Author Topic: Trying to pick the right Catholic homeschool curriculum? (Read 3245 times)

Cascia · « **on:** January 02, 2013, 08:38:35 PM »

Trying to pick the right Catholic homeschool curriculum?

There is a great article (http://www.christismyking.com/why-homeschool/) at www.ChristIsMyKing.com that compares eight of the major Catholic homeschool curricula (such as Seton, Kolbe, Angelicuм, MODG, etc.) and highlights their qualities and features.

At the bottom of the article there's a very clear chart which shows which programs are accredited, which offer help for special need students, etc.

http://www.christismyking.com/why-homeschool/

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Nadir · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2013, 09:31:48 PM »

I have my doubts about this website. I suspect that they have carefully avoided true traditional.

When I was a homeschooling Mum I was recommended, but did not use, Our Lady of Victories. However I like the look of their website http://www.olvs.org/index.asp where they say:

Quote

We began offering home study courses in 1977 based completely on traditional Catholic teaching.

So they have some experience.

In regard to tradition Our Lady of Victories has this to say :

Quote

Our philosophy of education is simply as the Church has stated from time immemorial, and as defined by Pope Pius XI in his encyclical, On the Christian Education of Youth: "Education consists essentially in preparing man for what he must be and for what he must do here below, in order to attain the sublime end for which he was created." Accordingly, OLVS believes that the safest road for our Faith to travel is that road which was gloriously traveled by the saints and the holy popes of our Church for over 1900 years. Therefore, you will find us supporting only the Latin Tridentine Mass, as promulgated by Pope St. Pius V. Our Lady of Victory School has over 1,500 students enrolled worldwide, from Malaysia to Hungary. Most of those enrolled are in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Another 5,000 families, most with multiple children, are either affiliated through our satellite program, or use our lesson plans and books.

http://www.love2learn.net/index.html has some good homeschool resources. I had a quick look at their Holy Communion books and while some are recently published others date back to 1920, 1921, 1954, 1958 and 1963

On a more personal note, we never stuck to one program but felt more comfortable picking and choosing from a variety, including protestant, but not for history. We stuck to Catholic history.

Tiffany · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2013, 04:25:04 AM »

There isn't much info there.

Thursday · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2013, 07:53:27 AM »

I'm using the Our Lady of Victory books, so far I'm satisfied. Been through kindergarten and just started grade 1.

Olive · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2013, 09:41:08 AM »

We've used OLVS for several years now. They have changed their books and plans a bit since we started, but for the better I think. Not innovative, just more user-friendly in approach. They are certainly orthodox and traditional.

We do supplement with a book here or there from other Catholic homeschool resources, but in general, we use OLVS all the way.

That being said, I like the way MODG approaches schooling using history and literature as a basis - but it's not laid out overall the way I prefer. But that's preference - and I will say that they are traditional-friendly if you want to make substitutions. Just call them and tell them you are a trad, and what you want to supplement, and they seem to work with you.

:)

PS - CHC has some nice reprints of pre-V2 Catholic books, such as The Little Apostle on Crutches, and they have study guides online, for free, to use with them.

Nadir · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2013, 03:33:39 PM »

What does CHC stand for?

Olive · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2013, 04:34:10 PM »

Catholic Heritage Curriculum

Olive · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2013, 02:31:02 PM »

Also, if you are looking for literature-based history, look into www.rchistory.com
Going this route allows you to 'knock out' literature and history together instead of separately.
It is not a full curriculum itself though.

songbird · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:06:40 PM »

I home schooled with Seton from 1992-2004. We went from New Order in 1996. I was still happy with their curriculum. They had catholicism in all their subjects. They even made their own science books and again very catholic. If a New Order family used it, they would find more catholic and more tradition then what their empty churches are giving them. Many saints stories in the vocabulary words and spelling. I was very pleased with them and they are very versatile when it comes to giving a child a second chance before a final grade. I was told The holy Rosary series did not do that and mothers let go of it and went Seton. Seton is very thorough. I would say that there are many reasons why some maybe chosen over others. I can only say that I was happy with Seton.

Diego · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:13:57 PM »

I like the MODG approach and flexibility. They are NO, but tolerate practicing Catholics. I looked into OLV—less expensive, but relatively inflexible.

Best plan? Do your own.

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2013, 05:34:01 PM »

We kinda do our own: Seton, then Saxon so far for math, a dash of Bob books, printed worksheets from the internet sometimes, etc, and I intend when she's a stronger reader/older to supplement with the Henty books, will continue Seton+Saxon until I see a reason not to/can't afford.

I have seen some folks really rave about Kolbe, I wonder why: I was so unimpressed by what I saw.

Diego · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2013, 07:35:29 PM »

You are in Brazil?

How is that working out?

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2013, 02:05:45 AM »

Quote from: Diego

You are in Brazil?

How is that working out?

I'm in Brazil?

Tiffany · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2013, 07:57:54 AM »

Quote from: Olive

We've used OLVS for several years now. They have changed their books and plans a bit since we started, but for the better I think. Not innovative, just more user-friendly in approach. They are certainly orthodox and traditional.

We do supplement with a book here or there from other Catholic homeschool resources, but in general, we use OLVS all the way.

That being said, I like the way MODG approaches schooling using history and literature as a basis - but it's not laid out overall the way I prefer. But that's preference - and I will say that they are traditional-friendly if you want to make substitutions. Just call them and tell them you are a trad, and what you want to supplement, and they seem to work with you.

:)

PS - CHC has some nice reprints of pre-V2 Catholic books, such as The Little Apostle on Crutches, and they have study guides online, for free, to use with them.

My First Catholic Speller from CHC is a nice LA book for K/1.

I used to check out the MODG books history list from the library. I liked the English from the Roots Up flashcard set too.

I love the way OLVS Spelling and Writing books are spiral bound!

Olive · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2013, 05:15:13 PM »

I recommend that everyone attend a Catholic homeschool conference. IHM Conference is usually the largest, particularly the one in VA in June, but they host other ones across the country. Seton is behind the conferences but all Catholic homeschooling vendors are welcome and almost all attend. It is a great opportunity to view the books and talk to the representatives of the various homeschooling curricula. And the talks are decent too, particularly the ones that Ginny Seuffert gives. She homeschooled her twelve children, and she has some sage advice on handling many aspects.

You can google IHMConference.org to find out if one will be relatively near you this year. :)