HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM HITS & MISSES // What Curriculum We Loved and What We Didn't 2022-2023

[@OneBlessedMess]

Good morning, Mamas! ☕️ I hope you enjoy today's video! ❤

[@angelinacarraway3576]

Can u do a video on Planner recommendations for parent and student

[@OneBlessedMess]

Absolutely!! ❤️

[@derrekcrofford1196]

I love how warm and cozy your videos are! Your a beautiful person babe!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Aww I love you! ❤️

[@roseylove1543]

We also LOVE The Good and the Beautiful language arts. We are fairly new to homeschooling and are starting on Level 1 of TGTB LA. We have loved Level K but like you, I wanted a more robust writing curriculum to support more of what TGTB was teaching. We decided to go with Essentials in Writing. I haven’t looked into IEW yet but I hav shears good things about it.

[@marybethfiengo3196]

Thank you for this! I was sooo close to enrolling kids in public school today. I needed this encouragement. 💕💕

[@OneBlessedMess]

Big hugs, Mama! You've got this! ♥️♥️

[@nygal80]

Ugh, we HATE Saxon for Algebra! I didn’t like the look of it, but our co-op was using it, so we went with it and my son and I both hated it! It’s wordy and a lot of the problems are unnecessarily difficult! We’ve been so much happier with Math-U-See. We love God’s Design for Science, but have yet to finish a book! We are going to try TGATB units next year! Did you use those previously? Are your kids interested in playing an instrument? We use Simply Piano and Guitar on the iPad and just started music lessons in-person. We also listen to symphony pieces on You Tube and have flipped through books like Meet the Orchestra. I think that’s enough for music right now ;-)

[@OneBlessedMess]

I feel like it's an either you hate Saxon or love it situation for sure!! We are actually going to be revisiting TGTB science units this year! 🙌 And that sounds good enough for music to me!! 😂🙈

[@jalisamoore8633]

Hi Christy! You have some great solid picks! We use iew and Saxon math and they are SO SO SO solid. For science we are trying out Science Shepherd this year and this will be our first year using Notgrass-Our Star Spangled Story for my 4th grader. That I Am book looks so good! I’m going to order it! Is this the only family devotional you did for the school year or did you finish and move onto something else? I’m looking to step up my devotional time with my kids. I’m looking for rich materials to use that don’t take a lot of time. Something that creates good habits. Like devotions in the morning, scripture memory during lunch, mini Bible studies on different topics, prayer and application/discussion in the evenings. All of it. If you know any great resources please let me know! I tend to think of Bible the same way as I do for Language arts in that language arts has many components like reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, handwriting, grammar. Love watching your videos!!!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Have you heard of Not Consumed?? I feel like that would be right up your alley! Check out their Bible studies/devotions!

[@MyCathedralGarden]

we LOVE Redefining School! Seriously my favorite part of our homeschool!

[@OneBlessedMess]

It is SO good!!!

[@crystinanna7829]

I usually just skim curriculum type videos but the Lord must've wanted me to get to the end. I had a very hard year too in similar ways. you weren't vague. and you are right; the Lord WILL get us through it- we just have to keep drawing near to Him and clinging to faith.

[@OneBlessedMess]

Thank you so much for being here, friend! ♥️

[@PursuingPeace]

Wow Christie! I can't believe it's already been 4 years for y'all!!! How exciting! What a testimony of God's good work through you! ❤️

[@OneBlessedMess]

My beautiful friend, thank you so very much!!! Miss you tons! 🥰

[@FamilyValuesTV]

TGTB are coming out with 7th and 8th grade math. They said it should drop January 2024. 👌🏽

[@sarahgamlieli1236]

We have been hitting the same rut with music! I purchased Still Singing from Not Consumed for this year. It has videos that teach music theory, hymns, Bible, history and instructions on learning the tin whistle. I highly recommend it!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Ooh I LOVE Not Consumed! Thank you so much for the rec!

