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1. 

   ChristineH
   Member

   I know that Katherine and Allyson both homeschool. Allyson mentioned Ambleside Online and Katherine mentioned CHC. I was wondering what other curricula people use. I also homeschool and use a combination of different curricula which I have chosen because I thought it would best fir the particular child using it. I love the Seton readers, and the Mother of Divine Grace syllabi, CDs and coloring books from Our Lady of Victory school, and I use some Rod and Staff (Mennonite) books for science. We do our religious education at home using the Faith and Life series, the Bible, assorted Bible History books, and the Baltimore Catechism. How about you?

   Posted 7 months ago #
2. 

   allyson
   Member

   I do like the reading list from Ambleside as well as the hymn study, composer and artist information. I have a friend who uses Seton and they do have some wonderful books. I am going to either borrow some of her books (especially all the saint books) or buy some myself. Christine, your religion study looks like a copy of what I do. Kathryn is getting a little older and I might look into the Didache books for her. Don't really have much info on them right now. They are definitely for older kids. For science I have recently started Chemistry using the Real Science4Kids. They are really enjoying it and learning a lot.

   Waiting to hear what others are using.

   Posted 7 months ago #
3. 

   RepCom1140
   Member

   I was homeschooled with Seton 3rd grade through 12th grade. They are growing. I am satisfied with my experience with them as I'm now a freshman w/ a full scholarship at a Catholic college.
   Of course I'm speaking from the perspective of the whole package: Religion, English, Math, Science, History. Seton has a very active forum where teachers regularly answer students' and parents' questions.
   Parents can be flexible with lesson plans, but they are based on a 4 quarter per year idea. In New York there wasn't much room for flexibility if you wanted to meet state requirements.
   Definitely consider Seton for 9-12. Their highschool program is challenging, but good at preparing for higher education. Their religion 12 book is a must-have for everyone, homeschoolers or not. I also recommend the Seton American history and World history texts.
   On a side note, Saxon Math, Algebra and Physics are very good-Seton uses them for a reason.

   That's my experience.

   Posted 7 months ago #
4. 

   ChristineH
   Member

   @Allyson
   I have friends who used the Didache series. It is definitely a high school level series. I know many people use Saxon's math program, and I have one child using it (9th grade-Algebra 1). My daughter has struggled with Math and the way Saxon is laid out would have frustrated her. I use Systematic Mathematics (www.systemath.com) for her. It is a math program on DVD. She UNDERSTANDS math much better now. Paul Ziegler, who made the program, uses practical applications to teach the different concepts. I have not looked at Real Science 4kids. Do they have a website?

   I know I did use some CHC products for kinder through second grade with my youngest. I really like the extras they have built into their lesson plans for those early grades. I have many homeschooling friends, so I have been able to get a good look at a variety of products and have tailored my children's lessons accordingly.

   I use a variety of books for reading in addition to each subject. For example, when studying Ancient Egypt, we add in historical fiction like Mara, Daughter of the Nile and The Golden Goblet.

   I have found that each of my children likes different methods of learning. My youngest, who is 100% busy boy, does better than my older 2 who are homeschooling at reading whatever I give him. He also enjoys poetry memorization much more.

   I should tell you that I have 3 that are currently homeschooling, but we also have 3 who graduated from public school. Sadly, we have one son (one of my stepsons-3 of our children are my stepsons) who is in state custody because of things he has done and he quit school. He is in a program where he is working toward a GED.

   Posted 7 months ago #
5. 

   ChristineH
   Member

   Well, we survived the First Annual(hopefully)New England Catholic Homeschool Conference in Chicopee, MA. This conference was put together by the Holy Spirit with the assistance of Western Massachusetts Catholic Homeschoolers.
   If you had asked me a month ago if I thought this conference would be successful, I would have scratched my head and and mumbled "ummmmm...." as a vague kind of "I really don't think so, and I think we have been absolutely crazy to undertake this!" After yesterday, though, I am pleased to say that the conference was a success. We had a beautiful day, a great turnout, and happy vendors.
   Our lovely Challenge Club girls (with a lot of help from Mrs. Seaver and Mrs. Hill) put together and manned a "food court" to raise money to help defray the costs of the Challenge Summer Convention for the girls who would like to attend this year. Attendees raved about the food.
   Dr. William Fahey, President of Thomas More College in NH presented a talk about homeschool fathers. He was very well received by the mixed audience of moms, dads, grandparents and religious who attended. He was at turns witty and serious, and touched on the disconnect that can occur if fathers are "divorced" from the homeschool situation.

