HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM YEAR END REVIEW | 2023-2024 Homeschool Year End Reflections & Recap

[@OdetoAbode]

Consistency > Stressing about doing it all

[@SevenInAll]

YES!!!!

[@lisaroper421]

I have been super pleased with Math Mammoth for my older girls! Super solid, and super affordable. Doesn't get a lot of chatting on KZbin, but I am glad we have done it. I also have adored teaching my younger two to read. We used 100 easy lessons, and it worked great, they are both off a running and it is so adorable! 🥰

[@SevenInAll]

Math Mammoth is pretty well loved in the international homeschool community because...dun dun dun... it's offered in PDF format!! 🎉 That can be surprisingly rare with math curriculum in particular. My mom had the 100 Easy Lessons book, I believe that's what she used in teaching me to read, and then child #2 had dyslexia and had a much different reading journey, and I think she never went back once she found her beloved Sing, Spell, Read, and Write (now out of print).

[@lisaroper421]

@@SevenInAll I love the pdf format myself! And I live squarely in continental US 😅 It's so great there are so many resources out there for teaching!

[@MyHomeYourHomeOurHome]

I love how touched you are just in talking about your baby. ❤

[@SevenInAll]

He's such a blessing!

[@YasminB-u9d]

I had the same frustrations with the Beautiful Feet Around the World. Also, the books all focus on long past aspects of those countries and nothing about life there now. Guest Hollow's Jr. Geography is much more contemporary and adds in the non-fiction and videos, etc.

[@SevenInAll]

Good to know about the Guest Hollow program! Yes, there was a lot of emphasis on folktales, traditions, which are important, but it would have been nice to include modern industry and more "current" stories.

[@g.palmer]

Thank you so much for all this info! I'm noting it for sure!

[@SevenInAll]

You are so welcome!

[@gymcoach20]

Completely agree on BFB. We had the same issue this year. I had to add in almost everything.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, I ended up doing a lot of planning and extras to make it feel like we were learning a good bit about the country -- that's doable, but it's not my preference when choosing a curriculum.

[@TheChan7]

You’re so good about the languages. Kudos. Most of our friends give up and I’m finding myself slacking as the kids get older. I enjoyed hearing how your year went. And happy to hear things are going well with baby.

[@SevenInAll]

I know that with language learning...the fruit comes from YEARS of study, not just a few months, so I know that it will really require a long-term commitment.

[@TheChan7]

@@SevenInAll it surely does. You’re doing awesome!

[@elizabethroelandts1427]

I 100% agree with your thoughts on BFB around the world in picture books. We did enjoy the Maps book. But I don't feel like there were big takeaways in general. We are also Math with Confidence users, that was a win for us this year! I had one in 2nd, one in 1st and one in Preschool Math at Home. 😊

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, while we enjoyed the books, it felt like if the goal was to come away feeling like we had "gotten to know" the countries...it took a good deal of additional prep and additions to really make that happen. MWC has been a staple since my 1st was using Preschool Math at Home--a delight to use!

[@JoyForney]

Along with the others and you, 100% agree with your assessment of Around the World with Picture Books. The map book continues to be my daughter’s favorite thing. And some of the books were lovely and fun. But most of our learning happened because I took the time to research and extend the information….which I didn’t want to have to do…. Which is why I bought the resource in the first place! 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️ Living overseas without a great library made it a challenging curriculum to use as well…no easy way to head to the library to extend the book selection. Also we found our secret sauce of math with Math with Confidence 2+ Beast Academy online. My (2nd grade) daughter loves the videos for BA. I love the way it helps her think in a different way. ❤️

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, I think being overseas and having very limited library access adds to the challenge of implementing BFB Around the World--a library sure would help! Like you said, I ended up adding quite a bit of my own teaching and planning outside of the guide to really get what I wanted to get out of our geography studies this year.

[@HomeschoolwithRachel]

I agree with your analysis of Around the World with Picture books. The maps book was gorgeous and it’s my oldest child’s favorite resource at the moment, but so many times my boys would ask me about one of the images in the book. Then I had to research it on my phone which to me was a big distraction during teaching.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, we enjoy the Maps book, but it would be nice to have an easy resource to explain the significance of the little images... because yes, pulling out the phone or laptop is distracting when teaching little ones.

