Secular home schoolers: recommendations?

Question

which books or cirricula have impressed you? any other resources or other wisdom for a secular homeschooling family that's just getting started?

Answer 1

It helps to know ages, but I can still give you a couple suggestions. Two catalogs I would suggest: http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php The Rainbow catalog is about 1000 pages and has most of the homeschooling curriculum in it, so I (and a lot of homeschoolers) wind up ordering a lot of my curriculum from there. They have good prices also. They also have short reviews for the products as well so it can be helpful.

Another catalog which I like, which is secular, is http://www.epsbooks.com/ You may not want to order from them, their products are at Rainbow, but you can check out their products from this catalog. They have very good reading and vocabulary products which I would recommend.

The best websites I would recommend are: http://www.iknowthat.com/com for all subjects K through 7th and www.starfall.com (reading preK through 1st).

Wisdom: I don't have that much I don't think, but I would try not to listen to those that might speak negatively to you. Those that do usually don't know anything about homeschooling and haven't done any research. I have done research and it is all positive. I've been homeschooling for 6 years and both of my children are doing fine, so I try to let the negative stuff roll off my back although sometimes that's easier said than done!!!

Answer 2

We mix secular and parochial materials, but for secular we like Singapore math. We use a Catholic handwriting book that I love (Seton Press), but it uses the Zaner-Bloser alphabet which I believe you can get through Modern Curriculum Press.

In the past I've used Calvert School which, if you want one complete package - down to the pencils and rulers - is wonderful. It's great to get that big box of everything you need.

Conference time is coming up in a couple of months. There are more secular conferences than religious, but even the religious conferences should have a good marketplace. Check out www.hslda.com and find some support groups in your area. From there you should be able to learn about conferences. Good luck!

Answer 3

We are also secular homeschoolers, and it is a little tougher to find curriculum that is not just the same junk as the public school uses! www.k12.com is a good comprehensive secular curriculum with an excellent phonics program if your kids are still at that stage. For K-3 math, try looking at Right Start math from www.alabacus.com. We use singapore math - www.singaporemath.com and they also carry good science books. Once they're past the upper elementary math stage look for products from: www.artofproblemsolving.com
www.fun-books.com carries good materials as well. Another site with tons of free resources in a variety of subjects: http://free.ed.gov/
We've had good luck with history topics from: http://www.learningthroughhistory.com/index.php

You can't beat a good librarian for help as well! Don't let yourself worry too much - just get a good math program going and then add on subjects as you get more comfortable and follow your kids interests with their reading.

Answer 4

We currently use Switched on Schoolhouse--3rd child being homeschooled (you can elect to not install the Bible course, but it is a Humanity). They also have many other options to replace it like Health, Spanish, French, and others. There is always the choice of the state sponsored K-12 course, almost every state has its own version of curriculum that they send to you for free with a computer to use it on.

To me, this is still public school, it is simply now inside my home--not a great choice, but it is an option. Also be sure to contact your district superintendent to insure that you register as a Homeschooler and fulfill your state requirements.

I hope this helps, the toughest part is getting started, once the ball is rolling it gets easier.

Answer 5

Book Fairs. Most areas have these a couple of times a year.

It will give you opportunity to review the curriculum, talk to authors and such, and also go to workshops.

Not to mention, the time you will interact with others and hear a variety of opinions.

There are so many choices out there, and it needs to be tailored to the family, specifically the child.

Answer 6

First, let me just say that while I am highly spiritual, I abhore religion. I just try to follow the best from each school of thought while rejecting the superstition and intollerance they too often promote.

My email signature reflects my philosophy:

Epicureanism: the philosophy of Epicurus who subscribed to a hedonistic ethics that considered an imperturbable emotional calm the highest good, held intellectual pleasures superior to others, and advocated the rununciation of momentary in favor of more permanent pleasures.
— Webster's Dictionary

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it.
— Buddha

But as far as books go, I would love to see the likes of Matthew from The Bible used for a critical thinking exercise. When I was a child in Sunday School and we were told to read it, I remember asking "how does a star fly?" based on "the star...went before them until it came to rest over [the baby]." I had no idea at the time that ancient religious paintings have included what look like UFOs. After seeing a UFO in 1996, I figured it time to start researching magnetic levitation.

I always had questions in Sunday School like "why do we have bake sales when Jesus trashed a church for doing the same kind of thing?" Needless to say, I was constantly getting removed from class because I didn't tote the religious ignorance they tried driving into our brains. I mean, who in their right mind would take "spare the rod, spoil the child" to mean use corporal punishment on the kid? And Jesus forgiving everyone? He recommended the death penalty for child abusers.

There are tons of tidbits from the first four books of the New Testament (the works of Jesus) that have rational explanations the religious attribute to miricles. I mean, his followers went to extremes to ensure that Jesus followed the prophecies to the letter. What wouldn't they do to make people think he was the one they had been waiting for? There are so many topics for short papers including the first chapter of Matthew being a sexist family tree.

You can also read my essays I've posted online. They cover a wide range of topics from the Dumbing Down of America to Behavioral Conditioning to the histories of Cloning and Brain Implants.

Answer 7

I would also like to suggest www.k-12.com, they are a great program. One other nice thing about k-12.com is that in several states (mine included) they offer public school homeschooling program. Which means one really nice thing for our family is taht our state pays for all of the materials and fees. It is the same as the rest of the K-12.com program just paid for as if they went to public school. Good luck with it all.

Answer 8

Saxon math is good, stay away from Abeca. 8 years of homeschooling and that's all I remember about my curriculums O.o lol! Seriously though Saxon math is a really good program I learned alot from it. Also, Switched on Schoolhouse is really interesting. It's done completley on the computer and includes all kinds of videos and picture slideshows to help you out.

Answer 9

my friend home schools her daughter and uses this website: www.edhelper.com