ones that have worked for the boys and that I don't even consider changing.

[DeeFL]

For us, it was Excel Math for elementary school. It's similar to Saxon with the spiral approach, but costs less and moved quicker. We also loved the fact that it was somewhat "self-grading" with the check answer. This allowed the kids to find their mistakes and correct them quickly, without having to wait for mom (who tends to get behind in grading).
Blessings,
Dana (formerly DeeFL...need to switch that to CO since we moved 3 weeks ago.)

[paula j]

I've been homeschooling for 5 years and I have used sonlight for 5 years, just can't find anything to top it.:)

[Dayle in Guatemala]

I have used LLATL for the whole 9 years. I have used Apologia for 5 years (elementary and then upper sciences). I have used Saxon math from 5/4 to 8/7 with each child and then I sue Teaching Textbooks with Algebra 1.

I'm not much for skipping around. I guess I was blessed to find out what worked for me early on and then using it.

[Sue in St Pete]

7 years completed with Math-U-See. We just started Algebra this week. It will probably be our last year with MUS. I was shocked to see that all the tests are multiple choice!

[LaMere Academy]

5 years, not consecutive...Sonlight.

[teacalm]

Homeschooling for 7 years

Rod Staff English - 5 years (Gr 2 - 6) and (Gr 7 this year with ds)

Singapore Math - Early Bird - 4A books (with dds)
4A-6B (with ds)

Horizons Math - K-4B books (with dds)

[Narrow Gate Academy]

We've used both Singapore Math and Spelling Workout for 4 years and plan to continue with both.

[4pillars]

I have used Rod and Staff English for 3 years and Saxon Math for 7 years!!! We did stray from Saxon a few times for maybe a month or two, but always come back to it!!

Fun topic!

[ereks mom]

However, while I highly recommend BJU Math for Kindergarten through Algebra 1, I do not like BJU Geometry or BJU Algebra 2. It isn't user-friendly for the teaching parent who isn't math-oriented.

[coffeegal]

5 years of Saxon math as our mainstay. I LOVE Saxon Math! :001_tt1:

[JenneinAZ]

Aleks math lasted a full 14 months with my oldest. Nothing else has lasted even 8.

[Mom2boys]

We've used SOTW for 5 years. Thanks SWB! :D

[one l michele]

We've homeschooled since the begining, but my kids are only in 3rd, 1st, and K-4. For the first two years we were with a cyber charter and used Calvert.

This is our second year homeschooling traditionally. So during our 2 years of traditional homeschooling these have remained consistent:
Sonlight readers
Horizon math
Dadylion logic
Sonlight history
My World Science (which has been discontinued, but thankfully I bought everything when I first decided to use this program, we enjoy it)
Abeka Health and Safety

[Melinda S in TX]

CLE Math for 8 years.

Melinda S in TX

[8FillTheHeart]

I have used Horizons math non-stop since my oldest was in either 1st or 2nd grade. So, Horizons for going on 13 yrs.

[phathui5]

Ds1 is on his fourth year using the Pathway readers and workbooks and his third year with Singapore Math.

[Carolyn in Ohio]

Spelling Workout A through H

Carolyn

[Okie]

we've used Rod and Staff English for 12 of our 13 hs years

[charlotteb]

We've been homeschooling for 6 years and the only curriculum I've kept the whole time has been Abeka Language. IMO it is so good and thorough!

[Jenny in Atl]

Singapore 6 years so far and SL 5 yrs.

[CAROLinON]

My older daughter used it from grades 8-12, older son used it from Singapore Math 5 through NEM 1, younger ones from J/K to going on Singapore Math 4 and 6 this fall. Great math programme!!

[attachedto4]

Sonlight
MUS

[TrixieB]

Singapore and Miquon, 6 years each (this includes using with multiple children; both programs have been in use by at least one child since fall 2002).

[Quiver0f10]

We have used saxon math for atleast one of our kids since we started 8 years ago.

[Cadam]

Well I have only been homeschooling for 5 years but all that time I have been using MUS, save for 2 months when we first started. I have used 6 levels all together, spread over 2 children. We don't plan to change things anytime soon.

[chiguirre]

We've been hsing for 2 years, but we've used Sonlight for 3 years. I'm planning on continuing to use SL, but I'm switching to using the pile method instead of the IG.

