Mid-Year Homeschool Curriculum Update!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

There was a comment asking about any potential concerns regarding agendas with Night Zookeeper. I had replied to the comment and night zookeeper reached out and replied as well. Unfortunately when I tried to reply to the comment with NZK statement, I hit “remove” rather than “reply” and the whole comment was deleted. From Night Zookeeper: Night Zookeeper focuses on educational content related to creativity, storytelling, and language development. The program does not delve into religious or non-religious topics to accommodate diverse perspectives, meaning all children can safely use the program regardless of religious beliefs. The aim of Night Zookeeper is to provide a positive and enriching learning experience for all children, allowing them to explore their creativity and imagination.

[@marybethfiengo3196]

Thank you for being so honest! 💕

[@toriwill5967]

For writing-I’ve had the same struggle with my boys. HOWEVER, I took my friend’s advice and started letting them use talk to text on the iPad. Then, we edit together. Then they have to copy what they wrote! It takes some stress off them by not having to think about spelling and grammar while they creative write. And it’s amazing how it’s help. Eventually the spelling and grammar gets better with time. But when you give them that ability to explore writing with that talk to text-their creativity starts to come alive. Also, Imitation in Writing is another great curriculum for writing. You just take your time doing it. Let them do what they can handle for that day. Then they get more comfortable and will do more each day. 😉 Writing is HARD for kids because they not only have to come up with content, but also spell, use correct grammar, and write when their little hands are so tired. So this method has REALLY helped us!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TheNormajean]

Himeschooled 3 all the way through... they are all adults that are doing well and we did what you are doing. You are doing great... don't feel guilty or compare.

[@Krystal_Kitty7]

I'm going to look into Night Zookeeper my 3rd grader does not like writing, at all !

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Hope they enjoy it! 😊

[@meganmartina8974]

We signed up for Night Zookeeper after learning about it on your channel. Both of my kiddos really enjoy it. My son is a very reluctant writer and he asks to do Night Zookeeper for fun! It’s been such a wonderful addition to our homeschool.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Nice! I’m happy to hear that 🥰

[@dawnhankins6139]

My kids really loved the paleontology unit. It was very eye opening for some of the activities.

[@BaudelaireOrphan1]

So many great suggestions. Thank you so much. And I also love the realness because homeschool is never the way we expect it. Sometimes we fall behind. Sometimes we are ahead and this year I am behind but also because I’ve taken a more relaxed approach, which is not always bad. It’s good to enjoy life.

[@RealElenaDiaz]

God sent me this because I was feeling bad because we have barely been able to do much. I have a 5 month old, a 1st grader and kindergarten. It’s been a bit hard with the baby.. This video gave me some peace. Thank you.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I’m sorry you’re going through a hard time 😔 I get it! But I’m so happy the video was encouraging ❤️❤️

[@mamabear5cubs109]

I have 5 kids but #3 & #4 were born in the same year (not twins) while I homeschooled a 5 & 7yr old. You do your best, it will pass. Hang in there!! I used Easy Peasy so it was possible since those grades are such short school days but even then it was hard. It will get better, don’t give up!!

[@RealElenaDiaz]

@@mamabear5cubs109thank you!! ❤

[@pinkcinderella07]

We’re also doing the Early Elementary American History from BFB for a 4th and 6th grader and I agree!!! We are loving it and having some great discussions!

[@pajamamama5965]

You're doing great! I appreciate this update. I live in PA and we must have a certified teacher evaluate our portfolio every year so that we can pass our child to the next grade. My seventh grader is OK in math and I wanted to switch her to teaching textbooks. My evaluator was both a Public school teacher and a home school mom for a combined 25 years, so she has a lot of knowledge. She evaluates for a massive school district of 10,000 students. She told me that usually by middle school parents and teachers as well as students will know whether a student is going to have a career in mathematics or the sciences. She said it's important to find a math that works for your child and worrying about grade level is not important for a non mathematician. That said, she told me teaching textbooks is fine for an average math student. She said it's not rigorous enough for a mathematician though. If there's any chance that your child will have a career in maths and sciences, teaching textbooks will not prepare them adequately. I hope that helps

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

For that I think it depends. I’m not sure I agree that in middle school most kids know what field they do/don’t want to go into. I never thought I’d go into a science field, but I ended up switching majors my sophomore year of college. I did a VERY science heavy major with a biology minor and only ever needed one math class in college (basic algebra). So I’m not sure I’d lump the two together. I’d say whatever works best for that kid is what should be used 😊

[@pajamamama5965]

@@thepracticalhomeschooler Interesting. thanks for sharing that.. Yeah maybe best not to lump the 2 together. I think her main point was that we would all be aware if my seventh grader was a budding mathematician. For instance my eighth-grader has a friend whose nickname is Mathy heart. She does mathematics competitions on the weekends for fun. Her grade level is boring for her.

