Homeschool Curriculum Review | First Grade Homeschool Year Wrap Up 2019-2020

Homeschool Curriculum Review | First Grade Homeschool Year Wrap Up 2019-2020 | Homeschooling

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In today's homeschool curriculum review, I am wrapping up our first grade homeschool year for 2019-2020 and telling you what worked for us and what did not during our homeschooling year.
Master Books Foundations Phonics: amzn.to/3bhUmlB
Master Books Language Lessons for a Living Education Level 1: amzn.to/2WijYKW
Master Books Math Lessons for a Living Education Level 1: amzn.to/2WHBE1t
The Good and the Beautiful: www.goodandbeautiful.com
Explode the Code Level 1: amzn.to/3bgdYX5
Master Books Adventures in Creation: amzn.to/2SR7OGK
Abeka Discovering God's World Science: amzn.to/3bdZZkM
Abeka My America My World First Grade History: amzn.to/2AeV869
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Пікірлер: 108

@SimplyLivingIt 4 жыл бұрын

So much beauty in finding what WORKS for you! What an amazing release to be able to move back and forth and however, wherever you need for YOUR family! That is homeschooling, mama! Thank you for sharing this video with us mamas!💞

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@heatheradams4423 4 жыл бұрын

This was extremely helpful! Thank you for sharing!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

I’m glad it was helpful!

@PenniesAndSalt 4 жыл бұрын

I love your perspective on this! Your persistence and perseverance in helping Sophie to succeed is truly inspiring!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@Blessedbears 3 жыл бұрын

I love seeing what some curriculum is like and your perspective! You’re a good momma and Sophie is a good girl! Thanks for sharing!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! ❤️

@StaceyYoder 4 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed watching your video. Thanks for sharing, helping all us out. I love how you go between curriculums to find what works.🙂

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

@islagaribay3760 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely incredible review! Thank you. New homeschool mom looking at curriculum and this really just encouraged me to go for it! Thank you!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@silverose1209 4 жыл бұрын

I love that you found a way to make the 2 curricula work together!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

❤️

@BeingBeth 4 жыл бұрын

I love this review I feel like you have such a wealth of knowledge. I love hearing someone else that doesn’t feel like they need to continue if it doesn’t work. I used to feel so guilty for trying new curriculum when it wasn’t working. Thanks for always sharing. ♥️

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@amandab.6815 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful thank you. I think the language, math, and science that you preferred will be a good fit for us too!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Great!

@MeganBordinaro 4 жыл бұрын

I’m so glad I stumbled upon your video. I have a daughter going into second grade in the fall. She has learning challenges and we are considering pulling her from public school. You reviewed all the curriculums we are looking into. We are actually already using tgtb la level k to help her now. Hopefully level 1 will be ok for us.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Welcome, I am so glad you are here! I hope homeschooling works well for you if you do it!

@faithlovekindnesspeace1942 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing all of this! 💕 My daughter is younger than Sophie so I enjoy hearing about your experiences and insights. Masterbooks and TGATB also happen to be the companies I'm wanting to try first after looking into majority of curriculum options out there. I already have a few of their K and Level 1 books but I'm waiting to use them until my daughter is ready for sit-down lessons. She prefers playschooling a lot more at the moment. 🙂

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! I so enjoyed those years when they are little! Playschooling is awesome! ❤️

@AllThingsAnimalsofYT 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much. We are a police family with a crazy schedule. This is our 1st year homeschooling an 8th grader and kindergartner. I have ordered the good and beautiful primer for my son to start this year and then math 1 and phonics level k for 1st grade. My understanding is the phonics in TGATB is a level ahead. I'm excited to get started with it. Suppose to get primer in mail tomorrow. Cant wait! I have been watching tons of reviews and just found your channel. Suscribed now and will look what other videos you have. Have a blessed day!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, and welcome! ❤️ Yes, I would agree that TG&TB is about a year ahead. Starting with the Level K primer and then the extension is a great idea!

