And the Unit Study we chose is...

The Weaver Curriculum!!

The reasons for that are:

1) It is Bible based. I am guaranteed to get Bible done every day, since the entire day's curriculum spins off of it. The memory verses also come from the things we study there.

2) It is ACTIVITY based. With three little boys who like to GO, it is awesome for them to see "The foolish man who did not prepare to build" or "how a house foundation works best on a rock".

3) My boys retained a TON of things from this two week spread. Getting to experience the things they learned held it in their head much better than simply sitting and watching documentaries or reading books.

I am SUPER EXCITED about this next school year, although a little nervous about the price. You see, with looking into a better all-around curriculum (which is fairly inexpensive compared to others, granted) I began to also look into a better way to teach my very "Hands-on" sons the other subjects not covered by Weaver. Those are Math and Phonics.

SO, for Phonics... I have a dyslexic son, or maybe borderline dyslexic son, who has a really hard time with reading and phonics in general. Because of that, I want to be able to teach him how he learns best. I have looked much into the Orton-Gillingham system of teaching phonics, and am planning to use much of what they use. However, with an A-Beka background, I feel I can use the phonics "Special Sounds" from A Beka to teach with the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching (using blocks/ cards/ tiles to assemble words). To use it, we are going to make the A Beka Special sounds on foam "tiles" with sticker letters on them. I am also purchasing books two through four of Explode the Code, which uses the Orton Gillingham method of teaching. It was the simplest way I could come up with.... and the cheapest, since the other systems cost into the HUNDREDS of dollars for one set. I am hoping and praying that this will work for me and my boys.

For Math, We are very much looking into Math U See. Although it is expensive (because I have never bought curriculum before, only workbooks), I believe it is worth it. I always have been fairly good in math, and have no problem working out any math you give me. However, I am having a hard time teaching the boys to do well in a subject I love so well. I remember the same experience when I was in school, only for me it was writing. I never had a teacher who had a hard time with penmanship, but mine was terrible, so I always was graded harshly. I now grade penmanship based first on form, and second on effort. If one child has a paper that "appears" better than another child's who struggles at penmanship, I may give them both, say, a B-, but child one who did NOT give me their best work may end up with an 85 where child two who put in extra effort may end up with an 88.

Ok, rabbit trail, where was I?? Oh, I know, math. SO, I want to be able to teach the boys on their level and get them comfortable with adding/ subtracting/ multiplying/ and dividing at rocket speed. Because, really, the kids who have a good grasp on those can actually FOCUS on the CONCEPTS that are taught in later math. I know not all of them "get" algebra!! But those who have a firm foundation are more easily guided when they arrive at higher maths. That's what looks so good about Math U See. You can stay and focus on one topic until your child has it mastered, then move on to a new topic for them. Since math builds on each other, I like that I do not have to finish 180 lessons, and if the kid didn't catch Lesson 51, you hope he's got it mastered after you teach him three more things before the test in Lesson 57.

The amount we will spend on school this year will be three times as much as we have spent in years past. However, I am praying that it ends up being a help. AND the things we purchase this year will make next year not so bad, and saves us a lot more money in the long run!!!