I've used Calvert K twice, both times combining with other stuff. Singapore has also been a long-term hit, we've used all the EB books and ds is using 1A and 1B over the summer (and into next year for a a break from R&S).

There are several things I'm going to use for a second year: R&S Math, Pathway readers, LLATL and ETC.

[vmsurbat]

Sing Spell Read and Write + Alphaphonics--used with all five children (starting way back in '92). SSRW for a fun, easy, doable phonics program, Alphaphonics for drill practice.

Abeka K math: I like this text as an easy, colorful intro into math. We only ever used the workbook--no teacher's materials. If we couldn't figure something out, we skipped it.

R&S Math: used 1-7th since discovering it 8 years ago

R&S Bible: Grades 5-8: This four year program covers the entire Bible. I've been very pleased with it, and it has worked well with my wide variety of learners.

Jensen's Grammar: used with four of the five so far (8th grade); next year will be my last time through....

Sonlight K-100--started way back in '93 with this and all my children have gone through most of these cores (and all the wonderful books) in some fashion or another. This coming year we will be going through Core 100 for the last time. Sniff, sniff. (Sonlight's claim to help you build a home library is true--when my college daughters come home, they will usually pick out a book to read and relax by, and most often it's a Sonlight book....)

It took me 5-7 years to find some things (math, for instance) but when I find something that works for me and my students, I stick with it. I'd rather work around known problems and shortfalls than get something new and have a new host of difficulties to straighten out.

[Hebrews3:13]

Abeka Math. Now that we have hit middle school we are finally going to TT, but until now it was always Abeka and that is DD's strongest subject. The last 2 years on Stanford she has scored in the 98th percentile, so we are happy.

[senunk]

Mine is R&S math, but will be ending this year as we try out TT. I've been very happy with R&S math. This will be our 3rd year using sotw. My dd12 did the four books in 2 years and my dd9 will be starting them this year.

[Parrothead]

Since we've only been at it for 5 years I can't go higher than that. LOL

Pre k and K I didn't use any thing specific. I didn't have WTM until late in 1st grade. I implemented it for 2nd. So I've used FLL and STOW for two years going on three this year.

[Faithr]

I've used the Pathway Readers to teach reading for all five of my kids, so that's been 9 years, if I'm calculating right.

We've used MCP math for 8 years but I'm switching to Shiller this year.

We've used Saxon Math for 5 years.

We've used Faith and Life for Catechism for 11 years!

[Karenciavo]

Tapestry of Grace, going into our 6th year.

[Sarah CB]

Singapore math for 8 years.

SOTW for 5 years.

Classical Writing for 3 or 4 years.

[Lolly]

Rod and Staff English and math.

[Closeacademy]

Singapore Math is our winner followed closely by SWR which I am ever tweaking to meet the needs for that year.:001_smile:

[Shannon831]

We've been hsing for 3 years and we've used Sonlight and MUS for 3 with no plans on stopping.

[Hoggirl]

.

[ChemMommy]

We've used this as a wonderful elementary program (through pre-algebra) for four kids and it has done a great job at explaining math.

We also used Sonlight K to 5 until the oldest hit highschool.

In fact, I feel like a traitor leaving MUS and SL for better high school programs.

[Maverick]

SRA McGraw Hill Math Explorations and Applications, used 1-6 with one child and K-6 with the other (but did 2 books in one year to make it 5 or 6 years). We also did Spelling Workout for 5-6 years. The next longest after those would be SOTW for 4 years.

[cricket1178]

I've used Saxon Math for more than 10 years now. It works for us!:)

[HollyinNNV]

I know that some out there haven't been homeschooling that long. However, I'm hoping that they share what they found, too.

Also, I don't know about anyone else, but I don't often post on IEW threads, even though I actually coordinate an IEW co-op.;) I've been using the curriculum so long. I've answered so many q's about it in real life. I am kind of weary of it. Sorry-but it is true. Someday I have to write an "everything you've ever wanted to know about IEW post and save it!" Sometimes I think people (including myself) get really excited about the latest and greatest curriculums and post freely about them. But, the old standard comfortable ones are less "fun" to post about. (or is it just me?)

