What is the best homeschooling curriculum for big families?

Question

What is the best homeschooling curriculum for big families?

Answer 1

For the core Math curriculum, you could go with Saxon Math for them, using them as they get to each level.  Look at eBay for good used book sets; you will want the solutions manuals for each book.

For some ideas on what books to stock that they can all benefit from check out this site: http://www.hstreasures.com/A2/A2overview...

It is comparable to the Robinson Curriculum, but has a bit more of some things and it is cheaper.  It is a good base for larger families.

I also like to use the "Making the Grade: Everything Your 2nd Grader Needs to Know" series of books that have complete lessons plans for the younger kids, up to 6th grade.   You can order them from amazon or bn.com for about $12 to $15.

FYI, we use different programs for different kids, you'll need to see what works best for your family and don't be afraid to change things when it isn't working.

Answer 2

Unit studies are probably the way to go for you. If they're all learning  about Rome that's a lot easier for you.

Answer 3

Unit studies usually work well:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Here are some other methods to consider:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Answer 4

What is best for one family will not necessarily work for the next, and even what is best for one MEMBER of your family might not be what another member needs.

I can give you some ideas, but only you can decide what would work for you and the members of your family, both as a whole and individually.

The montessori method-allow children of different ages and abilities to work together.  The younger children learn from the older ones, and the older ones feel good about it.

The unschooling method-choose topics that the family is interested in learning about and study them together, getting more in depth the older/more able a child is.  Also, let each child choose his own subjects to study on his own (one might want to learn about animals while another is more interested in mechanics, for instance).

Also, each child can have their own separate material if that is what works best for your family and children.  The parent simply works one on one with child A while child B (and C+ if applicable) is doing their independent work.  Each child gets the parents individual attention.

You can also use a combination of these methods, and/or any other method.

Answer 5

We have seven kids, and use a different style for each one. We are unschoolers though, and that means no pre-designed curriculum, but it's based on the child's interest. Each one is a different learner, so it's really important to address that.

Someone mentioned unit studies. If you're really tied to having a curriculum, that would be the way to go. It's the only way you can have a topic, and yet address each persons level and learning style.

Answer 6

There is no "best" curriculum.  It depends on the family's interests, learning styles and goals.

Answer 7

My sister and I both use Sonlight. It looks expensive up front but you can use it for 2 years for each child. I figured it like this when we ordered it 900/2=450 450/3= 150 per a kid and year. It also works for a wide age range. Core 1+2 come together and they work for ages 5-9. You just decide how much each child does to make it harder or easier. It comes with lesson plans so there is no thinking about it except to add a few things to your grocery list for the next weeks science lessons. If you do it right you can use the program over and over. One thing I did was to scan all of the Language arts worksheets so I can print them as I need too.  Also instead of writing in the books we use notebooks. It is literature based so be prepared to read to your kids A LOT!

The lesson plans include Bible but if you don't want that you can easily skip it. It's just one section at the top.

You do have to pick a math curriculum to use with it. They offer Saxon, Horizons, and Singapore. We chose Math U See for our kids and love it.

OK I guess you want the sites Sonlight is www.sonlight.com and Math U See is www.mathusee.com

Good Luck and Have Fun with it. If you have any questions about Sonlight you can email me and I  will be glad to help.