Are YOU Using Workbooks WRONG? | Tips for Using Workbooks Well & Best Workbooks for Homeschool

[@SevenInAll]

Let's make this comment section a very helpful resource for homeschool parents! What workbook series or brands have YOU found to be well-designed, engaging, and positive additions to your homeschool routine? I mentioned a few series that I trust in this video, leave some more in the comments!

[@SummerMeyers]

The Kumon cutting sheets are fantastic!! 😍😍 My preschoolers love cutting. So good for building those hand muscles. ❤️

[@SevenInAll]

My little guy is loving using scissors these days! Sometimes I just give him scrap paper to cut up into a million pieces, but these books are great for practicing cutting on a line.

[@moniquefuselier7711]

I loved the preschool series from Rod and Staff--probably the ONLY curriculum I used with all three of my daughters!

[@SevenInAll]

That definitely says a lot, when you choose to use the same resource with all of your kids!

[@jacobjohannes7123]

For my older elementary/jr high boys, I really like Carson Dellosa to solidify math concepts.

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@JoyfulNoiseLearning]

We love Explode the Code! Used it with a couple of my kids and perfect for phonics practice and independent work.

[@SevenInAll]

That's another great series!

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

We love Evan-Moor! We’ve used several in the Skill Sharpeners series, Reading and Geography are favorites. We also are using Building Spelling Skills and are liking that. We’re almost through with the Ancient History Pocket e-book which we’ve REALLY enjoyed. ❤️

[@SevenInAll]

I've heard really good things about their Geography Skill Sharpeners, as well as the History Pockets series!

[@CharlotteMasonTT]

Girl we agree on so many things!

[@SevenInAll]

Glad that this resonates!

[@happynewmom]

We used wordly wise for a while, but I’ve switched to vocabulary from classical roots and absolutely love it! It’s a highlight of our school week. My least favorite vocabulary workbook was 240 vocabulary words kids need to know, published by scholastic.

[@SevenInAll]

I'm so glad you mentioned Vocabulary from Classical Roots--I think those are SO well done, and we have used several levels. I'm actually featuring them in an upcoming video where I'll be talking about Latin for homeschoolers. :)

[@JoyfulNoiseLearning]

Oh! These sound good! I will have to look these up for next year 😃

[@mama-yael]

I love those Kumon books! I haven’t gotten them yet, but they’re definitely on my list. This was so helpful, Rachel 😊.

[@SevenInAll]

Those are awesome for toddlers! Both of my little guys have loved them!

[@pixelated23-b9z]

Evan moor is my go to for supplementing and even core. My first grader uses comprehension, language fundamentals and building spelling skill, and basic phonics level D for review. I also love critical thinking company’s mathematical reasoning, mind benders and building thinking skills.

[@SevenInAll]

I know that Evan Moor is a go-to resource for many homeschooling families! Easy to add on in any subject needed.

[@sarahmora5207]

I've always wanted to get Kumon books for my girls. And those animal books look great!

[@SevenInAll]

The Kumon series is so fun--the small pages are perfect for a short activity for a short attention span, haha!

[@elizabethlotus4214]

Those Kumon books are so cute!

[@SevenInAll]

They are! And pretty widely available in Asia online, you'll have to get some for baby boy in another 1.5 years. lol

[@MyHomeYourHomeOurHome]

I had to laugh when you mentioned "some calm time in our day" because I can exactly picture what it's like to run around after two little boys and then get a few moments of quiet together time. ;D And I love your thoughts on this topic. It's unfortunate that workbooks get such a bad rap sometimes within the homeschool community, because some families miss out on a great tool.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, they can be an excellent--when used in the right way! And yes, our days are filled with LOTS of movement...it's great to have small activities that bring them to the table for a bit of calm and quiet and focus. :)

[@robbiegleason4462]

Critical Thinking Company has amazing workbooks. Mathematical Reasoning, Building Thinking Skills, and any of the logic tools are fantastic resources. I'm using the pre-algebra as a full curriculum, it's that good!

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks for the recommendation! Logic and thinking skills are a great area to work on with workbooks, that's for sure!

[@colorswordsandlearning]

Love Usborne workbooks.And some cheap ones from our bookstore. And have been eyeing critical thinking company ones. We don't do the pages in order or all the sums on a page.. And my boys love it.

[@JoyfulNoiseLearning]

Again, GREAT topic, Rachel! Love your videos and take on these things.

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks so much, Ashley!

[@TheLifeofValerieAllison]

Newish follower here. We love kumon workbooks. Using them for the second time. I have the Evan moor geography and love that and plan to buy some more of their products for my oldests 2nd grade school year. Thanks for another great video.

[@SevenInAll]

I think the Geography books from Evan Moor are especially well-loved! And my second son is enjoying having his own "schoolwork" with the little Kumon books.

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

We love workbooks where needed!!! We have a time limit for workbooks as we don’t want our workaholic kids to go overboard with workbooks but if they do a bit more we don’t mind!!!

[@SevenInAll]

They can be very effective tools!

[@kawaiikawaiianimegirl4144]

We do a lot of different styles of homeschool most of my son's curriculum is printout or notebook based but he goes to the doctor's at least once a week sometimes more so sometimes we breakout a Brain quest workbook or the quiz cards just to have a more mobile learning option since he doesn't like using his tablet for school in the car. Since brain quest has all subjects in one book it kind of works for us I just go through it first and mark the pages that match what we're working on with our normal curriculum and let him get some practice in the waiting room or on the drive over. It's never a perfect match but I'd rather he sees the same things done differently anyway so he doesn't get stuck thinking there is only one way to do things anyway

[@SevenInAll]

A workbook is a very handy option for taking homeschool on the go! And I think you're very right, having the info presented in a different way or having a slightly different kind of assignment to complete is very beneficial!

[@SummerMeyers]

Ouuu the Montessori books look so good!

[@SevenInAll]

They are very well done! If you liked something enough to re-buy it for another kid, that always says something.

[@lifewithginab]

Kumon books were great ... I have some of them and we like them!

[@SevenInAll]

I especially love their 2 year old series for the little ones!

[@lifewithginab]

Great video Rachel! Great tips and super helpful!

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks so much, Gina!

[@amandab.6815]

Yup yup yup. Workbooks are wonderful for additional practice or review of previously learned concepts. I think the major pitfall people fall into is that they expect the workbook to teach the concepts to their child. And most workbooks and have very little to no actual instruction.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes! We typically cannot expect workbooks to actually teach on their own--even those that include instruction...it's not usually 'enough' for a child to understand and apply independently, unless you're working with an older child.

[@GoodBehaviorBeginnings]

Everything I’ve found from the critical thinking company has been great for us for upper elementary age.

[@SevenInAll]

That's good to know, thanks!