[@GardenMinistry.]

@@pajamamama5965 I hope you don't mind me sharing also that I choose a very Science heavy degree (Medical Laboratory Technology), and I had barely passed math in highschool, I am not math minded at all. But once I reached college, with extra help, I was able to pass the 3 math courses I needed for my degree. Now I'm homeschooling my daughter who I know for a fact is math minded, and I'm choosing Teaching Textbooks for 2 reasons: It's a subject I know I can't teach so I have to outsource it, and I know graduates who used it and still had careers that used math. I think it all depends.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

@@pajamamama5965 yes that totally makes sense!!

[@GardenMinistry.]

Hi Lauren! I'd love to learn more about BJU English. We've been using Abeka now for 4 years and I'm hesitant to deviate from this curriculum because I know how thorough it is and it's so familiar to us. However BJU has peaked my interest because of it's writing portion. No pressure but can you talk more about the things you prefer about BJU? How long does a lesson take? Maybe even take us through a general "do a lesson with us" to see how it works? This would help out so much! 😊 Thank you!!

[@jessicajones611]

I’d love to know this too. BJU has struck my interest too.

[@lifewithginab]

I feel like im a bit " behind" (going slower then usual) for science and history too. Enjoyed hearing about how it's been going so far. I love homeschool bravely. I feel like it hits different every time i read it :)

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I can’t imagine why, Gina! Totally kidding! You’ve had a FULL year already! And your kids are getting a much more practical and broader life experience right now that they’ll remember much longer than a text book. You’re doing great ❤️❤️

[@kadieschaefer2874]

Essentials in Writing was a game changer for our boys who don't love writing! Short bite size chunks each day are taught by Mr. Stephens in very short (3 minute) videos!

[@karenu.7500]

I have a reluctant writer too. She’s now in 4th grade and we’re trying Write by Number and it’s a total came changer. It teaches writing in the most simplest of ways and we have been enjoying it. Something to look into 😊

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Thank you 😊

[@rusticheritagecrochet]

Love this! ❤ What you shared about addressing the heart and relationships is the stuff you're going to look on later and be so thankful for that rich season of learning the most important things in life. ❤ In regard to your writing situation, I'd highly recommend Fix-It Grammar with IEW Structure and Style, and have your older girls do it together. Really helps so much for reluctant writers.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes planning that for next year!

[@rusticheritagecrochet]

​@@thepracticalhomeschooler❤

[@nicolemcgriff8597]

I’ve been putting off the Maturation unit for the same reasons too 😅

[@CalmintheChaosHomeschool]

Loved the update! We do Beautiful Feet Books in such a similar way :) Homeschool Bravely is my favorite homeschooling book ❤

[@srb218]

I have a 5th grader who is also a very reluctant writer. We keep switching curriculum to see if we can find something that works better for her. But I'm beginning to think the curriculum isn't the issue, it's just a subject she may always struggle with and all we can do is keep trying.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

It could be a bit of both. But yes acknowledging it may not ever be a favorite subject helps put things in perspective

[@pajamamama5965]

Exactly. same here. My daughters are in the performing arts and they already feel that they do enough writing just to complete their required courses. I haven't found any curriculum yet. The best I've been able to do is to have one of my daughters do creative story writing and my other 1 writes letters to pen pals.

[@cheriselueck2194]

Thank you Lauren for such an encouraging video ❤ Which chapter books/read-alouds are you all currently enjoying? Thx!

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

I’m happy to hear you felt encouraged 😌 We’ve done chocolate fever, the chocolate touch, the Shakespeare stealer, and currently halfway through escape from Mr lemoncello’s library. Thanks for asking because I totally forgot to mention those!