@Dreblueskies 4 жыл бұрын

Another great video, thank you ☺️

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@tiffanyharris7695 4 жыл бұрын

I have done first grade the exact same way with my profoundly dyslexic son. I have been doing both TGTB and masterbooks for language and math and plan to do the same in the fall. Great video, thank you!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing, it really helps to know others have the same struggles and that you have found a way to push through too. Very encouraging!

@PursuingPeace 4 жыл бұрын

Great job finding what works for your daughter! I think that combo of LA is great! It's all the games in TGTB Math Level 1 that get me. 😵 But my little girl loves them so I do them. But I agree...very parent intensive. Those Science books look SO interesting!!! Thank you so much for this! ❤❤❤

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

I would have continued with it but it got too hard for Sophie. I really think it is a wonderful program!

@Goodlifexplorers 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the review. I wanted to see how other families do with their curriculum. We haven't finished ours yet and we have had to adjust.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@OneBlessedMess 4 жыл бұрын

TGTB Handwriting is a win here, too! We are finding Level K L.A. is *tough*! I love that you switch back and forth with what works for Sophie. I love that homeschooling is so flexible!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

It isn’t a traditional approach, but it is working well.

@HomeSweetHomeschoolLife 4 жыл бұрын

I love the way you go back and forth between language arts curriculum.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

It's working, and I am very grateful.

@catiemason1551 4 жыл бұрын

I do to it was my favorite

@ajamarie9304 3 жыл бұрын

This is super helpful thank you!!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@crystaljordan7318 3 жыл бұрын

I have found Rod & Staff to provide plenty of gentle practice that can be used as needed for my struggling math student. It is black and white, lots of white space on the page. I like the way they teach advancing addition facts. I tried MB math and it was great for level 2, but level 3 only spent a page per multiplication fact family. We had to step back and work on our own. It is so neat to see creative mamas work out solutions for their kiddos! ❤

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, we love the gentle practice too.

@keeperofmyhome 4 жыл бұрын

Oh so helpful! I have an upcoming first grader.. 👏🏽

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad! Thank you for watching!

@catiemason1551 4 жыл бұрын

Love her handwriting drawing and coloring

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

❤️

@lovely4833 2 жыл бұрын

I stumble across your channel and are really happy you’re using both. I thought I was the only one using Masterbooks and TGTB. We paused TGTB level k and are doing Masterbooks MLFLE level 1 and it was the thing we needed for both math and language arts. The way it’s been turning out we may finish in the half of semester before being able to go back into TGTB for the second half. The combo has definitely helped build confidence overall which was greatly needed. Know this is an older video but love it. Hope I find a new video on how this combo is working out for first grade this year.

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 жыл бұрын

It worked for a while, then my daughter was unable to progress in TG&TB so we switched to Happy Cheetah Reading. Happy Cheetah is a wonderful reading program for children with special needs or reading difficulties.

@lovely4833 2 жыл бұрын

@@simplejoyfilledliving oh yes I kinda binged more of your videos and saw that. That’s great though. I think it works for this year to use both but I’m not sure how it will be in the future yet. I think I have some other things in mind after we finish level k and masterbooks but probably won’t know for sure if it works (TGTB level 1 and first language lessons for the well trained mind combo to go slow and steady)until we try it out a bit. Keeping this in mind so if it doesn’t I’ll definitely look into some of the resources you’ve mentioned in your videos.

@LearningPlantingGrowing 4 жыл бұрын

My ten year old has always been like this in her subjects especially math. We have picked up and dropped off with a lot of thing due to hitting that same wall with the curriculum or teaching style etc. I have other children who just so a program as written and it's a different experience. But as she is my oldest it has definitely taught me patience and how to be flexible in my expectations and thinking. I am glad I did what worked for her and its wonderful to see you doing the same thing for Sophie!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

I am so glad just to find two amazing programs that will work for her with a little bit of creativity!

@LearningPlantingGrowing 4 жыл бұрын

@@simplejoyfilledliving That is a huge blessing!!

@LittleOwlHomeschool 4 жыл бұрын

We use multiple curriculums for each subject too! We’re finishing up Kindergarten but I have some similar picks for our first grade year as you. Just have to do what’s best for your kiddo :)

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! So grateful for the flexibility we have as homeschoolers!

@abundanceintheson_467 4 жыл бұрын

I did first grade with our eldest (a girl). In Math, we started with Abeka but that didn't work out. We did over half of level 1 in Masterbooks, "Math Lessons for a Living Education". It was super easy, my daughter liked it. We ended up really using and loving "Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool" Math Level 1. It was a little bit more challenging but not too hard or too fast. She loved the games. I also used "Ray's Arithmetic" to compliment E.P. Math Level 1. I will be continuing with E.P. for Math with "Ray's". For most of our subjects (History, Science, Art, Geography, etc.) We do Classical Conversations which is a curriculum and Co-Op. Lord-willing, we will continue that too. For Handwriting Practice, we used Memoria Press Copybook, Handwriting without Tears, and CC's Prescripts for Cursive (She chose to do cursive). We are doing sort of the same next year. For Reading, we used "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" and "McGuffeys". Again, we will continue using these. I think that covers all our 1st grade stuff.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! I am always looking for alternative ideas just in case. I love Handwriting Without Tears with my oldest and we started with that with Sophie too. We also have used McGuffeys.

@JazzyJazzy435 3 жыл бұрын

I needed this so much! We are stuck at lesson 67 in tgtb la and my daughter hates la time. I ordered master books to try and it seems to give her more confidence. Also we don’t do math games and sometimes have to reword the lesson with math 1 with tgtb. I’m hoping the new version is more simple. Also we are in Augusta so not that far away. 👋🏼

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

❤️❤️❤️

@benevolenthome6638 4 жыл бұрын

The exact same thing happened with my son and tgtb kindergarten too. I moved him to masterbooks as well and we go back and forth as needed. My older son, a 2nd grader, was in tgtb from the beginning and did well but he really did not like it. So I moved to masterbooks with him as well and he much prefers their program. I really enjoyed tgtb, so it was hard for me to leave it with my oldest, but he is excelling with masterbooks. His favorite day of the week, ironically, is the dictionary day! Lol It's so interesting how different each child really is... such a huge perk to homeschooling.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

I don't know why I never thought about moving back and forth before, but it really does work for some children. That's awesome that he loves the dictionary pages! Sophie likes it too but isn't really able to do everything intended because of her special needs.

@SimplyLivingIt 4 жыл бұрын

All 3 of my boys LOVE Explode the Code!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Sophie does too. She really loves the pictures.

@araceligutierrez5191 4 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you mentioned the Create Your Own Dictionary with LLFLE. I felt guilty skipping that entirely, but I didn’t see the value for the amount of time it would take.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

It was almost impossible with Sophie with her writing delays.

@kmvonbank 4 жыл бұрын

We have had similar experiences in LA with both TGTB and Masterbooks too. My 2 older kids (now 8 and 6) zoomed through Level K as half was review, but they got stuck really quickly in Level 1. I supplemented with Explode the Code and allowed my oldest to take 2 full years with Level 1, since she still loves all the color and artwork. She will be continuing with Level 2 this Fall, and I'm forcing myself to just follow her pace, regardless of how much time it takes. My second child was not willing to meander through, so I switched him to Masterbooks Level 1 this spring, and he loves it! For the dictionary, I have him write the words and draw pictures and skip the definitions entirely. It is a great reinforcement for alphabetical listing, and for encouraging independent hunts for new words he comes across, so I think it is worth the added effort. I also allow him to skip any other handwriting on those days. I could see it being more of a problem for those who need some extra help with writing though. Maybe you could have Sophie write the first letter of each word and dictate the rest? Or even dictate the whole thing and just draw the pictures. Make it what you need it to be ;) Thanks for sharing. 😊

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Those are great ideas, and I appreciate it. I have been using the dictionary pages lately for Sophie to practice looking from the board to her paper as she copies and it has really helped her in that area! She has a little trouble with visual processing too.