[@JentheBeliever]

A “miss” for the year was Singapore Math, because the teachers manual is not scripted and I didn’t feel like I understood how to give that understanding of numbers to my daughter that I naturally have and the curriculum is trying to teach and so we switched after one semester to Mayh With Confidence and I just love the ease of use and she loves the games so she will do subtraction happily in a game. I should say she did well with Singapore it just wasn’t great for me as a teacher. Rachel always says consistency is key and Math With Confidence gives you the ability to do that easily. I was really excited to use Llamitas this year and we did but even though it’s easy to use and I was super jazzed about that I didn’t keep up with it regularly. Nothing wrong with the program-actually her ability to read the little readers impressed me and I love the syllable sounds in the lesson. I think she’s naturally taking her English reading ability to read Spanish. It’s fun to see her get excited when she sees a word she learned in Llamitas in another context.

[@SevenInAll]

That's awesome to hear of all the progress she's making! I am loving seeing my son make progress and gaining confidence with Spanish readinf. Yes, I love how easy MWC is to use!

[@gbcflower]

I had just started to try to implement Spanish into our homeschool routine when I started dealing with morning sickness for baby number seven. As you can imagine, that second language really got dropped because the first few months of pregnancy are extremely difficult for my body. I'm just getting into my second trimester and thinking about if there is a way that I can still try to implement Spanish that will actually be doable in this season of life. Haven't come up with a solution yet, but I do know that what you say about little bits is absolutely true. Small amounts done consistently adds up greatly.

[@SevenInAll]

Doing a little bit very consistently can be SO effective...but yes, I know the particular difficulty of thinking/speaking/teaching a second language during pregnancy. 😆

[@MikkaRoqueJacobson]

I love Gentle Classical and use it with my son! I love watching your videos, so soothing and it is like having another homeschool Christian bilingual mom friend

[@SevenInAll]

Aww! That's exactly what I hope to communicate from these videos--being an online "friend" for those who want to nerd out over everything to do with bilingual Christian homeschooling. :)

[@elizabethlotus4214]

That little baby is definitely the highlight of the year!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SevenInAll]

For sure!

[@sandylawrence3704]

What a sweet highlight!❤ I have really enjoyed the Grade 1 geography resources from Charlotte Mason Beehive. Rachel North has updated some lovely living geography books + added beautiful photos! Been a highlight, I have used it for all my young elementary kids. And it’s a download🎉

[@SevenInAll]

I haven't heard of those before, thanks for the recommendation!

[@victoriakleven1503]

Memoria Press has some great resources for Geography that had good overviews for kids on different countries. When I taught third grade at a classical school, we used this as a supplement/into and overview for each country (general History and overview of a country’s background that fits on one page). The resource you showed seems to be a good cultural element to have for Geography, but you’re right that it seems limited as far as general knowledge of a country goes.

[@SevenInAll]

That's good to know! And yes, I think more general knowledge specific to different countries was really what I was looking for.

[@stacydavis4113]

I love Memoria Press and their Simply Classical curriculum. But the only problem with geography is that it's designed for 3rd grade+. I wish they had something for younger grades, maybe something that was a mix between Beautiful Feet's literature Picks and a basic version of the MP student workbooks. Or I love the MP literature guides, it would be great if they would combine some of the literature selections from the BF geography sets with a Geography themed Memoria Press literature study for younger grades to provide some cultural background to geography.

[@kailynolson2281]

have you loooked at the guest hollow Jr. Geography? i'm leaning that way now after your comments. Wondering if that looks closer to what you would like.

[@SevenInAll]

I haven't really looked at it, but based in all the comments, I should check it out!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

We plan to break for a long Easter break like last year so I naturally reflect on the last homeschool yr!!! Idk what my firm plan for a school year is as well and as we are travel schooling idk if we will take our long Easter break but I’m hoping we do for family subjects or we slow down on homeschooling!!! We love beautiful feet but we had to put our science history class on Pause till next spring (September 2024)!!! I love the masterbooks book that has 4 pages on a country!!! Ur younger son Spanish will improve as he ages!!! I’ve slacked with German when my older kids where younger and their German has came well!!! My oldest has been learning Hebrew for 2 years and he struggles with the different letters!!!

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, I'm noticing more curiosity with Spanish with my younger son these days, and want to make the most of that!

[@Spanish4Katy]

Another mom here who had the same experience with Around the World this year. Lovely books, but that was about all it had to offer. Used Early American History Primary last year and felt it had much more to offer. But next year we are switching to Bookshark (would do Sonlight but our charter school will pay for Bookshark). I'm ready for some history spines and really readable, usable instructor's guides!

[@SevenInAll]

That sounds like it'll be a really great switch for you guys!

[@GracefullyHomegrown]

Definitely agree with the bfb review. My kids loved the books but i felt like there was no meat to it. I personally feel like for the price it should have had more to it.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, the books are great, but used 'as is,' doesn't really leave you feeling like you've learned enough about the country itself.

