Which textbooks should a homeschool family use?

Textbooks matter for homeschool families because they provide the core curriculum.  Some families use the same textbooks and teaching objectives as the public schools.  This strategy precludes that the curriculum has merit.  I've taught in both public and private schools.  One thing private schools often do is tie the English instruction to History.  In other words, they teach Early American Literature and Early American History, the same general time period.  A good private school does teach History, not Social Studies.  Seton Educational Materials and The Catholic Textbook Project has excellent history textbooks.

My advice is to concentrate on the core curriculum.  I would use a good basal reader.  Open Court has a well earned reputation for fine basal readers. (This post has three complete lists of the books in the Open Court series to make it easier to locate the names when you scour eBay for used copies.) I would look for older copies; the new editions are expensive.  Don't you want an anthology?  The same is true of Math and Science.  Start by grounding your kids in the basics.  Try Saxon Math and Apologia Science.  English, History, Math, and Science.  Done.

What about the other subjects?  Health, Music, Art, Spanish, Keyboarding, PE?  Hold off!  Start with two hours of the basic core subjects every day.  You can always add projects, start piano lessons, join a soccer league, or take part in a Co-op later.  Start with the basics!

Homeschool and Textbooks

My advice for families starting to homeschool is to select textbooks for Reading, Math, History, and Science.  Well regarded schools have a solid core curriculum.  What else?  Have your child read a book and do a book report every week.  Alternate between written book reports and oral reports.  Keep a reading log with titles, authors, and dates finished.  Set goals.  My advice is to set aside a block of time each morning for lessons.  The amount depends on the child and his age.  An hour for a little one is a lot!  After lunch, spend time reading.  The afternoon is the time for projects, time-lines, job shadowing with a vet, keyboarding, piano lessons, soccer practice, library visits, volunteering at the SPCA, field trips to the Discovery Museum, bike rides, chalk murals, American Heritage, 4-H, etc.  

At the beginning of each month, dedicate some time to plan a special family project.  Like what?  How about building a vertical wall from recycled pallets?  Canvas panel art?  A backyard bird lapbook?  A topic like birds can lead to building a bird house, posting a backyard bird list, mounting silhouettes to reduce window strikes, bird feeders--even research!  Take on a project your family loves.

Homeschool Help is here!

I work with homeschoolers.  My background is in science at both public and private schools.  For the past several years, I've reviewed portfolios and taught several Co-op classes.  Each summer, I sponsor a science camp which attracts kids from the area, a mix of home-schoolers and public school kids.  People often call for advice.  I'm convinced there are many solid approaches to home-schooling.  So, what if you want to assemble your own curriculum?  Let's begin with an elementary student.  Early elementary aged children need to focus on the basics of reading and mathematics.  Everything else is a bonus!  Once the child can read independently and has a grasp of her math facts, it's time to expand the scope.  Where do you go for a guide?  The Common Core Standards are controversial.  Take a look anyway!  Here is a specific outline of skills for a variety of ages.

What do successful private schools use?  Traditional textbooks. This is your safety net!

Reading Books:
 Open Court Reading

History Textbooks
Catholic History Textbooks

Mathematics
Saxon Math

Science:
Apologia

Curriculum
Mother of Divine Grace

St. Alban's Lower School (Course of Study)