[my3peanuts]

I'm confused. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"><br><br>
Do you buy each of the separate curriculums for each grade? I see some say 1st-5th grade. What does that mean? It seems very expensive to spend $200-300 on one subject alone for the year.

 

[dharmamama]

I don't use WP but I seriously looked into it. I think the idea is that the main packages are unit studies. You choose one for the year and supplement that with whatever you want. Like, one of the packages is American history. That package covers the bulk of what you want to be doing, incorporating different subjects into that unit study, but you supplement with your own math, for example.<br><br>
However, it's been over a year since I looked at WP, so things may have changed.<br><br>
dm

 

[annethcz]

I haven't used WP yet, but I'm seriously considering it for the coming year.<br><br>
Each curriculum is designed to be used with children of varied ages. So when it says 1st to 5th grade, it means that subject material is appropriate for kids between ages 6-11 or so. You can modify the assignments to be easier for the younger kids, or harder for the older kids. The big draw for this type of program is that a family could use one curriculum for all of the children in the family- children of different ages can learn together.<br><br>
Winter Promise does recommend using a language arts and math program for each child, in addition to their themed programs.<br><br>
Winter Promise if very similar in premise to Sonlight Curriculum. <a href="http://www.sonlight.com" target="_blank">www.sonlight.com</a>

 

[AnnR33]

<a href="http://www.winterpromise.com" target="_blank">www.winterpromise.com</a> has their catalog you can download now I think and that may help you see how it works.<br>
But yes, you pick your main area of interest for the year-lets say it's animals. You'd pick their Animal Worlds program for ages 5-12 (or whatever ages it is) and you could do it for any of these ages. This is mainly a science topic obviously but for younger grades you don't really need formal history so you might just read a few history books on your own to get that subject in.<br>
They offer coordinating langauage arts programs that have readers for each "unit study" area so they have a list of animal related stories based on what grade/age you need. If you had a 5 yr old and 10 yr old you'd get 2 different lang arts sets.<br>
And you need to add in your math as posted above.<br><br>
Yes, they are one of the more pricey programs out there. Many people are just buying the instructor guides and using the library to get the books needed for the program.<br><br>
The draw for these programs is that they are nice combo of literature based learning and hands on activities. This is a combo that seems to be lacking in many other curriculums offered-at least that's what many are saying. I tend to agree.<br><br>
I'm using American Story 1 next yr with my 3rd grader and my Kinder DD will listen in and participate as she's able. I am using their reader list but I will use my own spelling, grammar and math. I only got the Instructor manual (I bought it used) and their notebooking materials (for writing) and buying bks used or from the library.<br>
I am also doing my own science since my 3rd grader does need science.<br><br>
So it's not the most econmical way to go but it depends on what you want. I've heard some really great things about their programs about how the kids really learn because of the variety of books and hands on activities.<br><br>
good luck