After a lot of research, we have found a great number of wonderful curriculums, but we do not use any one publisher exclusively. We also opt to follow a skill-level curriculum instead of a grade-level curriculum, as our children excel in some subjects and they would not be challenged if they stayed grade level in those academic areas. A lot of home educators have gone the skill level route for this reason, whereas the age or grade may be appropriate in relation to extra-curricular activities such as athletics, but not relevant for academics.

The following is a sampling of our core and expanded curriculum. We supplement with peripheral resources, such as other reading materials, Internet sites, hands-on lab work, and heavily engaging field trips. You'll notice that there are a lot of texts under the Language Arts category. This subject is broken down into English, Handwriting, Phonics, Creative Writing, Grammar, and Reading. We have grouped all of her books together under this heading, for convenience.

After reviewing some curriculums we've used previously, already purchased, and looked through others at length, I have also given my opinion on what I've found useful below the resources.

8TH GRADE THROUGH 12TH GRADE, AND POST HIGH SCHOOL FORTHCOMING

6TH/7TH GRADE
Mathematics
"Pre-Algebra 7", Bob Jones University Press

Language Arts
"Writers INC", Great Source Education Group
"Writers Express, A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers, and Learners", Great Source Education Group
"Writers INC Skillsbook, Level 9", Great Source Education Group
"Vocabulary Boosting Jokes & Riddles", Grades 3-6, Scholastic
"Spelling, Vocabulary, and Poetry 6", A Beka

Science
"Life Sciences 7", Bob Jones University Press
"The World of The Microscope", Scholastic, Usborne Science & Experiments
Elementary Science Lab, Alpha Omega Publications (contains just about everything you need for science and chemistry labs)
My First Lab Microscope, C & A Scientific Co., Inc.

History/Social Studies
"World Studies", Grade 6, Bob Jones University Press
"Student Activities in World Studies", Grade 6, Bob Jones University Press


Biblical Studies & Missions
"Bible Truths, Living in God's Love", Bob Jones University Press (continued)
"Magnify / The Complete New Testament For Kids", International Children's Bible
"What the Bible is All About, For Young Explorers", Frances Blankenbaker, GospelLight

Art
Various
Concentration in painting with acrylics and watercolors

Foreign Language
"Spanish 1-3, A Complete Set", Rosetta Stone


5TH GRADE
Mathematics
"Math 6", Bob Jones University Press

Language Arts
"Write Source 5", Great Source Education Group
"Writers Express, A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers, and Learners", Great Source Education Group
"Comic Strip Grammar", Grades 4-8, Scholastic
"Vocabulary Boosting Jokes & Riddles", Grades 3-6, Scholastic
"Skill Drill Grammar", Grades 5-6, Frank Schaffer Publications
"Grammar", Grades 5-6, Kelley Wingate Publications
"Spelling 5", Bob Jones University Press

Science
"Science 6", Bob Jones University Press
"The World of The Microscope", Scholastic, Usborne Science & Experiments
Elementary Science Lab, Alpha Omega Publications (contains just about everything you need for science and chemistry labs)
My First Lab Microscope, C & A Scientific Co., Inc.

History/Social Studies
"Old World History & Geography", Grade 5, ABeka
"United States, Adventures in Time and Place", Grade 5, McGraw Hill/National Geographic

Health/Nutrition
"Enjoying Good Health", Grade 5, ABeka

Biblical Studies & Missions
"Bible Truths 5, Living in God's Love", Bob Jones University Press
"Magnify / The Complete New Testament For Kids", International Children's Bible
"Every Day With God", International Children's Bible
"The NIV Adventure Bible", Zonderkidz
"Magnify" Series, International Children's Bible
"What the Bible is All About, For Young Explorers", Frances Blankenbaker, GospelLight

Art
Various

Foreign Language
"Spanish 1-3, A Complete Set", Rosetta Stone


4TH GRADE
Ok, last year Max was born 2 months premature. I spent the first 6+ months pretty ill and physically and emotionally drained by the pregnancy. Trust me, we did school (Abby scored in the top percentile nationwide, to prove it), but good ol' Mom here didn't have the energy to list all the curriculum we did, let alone make any decent updates to this site. Sorry! I already consigned most all of our old books, so if you really have any specific questions about our 07/08 curriculum, feel free to write me and I'll be happy to share with you the details of what I remember.

