Starting to think about curriculum for next school year...

It's that time of the year for us homeschool moms to be thinking about what curriculum we'll be using next school year. Here are a few I'm thinking about.

For "A's" kindergarten curriculum, I'm considering...

Click N' Read Phonics - "It is the latest in beginning reading phonics instruction used in thousands of schools and homes in over 60 countries." Save $10 off the purchase price of ClickN' READ Phonics. Just use promotion code info@heartofwisdom.com when you purchase. Simply go to www.clicknkids.com to try a free lesson with your child.

Letter of the Week - "This site has grown from my first curriculum, Letter of the Week, to now offer curriculum and resource suggestions for children from birth to age 8. I truly believe these early years lay the foundation for all future learning. Little children's young minds are like sponges ready to soak up all the wonderful information to be found in this world. By providing age appropriate activities in an environment of love and play, we can help our little ones begin a journey of life-long learning. Children are a gift from God, and I believe it is very important to develop the whole child. These are the years to also focus strongly on character & religious training, work habits, and life skills. Working and learning together builds strong bonds among family members and promotes confidence in young children. All children develop at different rates and I feel it is important to never push preschool children to do an activity that they do not want to do. Always keep learning fun, and follow your child's lead. I hope you will find ideas on this site that will help your own children, or the children you teach, develop and grow."

Little Hearts for His Glory - "Little Hearts for His Glory was written with the busy homeschool teacher in mind. It provides a way to do great activities without all of the usual planning and preparation required. Simple daily plans are divided into 9 boxes, which can be spaced throughout the day as time allows. Quick and easy activities require little or no preparation and use only materials you're likely to have on hand."

For "M's" 3rd grade curriculum, I am considering...

My Father's World: Exploring Countries and Cultures - "Take a trip around the world and explore diverse countries while learning geography and being challenged by true stories of missionaries. Our easy-to-teach unit study includes a teacher's manual with daily lesson plans and all books for Bible, geography, science, art, and music. Supplement these with picture books and information books from the library for the countries you study. (Library books are general resources and you will not need to find specific titles, although we list resources we have found helpful.) Add math and language arts for a complete curriculum."

Konos - "Welcome to KONOS...from our home to your home. That’s what KONOS is about... one home schooler talking to another home schooler... sharing curriculum designed by two homeschooling moms for their own children. It’s about sharing 24 years of homeschooling experience. It’s about passing on a vision to build families that honor God. It’s about instilling Godly character in the next generation. It’s about building relationships between family members. It’s about achieving excellence in education. It’s about reading wide and deep. It’s about recognizing "God put the wiggle in children, and we should not try to take it out." It’s about hands-on activities capturing children's attention and increasing their retention. It’s about teaching a child, not a curriculum. It’s about fun and laughter and shaping memories. It’s about creating a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Mary Pride, author of The Big Book of Home Learning, calls KONOS "the greatest set of home school activities ever!" We think you will too."

Apologia Science - "Well, it has finally happened! After years of searching for an elementary science curriculum that is truly God honoring, user friendly, and scientifically sound, we were introduced to two books by Jeannie Fulbright. It’s no wonder that we want to publish her books. As one of the parents who has already used Mrs. Fulbright’s astronomy book says, 'It reminds me of Dr. Jay Wile's Apologia Science, only yours is on an elementary level while his is written for high school age.' We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Mrs. Fulbright has written four books: Astronomy, Botany, Zoology 1, the first in a three-part series on Zoology, as well as Zoology 2. The next, and last, part of the Zoology series should be published in early 2008."

Spelling Power - "This famous, award-winning spelling program by Beverly L. Adams-Gordon just became better. Now featuring 21st century technology, it still teaches solid back-to-basic spelling skills. Since 1994, Spelling Power has given home educators the perfect way to teach comprehensive spelling skills to their whole family. (See What's New in Spelling Power.) Your students will use this research proven program to master the 5,000 most frequently used words. These words are divided into 11 levels based on their usage. Each level of Spelling Power’s unique word list is then further organized by phonetic principles and spelling rules."