Sunday, August 30, 2009

FREE Language Arts Curriculum

I've been searching the internet again and found some very nice resources. The first one is actually an oldie but goody. It's Scott Foresman Grammar and Writing Handbooks. You can download each workbook for free! In my opinion, they are one of the best there is. It combines grammar and writing into an all in one, easy to use format. This is what we are using and I absolutely love it. Also, if you're not a grammar wiz and feel you need the answer keys, you can go to Pearson's website and set up a homeschoolers account through OASIS. I did it, and it was very easy to accomplish. If you need more help, you can always call their customer support or email them with the links on their site.

The second LA curriculum is by English Banana. I have not used them, but have looked at the available material. What they provide is strictly grammar related. They have a very nice website with links to games, video, tools, and downloadable workbooks. The workbooks themselves are pretty straight forward and simple. The workbooks I've downloaded are "Big Grammar Book", "Big Activity Book", and "Big Resource Book".

The "Big Grammar Book" is pretty nice, but not really a "teaching workbook". It's more of a nice resource book to use to test the child's knowledge of what you have already taught. I do think I will use this as something to put in their portfolios. The "Big Activity Book" is a workbook of grammar worksheets that could come in handy. Then is the "Big Resource Book", which for me isn't really a resource book. It's more of another extra set of practice worksheets. This too could come in handy in a bind though.

All in all, I found both programs were good. However, I thought Scott Foresman was the better option since it combined the grammar and writing. Plus, I found it was a more complete curriculum all around.

Hope that sheds some light on these two curriculums. ;)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

A GREAT Site for Kids!

I was searching the internet today trying to find the answer keys to Scott Foresman Grammar and Writing Handbooks. Guess what, they're not out there! So, I mozzied on over to Pearson to see if could find them there. I did indeed find them. I also happened upon a cool little site! It's called Poptropica. It's like this little world for the kids to go through and earn credits that they can use in the "store". Of course, if you don't want to do their games (which happen to be pretty fun, I tried one of them to check for myself), you can always just buy the credits yourself. As I said, the games are fun, but could get irritating for an impatient child. I even found myself getting a little irritated at it. This also has a chat for the kids, if they own the "multiverse" card (which can be purchased in the store), or if one of their friends invites them to the chat with a code.

I hope your kiddo's find this enjoyable!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Notebooking System....

I found this online and thought you may like it. It's call The Full Year Notebooking System. Click Here!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

It's Been Awhile....

Wow...talk about hectic life. Sorry I haven't had any updates lately. We took a few weeks "off" for VBS, and then to spend the last week of summer vaca with the kids cousin. Next week is back to school! I wonder if anyone else out there is relieved that all the public school children are back in session. I know I am. No more severely crowded stores. So much easier running errands now.

Anyway, I'll be starting with my updates again next week. Enjoy the weekend!