Category Archives: preschool curriculum

10 Steps to Selecting a {Catholic} Homeschool Curriculum

Selecting a curriculum can be a truly overwhelming task each year for homeschooling mothers.  So many times I have said to myself, “if I could see that book, I’d know if I want it!”  Right?  Then you hop online look through blogs of perfect homes, with perfect mom teachers, that have the perfect school rooms, and then there is Pinterest…then you are headed to Confession, jealousy is a lousy sin.  No seriously, is it not just frustrating?  😀  How do these women just *KNOW* that’s the right Math book?  Why did it not work for *MY* child?  🙂  Well, here’s why:  There IS NOT one set curriculum that is perfect for everyone.  There I said it.  So here’s another secret that lady that introduced you to homeschool forgot to mention, the beauty of homeschooling is that you are able to create a custom curriculum that is beneficial to *YOUR* family.  What works for another family may not be the best fit for another, or *gasp* what works for one of your children may not work for another.    Okay, so now lets take a deep breath and investigate how these ladies on their blogs look so with it.  I confess many times I have said, “when I grow up I want to be just like Jessica from Shower of Roses.”  Don’t laugh, I have said it..even to her.:D
Over the years our family has tried a variety of things – ranging from being an eclectic homeschooler, to using a complete curriculum package to creating things to use, and it has morphed into a combination of pieces that we now use together as a family and components that we use individually to round out the various subject areas.  So how do you decide what is the right fit for your family/homeschool?
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Our Homeschool Curriculum for 2012-2013 for Cor Iesu Academy

After much testing, trying, and searching for the right curriculum, we believe Todd and  I, have found the right one for us.  I am so excited!  We have selected the curriculum for next school year!  We first began by looking for something just for our rising high schooler but decided that all the kids needed to be on the same page.  We are going to follow the St. Thomas Aquinas Academy Classical Liberal Arts Curriculum.

Why Classical Liberal Arts Education?  We really would love a program that would allow for at least some of our children to work together, in addition to allow a natural approach to learning (read not so much seat work).  From our experience thus far, with our children, they strive best when they are challenged and engaged in learning (maybe all children are like this?  I’m not sure.)  In addition, our homeschool has a strong devotion to the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, and this program not only is named after the patron of our school but his works served as excellent model for the classical liberal arts approach!  The Classical Approach has an emphasis on what is known as the “trivium” – teaching in the sequence of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The classical method is decidedly better at training the mind to think, reason, and even to contend and argue one’s case against contrary ideas.  The way things are going in our world, we believe this is one of the best ways we can better prepare our children through home education.

This statement, from their website, is what finally SOLD us on using this curriculum for our family:

Our program gently prepares the child to learn from the great books and understand the great ideas essential to that same work of integrating faith with reason. A classical presentation of English and Latin grammar and the arts and sciences equips the student with the tools of learning; a cyclical study of the grand eras of western civilization–Greek, Roman, Old World and New–guides the student (and the teaching parent!) through the historical and literary masterpieces that for centuries have inspired students to such noble academic effort.”

There are Cycles to choose from, and after a thirty minute conversation with a representative of their’s I believe this is what we are going to set our goals towards (before you say it’s too expensive, please see my suggestions at the bottom of this post on ideas of saving on books):
Our 2012-2013 Curriculum



Grade 9: Greek Cycle:  Greek History & Astronomy
1.  RELIGION:  Old Testament I & II:
  • Introduction to the Bible
  • Ignatius Bible

2.  SOCIAL STUDIES / WORLD HISTORY:  Greek History I & II:

  • Christ the King: Lord of History
  • Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures: A Concise History: Volume I to 1740, 3rd Edition
  • Old World and America
  • Herodotus’ The Histories
  • Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War
  • Xenophon: The Expedition of Cyrus (Anabasis)
  • Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures: A Concise History: Volume I to 1740, 3rd Edition
  • Plutarch’s Lives, Volume 1 (Modern Library Classics)
  • Plutarch’s Lives, Volume 2 (Modern Library Classics)
  • Great Dialogues of Plato
  • Alexander the Great: Man of Action, Man of Spirit
  • Alexander of Macedon: Journey to World’s End

