Leann is a homeschooling mama of an over-active 6 year old, proud wife of a cop, and pet lover of their two dogs, frogs, turtles – and cricket. Her blog, The Hands-On Homeschooler, chronicles their homeschooling journey, while throwing in tidbits about life, reviews, and recipes. Prior to being a stay-at-home mom, Leann taught math at a public high school for high achieving students. She and her family currently reside in the middle Tennessee area.
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Handwriting Without Tears Cursive version
This program includes unique ideas for helping children learn to write their letters and numbers without frustration, tips for the left-handed child, discussion on why it is important to teach capitals first and why standard handwriting paper just confuses children. The author even has remedies for the common mistakes children make, such as letter reversals, floating letters, etc.
The cursive program is for grades 3-5.
A print version is also available for grades PreK – 2.
Horizons Mathematics
No more hours of boring, endless repetition – your kids will actually thank you for this interactive math curriculum! Each level has two student workbooks, but the teacher handbook is the main component of the program. All instruction is provided through one-on-one teacher instruction, which is the biggest difference between Horizons and the self-guided Lifepacs.
Another big focus in Horizons is hands-on learning using a variety of manipulatives, which can mostly be found around the house: pencils, pipe cleaners, play or real money, thread, a timer, clock, yardstick, etc.
Novice home-educators should not be intimidated by the amount of teacher involvement as it is carefully layed out in the beginning of each year’s teacher handbook. The teacher handbook also provides a variety of teaching suggestions and supplemental activities for additional practice.
For grades K – 8 (Algebra I)
A Year of Playing Skillfully
A Year of Playing Skillfully is a wonder based, developmental curriculum designed for children ages 3-7. Concrete themes and character traits have been carefully chosen for children to explore. Research based learning opportunities address the needs of the developing brain in the following areas: Language and Literacy, Math and Manipulatives, Science and Sensory, Art and Music, Gross Motor and Outdoor Play, and Social Emotional and Home Life.
Modern Parables
Modern Parables is an original film-based Bible study series on Jesus’ parables. It uses short films combined with teaching by pastors and in-depth study materials to create an entirely new learning experience.
Modern Parables seeks to re-create the emotional immediacy that Jesus’ 1st-century audience felt when hearing the parables. It does this by using some of the best parable scholarship and exploring it through creative filmmaking. The gut-level understanding made possible by the films is intended to drive listeners into a deeper understanding of the Bible.
DVDs/Downloads can be purchased as a complete set or in sets of 2 lessons. The DVD/digital download includes everything you need to teach two lessons and a bonus lesson: the short film, an application video taught by Rev. Scotty Smith, a combined leader’s guide/study book, and a director’s commentary. The study can be used for Sunday School classes, small groups, youth groups, Christian schools, home schools, family study, and evangelism.
In this series:
Lessons 1 & 2 in the series. Hidden Treasure is a light comedy about an unsuccessful real estate agent who finds oil in a field and must convince his wife they should sell all they own to buy it.
Lessons 3 & 4 in the series. Samaritan is a drama about a teenage boy who watches his father and youth leader pass by a hurt man, only to see the man helped by someone he didn’t expect to help him.
Lessons 5 & 6 in the series. The Shrewd Manager is an ironic comedy about a dishonest farm manager who is fired and so must think quickly to figure out a way into his next job.
Lessons 7 & 8 in the series. The Widow & Judge is a moving drama about a poor widow who struggles against a corrupt judge in her pursuit of justice.
Lessons 9 & 10 in the series. The Sower is a documentary about an 80-year-old wheat farmer who grows his crop from planting to harvest.
Lessons 11 & 12 in the series. Prodigal Sons is a drama about two sons trying to manipulate their father to achieve their own selfish ends.
God’s Design for Science
Bible-based and Creator-centered, God’s Design for Science Curriculum will sow a love for science in your students grades 1–8. The evidence supports the Genesis account of creation!
Curriculum can be purchased as individual units or as a complete package.
Volumes include:
- God’s Design for Chemistry and Ecology
- God’s Design for Heaven and Earth
- God’s Design for Life
- God’s Design for the Physical World
Classical Historian World History
The Classical Historian teaches students to think independently, make decisions, read, write, and speak effectively, AND learn history. The Classical Historian uses a Five Step Method:
1. Students Learn the Tools of the HIstorian.
2. Students are Challenged with Open-Ended Questions.
3. Students Research in a Variety of Secondary and Primary Sources.
4. Students Engage in a Socratic Discussion. 5. Students Write an Analytical Essay.
Curriculum titles for grades 6-9: Ancient History, Medieval History
Curriculum titles for grades 9-12: Modern World, World History: Ancient to Modern, American History from Columbus to the War on Terror.
Online courses also available that utilize this curriculum.