What are we doing for homeschool?

• I have an old friend who started asking me some questions lately about how I do things. I've been so grateful! It reminded me why I started this blog in the first place. Perhaps people have questions about what I do and want to know more... So, I'm grateful to my friend for getting me writing them down for some type of public (or at least for me to refer back to when others ask). 

  
  

  Question #1 - What homeschool curriculum do you use?

  
  

    I think the best book I have read which really helped me lay a foundation was A Thomas Jefferson Education: A Home Companion. They help you really identify what your motives are and desires for schooling. Once you do that, choosing a curriculum seems easier because you have something to bounce it against. I just started another great book available from Deseret Book called: "Increase in Learning" by David A. Bednar. It's helped me find a greater purpose in teaching my children, and that teaching them HOW is just as important (or more so) than WHAT. Neither books are light reads - they really make you think! I'm grateful now though that I took the time to go through them and solidify WHY I'm doing this and what God wants for family (as a unit) and my children (individually). Just know that none of your learning about different curriculums will go to waist. Your daughters may each need something different, so the more you learn, the better prepared you'll be to provide that for them. I try to focus on the foundational homeschool ideals separate from the current needs of each child and it seems a little easier to digest.

  
    For preschool this year we are using some ideas from www.confessionsofaslackermom.com AND www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com They're both free (or free in parts) and have plenty of what you need. I think the best thing for us has just been giving our kids opportunities to explore and ask questions and do random science projects when they're curious. Library story time is great, and so is having a regular time to read to your kids everyday. It goes far! I try to just pick some books at the library every time we go of things they've showed an interest in. Then, I let them choose some of their own (they're surprisingly good pickers!!) You're probably already doing all (or at least some) of these things anyway - you're so thoughtful in your mothering!!
  Next year, when we start kindergarten, we are going to use this program http://latterdaylearning.org/the-family-school-lds-homeschool-curriculum/ - I love it because
  1. It teaches "whole truth".
  2. I love that it causes children to ACT on what they're learning.
  3. It teaches them how to reason and relate for themselves (to discover truth on a personal level).
  4. I can teach one lesson to all of my children, instead of having to battle multiple curriculum for different grade leaves.
  
   I'm still in the process of choosing a math and language curriculum, but for this K4 (early kindergarten) year for Cadence, I think I'll do the book "Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons".