Need Curriculum Advice...

[JulieNicole23]

This is our first year homeschooling, and while I started the year piecing things together for the kids, I feel like I need something more structured...I have looked at curriculum until I am blue in the face, but still can't make a decision...

A little background, DD will be 6 in December, and attended a local Christian school for K-3 and K-4. She did great there, and was ahead of the class in most things...They use Abeka, and she is reading easy readers very well...She can write, count to 100+, skip count by 2, 5, 10...etc...DS is 3, and eager to learn with his sister...he can count to 30, knows his letters by sight and sound, etc...

I originally was set on ordering Sonlight preschool and K for them this year, but DS broke his femur, and that put an end to being able to afford that...

My top pics that I keep coming back to are: Sonlight, Horizons (although from what I have read, some people aren't thrilled with the LA parts of this), Heart of Dakota, My Fathers World...

DH tends to lean towards something that will pick up where the kids are and run with it...I know that some K programs are just starting some of the skills she already has, and don't want her to be board...I know myself well enough to know that I really need to just make a decision soon b/c if I don't, I will be up everynight researching curriculum, and the end of the school year will come around before a decision is made! LOL PLEASE help!!

[lmonter]

Have you checked used sources for those programs? I got an almost complete Sonlight K this summer for my 7yo - a bit less than the new price. I just don't have access to the forums. Or you could get your hands on just the Sonlight instructor's guide and try to track down most of the books at the library.

That said, if you do decide on Sonlight, I'd take a look at Core 1 if I were you. My 7yo boy is a bit behind your 6yo, and the K is perfect for him right now (he doesn't skip count, doesn't read yet, kind of immature for his age). If that helps any.

[kgianforti]

If you are considering Horizons for math, there are placement tests on the Sonlight website. I would definitely recommend the placement test. We are using a Singapore/Horizons combo (we are K4) for math. Horizons is nice and colorful but has a lot of repetition imo. BUT, it's also about 6 months more advanced than other math curricula.

I'm also using Sonlight Science K and love it. And both girls are listening to P 3/4 book - also enjoyable.

I've heard that both SL and Horizons are weak in the LA department. We are using Explode the Code 2 and I just let her play on starfall.com.

ETA: There are K and 1st grade threads going on too:

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho....php?t=1258816

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho....php?t=1259323

[MissJorgy]

We have used Sonlight since the beginning and are now on Core 1 with a 3rd and 2nd grader. P3/4 for my pre-k aged child, too. I also use Explode the Code w/Sonlight's LA and so far, so good!