3RD GRADE
Mathematics
"Math 4", Bob Jones University Press
"Problem Solving", Grade 5, The McGraw-Hill Companies
"Pattern Puzzle Math", CB Products, Inc.

Language Arts
"English 4", Bob Jones University Press
"Vocabulary Boosting Jokes & Riddles", Grades 3-6, Scholastic
"Wind by the Sea/World of Reading", Level 12, Silver Burdett & Ginn (This is a texbook of over 600 pages of stories, poems, and reading comprehension Q & A)
"Spelling & Poetry 3", ABeka
"Typing Instructor for Kids", Individual Software Inc.

Science
"Science 3", Bob Jones University Press
"The World of The Microscope", Scholastic, Usborne Science & Experiments
Elementary Science Lab, Alpha Omega Publications (contains just about everything you need for science and chemistry labs)
My First Lab Microscope, C & A Scientific Co., Inc.

Maps & Geography
"The Complete Book of Maps & Geography" for grades 3-6, American Education Publishing - Second Half of Book

Social Studies / World & Classical History
"Heritage Studies for Christian Schools 3", Bob Jones University Press
"The History of Our United States 4", ABeka
"A is for Abigail - An Amazing Almanac of Amazing American Women", Lynne Cheney
"The Journeys of Paul", 1st Semester, Lukeion (http://www.lukeion.org)

Biblical Studies & Missions
"Bible Truths 3", Bob Jones University Press
"Magnify / The Complete New Testament For Kids", International Children's Bible
"Every Day With God", International Children's Bible
"The NIV Adventure Bible", Zonderkidz
"Magnify" Series, International Children's Bible
"What the Bible is All About, For Young Explorers", Frances Blankenbaker, GospelLight
"These Are My People, A Biography of Gladys Aylward (Missionary to China)" by Mildred T. Howard, Book Links Journey into Literature Series, Journey Fourth
"Kids Who Pray For The USA", Presidential Prayer Team

Art
"Art 4", ABeka

Foreign Language
Sign Language - New Life Camp

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2ND GRADE
Mathematics
"Arithmetic 2", A Beka Book
"Time, Money & Fractions", School Zone Publishing Co.
"Multiplication & Division - Grades 3-4", School Zone Publishing Company

Language Arts
"Spelling & Poetry 2", A Beka Book
"Cursive Writing & Numbers", A Beka Book
"Language 2", A Beka Book
"English 3", Bob Jones University (BJU) - Started Series 2nd Semester
"Writing With Phonics 2", A Beka Book
"Letters & Sounds 2", A Beka Book Language Series
"Shurley English Level 2", Shurley English
"Step Ahead Phonics & Reading Workbook", Merrigold Press
"Treat Shop", A Beka Book Reading Program
"Secret in the Maple Tree", A Beka Book Reading Program
"Worlds of Wonder", A Beka Book Reading Program

Science
"Giant Panda - A Curriculum Guide For Grades K-4" & "... Grades 5-8", The National Zoological Park / Smithsonian Institution
"Tropical Rainforest - A Curriculum Guide For Grades 5-8", The National Zoological Park / Smithsonian Institution
"Urban Habitats - A Curriculum Guide For Grades 5-8", The National Zoological Park / Smithsonian Institution
"Grasslands - A Curriculum Guide For Grades 5-8", The National Zoological Park / Smithsonian Institution

Maps & Geography
"The Complete Book of Maps & Geography" for grades 3-6, American Education Publishing - First Half of Book
"Children's Atlas of the World / Hand's On Projects", Reader's Digest
http://Earth.Google.com

Social Studies / History
"Health Safety & Manners 2", A Beka Book
"The U.S. Mail", Elaine A. Kule, Transportation & Communication Series, Enslow Publishers, Inc.
"The Ancient Olympics", Spring Semester, http://www.lukeion.org/

Biblical Studies & Missions
"3-2-1 Penguins / Family Adventures", Zonderkidz
"Magnify / The Complete New Testament For Kids", International Children's Bible

Music
"Piano", Alfred's Basic Piano Library
"Piano Prep Course / Activity & Ear Training Book", Alfred's Basic Piano Library
"Piano Solo Book", Alfred's Basic Piano Library

Foreign Language
"Spanish 1 & 2", Rosetta Stone
"Teach Yourself Turkish - A Complete Course", Teach Yourself Books
"Faith Speaks - Expressing God's Word in Sign Language", K-4, Carson-Dellosa Publishing

