Curriculum

One of the most common questions I get as a homeschooling mom (right after the look of shock and awe) is, "What curriculum do you use?"  The answer is, "A little bit of everything!"

For many years, we have not been able to afford much in the way of curriculum, so I have looked to borrow the bulk of our homeschooling resources and purchased only the "consumables".  At this point I must admit to being a "bare-bones homeschooler", concerning myself only with the three Rs: READING, 'RITING, and 'RITHMETIC, and for several years, I used A Beka for all three.  Then I got bored and switched to ACE (Accelerated Christian Education)...but we didn't last long (Sorry Annette!), so it was back to A Beka for reading and 'riting and forward to Math-U-See for 'rithmetic.  But then, two years ago, I was feeling a bit saucy, and I decided to try WAVA (Washington Virtual Academy) for language arts.  It was a fairly positive experience, but I didn't like being as dependent on the computer as I became, and I found myself gravitating back to A Beka.  Unfortunately, "familiarity breeds contempt", and I'm bored again, so now it's time for something new.  Enter Columbia Virtual Academy...

Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) is similar to WAVA in that it is a public school program implemented in the alternative learning environment (ALE) of your home.  It differs from WAVA in that WAVA uses the K-12 curriculum, whereas CVA allocates funds with which to purchase the curricula of your choice.  For the homeschooler with limited funding like me, this is a GODSEND!  Are there some hoops to jump through?  A few.  Are there any restrictions on curriculum choice?  Some.  Is it worth all the hassle?  We shall see...but while I'm figuring it out, you are welcome to take a look at what we're planning to do this year.  And for those of you who are concerned about my poor children and their "bare-bones" education, I am pleased to announce that we will be adding history, science, and art this year...WOOHOO!  God is good!  We'll see if CVA is as well... 

2010/2011 CURRICULUM

READING:  Veritas Press assorted classics and comprehension guides, A Beka Phonics* (Asres only... I can't quite get A Beka out of my system!)

'RITING: Language Lessons (Queen Homeschool Supplies),  Apples Daily Spelling Drills

'RITHMETIC:  Singapore Math

SCIENCE:   Apologia Astronomy* and Botany*, Private Eye loupes for nature study

HISTORY:   Story of the World Vol. 1 Ancient Times

ART:  Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 1: Intro to Visual Arts (We're new to art, and art is not my "thing", so we're starting at the beginning!)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE:  Powerspeak Spanish 1 (Olivia only)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:  Seasonal physical education via community based instruction (CBI) including gymnastics, ice skating, ice hockey, football, soccer, baseball, and softball (CVA pays for community based instruction...YAY!)

FIELD TRIPS:  Seasonal musicals, plays, symphony, art and/or cultural exhibits, museum tours, and zoos, etc.  (CVA pays the entrance fees for pre-approved field trips...DOUBLE YAY!)

* Items marked with an asterisk must be purchased with personal funds.  CVA does not pay for faith-based materials.  (Remember those restrictions I mentioned?  This is one of them.)