Choices, Choices, Choices

Sometimes having too many choices isn't actually the most helpful. We were shopping for a new dress for my 12-year-old daughter yesterday, and she just couldn't make up her mind.  She tried on one dress after another and found so many she liked.  But I had to make her choose just 1.  If there were less choices, that choice might have been a bit easier for her.  Luckily, I was there to give her some recommendations on what fit her best and looked best on her. With help, she was able to finally pick a pretty blue summery dress.

When it comes to picking your homeschool curriculum, you want recommendations from someone who knows. Cathy Duffy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool curricula to help educators like me make an educated decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it. Here’s a handful of Cathy-approved educational picks available at Educents.com. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool resources.

Elementary Math & Science

Life of Fred Elementary Math

If you haven't heard of Life of Fred, you're in for a real treat. Dr. Stanley F Schmitt is a math teacher who developed story-based math learning series that has taken homeschooling by storm! Forget rote learning that doesn't resonate: learners follow the Fred and his pals through life and learn math concepts along the way. Kids sometimes don't even know they're learning math until they're told! Each book has a topic, like Apples, Butterflies, and Cats. I recommend supplementing math learning with science of social studies of the same topic!  

Giant Butterly Garden

This ties in with the second Life of Fred book so well! With the set little ones can learn about (and experience!) the miracles of metamorphosis. Available at Educents for $35.99.

Theme for a Day - Johnny Appleseed

Here's a great little theme for a day unit that would go along well with the apples topic.  It includes language arts, math, social studies, and science!  Perfect to use on Johnny Appleseed day to being thematic fun to your homeschool.

Happy shoppping!