Curriculum '13-'14

I don't think I've ever researched anything as thoroughly 

as I've researched 1st grade homeschool curriculum.

There are SO MANY options.

I was so intimidated and overwhelmed in the beginning,

but then it got fun. I've actually really enjoyed piecing

together Kayden's curriculum for the 2013-2014 year.

Of course we had the option of just purchasing a boxed

curriculum that had everything we would need, but I quickly

discovered that I was way too picky to do that. I couldn't find

anything that I was 100% satisfied with.

One reason I want to homeschool my kids is to have

the ability to sculpt their curriculum to fit their needs.

By doing Kindergarten this year I've been able to see my

daughter's strengths and weaknesses. I've gotten to know

her learning style and what works best for her.

So after months and months and hours and hours of

researching, I believe I've found a fit for her 1st grade year.

Math

I've chosen Horizons for our math curriculum. She's already

doing Horizon's K workbooks and we love them!

Language Arts

I've decided to go with All About Spelling and All About Reading.

I knew for sure that I wanted to do AAS this year but it took me a while to

choose a reading curriculum. We will give AAR a try and see how it goes.

Science

Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding has rave reviews

everywhere I look. From what I've read, its a completely new approach

to learning science. What I liked about it is the ideas and guidance offered

to adapt what you're learning to the student's every day life. I really wanted

a fun science curriculum, outside of a textbook, and I think I've found it.

History

Kayden's been learning about history this year through the American

Girl books. The first series we finished was Felicity, which took place

in 1774 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She learned a little bit about the

Boston Tea Party and Revolutionary War and how America began.

I wanted to continue studying history of the United States so I chose 

Adventures in America for our history curriculum.

So that's it! If you are an experienced homeschooler, I'd love your

opinion on my choices! This will be our first official year of school

and I want to make sure I have all the bases covered.

I love homeschooling :)


****EDIT****

Doing both AAR and AAS ended up being more than I could afford this
school year. So I have changed our spelling curriculum to Soaring With Spelling.