Curriculum

This is the curriculums we are using this year and how we are using it

Math:

Monkey bear: Horizon Math level 1. I got it off of Christianbooks.com. It is actually cheeper there then Amazon as long as you get enough at once for free shipping 

We had originally started with Saxon Math, but it just wasn't working out that great for him. It was to slow and repetitive. Horizon is spiral taught, which means each lesson is taught multiple times before tested and then again reviewed but because there are so many at a time it doesn't get tedious. Usually each day he is introduced or reviewing two newer concepts that he may need help with and then he will complete two concepts that he knows well enough to do on his own. There is a test every 10 lessons and extra worksheets when needed. 

Princess Bear: Saxson K. I had originally gotten this for Monkey last year (we pulled him out of K with about 3 months left) but it was just to slow for him. It is the perfect speed for a Pre-K though. What I love most about it, is there is no work book. Every thing she does is hands on and visual which is great for her age. Down side is I know Saxon was bought out by this new common core monster and has been changed to be used in classrooms. (Their idea being they can say "see we use saxon math which has this amazing record of being awesome" and not mentioning the fact that they changed a whole bunch to aline it with CC) Because I have the older version I will continue to use it (and because I won't have to buy more workbooks for it) but I won't be using Saxon for anything else. *I don't know if they will be making a homeschool edition that is the original one, haven't researched it enough.

Spelling and Reading:

BOB books: I have used this with both my kids and love it. Monkey bear started in Pre-K with them and has completed the first and second set as well as the K and 1st grade sight word kit and has since moved on to reader books. I think bob books is an awesome way to get kids started on reading. Here is also some worksheets this awesome lady made to go along with them if you so choose. I will probably start these worksheets with Princess next year for K.

A Reason For: I use A Reason for Spelling A and A Reason for Handwriting A with Monkey. He really enjoys it. I love that they go along together. Your spelling words are reflected in your handwriting and each week you work on a new principle from a bible verse. What I love the most about it, is that they make sure to cover all types of learning (visual, auditory, Kinesthetic) and you can choose to use one or all of their different ways of learning. Monkey has learned his spelling words so much quicker because he can practice them a varied amount of ways and doesn't get bored with them. That in turn has improved his reading 100%!

Pre-K spelling: For princess I have been using a variety of free worksheets to practice writing letters. In my opinion, there is no reason to use a curriculum for pre-k when you can get plenty of free pages online. Our favorited go to's are the walk beside me curriculum and confessions of a homeschooler.

Everything Else: 

Latter Day Learning: Right now we are using latter day learning year one and are Love LOVE LOVing it! can't say that enough. Because my kids are young we only do two lessons a week and plan to take two years to complete it. We also do it one unit at a time. Each subject is broken up into units so once we complete one unit we switch subjects. Currently we are not doing the Music or Art portion but rather incorporated that into other subjects. As I said we do two lessons a week and spend the rest of the time doing arts, crafts, or reading books that go along with that unit. I can't recommend these people enough! They are awesome and friendly and always willing to answer any questions I have.

Story of the world resource: We are currently reading story of the world with our LDL history units. I have found this awesome resource to go along with it. She has correlated videos to go with each chapter. I think having this visual aid to watch after reading really helps it stick in my younger kids head 

Preach My Gospel: Right now for our morning devotional we are doing this blog. I love, again, how there is a video to go along with each lesson. Because of my kids young age we are just doing through the Missionary lessons and then we will switch to a different devotional for the morning time. (see my list of 20 different devotionals here)

Music: Monkey has really wanted to start to play the piano. I have very minimal teaching in that area but I have attempted to begin to teach him. I can't wait till we move (we are moving in Jan) that way I can start getting him real lessons. right now we are using Teaching Little Fingers to Play and John Thompson's Easiest Piano Course.