Friday, January 25, 2013

Catholic Curricula

Readers have been inquiring about curricula.  The following content may also be found at the end of Catholic Teacher Daydream's "Literature and Curricula Page."

After researching and teaching from several textbooks, I am confident in my curricula library.  The following publishers are student/teacher friendly. Subjects that influence your children's faith offer a Catholic approach, and successfully teach different types of learners:
Catholic Heritage Curricula

When our family began learning with Catholic Heritage CurriculaI gained an academically and spiritually sound textbook library that met our family's needs.  Many of the CHC books are excellent choices for classrooms, too. 

As a former school teacher I value lesson plans, to be certain that my students reach educational standards.  CHC provides weekly lesson plans for every grade. From emergent readers to high school, CHC provides beautiful, informative, fully Catholic and affordable curricula.  

Catholic Heritage Curricula's philosophy is, "Homeschooling should be a joyful, natural offshoot of parenting and family life, not a "weight" to be dragged along the path throughout childhood!"  Having CHC books in our home school has made it possible for us to live that philosophy.

The following is a partial list of titles I recommend from CHC.   Grade 1-8 CHC Lesson Plans,  Faith and Life Religion, Language of God Series, Art with a Purpose, recommended Reading texts, Social Studies curricula and Science.  Writing Workshops I - IV.  
Click on the following link: www.chcweb.com to explore more titles*





Spelling is important for intelligently expressing what you know.  Like many emergent spellers, my children do not always hear the correct sound (phonogram) for correct spelling. Did you know that there are phonics rules that you were not taught in elementary school?  It is important to learn these rules taught in All About Spelling.

With a doctorate in Language, Marie Rippel, author of All About Spelling, has created a perfect method of teaching spelling. Visual, kinesthetic (touch), and auditory styles of learning are implemented.  All About Spelling utilizes precise lessons, so instructors explain the rules of spelling in a child friendly manner.  Students use flash cards, letter tiles, and a filing system for sounds, letters, rules, and words.

This phonics program has finally created correct spelling in my children's writing.





math-u-see

Math-U-See is the math program our family unanimously agrees upon.  Author and founder, Steve Demme, implements three key components in his program: 1) Instructional videos and manuals for teacher and students. 
2) Manipulatives - blocks and fraction overlays for hands-on learning. 
3) Student text with practice, review, and real life applications.

Math-U-See offers a unique approach to teaching math.  Rather than teaching several math concepts in each grade level, Math-U-See encourages mastery of one concept (and review of earlier concepts) in thirty lessons.  For example, students master fractions in approximately one school year, before they study decimals.  Each lesson utilizes a four step approach: 1) Prepare for lessons using video and written instruction. 2) Presentation of new concept using the DVD, manipulatives, written examples, and discussion.  3) Practice for mastery using student text and Math-U-See web site resources.  4) Progression after mastery with written evaluations, and students teaching the "material back to you."


Questions or comments?  Please email me: ebrjmm@gmail.com.
Or simply leave a comment on this post.



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