Anyhooooo I think that this poll has been really interesting! Is it just me, or has Rod and Staff come up a lot? I am enjoying seeing what everyone likes long-term. Long-term use holds a lot of weight with me.

I really appreciate everyone posting!!!! Keep 'em comin' ! You guys are awesome.:grouphug:

[Michelle in MO]

of homeschooling and have used Abeka grammar all seven years. Had I read the 2nd edition of TWTM before I read the 1st edition, I probably would have used Rod & Staff, because it is such an excellent grammar program.

However, the first year we homeschooled, I had not read TWTM and I bought Abeka for everything, because I knew nothing about homeschooling. I knew within a month that I could not keep using everything from Abeka, because I simply didn't like it. I did like Abeka's grammar and math (I'm talking only K-6 math, not their upper-level math! That's a whole 'nother story!). Then, six weeks or so into that first year of homeschooling, I discovered TWTM (1st edition), read it, and was delighted to hear that Abeka's grammar was recommended by SWB.

We still use it because the kids are used to it; the grammar portion is still very good. I don't care for the writing as well, so we've always supplemented the writing.

[Peela]

Story of the World for 4 years. Loved it.

[Isa]

I've used Miquon, SOTW, and God's Design Series the longest (My oldest will be going into fourth grade this upcoming school year).

[JeannineW]

We've been hsing for 3 years with MUS, ETC and LLATL (but switching to FLL this year).

[Lori in MS]

MUS and My Father's World both for 4 years

[CoffeeBean]

Singapore math 1a-6b
CoffeeBean

[fractalgal]

I've used Saxon Math for more than 10 years now. It works for us!:)

:iagree: Saxon is one of my favorites, and for phonics, ETC.

[Ferdie]

Pathway readers and RightStart math for 5 years.

Also SOTW for 4 years and we are going back to it after a one year break for a second go round.

[sarah in tenn]

This is helping me with figuring next year out.
Thanks!
sarah

[Julie in MN]

I tried almost everything with my older dd, and have used MFW for 4 years straight with my ds. Singapore 3.5 years.

[Julie Herbster]

I have homeschooled for five years...

Veritas Press for all five years (history, Bible, literature)
Saxon math for all five years
Spelling Workout for all five years
Rod and Staff English for three years (since oldest dd started English grammar)

[WTMCassandra]

SOTW+Biblioplan

[love2read]

IEW since the videos became available to homeschoolers about 9 years ago. Shurley Grammar almost that long, but we don't use it every year.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

Singapore Math for 1st-6th, and again from K-4th (so far).

Rod & Staff English, from 3rd - 6th. We'll continue it through 9th.

[LanaTron]

Going on 7 years w/ SOTW; going on 6 years with Singapore math.

[TerriKY]

going on 6 for Classical Writing and Singapore

TerriKY

[Titus.Two.Five]

Abeka Math - 4 years and still using....

[cherryblossom]

nt

[ABQmom]

Math U See---going on 7 years.

[Laura Corin]

I know that we talk a lot about jumping from one curriculum product to another. But, I'm wondering what curriculum you have used for the longest? My poll asks for the # of years you have used that product. Then, might you post what curriculum gets the award for long-term use?
Holly:D

One or the other child has been using it for the last five years.

Laura

[ShelliR]

We have used Sonlight sinces '95 with a couple of years off (TOG one year). We have also used Singapore Math K all the way through High School, but not with the same kid.....)

[Rose in BC]

We've had blips in between where I've toyed with the idea of doing something else but then I realized that nothing is perfect so we stuck with it. I found it important to stick with a program with math because they all have different philosophies.

Now as we begin grade seven math, I'm happy with our decision. I have three very different learning styles amongst my children and Saxon is working for each of them.

[Lisawa]

9 years total... my son who has graduated and my youngest has used it for 6.... not including K so including K.... 7 years.

[MeganP]

.

[karensk]

WTM, Singapore Math (and following closely behind: FLL, SWO, HWT)

[Carmen_and_Company]

Beginning our 8th year and used/will use Singapore Math products as primary or secondary curricula.