3.  LITERATURE:  Greek Literature I & II:

  • Bulfinch’s Mythology: The Age of Fable, The Age of Chivalry, and Legends of Charlemagne
  • Homer : The Iliad
  • Iliad, The (Cliffs Notes)
  • Herodotus’ The Histories
  • Homer: The Odyssey
  • Odyssey, The (Cliffs Notes)

4.  FINE ARTS:  

A)  Art Appreciation &; Analysis: 
  • Art And: Critical Thinking and Art Analysis
B)  Greek Playrights:
  • Aeschylus : The Complete Greek Tragedies: Aeschylus II
  • Aeschylus : The Oresteia : Agamemnon; The Libation Bearers; The Eumenides
  • Sophocles : Antigone, Oedipus the King, and Electra (Oxford World’s Classics)
  • Euripides: Medea, Hippolytus, Heracles, Bacchae (Focus Classical Library)
  • Great Dialogues of Plato
  • Aristophanes: Four Plays by Aristophanes: The Clouds, The Birds, Lysistrata, The Frogs
    5.  SCIENCE:  Astronomy I & II:
    • Creator and Creation, 3rd Edition
    • Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist
    • Essential Cosmic Perspective, The (5th Edition)
    6.  LANGUAGE ARTS
    A)  Formal Composition II:
    • Format Writing
    • Great Writing: A Reader For Writers

    B)  Formal Grammar I:

    • Jensen’s Grammar 

    C)  Formal Logic:

    • Traditional Logic 1 : Intro. to Formal Logic 
    D)  Pennmanship:
    • Handwriting 5 for Young Catholics (to review the basics)
    E)  Punctuation:

    • Jensen’s Punctuation
    7.  FOREIGN LANGUAGES:  Classical Latin I
    • Wheelock’s Latin : 6th Edition, Revised
    • Wheelock’s Latin : Workbook for Wheelock’s Latin, 3rd Edition, Revised
    • Wheelock’s Latin : A Comprehensive Guide to Wheelock’s Latin: Newly Revised for Wheelock’s 6th Edition

    8.  MATHEMATICS:  Algebra II

    • Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 Kit
    NOTE: I wish my kids would be ready for Cycle E:  Greek History & Astronomy so that they would be able to discuss things with our older son but that Cycle is labeled as appropriate for Grades 4 – 8, my two would be too little for their book selection.
    1.  RELIGION:  Religion 4
    • Faith and Life 4: Jesus Our Guide
    • Baltimore Catechism
    2.  SOCIAL STUDIES / WORLD HISTORY: Classical History
    • Story of the World : Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor, Revised Edition
    • Story of the World Vol. 1 : Ancient Times, Activity Book
    3.  LITERATURE:  Literature
    • Landscape With Dragons, A : The Battle for Your Child’s Mind
    • Paideia Program
    • Let the Authors Speak : Guide to Worthy Books
    4.  FINE ARTS:  
         A)  Art Appreciation:
    • Faith and Life 1: Our Heavenly Father (Student Book)
    • Faith and Life 4: Jesus Our Guide (Student Book)
    • Art-with-an-Active-Eye Notebook
         B) Art Practice:
    • Art With a Purpose : Artpac 3
    • Art With a Purpose : Artpac 4
         C) Music Appreciation:
    • Classical Kids
    • Mozart’s Magic Fantasy: A Journey Through ’The Magic Flute’
    • Hallelujah Handel!
    • Beethoven Lives Upstairs (Audio CD)
    5.  SCIENCE:  Anatomy & Health
    • Body Book, The
    • Blood and Guts: A Working Guide to Your Own Insides
    6.  LANGUAGE ARTS:
         A)  Grammar/Composition 2:  
    • Voyages in English 2006 Grade 2, Student Edition
         B)  Pennmanship:
    • Handwriting 2 for Young Catholics
        C)  Reading Skills:
    • Catholic National Reader Volume 2
         D)  Spelling/Reading Skills:
    • Explode the Code Book 5
    • Explode the Code Book 6
    7.  FOREIGN LANGUAGES: Latin Chant
    • Minimum Repertoire of Plain Chant
    8.  MATHEMATICS:  Mathematics G
    • Math U See Gamma : Student Kit
    • Math U See Gamma : Teacher Pack
    • Starter Set 1 (Manipulatives)
    • Skip Count and Addition Facts CD and Book
    • Math in a Flash Multiplication flashcards