[@AtHomeWithJill]

We’ll be using structure and style A 1 this year with fix-it-grammar 😊

[@AtHomeWithJill]

And phonetic zoo 👍🏼

[@OneBlessedMess]

Yay!!!! You'll have to keep me updated on how you like it!

[@lisaowens1684]

Would love to see a day with no school what a day for y’all’s summer looks like

[@OneBlessedMess]

Absolutely! 🥰

[@Stephanie_W09]

I truly appreciate your video. You really encouraged me to keep going. It was a hard year for us and kinda felt like a failure but after listening to you and your recommendations I feel rejuvenated and very much looking forward to planning our next school year. Thank you so much! ❤

[@OneBlessedMess]

Aww that blesses me so much!!! We are truly all in this together!! ❤️

[@jennajadeg7010]

Thank you for being here. I appreciate you sharing your journey too. We have really enjoyed TGTB Lang Arts, switched to Saxon Math (MyMathAssistant), and went with Notgrass (just finished Our 50 States), this coming year I am adding EIW instead of IEW just to see how my son does. I hope you all are having a wonderful summer break!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Those are some amazing choices, friend!!! Thank you for being here! 💕

[@leahshingleton8428]

This is off topic 😅 but what color are your walls?! I love it! And thank you for your content, it has been so helpful to me!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay! It is such a calm, soothing color 😊 Thank you so much for being here!

[@christinej2828]

These type of videos are my favorites. I am about to start my 16th year of homeschooling. I have always heard great things about IEW, but was hesitant due to price. I think I will jump in and try it, this next school year.

[@OneBlessedMess]

Wow, 16 years!!! Congratulations, Mama! ♥️

[@katehowereads]

It's lovely to have you back! I'm glad to hear from someone that uses The Good and the Beautiful and IEW Structure and Style. I'm planning on doing Fix It Grammar with my 3rd Grader this year and then starting Structure and Style in the next year. That's good to know that their grammar is really rigorous so we might skip the grammar portions of The Good and the Beautiful. It was great to hear how your school year went!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Their grammar is fantastic!! Great choice!

[@angiejames6946]

IEW was the very best addition to our homeschool this year! I decided to drop TGTB but added Easy Grammar (instead of Fix-it) and novel studies :) Are you doing IB next year or trying a themed study? I can't decide!

[@thelittlesimplethings7842]

I always love watching your videos. So encouraging. Thank you!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Thank you so much for being here!!

[@Goodtimes523]

Thank you for sharing! I’ll be switching to IEW for my older son for the next school year. He will be going into the 5th grade. He is a reluctant writer. I am hoping and praying the structure of the course and the videos will help to develop the skills he needs. We also,will be using fix it grammar. And doing novel studies. I am so happy to hear that it worked well in your homeschool.

[@OneBlessedMess]

I pray that it works well for your son! It truly is a fantastic program! 💕

[@kimberlymerriam]

About teaching music and piano.. have you heard of Hoffman Academy? It's an online piano curriculum, BUT he has like 300 free lessons on the website. There's games, sheet music, all kinds of stuff. I'm not good at teaching music to my kids either. I never learned how to read sheet music or how to play an instrument. I heard about Hoffman Academy from another KZbin mom and am going to implement it this fall with my 3rd grader.

[@OneBlessedMess]

We have used Hoffman Academy before, and I'm terrible at sticking with it! 😂 Maybe it's because I'm not musical either?! 😩

[@kristinspirek7616]

I appreciate your appraisal of the various books and your honesty in general. I think I originally found your channel searching for recent Saxon Math reviews. I have liked using it a lot, too! I might give the Math Lady a try.

[@OneBlessedMess]

Thank you so much for being here! So glad Saxon has been a hit for you, too!

[@blessedhomeschoolmess]

Good to see you on KZbin! Also would love your TPT link for the cool music one you did that y’all enjoyed!