[BarbinTN]

nm

[HollyinNNV]

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the poll. Hopefully, this may be a help to those who are still making up their mind about curriculum. It helped me a bunch!!!
Holly in N NV

[Julie in GA]

nm

[frogpond1]

I've used Singapore Math for the past 8 years, it works for me.

Other things I've used for all 4 kids- Pathway Readers, Handwriting without Tears, Story of the World.

[ConnieinCO]

R&S Grammar for seven years.

Connie

[Sandra in FL]

Dd used PM1-6 and now ds (4th grade) and ds (1st grade) are going through the series. My absolute favorite curriculum.

Sandra

[FloridaLisa]

We've used Saxon and ETC for *someone* every year. My pre-schooler will start Get, Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code in a few weeks!

Lisa

[Laura W.]

FIAR

[riada]

CLE Math and Language for four years.

[Sharon H in IL]

RightStart Math, finishing 4 years.

SOTW - oh, about 5 years.

FLL - 3 years.

Memoria Press' Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I & II - 4 years

[Virginia Heather]

Horizons Math & Singapore... 4 years and counting!

[prairiegirl]

We've only been hsing for 4 years but we have been using Right Start Math and SOTW for the entire time.

[AngieW in Texas]

SL - 11 years
Singapore Math - 7 years
Miquon Math - 5 years

Everything else is less than 5 years.

[Chris in CA]

Rod & Staff Math - 8 years this fall

[Melinda S in TX]

Forgot Phonics Pathways. Going on eight years of using it. Teaching #4 with it now.

Melinda S in TX

[magistramom]

I'm a WTM traditionalist...
We've completed, and will continue the following with my now 6th grade dd (ds is following the same path):

Saxon: 1-6/5 (starting 7/6 this year)

Spelling Workout: A-F (finishing up G & H this year)

Rod & Staff English: 3-5 (starting 6 this year)

SOTW: we "did" one book per year K-3, then read the whole series each year for review

[Wendi]

We started using VP history in 3rd grade, and this year (6th grade) we will finish the "grammar" stage. Still trying to decide if Omnibus will be the right fit for us; thinking of Tapestry of Grace.

Wendi

[*anj*]

MathUSee for five years, which was when my oldest started K.

Same here, except I've used it for six years.

[swellmomma]

I am only going into my 3rd year hsing but the 2 things we have used for the first 2 years and will continue to is MUS and MCP plaid phonics

[jail warden]

Spell to Write and Read. I used it in PK, K, 1, and 2nd so far with the oldest and plan to continue. I've used it in PK, K, and 1st so far with dd. RightStart is in close 2nd I used it in K, 1, and 2 for oldest and K & 1 for dd. I guess once I find something really good, I like to stick with it!

[kortney in AL]

Apologia science

[Jean in IN]

I voted a while back but guess I never posted! I voted 5 years. I've used SWR and SOTW for the past 5 years. I've used RS for 3 years and plan on continuing it for many more. :) and we've done Memoria Press's Latin series over the past 3 years as well, and I'll use it again for the girls.

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

4 years of Saxon math, Spelling Workout, and Zaner-Bloser handwriting.

We started with those at the beginning and have kept them all the way through. So, although its only 4 years-that's as long as possible.

[Testimony]

Story of the World hands down for us!!! I am going on my fifth year of homeschooling. I am going into my second go around with SOTW. This is a family favorite at our house. I did not realize that it was the numero uno until you asked.

Next comes, Singapore Math! What would life be like for my older son if it were not for Singapore. He enjoys math because these books. I have learn so much more about math doing this program with him. This year will be his fourth year with this curriculum. Despite the fact the my younger son did not do the greatest in his IOWA test in the math (partly because he is struggling with the concepts), he knows his place values very well.

Next, Memoria Press Latina Christiana series, we are going into Latina Christiana II for my older son and Prima Latina for my younger. My older son will be using it for 3 years this coming year.

It is our second year using Writing Tales.

I cannot forget, even though we no longer use this program, Five In a Row. We used Before Five in A Row for both boys and Five in A Row for them too. So, 4 years in total for that curriculum.

Oh! How could I forget the most important: AWANA!! Our Bible curriculum mainstay for the past 4 going on 5 years.

