Below are four common curriculum approaches. The four corresponding letters will be used as a descriptive tool in the Commonly Used Curricula section that follows.
- A Traditional and Conventional Text Books: Uses graded textbooks for each subject; most commonly used approach in institutional schools.
- B Early Academics: Stresses reading, writing, and arithmetic skills at an early age; uses workbooks, visual aids, and manipulatives.
- C Workbooks or Programmed Learning: Workbooks are consumable books with questions or projects included and condensed instructions. Programmed is step-by-step sequence of small units of facts which provide immediate feedback.
- D Unit Study: All subjects center around a common theme and different ages can be involved with the same theme. Units do not include a math or language program, therefore, these need to be added.
Commonly Used Curricula
A Beka
- Curriculum approaches: A, B, C
- Christian, patriotic, and conservative.
- Developed for classroom use.
- Must be adapted to home situation; if done as recommended it would be a whole day's school work; books may be good reference material.
Accelerated Christian Educators
- Curriculum approaches: B, C
- Materials designed for students to work independently.
- Students are placed at the appropriate starting point in each subject.
- Biblical perspectives are incorporated throughout the material.
Advanced Training Institute
- Curriculum approach: D
- Unique Bible-centered family program emphasizing life training and character development.
- Requires attendance at three week-long seminars and adoption of certain spiritual convictions.
- Requires commitment to regular reporting to the Institute.
- Multi-age level use.
Alpha Omega
- Curriculum approaches: B, C
- Bible-centered.
- CD-ROM and correspondence versions available.
- An interactive, teacher-presented math is an option in K-6.
- Diagnostic tests for appropriate placement in each subject.
Bob Jones
- Curriculum approaches: A, B, C
- Christian, patriotic, and conservative.
- Developed for classroom use.
- Must be adapted to home situation; if done as recommended it would be a whole day's school work; books may be good reference material.
Calvert
- Curriculum approaches: A, B, C
- Early academics offered but more relaxed than Bob Jones and A Beka.
- Uses a tutorial method and therefore takes less time than other traditional approaches, especially in the early years.
- Mixing of grade levels not allowed; pre-packaged for each grade level; fully prepared daily lessons.
- Secular, but has traditional moral values.
- K through eighth grade.
Christian Liberty Academy
- Curriculum approaches: A, B, C
- Christian, patriotic and conservative.
- Texts chosen according to student's achievement level.
Clonlara (734) 769-451
- Curriculum approach up to the parent.
- Provides record keeping and counseling.
- Supportive of less structured homeschooling.
- Provides recommendations of educational resources.
- Offers some computerized high school courses.
Konos
- Curriculum approach: D
- Based on character traits such as obedience.
- Comes from a Christian perspective.
- Provides activity suggestions, book lists, vocabulary words, pertinent historical character examples, and optional character timeline.
- Multi-age level use.
- Offers a new high school program covering world history, English and art, written to the student.
- Emphasis is discovery learning.
Sonlight Curriculum
- Literature based, emphasis on world history and cultures and international Christian missions.
- Provides materials in all subjects and coordinates them for a school year.
- Early academics offered but more relaxed than Bob Jones, A Beka, Alpha Omega, etc.
- Provided in grade levels but can be adapted for multiple children close in age.
Other Sources for Math
- Elementary Algebra and Geometry, by Harold Jacobs
- Discovering Geometry, Key to...Workbooks, Miquon, Key Curriculum Press
- Making Math Meaningful, Cornerstone Curriculum Project
- Mastering Mathematics
- Math-U-See
- Moving With Math, Math Teacher?s Press
- Saxon Math Series
- Singapore Math
Other Sources for Phonics and Reading
- Alpha-Phonics
- Explode the Code
- Learning Language Arts Through Literature
- 100 Easy Lessons
- Phonics Museum
- Reading Made Easy
- Sing, Spell, Read, and Write
Other Sources for Language Arts
- Daily Grams
- Design-a-Study's Comprehensive Composition
- Easy Grammar
- Grammar Songs, Audio Memory
- Learning Language Arts Through Literature
- Understanding Writing
- Wordsmith, Wordsmith Apprentice
- Writing Strands
Other Sources for Science
- Apologia Science Series by Jay Wile: Exploring Creation with General Science, Exploring Creation with Physical Science
- Beautiful Feet's Literature Approach to the History of Science, by Rea Berg
- Considering God's Creation by Mortimer and Smith
- Creation Series by Felice Gerwitz and Jill Whitlock: Creation Anatomy, Creation Astronomy, Creation Science, Creation Geology
- Lyrical Life Science Series by Eldon
Miscellaneous
- Design-a-Study
- How to Create Your Own Unit Study and the Unit Study Idea Book, Valerie Bendt
Catalogs
Most homeschoolers acquire their resources by attending a book fair or by ordering from a catalog. Annual Conferences and Book Fairs offer the opportunity to view and purchase many of the homeschooling resources that are available.
- Greenleaf Press
- Home Training Tools , science equipment and materials
- Lifetime Books
- Timberdoodle Company
- Veritas Press
Like this article? Spread this word to your Friends and Peers
I am surprised that you did not mention Kolbe Academy. They have an excellent program which is accredited and goes from Kinder (or maybe even pre-K) thru 12th grade with online courses for high school as well as a parent forum and academic counselors. They are also present at homeschool conferences and fairs. You may want to check them out: www.kolbe.org
ReplyDelete