recommended resources
CURRICULUM & WORKBOOKS
SPECTRUM
WORKBOOKS
Spectrum workbooks are affordable and effective.
Our family has used the
LA & Writing workbooks with great success. Lessons that are not overwhelming
ensure that we actually complete them. If you're looking for something that doesn't break the bank but produces results, give these workbooks a try!
They are great on their own
or as a supplement.
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING
Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding is the way I wish I had learned science! The book can be as teacher intensive as you make it, but our family has used it as the foundation to how and when we cover various topics.
BFSU makes science make sense and shows the complex organization and connection between areas of study.
ALL ABOUT
SPELLING
Our family has seen amazing results with All About Spelling. If you have a struggling speller, I highly recommend giving this program a try. The program comes with magnetic tiles to be used daily in spelling practice, but there is also an app if you are like my family and prone to losing things. ;) AAS teaches your children the why behind the rules and gives them the confidence to succeed.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
THE WEEK JR
Including current events in your homeschooling day is essential in connecting with the world around us, linking the past with the present.
The Week Jr. is a weekly magazine for kids ages 8-14. Inside you'll find new articles on a range of topics, book suggestions, puzzles and games, and a weekly quiz. The topics are fun and informative, and a great tool for thinking about and discussing world events.
NAT GEO KIDS
For the science & nature lovers in your family, Nat Geo kids is a wonderful monthly magazine choice! While Nat Geo seems to be geared toward elementary students, my middle schoolers still enjoy reading it. The illustrations are vibrant and the content is fun and informative.
Kids also love the interactive website with games, videos, and additional articles to further the fun.
TIME FOR KIDS
Time for Kids, a weekly magazine for various age groups, is shorter than The Week Jr, but the topics discussed each week are thought-provoking and relevant. The different grade options ensure children are getting information in an
age appropriate way.
Once a month a Financial Guide is also included, introducing topics through fun and relative stories.
Time for Kids is offered by mail and on-line.
SUBJECT ENHANCERS
brain pop & brain pop jr.
Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr. is a monthly subscription that gives your kids access to fun videos on a wide range of subject matters- from science to social justice issues.
The short, animated videos, quizzes, and optional "deeper dives" into the topics make this resource very useful in covering topics in a way that suits your child's interest level.
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KIWI CRATES
Kiwi Crate offers a range of choices for all ages. Our personal favorite is the Atlas Crate, but we have loved and used many of them. The crates come with the craft activity as well as additional information on the subject. The Tinker Crate comes with in-depth scientific explanations behind the creation. They are the perfect
hands-on addition to science, history, and art programs.
BRITANNICA KIDS
If your child loves diving deep into the topics you study or is learning to research for writing assignments, a Britannica Kids subscription is a great choice.
Forget the encyclopedias of your childhood; this is so much more! With a subscription, you have access to three reading levels on all articles, which makes this a great deal for families with kids in multiple age ranges.