@mommyonthemove25 4 жыл бұрын

I got Foundation Phonics for my new kindergartner this year. I really hope it goes well, because i was debating on getting TGTB K Primer also to go along side it. Still considering it.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Those are both awesome programs!

@SevenInAll 4 жыл бұрын

We have really enjoyed using the Explode the Code series in our homeschool, but it's true that it's more of an independent activity for the younger crew in our homeschool. We have the same Abeka science reader...we've used it with multiple kids and they've liked it but I think I've gotten a little bored with it (this is the problem of homeschooling through the same grades again and again...sometimes it's just that the 'teacher' wants to try something new!)

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Yes! Same for me with Story of the World. I liked it but don’t want to do it again!

@SaltySirenFloriduh 3 жыл бұрын

We’re using Master Books curriculum for my 1st grader as well, and are absolutely loving it! I also purchased the Botany course through the Good and the Beautiful, but will be saving that for much later down the road because he just does not have the attention span to get through the lessons. He struggles with ADHD, which has presented some challenges, but the lessons with Master Books I feel go by quickly and keep his attention. The only issue we’ve encountered has been with Phonics and Social Studies as those both require me to read quite a bit to him, and I find that he starts to lose interest with hearing me read for long periods of time 😂 Edit: I forgot to mention we’re also a science family, and I ordered their new science book Heaven & Earth for Beginners since we’re getting through the Adventures in Creation so quickly! I also ordered the extra math practice sheets to go along with the Math workbook and those seem to be bulking up the lessons nicely.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip on the extra math worksheets. I’ll look into that too.

@leilani9130 4 жыл бұрын

We are going to do Masterbooks for Hannah next year. She is a slower learner so I hope it works for her. I have a hard time with TGATB.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

It is MUCH less intense than TG&TB.

@jacobjohannes7123 3 жыл бұрын

I’m struggling really hard on what to use with my daughter next year. I’ve been looking at Foundations Phonics, Happy Cheetah, and All About Reading.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

We have had a lot of success with Happy Cheetah this year. I have a video review about it on my channel.

@cherlinepierre 4 жыл бұрын

Can you please do a flip through of Handwriting for G&B (all the levels you have). I am trying to determine if simple worksheets or G&B is best for Hand Writing Thanks in advance

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Great idea! I will try to work that in for you soon!

@RESAA 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome video keep uploading

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the visit

@RESAA 4 жыл бұрын

@@simplejoyfilledliving welcome Dear

@andreacampo9688 4 жыл бұрын

My daughter is going into 3rd this coming year, and in 1st grade I did the same thing with TGATB and master books!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

❤️

@SUBTO_KINDAEPIC 3 жыл бұрын

Good for you mean prrr

@noahsmilkshake 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these curriculum. It's always tough to find the right curriculum and pace for each student. Totally unrelated, what is your wall paint color?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! The paint is Repose Gray (Sherwin Williams).

@creatingcommunity7022 4 жыл бұрын

We are using Math Lessons for a Living Education next year. Math has been a struggle for my grandchild.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

It has been wonderful for Sophie!

