Every Child can learn. Just not in the same way.
We began our second year of homeschooling with Abeka, My Father’s World, The Good and The Beautiful and Saxon Math. I had done a lot of research, thinking these were the best program for my daughter. I quickly became overwhelmed at the amount of work that was expected of her each day, as well as the videos that were included. She quickly lost interest and she became so against wanting to do school. Which was a complete difference from the little girl who so loved homeschool last year. In which we used, Bob Jones University for kindergarten. I would go online to youtube add in songs about phonics and word families. To help with the learning and memorization of learning to read.
So naturally, I thought maybe she needed a more computer based program that had videos. Within the first two weeks, I had realized the error of my ways. So, I began incorporating more outside work that I had found to help make school more exciting for her. I was exhausted. I was crying A LOT. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Nobody could hear my pleas, but I realized I didn’t need to be listening to other voices. I needed to listen to my own. My mommy gut, that has never failed me. After a homeschool moms connect meeting, I felt the weight lifted a little.
I read, “Read aloud Revival” by Sarah Mackenzie, I read, “Teaching from Rest” by Sarah Mackenzie and lastly, I read “The call of the Wild and Free” by Ainsley Arment. After the tears and the joy of realizing I was going about this the wrong way. I was more focused on what would make my life easier as a mother of 3, married to a traveling husband while homeschooling. I forgot all about what I really wanted our homeschool journey to look like, I had forgotten that what worked for my husband and his mother, did not work for us. And that was okay. So I rented my final book from the library and I stayed up all night, I kid you not. I wanted this done. I wanted answers. I rented “102 top picks for homeschool curriculum” by Cathy Duffy. I did the tests for myself, and for each one of my children I quickly discovered the curriculums I had chosen were so opposite from the way I taught and the way my children learned.
Suddenly renewed with a new enthusiasm, and a heartfelt talk with my husband. I ordered our new curriculums, took out Abeka completely. Suddenly: OUR HOMESCHOOL CLICKED! So after a much long winded post on how we got to the curriculums we are using:
Classical Conversations: it works for all of my children, all age categories. It truly is a God send.
All about Reading Level 1 and Pre-K: A tried and true method that just focuses on reading and comes with apps that help with songs and added extra fun. Including games: I no longer had to search for hours to find outside help to get the reading games. All about Reading included it for me!
Saxon Math: a lot of moms are going with Horizon Math but I stuck with Saxon because it really is a great program and has a lot of hands on learning fun.
The Good and the Beautiful: pre-k: I am using this for my preschooler and I copied the book pages to be able to let my son begin working in school as well.
My Father’s World: we do use the language arts program still because it really helps with the spelling aspect of learning and grammar! We use bible, science and history with My Father’s world as well. Because Classical Conversations does an amazing job but so does My FATHER’s World.
I guess you could say, I pick and choose. I follow this book: “What your first grader needs to know” as well as “What your preschooler needs to know” by E.D Hirsch, Jr and Linda Bevilacqua. I also have printed out the state’s common core guidelines from the CHEWV’s website. That way I can make sure she knows what she needs to know for her yearly assessments but I can still teach her the way she needs to be taught. And include the things I feel are important for a well-rounded education.
I hope that helped some mommas! Remember: listen to your mommy gut! It will never steer you wrong!
XOXO- M
Blessings to you all!
Pilot Family Life 