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ONGOING CLASSES
Physical Education
"PE & Nutrition", New Life Camp

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ADDITIONAL MULTI-GRADE LEVEL ONGOING RESOURCES
Mathematics
"Problem Solving - Grade 5", The McGraw-Hill Companies

Language Arts
"Handbook For Reading", A Beka Book Reading Program
"Letter Writing", Reader's Digest
"The Young Folks Shelf of Book", Collier's Junior Classics

Science
"Our Universe", Roy A. Gallant, National Geographic
"How The Earth Works", John Farndon, Reader's Digest
"E.Guides - Human Body", Richard Walker, DK/Google
"Amazing Book of Questions & Answers", John Guest, Backpack Books
"Magic Schoolbus", Entire Series, Scholastic

Social Studies / History
"Pictorial Encyclopedia of American History", Volumes 1-25, United States History Society, Inc.
"Liberty Tree", A Beka Book Reading Program

Biblical Studies & Missions
"Chronicles of Narnia" Series, C.S. Lewis
"Every Day With God", International Children's Bible
"The NIV Adventure Bible", Zonderkidz
"Magnify" Series, International Children's Bible
"What the Bible is All About, For Young Explorers", Frances Blankenbaker, GospelLight
"These Are My People, A Biography of Gladys Aylward (Missionary to China)" by Mildred T. Howard, Book Links Journey into Literature Series, Journey Fourth
"WindowKids, Equipping The Next Generation - Flags of the 10/40 Window Coloring Book", Window International Network (http://www.win1040.com)

Art
"The Anatomy Coloring Book", Wynn Kapit & Lawrence M. Elson
"Hooked on Art - 265 Ready-To-Use Activities in Seven Exciting Media", Jenean Romberg
"Drawing on the Funny Side of the Brain", Christopher Hart

Music
Garage Band, Apple
ProTools (mixing and recording)

A Book On EVERYTHING
"The Order Of Things - How Everything In The World Is Organized Into Hierarchies, Structures, And Pecking Orders", Revised & Updated, Barbara Ann Kipfer, MJF Books

Tactile Arts, Culinary Arts, Song Composition & Audio Recording & Sound Engineering at South Main Studios (http://www.southmainstudios.com)

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OPINION
The following curriculum and resource descriptions are my opinion. I hope this might be of help to other parents who are thinking about home education.

At our Eldest's prior academy, they used ABeka for most everything. It is an aggressive curriculum and runs about 2 grades above in difficulty than the mainstream public school curriculum, according to the school's Elementary Principal. For that we liked it. However, it does not do a good job in going into depth of the topics or applying scripture to the lessons if you are trying to use it for a homeschool curriculum. There is some scripture and it is wholesome, but if your child is an explorer and more of a visual learner, whereas they want more descriptions and/or examples of a subject, or need to know how to apply it to everyday life, and if they learn more by doing and seeing rather than being drilled, then ABeka is probably not right for you. To speak more of the drilling, we also did not like that aspect of ABeka's curriculum, especially in math. Our Eldest did not like speed drills and memorizing facts and figures like a drone. ABeka math has timed drills throughout. Really no insight or why ___ x ___ = ____, but rather "memorize it and move on" is their technique.

ABeka also does not give a good "script" for you - the teacher. You just have to figure out how to teach all the concepts on your own, without really any help or suggestions from the curriculum. I didn't like that at all.

ABeka also uses/suggests a timed system of delivery. Because you are homeschooling and do not have to follow their suggestions or planners that they offer, this may be a moot point. But if you choose to, they suggest teaching a whole lesson in a subject in like 15 or 20 or 30 minute slots and then moving quickly on to the next subject. Well, that doesn't leave a lot of room for exploration, labs, Q/A, etc with your child. We found it restricting and really not beneficial for an active learning and flexible environment.

Our Eldest's old school also used Shurley English. It is a very aggressive curriculum, yet very user UN-friendly, even with the homeschool version. Not to mention, it is very expensive ($80+ for 1 student book and 1 teachers book). We purchased the homeschool curriculum last year, used it for about 2 weeks, and gave up because it's layout is difficult and complicated to navigate. And it's ugly. It has no pictures, and it's in black and white. Its only good quality was that it came with a CD with grammar jingles, which our Eldest loved and still remembers. But you can buy jingles anywhere or make your own.

