I just can't decide on a curriculum.

Here's what I'm looking for:

I would prefer an all-inclusive curriculum...I'm not certain I'm confident enough for eclectic, but maybe I could.

Something that I can incorporate both children into (Owen and Jacob are 7 years apart in age). Owen won't be starting "school" until *next* year, but will be learning alongside Jacob, of course.

Something that is structured enough to make it easy to cover the things I need to cover (for reporting's sake basically).

Something loose enough that we aren't "doing school" several hours each day.

Something loose enough that I can choose how I teach the material and what books to choose--I don't want something that tells me I *have* to make them read a certain book, kwim?

Something that is easy to write a lesson plan off of (I have to submit those to the district)...the thought stresses me out. lol

Maybe I'm just expecting too much. I basically just want to be told *what* to teach and then I can work on the *how* myself. lol

Maybe it would help to know what you have considered and like/don't like about it?

My other suggestion would be to consider getting the "What Your ____ Needs to Know" and using them to develop your plans.

Tanglewood has a core book that I ordered (ebook) and I really like it for planning my own stuff.

I am really leaning toward doing my own thing next year. I will probably use the books from WP for American History. I tend to do my own reading schedule any way so I am thinking this will work for us right now.

I have considered Seton, as it seems to take the guesswork out of everything. And that it's accredited--I like that idea as well for reporting and graduation and all that. But Seton feels a bit rigid for what I'm looking for, as in we'd have to "do school" more than I want to.

I have considered SOS for the same basic reason...the guesswork is gone. But I'm not sure I want Jacob at a computer that much. That and because of the way it's designed, it would be more on-his-own than I really wanted. I can't see me sitting next to him at a computer that much and I (and Owen) would like to be more involved.

I don't want tons of boring bookwork. I didn't learn well with textbooks...I preferred hands-on type of learning. Jacob is the same way. Plus, if I am bored out of my mind teaching it, I can bet that I won't be a very good teacher. lol

I do plan on getting the "What Your ____ Needs to Know" book. Maybe that's a good start for me.

I'm so excited and so overwhelmed at the same time. In a perfect world, I'd be an unschooler. I have so many ideas that I want to explore. But I would stress out with trying to report and stuff if I unschooled. :(

Well here is my current plan which is subject to change.:lol:

I am listing all the subjects that I want to teach next year and I will pick my books based on the subject. I also have the progress report that Heather M put together for K -6th grade and I am going to use that to make sure that we are on track for each subject.

If you are going to make up your own lesson plans anyway I wouldn't worry about something that was all inclusive. My thought is I usually just end up changing things anyway. Plus when I have a lesson plan I get really messed up in the head when we don't stay on track.

For Math we are using MUS. We are starting on Alpha next week and will work on it through the summer and will start using Beta as soon as we finish. I think we will finish both alpha and beta by next summer.

For history we are going to use the books recommened in WP American Story 1 but we will read them on our own schedule.

For Language arts I am debating on what we are going to do. Either we will continue with Ordinary Parents Guide and add in First Language Lessons and Explode the Code books with lots of readers. Or we are going to switch to Queens Homeschool Language Arts books and maybe use ETC on the side. I am leaning toward switching right now. We will continue with Italic handwriting with either of these.

Science, I am really not sure what we are going to do. I am looking at McRuffy science and we may get that and use it. I may use the books that WP recommends for one of their science programs. I may use the guidelines in the progress report and buy/check out science books that meet those guidelines. Or I may go with one of the apologia elem science programs. I just don't know right now.

I will probably add in some spelling and geography too but it won't be anything formal. Oh we are also going to be doing some Spanish and at least one other co op class.

This probably didn't help you at all but it helps me to see it all typed out.

If you want to see the progress report that Heather put together let me know and I can try to email it to you. I have it broken down into grades so let me know which grades you would need.

If you want to see the progress report that Heather put together let me know and I can try to email it to you. I have it broken down into grades so let me know which grades you would need.


Robin, I would like the see the progress report. I will have a K and 5th grader.
My email is petenreese@comcast.net

Hope you don't mind me jumping in and asking:)

Robin, I would like the see the progress report. I will have a K and 5th grader.
My email is petenreese@comcast.net

Hope you don't mind me jumping in and asking:)

Me too, me too!! Kindy please

Don't stresss yourself. It's a lot of researching but very doable. In no time, you'll be familiar with the different curriculums.

I didn't care much for the "what your child needs to know when" books but in the beginning I used all kinds of helpers like that. You'll gain your confidence and find your place.

Heather's reports were based on Ohio standards I think. They are a nice guide line. World Book had listings of standards too. Look it up on-line.

I use The Well-Trained Mind as my guidebook. At first, it was too much for me to deal with but as I got a good handle on things I used it more and more. Now, that is what I use the most.

Did you miss your Homeschool convention? How about looking for some curriculum fairs? Homeschool bookstore near-by? I often peruse Rainbow Resources.

You can use Donna Young's site for printing out lesson plans. You can also buy well-organized planners.

Also, you don't have to follow any curriculum word for word.

Ask questions. Chances are someone here has used a certain curriculum at one time or another.

Relax. It's really fun. :)

I did miss my local HS Conference because I was on my trip this past weekend.

Thanks for the support. I've been doing lots of research. Just when I think I've come across something that seems like it would work for us, I run across a bad review that brings up something that makes me think twice about it.

A resource that I really like that's similar to the Core Knowledge books, but just has a better *feel* to me, is Rebecca Rupp's "Home Learning Year by Year". Plus it has all the grades in one book, so you can look ahead or behind if you need to for one specific subject, etc.

It is overwhelming, but I think one helpful thing to remember is that there's not *one right answer* ... there are lots of good options, all that have their own benefits and disadvantages, so *try* not to stress about finding the ever elusive perfect curriculum ;)

You'll be fine, mama! :D

Thanks Christine. I'll look up that book as well.

I'm learning a lot the last couple of days...been researching, researching and MORE researching! lol :)