Philosophy / Directional reading

 

I saw the Angel in the Marble by Chris Davies

 

Wisdom’s Way of Learning – a series of books by Marilyn Howshall

There is much on her website to glean from as well http://www.lifestyleoflearning.org

 

Heart of Wisdom http://www.heartofwisdom.com

I love their teaching methods.  I have learnt a lot from these people.  I have been challenged by HOW to see the Bible as a major part of our academic studies (this is additional to seeing our time with God as relational)

 

Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Sally Clarkson

 

 

~oo0oo~

 

 

Barb Smith   http://www.homeschooloasis.com/article_chart.htm

Barb Smith was one of the authors I read online from the very beginning.  She has changed in her journey too.  She has some encouraging things in regards to highschool age students.

 

Charlotte Mason  http://homemade.truepath.com/school.htm

Charlotte Mason is an educator from the 1800’s and though I don’t personally follow her method she has influenced my understanding of education and books in particular.

 

The book most appreciated along the lines of Charlotte Mason is Cindy Rushton’s A Charlotte Mason Primer.    It is easy to read, and most importantly to me, realistic.  I could see myself achieving things.

 

 

For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer McCauley

Honey for a Child’s Heart.  Gladys Hunt

 

 

Ruth Beechick –

A Home start in Reading            )

A Strong start in Language         > 

An Easy start in Arithmetic        )

A set of books, great if starting with young children 

 

Dr.Beechick’s Homeschool Answer Book  by Ruth Beechick – a book in question and Answer form – very easy to read.  Answers a lot of questions

 

The Language Wars and other Writings for Homeschoolers by Ruth Beechick.  One of the 3 major influences on how we approach writing.

 

 

Resources / Curriculum / Subject Matter

 

Writing:  the influences on our approach to writing

• The Language Wars by Ruth Beechick
• Heart of Wisdom Teaching Method by Robin Sampson
• Notebooking by Cindy Rushton
• Writers Inc handbooks   (my best resource for writing) http://www.thewritesource.com/INC.html    My children have loved these writing manuals.  I am using them to correct grammar in natural writing situations (as per HOW method)

Reading:  (various options and choices we have made)

Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt  http://www.valeriebendt.com/reading_made_easy.asp

 

LEM Phonics – http://www.lem.org.au

Australian written phonics programme with Austrlian support.  I don't use this programme any more but it taught me alot!

 

Jolly Phonics

 

 

Math:  Math-U-See   http://www.mathusee.com 

 

 

Lifeskills:

What Every Child Should know along the Way by Gail Martin

Available through http://www.gfi.org.au 

I have used this book particularly for chore expectations and manners though it covers a lot more areas such as Devotional living, family identity, gifts and talents, biblical character traits, and personal safety.

 

Plants Grown Up  and Polished Cornerstones both by Pam Forster from Doorposts.  http://www.doorposts.net/

These two books (one for boys and one for girls) I use as a guide for various aspects of moral, character, and spiritual maturity.  I don’t follow them like a curriculum but find relevant areas to work on with my children.

 

Character First   http://www.characterfirst.com.au

We use a range of materials from CF – the school programme, the family book (Achieving True Success) and the book for Christians (Power for True Success)

 

Bible:

Heart of Wisdom

 

General Knowledge:

Diana Waring’s History “What in the World is going on here!”  We use this as the basis for our reading lists for History.  We use some of the assignments in the curriculum but not the whole thing.

 

Heart of Wisdom History / Science Units

 

Apolgia  http://www.highschoolscience.com/  (Highschool science)

http://jeanniefulbright.com/ (Primary school science)

 

Topscience http://www.topscience.org

Hands on science and math

 

Five in a Row – a Literature based Unit study approach.  We love this!  We work on this f rom 5yo to 10ish (depending on the child’s reading and research skills)

http://www.fiveinarow.com  This website has a tremendous support base as well.

 

Before Five in a Row – preschool thoughts and helps

 

Making the most of preschool years by Valerie Bendt  http://www.valeriebendt.com/preschool_years.asp

 

All of these resources are now available from various Australian homeschooler suppliers.