[@nishacongrove6238]

Good reminder to reflect! We still have another 7 weeks or so yet, so at the moment I'm just trying to focus on finishing that before our baby arrives, but it is so helpful to look back and think on what's working, what has not, and ways to grow in the future. Also appreciated the comments on Beautiful Feet books. I've often wondered if I should have purchased their curriculum during our kinder year when we did an Around the World theme. I'm glad to get some confirmation that not purchasing was a good choice, lol. Not that what they have is bad. I'm sure there are helpful aspects to it. It is just that for the $$ I think I would have been disappointed. I would have wanted it to do more, like you were saying. Thankfully we have an amazing library with great non-fiction as well as fiction titles that worked great for us, and I had the time and energy back in that season of life to invest heavily into a DIY approach that worked wonderfully for us back then. :)

[@SevenInAll]

7 weeks!! Getting close! Yes, I think that's it--with investing the $$ in a curriculum, I kind of want to NOT end up doing so much DIY. Also, the very limited library selection we have access to doesn't help much, either with DIY or with using BFB and trying to add to it. That's just a reality I have to keep in mind in my planning.

[@cortneymckinney9215]

I agree and felt the same way about BFB…it wasn’t enough for me either. I wanted more.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm glad that I was finally able to put my finger on what "more" I wanted...I wanted more non-fiction so that it actually felt like we were coming away with a good understanding of the country and it's role in the world. I think that will really help me with choices going forward.

[@tori.homeschoolingmom]

We loved ATW, but I used it with my oldest was in 2nd grade and he has a very creative/storytelling mind so he loved it. I can understand how your family would have wanted more non-fiction facts though, a spine like you described would be helpful!

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, as you might have noticed 😂 my son really enjoys facts and information....we love story, too, but I think having a solid "spine" would have made it a better fit for us.

[@papuakacie]

It sounds like if I did BF I would modify the way I modified Peaceful Press. Love their books and creativity but I like a non fiction spine. I added in maps, an Usborne encyclopedia, and memory work. The second year I just combined Sonlight and PP.

[@SevenInAll]

I think the addition of a solid non fiction spine would have been a big improvement--something I will definitely keep in mind in future planning!

[@stephanieh.1633]

I felt the same way about Around the World with Picture books. I really wanted to like it but I ended up giving it to my nephew who is older than my boys. Hoping it will be more useful for him.

[@stephanieh.1633]

Planning to try Build Your Library Level 0 soon.

[@SevenInAll]

Nice to hear what you're planning to try instead!

[@bdhesse]

"The homeschool year that was" sounds so ominous 😂

[@SevenInAll]

You may have noticed I have a love for dramatic phrases. 😂

[@lacyleelonglegs]

I too have the same feelings about Beautiful Feet Books! I was planning on using Around the World for this upcoming year with my rising Kindergartener but every time I come back to review it, I feel like it’s not quite what I was looking for. I’d love a better nonfiction spine…I’ll keep reading the comments to see if anyone has suggestions!!

[@SevenInAll]

I'm looking at using On Mission magazines from Gentle + Classical in the future as the non fiction...the level of the text may be a bit too in depth thinking of a kindergartener, though.

[@lacyleelonglegs]

@@SevenInAll Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll look into the On Mission magazines. Do you have any experience with Build Your Library Level 0 - Around the World?

[@SevenInAll]

@@lacyleelonglegs I do not, sorry!

[@victoriasbooktalks8882]

Can you do a video about how you incorporate all of the Spanish supplements with Llamitas in a week? Right now, we are working through the first book's second unit - farm. We do a lesson then the next day is my resource day I include flashcards of vocabulary we are learning and alphabet books for the unit, and listen to songs. I would love to start incorporating the worksheets you linked above but don't want to overwhelm my learner.

[@SevenInAll]

We took a break from LLamitas in between Level 1 and Level 2 to just focus on learning to read this year--that's where those worksheets come in. My son was pretty young when he finished Level 1 so I knew he would need some time to really be ready for Level 2. So this year the Spanish routine for him has been 1) doing a TPT bisílabas worksheet and then 2) reading in Spanish for 5-10 minutes then 3) practicing a Spanish song. We're getting close to being ready to start Llamitas Level 2, my plan for that is to do 2 lessons a week, and on the days we don't have a lesson, we'll do vocabulary flashcards, the little reader books, spanish spelling words (copying and practicing the words), and song practice with the song from the unit.

[@ezekielfenjavandehei3189]

You might like Lucy Fitch Perkins Twins series free on Google books or the world studies from Hubbard's Cupboard also free online

[@JentheBeliever]

This looks really interesting. How do you access it for free?

