A Mosaic in the Making

A Running List of What We Use

Nicki Black  June 16 2010 02:29:09 AM
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 DD excels in some subjects and she would not be challenged if she stayed grade level in those academic areas . A lot of homeschoolers 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 (that little diddy was for all my non-homeschooling friends *wink*).

The following is our core and expanded curriculum. We supplement with peripheral resources, such as other reading materials, Internet sites, hands-on lab work, and 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 some trial and error on some curriculums we've used previously, already purchased, and looked through others at length. This in no way lists the gazillion books we have overflowing the house from every nook and cranny. Seriously. Can I get an Amen?


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 DS 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 (DD 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

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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


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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