I also forgot Building Thinking Skills and Mindbenders series. My son was in second grade when we started the books. I never rushed through these books. Whenever we had time, we would do them. My older son is doing second half of Building Thinking Skills level 2 and Mindbenders B series. My younger son is doing the second half of Building Thinking Skills level 1 and Mindbenders A series.


Blessing in your homeschool journey!

Sincerely,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

[maryibug]

Math U See is the one thing that I never have to think about changing...no searching, no angst, no wandering eyes..LOL:001_smile:

[Kris in Wis]

All the kids used Saxon math, although second child switched to TT for geometry and algebra II. So Saxon has been in our house 12 years!

Second longest would be Abeka grammar, with 8 years (over 4 kids); then Truthquest History guides for 4 years.

[Nancy in SoCal]

Phonics Pathways & SOTW have been used in this house for 6 years
Singapore Math for 5 years

[momof3gifts]

I change all sorts of other things except my Sonlight core. :D

[newbie]

We have been using K12 for six yrs.

Jet

[WTMindy]

I used all 5 volumes of SOTW over 5 years. I loved it and was so sad when I finished it up. We are now starting year 2 with TOG and I forsee us using that for a long time. Other things come and go.

[coffeefreak]

I was totally surprised when I realized that A Beka is what I've used the longest. I haven't used the whole curriculum since Kindergarten with my oldest, but I use something from it every year. I really like their "Handbook for Reading," and their "Blend Book," as well as all their pre-school and K workbooks. Rod and Staff would have been my second longest at 4 years. We aren't using any RS this year, we're using A Beka's Language 3 workbook and PLL. My youngest is using A Beka's art projects and "Handbook for Reading," but we are going with ETC for phonics.

[LisaK in VA]

I've used Abeka Phonics K, 1 & 2 for three children (my youngest in school just started 1). It's been the easiest for me to implement for my children. They have various opinions on the readers, but the system has worked very well overall...

Abeka has been my favorite curriculum up through about grade two for Lanuage Arts and Arithmetic. I also continue to use the health program, the read & think skill sheets, and have started using their grammar again for my 4th grader.

[matroyshka]

We are going to be starting our 7th year of Singapore math (we started with Pre-K Earlybird)

We've also stuck with Getty-Dubay penmanship - we're starting our 6th year of that (started in K with book A). I think the next book after this year is the last one (book H), which ends by teaching calligraphy - my girls are looking forward to that as a reward!

[Meljoy]

Saxon Math- but I dont use it all the way through- we start wiht MUS then switch to Saxon 54,65 & 76 then switch to Teaching textbooks for Pre-Algebra. -but Saxon is what we have used the longest.

[Liza Lee]

My longest-running curriculum has been Sonlight. I've used it on some level, every year since my third year of homeschooling except for one. I think I've used every math curriculum out there, but my favorite has been Teaching Textbook.

As a long-term homeschooler, I have several things that I use again with the next child. My two oldest could already read before I pulled them from ps, but I used Explode the Code and Alpha-phonics for all three of the younger ones.

I have used Apologia Physical Science and Biology three times, and will use them again until everyone is finished.

I also used Canon Press Introductory Logic for all three of the older ones, and #4 is about it start it this year.

[Cinder]

Second place goes to Abeka Math and Grammar--5 years.

Cinder

[emmsmama]

I used all 5 volumes of SOTW over 5 years. I loved it and was so sad when I finished it up. We are now starting year 2 with TOG and I forsee us using that for a long time. Other things come and go.

I'm only aware of 4 volumes of SOTW. What is the 5th?

I've only been hs'ing for 1 yr. but we've used RS Math and Ambleside booklists. They have worked well so I plan on continuing with those and adding in some other things this year, including SOTW.

[gandpsmommy]

We are only about to start our third year of homeschooling, but we have actually continued with a lot.

~We started FLL in K5 and finished it in first. We're going to be using WWE and Latin this year for grammar/writing, but I am still thinking about using FLL3 in third grade.

~We used SOTW, vol. 1 for first grade, and we will be using SOTW, vol. 2 for second grade.

~We used Artistic Pursuits for first grade, and we'll be using the next book in the series for second grade.

~We used Themes to Remeber by Classical Magic for first, and we'll be using it again for second.

~We used All About Spelling Levels One and Two for first, and we'll be using level Three for second.