    1.  RELIGION:  Religion 1

    • Faith and Life 1: Our Heavenly Father

    2.  LANGUAGE ARTS:
         A)    Grammar/Composition 1

    • Voyages in English 2006 Grade 1, Student Edition

         B)  Pennmanship:

    • Handwriting Without Tears 2 : Printing Power
    • Handwriting Without Tears : 2nd Grade Printing Teacher Guide
    • Handwriting Without Tears : Slate Chalkboard

         C) Reading/Spelling Skills

    • Little Angel Readers Set A-D : Readers, Workbooks, and Teacher’s Manual
    3.  MATHEMATICS:  Mathematics B
    • Math U See Beta : Student Kit
    • Math U See Beta : Teacher Pack
    • Starter Set 1 (Manipulatives)
    • Skip Count and Addition Facts CD and Book
    • Math in a Flash Addition flashcards

    LITTLE ONES

    For the little ones ages two (2) and four (4), we are going to use a new curriculum (which I will also be reviewing):

    Preschool
    by Sarah V. Park (Hillside Education)

    In this creative curriculum, you’ll find easy-to-use activities to introduce your preschooler to the alphabet. For each letter, Sarah has provided:

    1) Saint of the Week suggestions
    2) Virtue and Scripture verse,
    3) Crafts & Activities,
    4) Collage ideas,
    5) Picture Book lists, and
    6) Recipes.
    Tot School

    For our two year old we will also use a little of the Preschool curriculum above but mostly Montessori Activities: Puzzles, board books, hands on activities!

    Three Simple Strategies on Funding this Approach:
    The Classical Liberal Arts approach *can* be pricey and when I posted our curriculum selection, that was one of my friends pointed out.  I will be taking advice from veteran homeschool moms whom have been using this approach in the past.  
    1)  Use your local public library:  You *can* buy all the books and build your library but if you don’t have the money to do that, you can always use your local library system and supplement your curriculum (this just requires more planning on your part ahead of time).  

    2)  Buy your curriculum by Semester:  Plan your lessons ahead of time by semesters and months.  Look up what you need and budget yourself so that you purchase it in two parts.  Semester One would be ordered in the Summer and Semester Two books would be ordered in the Winter (December)

    3)  When possible, buy used:  There are so many ways (when allowed by the publisher) to buy books and textbooks used.  You can do this by either asking locals in your area if anyone happens to either be selling a book or have one sitting on their shelf without being use (who knows maybe they might even loan it to you, if they know you and would like to do it?).  Another method is to look online.  Here are three places I search for used curriculum:
         A)  CathSwap (on Yahoo Groups)
         B)  Catholic Swap/Chat (on Facebook)


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    A Catholic Preschool Curriculum – Introduction and a Giveaway {Catholic Icing}

    Homeschoolers, looking for a great Catholic Preschool Curriculum for your little one?  Lacy has come out with a book she is selling just in time for the new school year.  What’s more, she is hosting a giveaway, that’s right!  Two blessed mommies, will get a chance to win her new book!  🙂   Here’s some info:

    This Catholic preschool curriculum is hands on all the way! From the unit studies, to learning the alphabet, to crafting, singing, and counting- this book strives to make learning (and teaching) fun! Hey, why shouldn’t it be fun?

    I designed the book to engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. The activities in this book help develop gross and fine motor skills. I believe that children learn best when they have multiple senses engaged, and when they have meaningful experiences that they can connect with. This book definitely helps you create these kind of experiences with your preschoolers. 

    Catholic ABC’s has 26 lessons that are based on the letters of the alphabet. They’re meant to be used weekly. Each lesson includes a craft, bible verse, saint of the week, full color visual aid (usually in the form of beautiful artwork from the masters), and many lessons also include a bonus activity. The 5 unit studies follow the liturgical year and have directions for making unique learning tools to teach the story, and again, make it fun! The unit studies also teach the kids counting and numbers, and they all include a fun learning song.
                   Unit Studies:

    1. Ordinary Time 1 – Creation
    1. Advent/Christmas – Nativity
    1. Ordinary Time 2 – 12 Apostles
    1. Lent – Stations of the Cross
    1. Easter – He is Risen!
    Ready to try to win one for your homeschool?
    Hop on over to Catholic Icing!
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