[@OneBlessedMess]

I added the TpT link to the description box!! 😊❤️

[@lifewithginab]

I definitely see me using IEW in the future! We loved I AM devotional ❤

[@OneBlessedMess]

It is such a great devotional! And yes, friend! IEW is fantastic! 💕

[@laurapinkham3488]

Glad to see you. Thanks for the encouragement!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Thank you for being here! 💕💕

[@Panda-nc9mo]

Thank you so much for this video.. the message at the end is just want I needed to hear! Thank you for being you 🙏🏼💖

[@OneBlessedMess]

I am so glad!!! Big hugs!! ❤️❤️

[@elyzaiusan5077]

Love this video! TGTB is coming out with Math Level 7 next year.

[@OneBlessedMess]

Oh that is great!! 💕

[@lisaowens1684]

I’m new to your channel love it beautiful family your very inspiring

[@OneBlessedMess]

Thank you so much for being here!! ❤️

[@hstewart3612]

Hi! Just stumbled across your channel today and found we have a lot in common when it comes to homeschooling 😊 Just wanted to give you a heads up on a few things…From Adam to us is a middle school level history course! And TGATB is releasing level 7 math in early 2024. I also switched my kids to Saxon for middle school for some of the same reasons. And we also use IEW for middle school but drop TGATB LA when we do. It’s too much IMO. Though you do have to add literature if you’re dropping TGATB. We are going to do redefining school this coming year as well!

[@OneBlessedMess]

Oh man, that's good to know! I saw on their website it was grades 5-8 so I thought my 3rd grader would be able to somewhat follow along, but it definitely tips toward the older end of that age range!

[@OneBlessedMess]

What levels of IEW do you use for middle school?? I may end up dropping TGTB altogether if it gets to be too much!

[@hstewart3612]

@@OneBlessedMess we started 6th grade with level 1b and it worked out great!

[@ReiverGrad14]

I wish IEWs writing curriculum was simple like the grammar. My ADHD child will not touch it. It's too overwhelming. But he loves the grammar.

[@OneBlessedMess]

It can definitely be overwhelming at first!! Once the steps are broken down into bite size pieces, it gets easier and easier to build off of them!

[@melodyandhermunchkins6548]

Thank you so much Christie for this video! It was such a encouragement and a blessing to me.

[@OneBlessedMess]

I am so happy to hear!! 💕

[@veronicamaynard5821]

Had a question for the saxon math, did you by chance use the membership that does the grading for you? my husband and I are seriosuly considering homeschooling our kids (we live in Texas). And wanted to know if the grading one was worth it.

[@OneBlessedMess]

We only have the basic membership but I feel like that feature may be worth its weight in gold! 🙈

[@brookeslooks2440]

What age s that I AM book for? I have a 4 year old and a 10 year old…

[@OneBlessedMess]

I feel like both would benefit from the stories! They're quick and written for children, so they're very engaging 😊

[@jessicajarquin8093]

Does Nicole the math lady go over the mental math portion of saxon? I'm wanting to use an online option for the upcoming year with saxon but I want something that also goes over the mental part (i don't like skipping anything 😮‍💨)

[@OneBlessedMess]

She doesn't! Just the lesson and practice problems 😊

[@jessicajarquin8093]

@@OneBlessedMess thank you!

[@rachelthomas3947]

thank you for this video!! I’ve been looking at IEW for my upcoming 6th grader. Do you think IEW, Fix it Grammar, and a spelling curriculum would be sufficient as his complete language arts subject ?

[@OneBlessedMess]

That would absolutely be enough for language arts! The Structure and Style would cover writing, Fix-It is the grammar, and all you'd really need is spelling! 😊

[@MindBodySoulWellnessMrsWish]

I have a question.. my daughter loved TGTB prek and we are doing kindergarten prep and she loves it.... she's only 3 .5 but still wants to Continue... is it ok to start kindergarten?? I'm a new mama to homeschooling but if she's showing interest I don't want to not teach her but what does they mean for documenting for state... do I keep going and tested her out later ??? Help

[@OneBlessedMess]

I think this would probably depend on your state requirements, so I can't say for sure - but the beauty of homeschooling is going at your child's pace! 😊 If she's showing an eagerness to learn then I'd just continue, Mama!