The Wiehl Family Homeschool Curriculum List 2010-2011

I am homeschooling our 3 younger children, ages 2, 5 and 7. Actually the little one isn't being schooled just yet, but he's a huge part of our homeschooling day. I have been homeschooling now since my 7 year old was in kindergarten, so this is our third year and we are still ironing out some details. It is getting easier now that my toddler is nearly 3 years old. We aim to follow classical homeschooling philosophies whenever possible. The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer has been my guide for pullting together our curriculum I do not think I'd be able to homeschool without it. Her explanation of how, why and when to cover each topic is perfect for anyone who is intimidated by beginning to homeschool. I often recommend this book but cannot honestly say that I lend it out as much as my other highly recommended books. I refer to if often during my planning and want to keep it close by at all times.

In addition to our home learning, both kids go to a co-op school one afternoon per week. They take History, Science, Art, Drama, PE and Music during the 4 hours they are there, but I also teach History and Science at home. They also each take a group piano class one morning a week and we have group sewing classes here at my home with two other homeschooled girls once a week.

Learning Language Arts Through Literature, The Blue Book I love this curriculum. It teaches beginning reading skills, so even though it is marketed as a first grade book it is really suitable for Kindergarten. Just about ever aspect of Language arts is included, so there is no need for a separate handwriting program, though I do advise practicing more than the book recommends.

Horizons Math- K This is a spiral math program, so each concept is reviewed several times throughout the year. We love this program because it is easy to follow and the worksheet pages are colorful. My son is doing well with this program but I do think it is a little advanced. Each grade level comes with 2 workbooks and my son is just now finishing up his 1st book. We may take a break to practice his skills before moving on to the 2nd book, but overall I think he's just about mastered everything that would be expected of him during a typical year in public school Kindergarten.

Science and History- He's following along with his big sister and participating as he desires, as well as attending a co-op class where he takes these subjects in a classroom setting with other kids his age.

Learning Language Arts Through Literature-The Red Book-I can't say enough about this program. It is the perfect blend of hands on activities, worksheet pages, writing, reading and copywork. I do think the spelling aspect is a little weak, but students using the Red Book are still learning to read so that isn't such a big deal.

Spelling Workout B- We use the lists from spelling workout B as well as the activities on each page. I require my daughter to take a pre-test every Monday. She is also required to write each wrongly spelled word 3 times daily throughout the week as well as complete one activity in the book. This program teaches spelling rules, proofreading, alphabetization and provides writing prompts.

Horizons Math 1- My daughter struggled in math during Kindergarten and 1st grade. Originally we were using Saxon, then we switched to Math U See. Neither of those programs worked for us so we bought Horizons Math 1 last summer. We are taking it slow and working through the program at her pace. Finally I think we've found something that will work for her. She's just about finished with book 2 and I'll be ordering the 2nd grade book for her within the next few weeks.

Story of the World, Volume 2: The Middle Ages- This is the 2nd book in a four volume set that teaches world history in chronological order. We love this book. The book is geared toward 1st through 4th grade students and includes key points in history and entertaining stories. The activity book provides extra reading suggestions as well as craft ideas to help parents make history come alive.

Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space- This is new for us. Actually we haven't started it yet but plan on doing so this week when our book arrives. Until now. I've been pulling information from various encyclopedias and project books to teach but I'm finding I need a book that gives me all of the information in one place. Looking at the sample unit on the publisher's website I can see that this book will do the job. I'll come back and edit this once we've had a chance to try it for a few weeks.