How I Built My Own Homeschool Curriculum Pt 3 & 4

If you have been keeping up with our blog, you will know that I decided to build my own home school curriculum.

Today, I will discuss Steps 6 on Ejahi’s worksheet of Building your own Curriculum, which is: Choose books and materials: make required reading list, putting together course of study topics, utilizing free online resources, shopping used book sales, assessment test on curriculum providers websites, utilizing encyclopedias for spine text, etc…  

Part 4

Here is the list of resources, books websites, etc mentioned in the videos below:

Bible

We are using Calvary Curriculum. It is a FREE Bible Study Curriculum. They have 3 different versions, but here is the one we will be using 2012-2013: Little Ones Curriculum

•   I will be supplementing this will Read and Share DVD Bible: Volumes 1-4

Life Skills
Chores/Household Management- I use Google Calendar to produce my monthly chore charts.

My Kid’s Chore Chart – Produced in Google Calendar

Up Close View – My Kid’s Chore Chart – Produced in Google Calendar

Character Development –  We will be using a series called “ God, I Need to Talk to You About… series.” There are 24 Child-friendly text and entertaining illustrations help children think about a behavior they encounter in daily life and pray about it. The book expresses that all sinful behaviors are forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and encourages children to go to God in prayer any time they feel tempted or troubled. Scripture examples help children apply it to their lives..These are the books in the series ..All of the titles start with God, I Need to Talk to You About:

• Bad Manners
• Bad Words
• Bedtime
• Being a Bad Sport
• Bullying
• Cheating
• Disrespect
• Greed
• Healthy Eating
• Homework
• Hurting Others
• Laziness
• Lying
• My Bad Temper
• Paying Attention
• Sharing
• Stealing
• Vandalism
• Video Games
• Whining

Health/Hygiene/Grooming

Found an awesome FREE Curriculum by KidsHealth.org/Classroom They have FREE health lesson plans, ativitied and worksheets from Daycare to 12th Grade. We will be using the Pre -K through 2nfd Grade for probably the next 2 years. Some of the topics include:

• Bones, Muscles, and Joints
• Mouth and Teeth
• Skin
• Cardiovascular System
• Diabetes
• Healthy Snacking
• Drugs
• Smoking
• Asthma
• Colds and Flu
• Obesity
• Fitness
• Sportmanship
• Conflict Resolution
• Strangers and 911
• Care and Bus Safety and much more!

Basic Cooking Skills – We will be using Little Kid’s Cook!

Language Arts: (Phonics, Spelling, Writing & Handwriting) :

• Easy Peasy Homeschool - (FREE)
  • days 121-222 (gr1)
  • getting ready 2
• Lesson Pathways –  K & 1st Grade  (FREE)
• TheHeadoftheClass.com - K & 1st Grade (FREE)
• Bob Books – FREE from the local library
• Starfall.com - (FREE)
• Got all the following for $1 at Scholastic Teacher Express Dollar Days. They retail from $5-$30
  • Little Kids Write!
  • Quick and Fun Writing Activities Just for Young Learners
  • Step by Step Writing Lessons for K-1
  • Week by Week Phonics Packets
  • 50 Month by Month Draw and Write Prompts
  • Art and Writing Projects Just for Young Learners

Math

• TheHeadoftheClass.com - K 1st, & 2nd Grade (FREE)
• Lesson Pathways -  K, 1st & 2nd Grade  (FREE)
• Store bought Math Manipulatives
• Got all the following for $1 at Scholastic Teacher Express Dollar Days. They retail from $5-$30
  • Math Mats and Games – Money
  • Shoe Box Learning Centers – Addition and Subtraction
  • Shoe Box Learning Centers – Counting
  • Shoe Box Learning Centers – Time and Measurement

Science

• We will be taking a Science class with our Homeschool Support Group
• The boys will also be taking Science classes at our local zoo.
• TheHeadoftheClass.com - K 1st, & 2nd Grade (FREE)
• Lesson Pathways -  K, 1st & 2nd Grade  (FREE)

Social Studies / History / Geography