What Curriculum do I use?

That is a LOADED question for me...and there is no real answer...but I will try.

Oops how do you rotate pics?  Oh well.  For math we use Math U See, plastic clocks, change, manipulatives- Math u See has them and they work great for us, we also use other bits- whatever it takes for our kids to "get a concept" across.

For Bible curriculum- these are a couple of things we use- Who's Who is a great book I picked up at a Christian Book store I like it because it goes through most of the main characters of scripture, and places of the Bible.  One problem that I didn't know until we bought it- they mention millions of years.  YES - we are creationists.  So my tip is - you can still use it, but TELL YOUR CHILDREN TRUTH.  That is what we have done, and other than one mention we haven't found anything else.  To make a point we took black sharpie and wrote the truth in the book.  Kids liked it.

The next book is one of 4 little books.  It is a great book for building up the creation story.  Letting your children know why you believe what you believe.  It is a collation of children's questions answered about creation.  HIGHLY recommend- you can get them at answersingenesis.org

Again these two are fantastic resources The Journey Through Bible Lands has great pics of what things looked like in Bible Times.  Got it at Bible Book Store.
Kid's Guide to God's Creation- again- Christian Book store, but this is a great science resource as well :)

Obviously THE MOST IMPORTANT TEXT YOU CAN TEACH YOUR CHILDREN!!!!  We often use the Bible in science, math, history, language, spelling, EVERYTHING!!!  Works for me, and it connects our children to the scriptures for all answers- and for all subjects. 

History & Geography- well we use a lot of stuff.  We have a book about the states, flash cards of the states, lots of regular books of historic people, the main curriculum we use though right now is Ancient Civilizations & the Bible.  It has scriptures you discuss each week with hands on activities. 

Along with massive maps of the world, the US, England, etc. on the wall, books about London's history, the kings and queens, etc.  To me there is nothing better than showing them real history- like our trip to England last year was fantastic, taking them to National parks and talking about how it used to be, seeing old cabins, cooking over a fire, Little House on The Prairie, anything to excite them about what life used to be like.  And anything that can give them a glance at people from the Bible.  We are also using a series of books that have short bios in them of 10 Girls that Changed the World/ 10 Boys that Changed the World- and there are 5 titles on boys 5 on girls.  Our kids love them!!!!  They are all about average people and missionaries that changed the world for God!!!

OK so for language- yep again a lot of different things.  We have Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons- which we love.  Right Brain Phonics- which is great for the struggling readers- yep have those.  Turbo Reader which is great for readers that are just needing more practice especially on certain types of words, etc.  We have flashcards of all kinds in this home for math, letters, numbers, shapes, colors- you name it!  Sequential Spelling is GREAT!  We also just go through the Dictionary - with words to learn for vocab.  Along with First Language Lessons & Writing with Ease.  These are both basic ways to start your children off in Language.  Of course we throw in those books you get at the store to have them practice a lot as well.  We also have writing practice daily- where they journal, copy from books, do their spelling words, etc.

If there is one thing that I totally RECOMMEND from my list it is a science curriculum we have from Answers in Genesis!!!!!  WE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!  LOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It has the whole range of science for elem, middle, and high school!  The lessons are set up that you start with World of Plants and work through the books.  In each lesson there is a beginner, intermediate, and advanced section.  There are plenty of hands on - EASY activities that come on disc :)  Lots of color!!!!

We also do lots of fun activities with bubbles, electric snap kits our kids have gotten for gifts, etc.  How to make Home Made Toys book, Bath Tub Science, Little Hands- creative nature crafts, etc.

Love the Zoo, Aquarium, & Museum Guides!!!!  These are guides for going to the Zoo, Aquarium and Museum and seeing it all from BIBLICAL perspective!!  AMEN!  Science and the Bible series also fantastic because it has independent cool things you can do at home explains the theories behind it, and the science.  All of these are from Answers In Genesis!  A wonderful ministry that has a museum as well near Cincinnati OH- actually technically in KY.  If you live anywhere near here or are traveling past it- GO!!!  If you have questions about how does science and Bible go together?  GO HERE!!!  They have hundreds of articles on loads of questions that I have all the time!  AMAZING!!!!!!!!

As well as if you are looking for a fun web for your kids to look at with science- go here!!!!  It is Answers In Genesis page Just For Kids!  They have activities, mini videos, coloring pages, fun facts and pics of all kinds of animals, amazingly wonderful answers for those tough questions your kids ask you.  Can't say enough great things about them!!!

OK so enough ramblings for now.  We also use Jumpstart K, 1, & 2 on the computer for computer time.  For those in 3rd and above we use Switched On Schoolhouse.  Which we love as well.  But I insist on having one on one, and group times with our children.  I want them to have fun on the computer and learn how to use the computer and do learning there, but I LOVE the contact with them.  He he he - the reason we homeschool.  So there is a real mish mash right there.  We have drawers full of school things, games, and books, we have literally 100's and 100's of books!!!!  I really try to do as much reading about anything and everything as possible with them.

More on my real philosophy on homeschooling later.......which may explain a lot :)

So what do you use?  I love to hear other ideas, websites, etc.  :)  So if you homeschool- let me know what are your favorite curriculums, books????