You know that math curriculum isn’t one-size-fits-all, so it may not surprise you to discover that at the 3rd grade level alone we currently sell 5 different complete curricula options with myriads of supplements. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and many appeal to different students for different reasons. Here is our attempt to summarize your options, (again, we’re looking at 3rd grade as a sample) but don’t hesitate to email curriculum@timberdoodle.com with any questions!

Our general recommendations (as seen in each Complete Curriculum Package) go like this:

Baby:

• counting concepts with any toy

Toddler:

• same as above
• counting book

Preschool:

• Beginning Mathematical Reasoning

Kindergarten:

• Mathematical Reasoning A
• Inchimals

First Grade:

• Mathematical Reasoning B
• Jump Math 1
• Wrap-Ups Addition
• Wrap-Ups Subtraction
• Cuisenaire Rods Introductory Set
• Daily Math Word Problems 1st grade

Second Grade:

• Mathematical Reasoning C
• Jump Math 2
• Wrap-Ups Multiplication
• Daily Math Word Problems 2nd grade

Third Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks 3
• Wrap-Ups Division
• Daily Math Word Problems 3rd grade

Fourth Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks 4
• Daily Math Word Problems 4th grade

Fifth Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks 5
• Daily Math Word Problems 5th grade

Sixth Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks 6
• Daily Math Word Problems 6th grade

Seventh Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks 7

Eighth Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks PreAlgebra

Ninth Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1

Tenth Grade:

• Teaching Textbooks Geometry

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and for many of us, the holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with our family and friends. But for those who have been through a heartbreaking year, the holidays are often just a reminder of what they have lost. If you or loved ones are having a difficult time seeing how God is good during the hard times, then we recommend If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil.
We have followed with interest the ministry of Randy Alcorn for many years, so when he first came out with If God Is Good, it was a natural for Mom to order a copy to read. After reading it through, she really felt it was something we would all benefit from reading. We ordered more copies of it, one for each of us, and began to study it as a family. We would read about two chapters a week individually, meeting during our Monday morning family devotion time to talk through what we had read.
If you wonder how a good God could allow evil and suffering, or if you are not sure how to answer the questions your friends and family have about good and evil, then If God Is Good will be of substantial assistance. To enter to win a copy, leave a comment on  Facebook. Winner will be announced on Monday.

(Check back for more reports of books with homeschooled characters.)

And now even one of my all-time favorite authors, Jamie Langston Turner, has written a novel, Sometimes A Light Surprises, in which one of the main characters is a homeschooled young woman.

We have read and truly enjoyed a number of Jamie Langston Turners’ novels, each one full of rich vocabulary and complex characters with life stories too complicated for quick resolutions. I always come away from her novels enriched and with a better appreciation for others’ deep trials, sorrows and complexities. Jamie Langston Turner’s writings are truly profound literary works.

Her latest novel, Sometimes A Light Surprises, has multiple characters with, of course, multiple issues. The one who most interests me is Kelly, a young woman from a homeschooled family somewhat stereotypically portrayed. Raised in a seemingly fairly conservative family, Kelly is often portrayed as somewhat homely in dress and reserved around others. A very worthwhile read even if you do not carry the same quizzical curiosity as we do to know what homeschooled means to those who aren’t.

I greatly enjoyed this latest edition by Jamie Langston Turner and if you find you enjoy her style as much as I have, I encourage you to go back and read all of her books.
My favorite – By The Light Of A Thousand Stars.

This is not a kid’s book but I think that most 15+ homeschooled girls would enjoy it.

Note: Besides, Sometimes A Light Surprises, you will want to read the rest of the novels in order.
Not essential, but I think you will enjoy the story line much more and follow each character’s history better with the books read in the correct order.

Excerpts:

“Part of him shrank from opening the cards. What kind of greeting could sum up his brand of fathering? Thanks, Dad, for financing my college education. That was one that might work. He thought of others: To a dad who made a fortune in the stock market. Or To a father who didn’t ask a lot of nosy questions or impose a bunch of strict rules on us growing up.”

“Caroline herself felt hot and cold toward the girl. Sometimes she wished she had a daughter like here, or a daughter-in-law. But other times she wanted to tell her to get a wardrobe update, put on some makeup, and join the twenty-first century. At least she had bought herself a couple of new outfits lately even if they did look like they came from Kmart.”

“Ben paused to ponder for a moment: first, what he might do in such a situation; second, why an American writer would have used the British term perambulator; and third, did it matter that they were triplets as apposed to a single baby?”

“From the other end of the table, Mark said, “Hey, Shel, did you ever tell them about the baking contest?” Mark was cut out of the same cloth as Shelly. They seemed to feed off each other, eager to share every speck of information about their successes. Ben wondered if their batteries ever ran down. He saw Erin and Reuben exchange looks across the table.”