Has anyone used the Core Knowledge Series to build their curriculum?

Question

I started out using Alpha Omega Curriculum for Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. For Math, I use Saxon Math. I am satisfied with the Math program, but VERY disappointed with the Alpha Omega Curriculum. I have started planning with the Core Knowledge for after Spring Break and for the next grade. I'm just curious if anyone else has used this Series and how it's worked for you. Thanks.

Answer 1

I love their yearly idioms and poetry.  I don't like their Social Studies/ History too much. I do like the Art. Here is a good link to lesson plans by year for the core knowledge series.

http://www.baltimorecp.org/lessons/draft...

You might be able to get more information about what you like/don't like from reading some of them.

Answer 2

I have used the "What Your ___ Grader Needs to Know" books, specifically the K, 1st, and 2nd grade ones.  I do not plan my curriculum around these books, but use them as a supplement--mainly for read alouds, ideas about science experiments, craft projects, etc..  However, there is a group for homeschoolers who use the Core Knowledge Series; you probably can get some ideas from them.  The link is below:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ckhomescho...

Also, following is a link to information off the Core Knowledge Foundation website for homeschoolers:

http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/about/FA...

I hope the above information is helpful.

Answer 3

I have both the Core Knowledge Sequence and the Series of What Your ___ Grader Needs To Know Books.  

I find the Sequence (I have the Preschool and the K-8) to be rather useless.  I use the series of books as a reference point, and actually they seem to please many that ask how I know what the children should be learning so they are worth a lot in that regard, as well.  

What works for me, though, will not necessarily work for you.  You might love these resources and find that they are all you need.  It just was not for us.

We use a formal curriculum (from A Beka), but we also altar it to meet our needs and supplement with an eclectic variety of other resources.  We manage to be neither school-at-home or unschooling, but something in between.  Sometimes we skip the bookwork to supplement that with another related activity...whatever I think is most beneficial to the children.

I hope you soon find whatever it is that works best for your family!  It is quite a struggle.

Answer 4

No, I read it, and found that it was a good guideline for parents who did not know where to start, but I feel that one does not need a book to know that a child needs to learn how to read, count/do math, or learn how to write.

All other subjects will follow, and can be adjusted to their age/level.

You are still left to find a method, and materials that work for your individual child, and as per experience, that happens by trail and error.

Complete curriculum's lack much of the freedom to adjust the materials to the child.

They mimic; in my opinion; doing school @ home, and work for some, but not for most.

Borrow a few materials from other families, read them, and don't be afraid to put aside those items that do not work.

Addition;

After reading them we decided that they would not be of much use to us, we found it easy to design a basic frame work, and found materials from many sources that seemed good, and over time put aside those that did not fit our children's  learning style.

It's trial and error.

If you are looking for a great inexpensive place to start for laying a solid academic foundation to built on, try CLP; they include many different sources on top of their own.

We have used their materials for years, and are very pleased with them.

http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/

Answer 5

I don't use the Core Knowledge Sequence directly, but my curriculum, K12, uses it as their "spine", with MUCH more added on.  If I ever had to put my son in a PS, it would be a CK school.

K12's scope and sequence is very broad and deep.  I've used it for five years.  John Holdren of K12, actually came from the Core Knowledge Foundation.

I love E.D. Hirsch's books and I have the _What Your X Grader..._ series just as a supplement, and a quick overview, of each grade of what we've covered in K12.  K12 uses some of CK's books, like the poetry books, and they use a lot of similar, but K12-published, literature books.  It's all about being very culturally literate and knowing that kids *can* learn a LOT from an early age.  My son loves it all and so do I!  Learning along with him all the things I never learned in PS is SO MUCH fun! :-)