A Reason for Handwriting

 Bible, Elementary, Handwriting, Language Arts, Writing  No Responses »
Dec 102010
 

We started out this year with the intent to use a different curriculum for handwriting but, of course, life happens!  a reason for handwriting

We ended up moving across country, leaving behind the majority of our home to be shipped at a later date.  That means we left most of our curriculum as well!  Basically starting from scratch, I stumbled across “A Reason for Handwriting”. I am so glad that I did!

We chose “A Reason for Handwriting, manuscript B”, which offers slightly smaller text than the traditional first grade books, technically book “B” is a second grade level book.  I love that feature because it helps my son to really concentrate on what he is doing and it helps him develop better hand-eye coordination.

The book starts ouhandwriting timet with a review section to remind and reconnect, if necessary; then it jumps right into lesson plans.  The lesson plans are easy to follow and already setup for each day’s worth of work. The lessons are short and the pages are colorful.

What I love the most is that the curriculum is primarily focused around Bible verses.  The kids practice letters as well as whole words, which all tie into a bible verse.  It reinforces neat, tidy penmanship, light reading along with easy memorizing of scripture!

A Reason for Handwriting is available as a set with a teachers guide and consumable student workbook, or as a single student workbook. We opted to just get the workbook which we are doing fine as a stand alone product.  The set retails for $34.95; the individual workbook retails for $15.95.  However, I have found the curriculum at discount on a few sites for a low $26.21 for the set and $11.96 individual.

Overall, I am really happy with the curriculum. My son loves to do the work and looks forward to learning new scripture verses as his lessons progress.

Reading A-Z.com

 Elementary, Language Arts  No Responses »
Feb 202010
 

We started our official reading adventure this year with reading a-z.com!  Right off the bat, I loved the full scope of curriculum the website offers: the website is comprehensive to say the least.  No matter where you are starting out, just about anybody who needs an elementary language arts addition to their schooling can benefit from reading a-z.com.

There is a very small learning curve to the site so it is easy to just “jump right in” where you need to be.  Pick and choose your own curriculum from their ample selection or take an assessment test that is included to see where you need to begin for each child.  Enjoy leveled readers, alphabet materials or jump into phonics and phonemic awareness materials. Each area offers a full, comprehensive lesson path in that subject matter.

We are currently in the “Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Materials” tract.  I simply log in, and elect the next lesson in the tract. I can download that lesson’s readers and display them on the computer or print them in black and white for my little ones to color (a fantastic activity for preschoolers to “do school” while we are on another subject).  Each of the modules provides full lesson plans (including instructions for the teacher), worksheets, and manipulatives such as flash cards, spelling squares, high frequency flashcards, and the corresponding readers.  Each module expounds upon the module before it so sometimes all of those manipulatives are not necessary to print and cut out. I usually research and print only what I need.

Reading A-Z.com offers:

They also provide something new in their “reading extras” area of the website.  This week it includes free additional reading unit studies for Haiti and the Olympics!

I love that this site offers multiple grade levels at once, so a homeschooling family only needs to purchase one classroom subscription a year for the whole family. Resources are appropriate for all K–6, ESL/ELL, special education, and remedial reading and correspond to most state curriculum standards.

Reading a-z.com has an annual subscription in the amount of $84.95. They also offer  free samples online and offer a money back guarantee should you find it won’t work for your family after-all.

Whether your child’s reading journey is at “A” or advanced to “Z”, Reading a-z.com can be a wonderful addition to your homeschool journey! Visit them today at http://www.readinga-z.com .

Written by Diana S. A homeschooling mom of two boys, growing in Grace and trying to joyfully ride the roller coaster of Life Curves.

Weaver Interlock

 Preschool  No Responses »
Jan 222010
 

Weaver Interlock is a hands-on curriculum for preschoolers and kindergartners made by Alpha-Omega. It offers a flexible, fully outlined lesson plan that covers Creation through the Flood. The program integrates Bible with additional subjects such as science, math, language arts, and social studies.

We started using Interlock Weaver as our first curriculum for my oldest as his preschool curriculum. We continue to use it as a unit study, bible add-on, and intend to use it for my younger boy as well.

Right off the bat, I loved how well planned the curriculum is and how easy it was to follow. Each day is laid out with your bible theme which then “weaves” that theme into multiple subjects. They even include reading suggestions as well as craft projects that use primarily household items.

The program includes a tab in the big binder that is filled with reproducible worksheets and projects, which the kids loved! I loved it too because it saved me so much time not having to separately source printable or crafts for each topic on the internet. The program also comes with a music tape and an introduction to phonics.

If you choose to use Weaver for both preschool and kindergarten, I do suggest you order their full phonics or outside program as the phonics included is really just an introduction. (We didn’t delve too deeply into the phonics introduction because my son was already well versed in the phonetic sounds of the alphabet.)

I found this program a joy and it continues to be a fantastic resource for us. The curriculum runs for $99.00 and is available at http://www.aophomeschooling.com.

Written by Diana, eclectic homeschooling mom of two boys ages 2 and 5, and blogger at Life Curves.