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@faithfullyinfertile]

I really enjoyed this video. I was considering Beautiful Feet for my boys for history/geography. I really want those subjects to be very informal and heavy on literature. They love good stories. I don’t want to pay big money either but I also don’t want to spend a lot of time trying to find/buy books.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm going to be looking closer at Gentle + Classical's On Mission for future world geography... because of my realization of wanting that non-fiction text with a few stories to go with it. I have 3 issues already, but I haven't read them very thoroughly yet.

[@lisaroper421]

We loved the BFB for Early American History. I have added to it, but I feel like what it comes with is pretty complete on its own. We have done the Tuttle Twins history books with it too, and also some from the library. But I don't think you need to add those. Edit to add: it might be easier with a smaller amount of info to cover than the whole world! 😅

[@even.wildflowers.grow.]

Can you do a review flip through of the bju reading curriculum please?

[@SevenInAll]

I do not own their reading curriculum, maybe try The Practical Homeschooler channel on KZbin, Lauren? She uses BJU LA, I'm not sure what levels she has used.

[@CalmintheChaosHomeschool]

You might like Guest Hollows Geography for your next go around :)

[@SevenInAll]

I will have to look into that one! I know you have videos, right?

[@CalmintheChaosHomeschool]

@@SevenInAll I have video for the high school version, but I’m running more of the Junior one for your kids :) But eventually for high school… Guest Hollow is very very full :)

[@Thehomebasedlife]

My biggest hits have been MWC and The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching reading. I’ve also loved Gentle & Classical Primer. My biggest fail has been using the music and art portions of G&C Primer.

[@SevenInAll]

What do you think has made it difficult to use the music and art portions of Primer? I didn't print the musical instruments 3-part cards until we were about 3/4 done with Primer the first time I used it, with my oldest. About that far in, I realized, hey, I think he'd be mastering these instrument names much better if I actually printed and used these cards. So I did, and just getting them out once or twice a week to do matching has made a big difference. They also really enjoy videos of people playing the specific instrument we're leaning about. For art, we do really simple descriptions--colors, what they see in the painting, do they like it, why? And I have them shout the name of the artist with great enthusiasm! (haha--with little high energy boys...shouting plays a role in our schoolwork).

[@Thehomebasedlife]

@@SevenInAll honestly, it’s me.. I’m just having a hard time getting through everything. I feel like I’m being pulled in a lot of different directions. I’m a work from home mom of three girls. Their ages are 5, 3 and 3 months old. I end up stopping school to tend to the baby, take a work phone call/host a training, or I need to cook/do housework. Art and music have been put on the back burner because I usually start school with our core subjects. I’d love to see how you are juggling everything and getting it all done.

[@SevenInAll]

@@Thehomebasedlife I have a video from earlier this year on strategies I use to tackle my daily workload: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haK8aaVues-eeposi=LxDR0-p9n18WuzKE I do have a different workload though--we all have slightly different circumstances to fit our own lives. I'm not employed, because I run my own business I can shift my work hours to when it's convenient for me, which I'm guessing you can't be as flexible with a work-from-home job. In this season of life, I'm able to plan my "work hours" for when kids are sleeping or otherwise occupied, and during our planned school time I focus on just school + baby, not trying to do housework or any business work during the planned time slot for school.

[@Thehomebasedlife]

@@SevenInAll I run my own business as well. I probably just need to establish firmer boundaries and stick to a set routine. I’ll watch that video again and see what tips I can take from it. I love your channel btw! It’s been a great help.

[@JentheBeliever]

I also want to say thank you for this because I have always been tempted by Around the World and would have found the same frustration. Did you actually like Part 1 more? Or find the same issue with it?

[@SevenInAll]

I have a review of Part 1 from the fall, and yes, pretty similar in how it felt to use, although I don't think I had quite put my finger on it yet that having some kind of non-fiction spine with interesting info about the countries would have been helpful.

[@daniellecarlisle7194]

We also did Around the World in picture books and I had the same conclusions. I liked it but it wasn’t a comprehensive enough look at the countries. Do you find that On Mission from G+C fits more of the whole picture you are looking for? I’m debating incorporating some of them next year.

[@SevenInAll]

On Mission is what I'm looking at using next, and I think may be a better fit for us. I haven't actually started yet, but I bought three issues of the magazine, and looking at them, I'm thinking that they can work for the non fiction element and then adding a couple picture book stories might be really nice and leave us feeling like we actually learned about the country. I can do a flip through of those sometime and talk about plans.

[@daniellecarlisle7194]

@@SevenInAll A flip through of that would be great. I’m still on the fence for it next year. My kids are the about the same age as yours (6 & newly 4) and I’ve found that we often have similar thoughts on curriculum so I’d love to hear your perspective.