Wednesday Why: Homeschool Resources

Wednesday Why:  What are some of the materials and resources I use or have used for homeschool?

First off when deciding to homeschool a family will find out that there is a ton of possible resources to use for teaching pretty much any subject.  Whether you want traditional books or online lessons and resources, there is an amazing amount to have to sift through to determine what works for you.  I highly suggest reading reviews both the positive and the negative to find if a resource will work for you, but even with the reviews, you won’t really know until you try it.  So, trial and error is really what every homeschooling family goes through to find what works best for them.  And because of that, for the sake of the budget, you will want to personally look through and review as much as the material that you are considering using if at all possible.  And it is possible, at least to a degree, by using library materials, or free online material (whether online websites or sellers that show some of the inside pages so you can get an idea if you would like it or not), or by asking around from friends, family or homeschooling associations.  For buying, I find that amazon and rainbow resource center are often the cheapest--at least if buying new.

So what are some specific materials and resources I have used or use?

Phonics Pathways:  If you need written-out lesson plans for teaching reading, this isn’t for you.  This book has simple but effective lessons, with ideas on how to enrich them and use them.

Spelling Workout:  Each lesson has a spelling list and then 4 or 5 activities that will test not just the spelling of the words, but also the meaning and usage of the word.

Saxon Math:  If you need lessons that are very precise, including what to say, Saxon math will help you in teaching math.  If you don’t like having a scripted lesson, Singapore Math or another math program may be better for you. *I only used K and 1 before deciding to not use them any more and use Singapore & Ray’s instead.

Singapore Math:  These lessons are not scripted, so you will need to be able to look at what the lesson is presenting and script your own lesson out of it.

Ray’s Arithmetic:  You will need to make your own lessons out of the material being presented.  Due to the its age, some of the wording as well as tables of weights and measures, etc. are dated.

Spectrum Science:  Contains brief reading sections and vocabulary, and questions to test knowledge and understanding of the reading and vocabulary.  Doesn’t have a lot of fluff, experiments and so forth involved, including pictures.  If you want a science book with photos, pictures, and prescribed experiments to do this isn’t for you.

Power Basics World History, United States History:  Like Spectrum Science, there aren’t photos or many illustrations, and the lessons contain vocabulary lists and readings to understand major points in history with small quizzes within each lesson and tests to cover a series of lessons.  Made for older grades, but can be watered-down to be used for younger grades by the teacher reviewing the lessons and simply teaching the main points they want to highlight.

These are just some examples of what I have used or am using and my thoughts on them.