Language Arts - Word Roots, Easy Grammar & EIW (Excellence in Writing)
The Easy Grammar can be found on this link below. Christian Book Distributors is a great place to find new homeschool curriculum at a great low price!
http://www.christianbook.com/easy-grammar-plus-workbook/wanda-phillips/9780936981147/pd/6981147?event=ESRCG
History - History of the World (aBeka)
Science - Order & Reality (aBeka)
Math - Life of Fred - Pre-Algebra 1 with Biology
I haven't decided on an elective yet. I am thinking sign language. Not sure how much we'll get done with soccer, and possibly karate.
This year was not easy for picking curriculum. I'm happy with my choice for History and Language Arts however, Science was not easy because with my other two sons (who have graduated) I used Apologia. They were both good readers and like the independent work. My youngest not so much. He hates to read and if he had to read a lesson in one of those books, it would take him all day, fighting, kicking and screaming. ;) But in his defense, he struggles with reading. So just because Apologia is my favorite science and the best (in my opinion), why make his struggle knowing he will? I used aBeka years ago and it was ok for the younger years. So I thought I'd give the science a go at this age (7'th grade). I can always change right? ABeka does have reading, but it's an easier read and I can read with him.
Math wasn't easy either. We love MUS (MathUSee), however I wanted to try something a bit more fun for him. I've read about Life of Fred and it had really good reviews. I personally think it looks corny and immature, but let's face it, I'm not doing it. My son is 12 and he may like it. If not, we can go back to MUS knowing it works. So I may do a review of Life of Fred this fall. ;)
This is the first year of Word Roots. I thought this would help with his reading. Great reviews and looks very easy to understand so he can do it independently. I wasn't sure where to start so I started from Book 1. (If you ever question yourself about where to start and they don't offer help with this issue, start from the beginning..... good rule of thumb.) Easy Grammar I have used before. Love this! He can do a worksheet or two everyday and get what he needs. I did see that there isn't any diagramming sentence lessons or practice though. But I don't think this is an issue because we did cover some of that if younger grades.
So that is where I am at this point. I do however change up in the middle of the year if needed. One lesson I have learned is "don't make a child continue using something if it isn't working"!!! Why torture the child? If he/she isn't getting the concepts or learning anything, or you are just fighting with them too much during the lessons, it's not worth it so, ditch it (resell or give away). We changed our math program three times in one year with my other son. It paid off, we found one that worked and stuck with it from then on. And just a hint, the more expensive doesn't mean the best! Every child is different. Sometimes the free online math programs work just fine. One online FREE math is Khan Academy.
So good luck in choosing your curricula this year! Don't sweat it, it's a trial and error. There are so many choices out there one can get overwhelmed very easily! What works for one family may not work for another. Don't compare your children to other children in their grade or age group. Children in the public school fall behind all the time because they don't get the one on one help they need. (This isn't the teachers fault necessarily.) So take a breath, involve your children in the curriculum picks and have fun!
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