After a lot of additional research on our own time, this is a description of what we use, and why:

Spelling and Health/Safety/Manners: We stayed (for now) with ABeka Spelling. It was still aggressive, and it was pictorial, in color, and proved to be pretty interesting with real words (not dumbing down anything, like I've seen in other curriculums). Health was also very pictorial and we feel it gave a good deal of information appropriate to a 3rd grader, although limited in scripture and Biblical references and applications.

English, Science, Heritage Studies (History,) Bible, and Math: We used Bob Jones University Press for many years. It is Christ-centered and uses scripture references and life applications in nearly everything, and it is very user friendly. We compared it to many other curriculums and kept coming back to BJU for it's great layout, in-depth lessons, usability, pictures, labs, and additional resources. However, do be aware that BJU has since correlated with Common Core Standards.

BJU's science and math curriculum was also part of our curriculum for many years, for in the back of the teachers book, it gives the full scripture verses/references that it uses throughout the chapters, and how to apply these to the lessons and to your life. The math curriculum also gives in-depth math definitions and additional teaching helps in the back of the teacher's manual. The science curriculum also has fun labs, using materials that you have around the house or things you can obtain very easily. Whatever you don't have in the house, with a little creativity, it's also pretty easy to come up with substitutes with no problem. Again, now correlated with CSS.

BJU Heritage Studies (history) is one of our favorite subjects. Again, a lot of scripture throughout and in-depth information. For example, when we learned about the late 1700's in France, we built a Bastille in this unit out of a shoebox and toilet paper rolls. Fun stuff like that, coupled with important historical information that a child can and needs to understand, runs throughout the curriculum. We've also used our Lincoln Logs to build a log cabin (to coincide with our Thanksgiving unit) in the traditional style, with little ropes (yarn). It was a great visual tool. Again, now correlated with CCS.

Also, when we were in Washington DC, we found that the Smithsonian has curriculum for sale that they put together. It's very inexpensive and has a lot of worthwhile labs. We purchased several grades-worth for hardly any money - roughly $10 a book at the time. This cost covered the materials for the Smithsonian to print it for you. You can download scores and scores of other curriculums FOR FREE directly from their website: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/

For the classical arts, we also have taken online workshops from Lukeion (http://www.lukeion.org). Classes are taught from a Christian husband/wife team of archaeologists. The workshops were fabulous and fun and informative and span the age levels, and you can even get credit for them to apply toward a transcript. They offer archeological trips overseas for families (with children over 7 yrs). The trips include Turkey, Greece, Italy, and France.

I really like Diana Waring's (http://www.dianawaring.com) curriculum on history from a Biblical perspective, but we have not used it personally. It is something we may use in the future.

Maps & Geography: We are using American Education Publishing. It is secular, but the activities and information is fine and encompassing. Obviously it has a lot of mapping activities both in the book and labs outside of the classroom, so it's very hands-on. We supplement with other activities we come up with ourselves. We also really like Google Earth as a resource. http://Earth.Google.com .

Our park district also does nature-related programming throughout the year, which is also a good supplement.

Other Bible: We use multiple curriculums and resources for Bible studies, each offering a different topic or activity or flavor in delivery. I really like the Book Links Journey into Literature Series, by Journey Fourth. For about $10, you get a book and a folder of activities and question starters about the book and topic. You preface each chapter with Q/A provided for you to get your child thinking about what they're about to hear, and then it usually follows up with an activity.

Standardized/Achievement Testing: It's necessary to check with your state to see what your requirements are, but most states do require some kind of standardized testing at the end of the year. We decided to use FLO (http://www.familylearning.org/), and went with the California Achievement Test - Full Battery (CAT-5). FLO representatives were very easy to work with, ordering from their website was simple, and they had exceptionally quick turnaround for the results. The CAT test can also be proctored by a parent, if necessary. So the cost savings on not having to hire an outside agency to administer the tests were a big appeal, and if you have a special needs child, this would be especially helpful. There are many places to purchase standardized tests online. And any homeschool bookstore staff will also be able to point you in the right direction.

We have a Barnes and Noble educators discount card, which gives us a savings of 25% and more on educational items. During the year they have additional offers for educators, saving you even more money.

USE YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY! It is an invaluable resource! I also encourage you to get your child(ren) involved in the numerous bookclubs, contests, and academic activities that the library offers.