Curriculum First Impressions 2024: Is It Love at First Sight?
Welcome to a new homeschooling year! As we kick off our eighth year of homeschooling, I’m excited to share our initial impressions of the 2024-2025 curriculum. We have a seventh grader and a third grader, and with the fresh start comes new materials and methods. Let’s dive into how things are shaping up so far.
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Magic Mind: A Focus Booster
Before we delve into the curriculum specifics, I want to highlight a new addition to my routine: Magic Mind. This mental performance shot has been a game-changer in managing my hectic schedule. Magic Mind promises calm focus without the jitteriness that often accompanies caffeine. After a busy summer with ongoing home repairs and the start of a new school year, I decided to give Magic Mind a try. The results? I felt a notable increase in clarity and productivity from day one. The 12 magical ingredients, including vitamins C and D, have been a great support in balancing my daily tasks with homeschooling responsibilities.
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Our 2024-2025 Curriculum Overview
Everything That We Are Using For The 2024-2025 Homeschool Year For 7th & 3rd Can Be Found HERE
Curriculum Impressions
HiGASFY: Exploring Impressionism
Our first encounter of the year with HiGASFY was delightful. This program introduces Impressionist art in a way that resonates well with the kids. By connecting the art lessons to real-world experiences, like our visit to the Louvre, it has sparked a genuine interest in art history. The kids enjoyed watching videos and engaging in activities that deepened their understanding of Impressionism.
Dinos 101: A Roaring Success
Dinos 101 has been a standout in our science curriculum. This university-level course is engaging and interactive, with embedded questions that keep the kids actively involved. It’s perfect for dinosaur enthusiasts and has impressed us with its depth and presentation.
Middle School Chemistry: A Pleasant Surprise
Chemistry has been a breeze with Middle School Chemistry. The video lessons are clear and the experiments are fun and easy to replicate at home. Both kids are grasping the concepts well, and the hands-on approach has made learning science enjoyable.
Texas History: A Mixed Bag
Our Texas History curriculum has been a bit of a mixed experience. While Free Fun Texas History offers valuable resources, we found it necessary to supplement with additional materials to better cover the First Peoples of Texas. Combining this with interactive YouTube videos and doodle notes has been effective, though it required some adjustments on our part.
Tech Essentials: A Valuable Addition
Tech Essentials from Timberdoodle has been a useful addition. This course covers essential computer skills and file storage across different operating systems, making it relevant and practical for our tech-savvy kids. It’s been beneficial for both our seventh grader and third grader, with content that’s accessible for both age groups.
Intro to Filmmaking: Lights, Camera, Action!
Intro to Filmmaking has been a hit in our household. While some parts of the course are more structured, the opportunity to create and submit a video project has been exciting. It’s a fun way for the kids to explore their creativity and apply what they learn. We are enjoying watching the video assignments together as a family. So many classics!
Math-U-See Delta and Algebra 1: A Steep Learning Curve
Math-U-See Delta and Algebra 1 have had a challenging start. The Delta program required some adjustment, but it’s easing into a smoother routine. Algebra 1, though initially intimidating, shows promise as we continue to work through it. I’m optimistic about its potential as we progress.
Michael Clay Thompson: A Literary Journey
Michael Clay Thompson’s language arts programs continue to impress. For our seventh grader, the Classic Literature Level is enriching their appreciation for literature, while our third grader is benefiting from the engaging materials in the Level 1 course. These programs align well with our educational goals and have been effective in developing language skills.
World History Detective and Thinking Basics: Building Critical Skills
World History Detective has been a mixed experience for our older child, with expectations differing from reality. However, the critical thinking skills reinforced by this program are valuable. Thinking Basics is proving to be a solid resource in developing critical thinking skills. Our younger child is using Logic Countdown with a varied style of critical thinking activities.
Skill Sharpeners Geography and Cursive Handwriting: Keeping It Fun
Skill Sharpeners Geography remains a favorite for its engaging content, and cursive handwriting practice has become an enjoyable part of our younger child’s routine. It’s great to see her enthusiasm for handwriting.
Conclusion: A Promising Start
As we wrap up our first week of the 2024-2025 homeschool year, the new curriculum has shown promise. Despite some initial bumps, the overall experience has been positive. Magic Mind has been a helpful addition, aiding in focus and productivity amidst the chaos of home repairs and new routines.
I’d love to hear about your curriculum first impressions for this year. What are your standout materials? Any surprises or challenges? Feel free to share in the comments or connect with me on Instagram @makingeverydaymagic.
Thank you for joining me on this homeschooling journey, and a special thanks to Magic Mind for their support. Here’s to a successful and magical school year ahead!
