Here’s all of the different curriculum we used during our Elementary School Years - comments throughout. You can also read the complete overview of our homeschooling and roadschooling.
Before Five in a Row
Before Five in a Row is a great place to start. My preschoolers loved the story books and the corresponding activities.
I distinctly remember Miranda running through the house collecting all the hats she could find so she could act out Caps For Sale while I read the book.
Beyond Five In A Row: Vol 1
Beyond Five in a Row is a unit study that revolves around wonderful chapter books.
Our favorite from Volume 1: The Boxcar Children.
Beyond Five in a Row: Vol 2
Even though my kids were capable of reading the chapter books used in Beyond Five in a Row, they wanted me to read them aloud.
Our favorite from Volume 2: Helen Keller.
Beyond Five in a Row: Vol 3
I was a bit sad when our Five in a Row and Beyond Five in a Row days were over.
Our favorite from Volume 3: A Cricket in Times Square.
Cantering the Country
Cantering the Country was a great unit study that led us through a basic view of the 50 states.
If we had started traveling when the kids were younger, this would have been a great resource for learning as we moved around the country.
Five In A Row: Vol 1
We were (are) a book loving family. Five in a Row was a perfect fit for us. We read the same book for five days in a row and did related activities and lessons each day.
Favorite books from Volume 1 include Lentil, How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, and Very Last First Time.
My kids still remember some of the activities/lessons that relate to these books.
Five In A Row: Vol 2
One of the things I especially loved about using Five in a Row was snuggling on the couch with my kids and reading the books together.
Favorite books from Volume 2 include Make Way for Ducklings, The Story of Ferdinand, and Miss Rumphius.
Five In A Row: Vol 3
I have so many fond memories of the stories and the activities we did.
Favorite books from Volume 3 include The Duchess Bakes a Cake, Henry the Castaway, and Truman’s Aunt Farm.
Galloping the Globe
Apparently the travel bug was in our system during these years. We just didn’t know it.
Galloping the Globe was a fun unit study. We learned some basics about different continents and countries, tried some related foods, and read some great related books.
Leading Little Ones to God
Written in clear language, this classic Bible storybook gives you short devotions you can share with children. Each lesson includes a story, a Scripture verse to memorize, a prayer, and a song. It’s a wonderful way for children to learn about who God is, why Jesus came to Earth, and how we should act today. Christianbook,com description
Math-U-See: Alpha
Alpha focuses on addition & subtraction for single-digit numbers.
Math-U-See was a good fit for both Harrison and Miranda during the early elementary years.
Math-U-See: Beta
Beta focuses on addition & subtraction for multiple-digit numbers.
Math was one of those topics that the age difference between Harrison and Miranda caused me to split them up. I kept Harrison in a level above Miranda..
Math-U-See: Delta
Delta focuses on division for single and multiple-digit numbers.
Math-U-See: Epsilon
Epsilon focuses on fractions.
The Math-U-See system continued to work well for Harrison. We went in search for something different for Miranda.
Math-U-See: Gamma
Gamma focuses on multiplication for single and multiple-digit numbers.
Miranda and I supplemented this text until she could get a better grip on her multiplication facts.
Math-U-See: Skip Count and Addition Facts Songbook
This CD and songbook helps young student learn their skip counting and addition facts
I remember singing these tunes with my kids in the really early days of homeschooling.
Math-U-See: Zeta
Zeta focuses on decimals, percents and other topics
Menu Math Ice Cream Parlor
Menu Math was a supplement we used to help Miranda with her addition, multiplication, and percentages. She enjoyed taking orders from her “customers” and calculating their total bill. Just don’t tell her she was doing math:)
Missionary Stories with the Millers
Experience thrilling adventure as the Christian missionaries on these pages meet witch doctors, disease, drought, hate-filled guerillas, a Bible thief, and killer cats. Each story is based on actual happenings from the lives of real people. Amazon description
The Mystery of History Vol 1
A friend of mine encouraged me to try Mystery of History with my kids. We worked through Vol 1, from Creation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We made a large timeline that we’d add pictures to as we learned about new things. I loved this timeline because it weaved together world history and Biblical history.
Prudence and the Millers
Join the Miller children as they learn about health, safety, and courtesy… from the Bible! Each story includes a Scripture passage and illustrates various aspects of prudent living.
Read about the foolish joke that ended in tragedy; the embarrassing consequences of not getting enough sleep; how Timmy gets lost in a big store, and the Mother’s Day fire! Amazon description
A Reason For Handwriting: Manuscript A
I used A Reason for Handwriting with both kids. I started Harrison in Manuscript A before Miranda. I ended up setting the book aside for a year and having them both work through it at the same time.
A Reason For Handwriting: Mauscript B
Miranda enjoyed learning how to write. Harrison wasn’t a big fan. I made sure we worked through this book at a leisurely pace so as not to upset him.
A Reason for Handwriting: Cursive C
We didn’t start learning cursive until much later than most. I was going to skip it all together. But, I felt it was important for my children to be able to read Grandma’s letters (and other cursive materials) and to sign their names. This book worked well for that .
A Reason for Handwriting: Transition
As we worked through this book, Harrison finally engaged without tears and bouts of anger. I knew he would eventually get there. I just knew not to push too hard in the early days.
Storytime with the Millers
Parents will find this an excellent book to read to small children, at bedtime or anytime! Children in the lower grades will be able to read the stories for themselves, and will find that the children in these pages have the same problems and pleasures they have. Amazon description
Times Tales
Times Tales was a great supplemental tool that Miranda and I used to help with her multiplication facts. Each fact is accompanied by a story and illustration. Miranda is a writer so the story aspect made sense to her.
Wisdom and the Millers
Make Proverbs come alive for the children in your home, church, or school. Here is a character-building collection of stories by an Amish Mennonite author. Each chapter explains and illustrates a passage from the book of Proverbs with a story. Amazon description