@tamijoysisemore659 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing! My son is 13 and has special needs. He is just barely sounding out short vowel words finally. We are doing all about reading but very very very slowly. So I’m adding Sing, Spell, Read and Write in between lessons of All About reading for more reinforcement. I think people think I’m nuts lol we are doing the good and the beautiful math k and right now it’s going well, I just never know. It’s so hard to know how to do this and not push what he can’t do. But they thought he might never read but he wants to so bad and so we have done kindergarten in different ways for years

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

We did kindergarten reading for several years as well. Abeka, Sing, Spell, Read, Write (learned her letters with this one, TG&TB, Masterbooks Foundations phonics (learned letter sounds with this one and started memorizing sight words), and finally Happy Cheetah Reading and she’s now reading at and end of kindergarten level. I think part of it is that she wasn’t ready until last year, and part of it was that she needed a super repetitive program that placed emphasis on both phonics and sight words. May God bless your efforts! ❤️

@tamijoysisemore659 3 жыл бұрын

@@simplejoyfilledliving thanks! I’m so happy to have found y’all! I’m loving you all. I originally thought the Lord called us to China for a girl, but turned out it was to Taiwan twice for a boy. I had dreams of a little girl that looked much like your sweetie. :)

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 жыл бұрын

@@tamijoysisemore659 ❤️❤️❤️

@kevinandtriciapearson2267 2 жыл бұрын

Have you tried the new TGTB Good and Simple Math? That’s what we use and I’ve noticed it is much better that the edition you’ve shared here. Thank you for sharing all this. I have been considering Where the Faith Grows by Master books. Have you used that with any of your kiddos? We are doing LA, Math, History, and Science through TGTB but I’m on the hunt for a level 1 Bible curriculum.

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, we are currently using the new TG&TB math. We haven’t used Where Faith Grows.

@bitofageek2230 4 жыл бұрын

My daughter also has a rare genetic syndrome. She just finished first grade in public school. I’m so nervous and thankful to be able to homeschool her and want to be so flexible with her needs

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

I hope you love it as much as we do!

@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable 4 жыл бұрын

I don't think what you're doing with going back and forth is weird at all! Its exactly what she needs. 😊 Also, part of why Masterbooks seems a little lower is because of its Charlotte Mason influence. Her philosophy recommends a much slower approach to formal lessons. I love the Masterbooks curriculum. We only use My Story 1 right now, but if our Science next year isn't my favorite then we might try MB for that too! 😊 Thank you for the update! Happy Summer! ☀️

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, I really think the CM style is a great fit for Sophie! I would love to hear how you like My Story 1. I actually have it but it seemed like it might be too much for Sophie next year (more handwriting). I am considering Abeka instead.

@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable 4 жыл бұрын

Our Blessed Life I like My Story 1 as honestly kind of a side Social Studies activity. We had finished Evan Moor Geography K Skill Sharpener in January and wanted something to continue on with and I got My Story for $10 brand new on Ebay. 👍🏻 So instead of waiting til 1st grade I just started it in February. Anyway, I went with Sonlight History/Bible/Literature for next year and will just use My Story as an extra. I think My Story is good for what it is, but for me it needs "beefing up" if you were going to use it by itself. I think the content would probably be fun for Sophie, but instead of having her do the writing, just have her dictate the answers. The word search might be a challenge, but I don't think it would take away from the content if you just skipped the writing altogether. ☺️

@lindseydsimon 4 жыл бұрын

Hi! I was looking at God’s Design for beginners from Masterbooks for my daughter for science next school year. Do you have any experience with that one?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

Planning to do it next year with Sophie. I have it already and it looks great! I will be doing a 2nd grade curriculum video in the next 2 weeks and will discuss it in more detail in that video.

@lindseydsimon 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you 😊

@araceligutierrez5191 4 жыл бұрын

Lindsey Simon Hi Lindsey, we used Gods Design for beginners last year. It’s great for K/1st with shorter, simplified but informative lessons. My boys loved it. (My third grader would often come over to sit in because it was so interesting and engaging.) Highly recommend!

@PenniesAndSalt 4 жыл бұрын

I considered Adventures in Creation, now I'm second guessing myself after not choosing it for my younger 2.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 жыл бұрын

It is a really sweet book.