[@williams5595]

Have you looked into Writing and Rhetoric by Classical Academic Press? It's been an amazing fit for my reluctant writers. I no longer dread telling my kids is time to write. 😅

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Is it you doing all of the instruction or do they have video instruction?

[@williams5595]

You have to do the instruction. But, it's done in a very relaxed way. If you have independent kids, then parts of it would work out fine to do on their own, like the copywork, the grammar parts, and activities like rewriting sentences. Even with my extremely distracted kids who need lots of handholding, and take way longer on the lessons than necessary, it still doesn't feel overwhelming. I have my 4th and 6th graders in the same level, (in book 2 now) which is very helpful. I love that it uses fables, parables, myths, folktales, etc. to teach writing, and has great discussion questions. I don't see Writing and Rhetoric mentioned much, but since it's working so well for my kids, I just like to share it as an option.

[@RaisingThreeMarigolds]

We also love Writing and Rhetoric! My fourth grader is also a reluctant writer and it has been a complete godsend for us this year.

[@marsdeboer]

Homeschool Bravely is my favorite homeschooling book ❤

[@abeautifulmess13]

My 5th grader is also a very reluctant writer…heck actually anything language arts related he despises🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve tried so many things (TGATB, IEW SS, fix it grammar, BJU English, master books LAFLE,) and nothing has worked 😢 we have continued using Night Zoo-keeper daily why I regrouped so we are starting Write Shop Junior level E next week and he will keep doing masterbooks language for a living education since he hates that least 🤦🏻‍♀️ We are on year 2 of Night Zoo-keeper and he still enjoys it a lot…so we won’t be giving that up

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Sorry you’re having such a tough time finding something. So happy NZK is working for you! And yes, sometimes you just have to go with what they resist the least to and realize they may never really love that subject.

[@mamabear5cubs109]

Check out Easy Peasy all in one homeschool. I have 5 kids and done it for 7 years. They have super fun writing my kids love…my favorites to read were “write about the time you were 6 inches tall” and “Write about the time your pet could talk and what you talked about”. I have my kids follow all the writing rules but they absolutely enjoy her writing assignments.

[@ginamcgrew9955]

Oh my goodness! I feel like you've been reading my mail😂 yes, character and heart work is just as, or more important than academics bc it won't do our kids any eternal good if they excel academically, but are spiritually bankrupt. God recently showed that same thing to me about our homeschool. Also, trying to do the maturation unit with my oldest, while finding something for my younger child to do at that time 🤔 haven't figured that out yet! Lol! You're doing such a great job, Mama! Give yourself an A+ for semester 1😄

[@brittanyedwards3293]

Which science do you prefer-TGTB or Sonlight? I’m considering Sonlight for next year, but that price tag 😅 We did Maturation for my older kid as a summer school thing…it only took 15-20 minutes a day for about 2-3 weeks.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

We like them both for different reasons but I think me and 2 of my girls will always prefer TGTB. My other daughter likes Sonlight and does Evan moor science workbooks independently too.

[@brittanyedwards3293]

Would you ever consider Sonlight history over BFB? How does the format/discussion questions compare?

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes 😊 will be sharing my thoughts in a video soon! Look out for a what curriculum I’m considering for next year video

[@Brigsgirl22]

When I click on the 15% off the knowledge crate it says that page cannot be found. Just wondered if maybe the link was bad or something? 😊

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Hmmm it might be, I’d have to check!

[@stephaniedarling3722]

I have my older son who isnt as reluctant doing IEW s&s it is intense and way too much for my reluctant 10 year old... no way he was doing IEW. He is doing EIW which is so much more gentle and a soft approach, highly recommend both programs but EIW is much gentler and shorter lessons we are just doubling up every day.

[@pajamamama5965]

We did CC in the past and used IEW. I bought the manual and watched the videos. It's a terrific program and I do think it works but my 7th and 8th grade daughters are non writers as well. Personally I think it's a tough course and not the best avenue for reluctant riders Even though it's marketed that way.

[@thepracticalhomeschooler]

Yes I’ve looked into that one too! I haven’t decided exactly yet (still in my research phase), but I hear more about IEW so figure where there is that much smoke, there has to be fire (in a good way 😄) thanks for the feedback though! I’m truly looking into all of our options!!

[@samibuck]

We take IEW very slow and it’s been working fine for my 6th grader!