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Post by sammichcat on Apr 13, 2018 20:28:19 GMT -6
I'm researching curriculum options and looking for any recommendations. Come share your favorites!
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Post by sammichcat on Apr 13, 2018 20:33:45 GMT -6
Right now, I'm looking for Language Arts curriculum that reduces memorization because DS#1 learns like I learn. For example, I learned spelling and vocab far more efficiently from reading than I ever did from weekly lists and quizzes. Therefore, I'm planning on skipping those in favor of just reading a lot. However, I was not able to pick up grammar just by reading, and did not do well with sentence diagramming/ parts of speech/etc. to help form a well-written sentence. So I'm looking for something with more emphasis on practical use and less theory. For example:  |
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snowyowl
Amethyst
Posts: 6,810
Likes: 31,113
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Post by snowyowl on Apr 13, 2018 20:56:22 GMT -6
I don’t know if you are looking for only free options, but my school uses a website called IXL. We use the math and LA programs, but they have others (couldn’t tell you if they are any good).
I use IXL to support my grammar lessons in the place of worksheets, tests, and quizzes. I usually teach a skill, then set them loose on the website to practice and demonstrate proficiency.
Some kids love it because it’s very game-like. Others hate it because you are working towards 100 pts for each skill and it will knock you down over and over for wrong answers (this is motivating for some, really frustrating for others). Most kids are meh about it, but much prefer it to worksheets, tests, and quizzes.
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Post by hufflepug on Apr 13, 2018 21:47:02 GMT -6
MobyMax, ReadWorks and NewsELA all have good text resources. Moby is similar to IXL in that kid's are kind of meh about it, but they prefer it to worksheets.
The other two are nice because you can search by reading level or topic. You can almost always find quality stuff on teachers pay teachers too.
Avoid Shurley Grammar like the plague.
I know you didn't ask for math, but Zearn has been amazing for my students. They're visual learners so the interactive video components are great, and it game-ifies math so they think it's fun too. You have to beat certain levels to move on the the next lesson. Prodigy is also a fun math resource.
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regal
Sapphire
Posts: 3,506 Likes: 9,638 
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Post by regal on Apr 14, 2018 7:32:53 GMT -6
Language Power for grammar is good for leaning the skills, but it lacks practical application in my opinion.
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snowyowl
Amethyst
Posts: 6,810
Likes: 31,113
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Post by snowyowl on Apr 14, 2018 8:13:58 GMT -6
Re: NewsELA, there are paid and unpaid versions and I think unpaid is just fine (they advertise the paid version incessantly, but what can ya do).
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Post by bunnyfungo on Apr 14, 2018 8:44:53 GMT -6
I’m not a teacher and we don’t homeschool, but I bought a subscription to Reading Eggs for DD1 and have been so happy with it. It’s game based so she really enjoys “playing” and it doesn’t feel like work. I know there are sections besides reading and phonics like story writing and spelling, but we haven’t explored those too much because she’s in K and we were really just focused on getting her to her peers level of reading. Which she has now exceeded! Our subscription also includes Math Seeds and Reading Eggs Jr. My 4yo and 2yo enjoy the Jr version a lot because it’s mostly just visual and non-structured. The only thing I don’t like is that there isn’t an app for their kindles. But we also have a touchscreen desktop computer and an ipad and you can technically just go through the browser on the kindle to access it.
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Post by doublestuf on Apr 14, 2018 9:52:14 GMT -6
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Post by doublestuf on Apr 14, 2018 9:57:30 GMT -6
For reading and writing, there is a free English Language Arts curriculum called "EL." We use it in our district. I don't agree with everything, but given the freedoms you have with home-schooling, I could see it working really well. What you have to buy (or maybe just find at the library) are the picture and chapter books that go with it. It goes K-8 and is designed to teach all ELA standards in the Common Core (reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening). Here is the link, although I will warn you that it is not something you can glance at and wrap your brain around. You need Cliff Notes. If you're interested, let me know. curriculum.eleducation.org |
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cnf
Ruby
Posts: 20,944 Likes: 101,110
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Post by cnf on Apr 14, 2018 11:45:39 GMT -6
Achieve3000 is a really good reading program too. It starts with a test and based on how kids answer is what the following question will be and how many they'll get because it assesses lexile. After that you can read articles and it changes the writing of the articles to match your kid's reading level but then has activities around it to help improve their skill level. It's pretty cool. We also use Star assessment and ALEKS for math, NewsELA, and Language Live which the kids love. Language Live is great for spelling and grammar. It's run like a game and honestly, a lot of my students choose to use it when they get free time on the laptops, which I think is cool.
I can't speak to specific curriculums though, because health teacher. Elementary curriculum is very outside my wheel house.
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Post by misskilljoy on Apr 14, 2018 12:14:23 GMT -6
I'm an elementary teacher. How old is he? For spelling and vocabulary, I love the Words Their Way series. Like most everything we learn, spelling is developmental. So, it has them take a spelling pre-test and record their mistakes on this grid sheet that shows you exactly where to start. Words Their Way is amazing and I'm still so, so bitter that there is no French equivalent. It's what's missing from my French Immersion classroom. |
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