   Cynthia Montanaro spoke of her years as a homeschool mom and all the lessons she learned along the way. Dr. Jean Golden-Tevald shared her faith journey as a doctor, wife and mother of natural born and adopted children.

   There was a music workshop done by Making Music, Praying Twice which seemed geared toward younger children and the importance of surrounding our children with all different types of music from an early age. Nick Morganelli rounded out the afternoon with some fun science experiments that can be done at home. He also demonstrated a "here comes the rain" rhythm with clapping, snapping, stomping that he has used in co-op classes. I am certain that children in a class would love this so much we might have a hard time returning to quiet.

   The Daughters of St. Paul presented a lovely hour of Eucharistic Adoration for the hour before Mass. The readings and music brought great peace to the room and very nicely helped to lead everyone into the close of the day. The two sisters also manned a table for Pauline Books and Media.

   I think my favorite part of the day, however, was the attendees. People came from as far away as Quebec, Canada, and as near as right here in Chicopee, MA. We had a large turnout of Catholic homeschoolers from CT, RI, and NH. One family came in from Boston very close to the end of the day, having only just heard about the conference on Friday June 5th.

   There were several Catholic support groups represented from different areas including this one and this one. It was wonderful to meet so many people dedicated to teaching their children at home. Many people seemed excited about having a Catholic Homeschooling conference.
   I know that the Holy Spirit led those of us involved in planning this conference. He laid on our hearts an ache for something that we miss at other homeschool conferences. Our Catholic identity makes us yearn for the presence of the Lord in a way that only Catholics truly appreciate: Our Lord in the Eucharist.

   Having both Adoration and the Holy Mass available fulfills in us something that other forms of prayer simply don't give us. It brings the Lord more fully into our hearts and souls.

   Dear Lord,
   Thank you for Your guiding hand in the NECHC. I am truly awed by the spirit of joy that surrounded all who volunteered and attended the conference. You have blessed us with children who not only help out when "forced," but who also cheerfully offer their assistance where ever they see a need. Please help us to continue to lead them to have servant's hearts. Thank you, Lord, for all those who volunteered at the conference. There were so many who arrived and pitched in. I am humbled by their generous spirits, Lord.

   Amen.

   Posted 5 months ago #
6. 

   St. Annes Helper
   Member

   Hi! I'm very new here and so happy to find this thread. We use a combination of Our Lady of Victory, Seton and old Catholic books the way Laura Berquist recommends. I, too, really recommend the Saxon Math because I now have "taught" it for all of the grades from Math 5/4 through Alg 2 with the AWESOME help of the DIVE. My children know more about Algebra than I did when I was finished with college Algebra.

   We have been so grateful to have used the Baltimore Catechism for religion! It is so concise and really gives the basics. We have a family business based on it (www.Roman-Catholic-Catechism.com)and wondered how many of you use the BC? Would you use an Audio Catechism or Catechism Copybooks based on the Baltimore Catechism? We find that they are a great help for memorizing longer prayers and the Ten Commandments. The Copybooks are downloadable so you can either bind them or leave them single. They are great for busywork or penmanship practice sheets!

   Our favorite books for catechism are Jesus Comes for First Communion and the old BC for Confirmation. For High School we have used the book OLV recommends: Apologetics by Msgr Glenn (Tan Books) and the Catechism of the Council of Trent. We are interested in the Fr. Laux series. Has anyone here alrady used them? We would like to know what you think of them.

   Have a great summer!

   Posted 4 months ago #

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