Curriculum Reviews:
aids/supplements:
Perplexors: http://www.mindwareonline.com/MWESTORE/ProductSearch/Default.aspx?&Keyword=perplexors
This is such a simple innovation that makes learning logic possible for every level of ability. Perplexors by Mindware promotes using higher levels of thinking skills. The simple format allows for the practice of deductive reasoning. As a homeschooling mom who does not believe in standardized testing, I still worry that one day… my children may have to take a test. I needed a way to teach test taking strategies but I could not compromise my ideals and force upon them the anxiety of a standardized test… I found Perplexors to be my answer. It is a wonderful tool that helps my children practice reasoning and thinking skills in a fun detective format. I know that if there should come a time when they have to face the monster of standardized tests, they will be able to conquer it with the greatest of ease.
English language:
Grammar: http://www.easygrammar.com/index2.html
I have been using the Daily Grams grammar reviewfor 3 years now.. and I really love it . It takes no more than 15 minutes a day to review capitalization, punctuation, grammar and other concepts (i.e. analogies, spelling, phrases/clauses, dictionary skills, sentence structure/fragments/run-ons, simple, compound). It is a great curriculum to have a guided review in aiding withmastery skills of grammar for 180 days each workbook. I really appreciate that there is a section in the back of answers if I forget. 
. Now that I have more than one in my classroom I like to use it as independent work. With our daughter we use one of two approaches: 1. work one page a day and review at the end of each page. If it is a difficult concept we delve further by searching online or find “living” examples in the books she is reading. 2. She works through the week and on the last day we go back and “grade” what she has done. We go over together what could be done better, or at that point, go into a deeper understanding of the concept.
Spelling: http://www.avko.org/
I tried to use the Bob Jones Spelling for a couple (1st grade & 4th grade) of years but it just has never worked well for my kiddos. I see where they are trying to go withtheircurriculum, and I’ll admit in theory it seems perfect. you have your words to master and a wonderful bible verse, some matching some history in the word for word and a few grammar rules with a journal at the end… I suppose if you were a homeschooling parent who needed it all put together for you and you needed a strick, easy to follow schedule, this might work for you. However our classroom is set up more organically with materials of the eclectic nature and we tend to get sidetracked I may have planned to study ancient China for an hour a day for one week but the kids are so interested it may take 3hours a day for 3 weeks, so we need something that is quick, freeform with a reinforced correction of spelling right away and an overview of phonic rules. For this need Sequential Spelling has filled in. I love that it takes less than 10 minutes and it is a test everyday… withcorrection done immediately after every word. each lesson builds upon word patterns… for example you may start with all then go to tall, stall, install, installment. It flows brilliantly with our daily scheduling.
Math: http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com
I have tried many different curricula here, Horizons, Bob Jones, Saxon… for my main curriculum I really like Saxon. yes, it can take forever with the repetition… but when you are building foundations in math you need repetition. for my first and sixth grader we do not always do exactly what is in the lesson plan. I look at it this way, the plan is there for you to be so organized you’re able to be flexible. I like the small intro steps building into concepts and the availability to to teach principles of incremental development. I even heard a rumor here that the compulsory schools have seen how well the homeschooled kids are doing with the Saxon curriculum, now want to adopt it for themselves.
science:
History: http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php
Tapestry of Grace… before I was just going from what I knew I wanted the kids to learn, then I stumbled upon this lil’ beauty… my favorite coin phrase fits this curriculum well, ” so organized you’re flexible!” Talk about organization… with this curriculum it doesn’t matter the age level, its planned out… now your students can go deeper into an era each time you go through it. Let’s say for example: in the Ancient Times era, the curriculum will let me introduce it to my first grader, and by the time he is in highschool we will teach it again, however, at that later date it will be explored at a deeper level. Tapestry of Grace’s curriculum spans from ancient to modern times weaving God’s “tapestry” within.
art:
Foreign Language:
The Must READ/WATCH List:
This is your guide to Must Read or Must Watch Documentries:
Books:
Lies My Teacher Told Me: http://sundown.afro.illinois.edu/
Stop! Do not read this book, if you still want to believe everything in history you’ve learned! Loewen, the author, spent eleven years reviewing 12 of the most commonly-used U.S. history textbooks. He found that textbook publishers, and school systems wanted (& still do!) to avoid controversy. In their efforts they have feed students a non-controversial, over-simplified version of our country’s history and what we, as a nation, consider its most important historical figures. You want to read it now, don’t ya? Yeah, I thought so… here’s where you can buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Lies-My-Teacher-Told-Everything/dp/0743296281
The Underground History of American Education: http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/underground/index.htm
Mr. Gatto was an NY school teacher of the year, upon his epiphany of what compulsory schooling has/is done/ing to America, he has written this book. If ever their was a combative argument for homeschooling, albeit unintentional on his part, this is it! Here is where you can get it! http://www.amazon.com/Underground-History-American-Education-Taylor/dp/B000A4IX46
Documentries: