What’s the Difference??

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Comparing Catholic, Non-Catholic Christian, and Secular Cirricula.

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If you’re new to homeschooling you may not understand that there is a difference in curriculum. When deciding to choose Catholic or non-Catholic Christian based educational materials you may wonder what’s the difference their learning about God. After all, it’s pretty obvious to tell the differences between secular and Christian based educational materials. It’s really not as cut and dried as all that.

Yes, Secular material publishers are trying very hard to keep the “religion element” out of the picture. However, you still run into your occasional wizard, troll, witch, evolution theory etc.. you can expect and work around them if you choose this type of curriculum for your homeschool class.

Using Non-Catholic Christian curriculum such as ABEKA, Bob Jones, and a few others; this material is what I call a slippery slope! There is subtle and sometimes not so subtle anti Catholic material splattered throughout their curriculum. Unless you are very aware of your Catholic faith, history, and education, these misconceptions can easily slip past your child and yourself. In the end, your child may be confused and left with a weak Catholic formation.

Using Catholic Curriculum, nearly every part of the curriculum incorporates a Catholic teaching, saints, background of the church, a prayer something that actively involves the Catholic faith and it’s teachings.

For some people using all Catholic materials is just too much. For example, I just want to teach them math or read my child a funny story. That is when you should judge between the secular and non-catholic educational material. There are several good resources available you just need to review the material, read reviews on the materials to find what is right for your family and raising strong faith filled Catholic kids.

Grade 3 Comparison for Homeschool Science

Compare Catholic home school science. Catholic Schools don’t have to be at an institution they can be in your home.

Key:
Seton Home Study – Seton
Kolbe Homeschool Academy – Kolbe
St. Thomas Aquinas – STA
Our Lady of the Rosary – OLR
Our Lady of Victory – OLV
Mother of Divine Grace – MDG
Catholic Heritage Curriculum – CHC
Mater Amabilis – MA (Catholic Version of Charlotte Mason Style)
Angelicum – Angl

Seton:

Exploring God’s Creation

Kolbe, AGL:

Hartcourt Science 3,

OLV:
Science and Living in God’s World – Book 3, Book 3 Quiz and Test Book, Book 3 Answer Key

STA:

Developing Critical Thinking Through Science/Book 2, and Exploring Creation with Botany

CHC:

CHC Lesson Plans – Third Grade, Behold and See 3: Beginning Science

MA:

Refer to their Charlotte Mason style lengthy curriculum list of living books.

OLR:

Scott Foresman Books: Science is exploring: [level 3] (Curriculum Foundation Series)

MDG:

Exploring Gods World: ABEKA Series (protestant based)

Compare Catholic 3rd Grade Homeschool History curriculum

Compare Catholic home school History. Catholic Schools don’t have to be at an institution they can be in your home.

Key:

Seton Home Study – Seton

Kolbe Homeschool Academy – Kolbe

St. Thomas Aquinas – STA

Our Lady of the Rosary – OLR

Our Lady of Victory – OLV

Mother of Divine Grace – MDG

Catholic Heritage Curriculum – CHC

Mater Amabilis – MA (Catholic Version of Charlotte Mason Style)

Angelicum – Angl

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Kolbe:

Catholic Bible History

Kolbe, STA, MA, AGL:

Ancient Egyptian History. Find a rich source of Ancient Egypt books on the Anglicum website
Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)
Spend the Day in Ancient Egypt: Projects and Activities That Bring the Past to Life (Spend The Day Series)
The Ancient World of the Bible
Usborne Book of the Ancient World: Combined Volume : Early Civilization/the Greeks/the Romans/ (Illustrated World History)
Pharaohs & Pyramids (The Usborne Time Traveller)
The Orchard Book of Egyptian Gods and Pharaohs

Anglicum, Kolbe also offer lessons plans for an additional $9 or $10.

Seton, MA:

The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas
MA also offers another supplemental American History book called THIS COUNTRY IS OURS.
It can be be found online for free or you can find the best price on the market through the link I provided.

OLV:

How Our Nation Began (The Christian social history series)

OLR:

Working together

MDG:

Our American Heritage (ABEKA-non Catholic) or How Our Nation Began (The Christian social history series)

Bible History is taught as part of Religion.

There is another choice in History. None of the Home School Programs use it however several families who create their own curriculum do. It is a Catholic Based Program called History Links. It can be used for all ages year after year with several unit studies in Ancient Egypt, Israel, Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia among others. History Links can be intgrated with Science, Writing, Math, Art, Literature, Spelling, vocabulary and more. This program is also among the top 100 picks of Cathy Duffy’s Homeschool curriculum and are proud to be a Catholic based program. A list of some of the resources History Links uses are:
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Story of the World Volume 1, Ancient Times: from Earliest Nomads to Last Roman Empire and Story of the World Volume 1 Student Workbook, Ancient Times: from Earliest Nomads to Last Roman Empire.

Compare Catholic 3rd Grade home School Religion Curriuculum

Compare Catholic home school Religion. Catholic Schools don’t have to be at an institution they can be in your home.

Comparison – 3^rd Grade Homeschool Religion Curriculum

Kolbe, AGL, CHC, MA, (TA as a secondary option):

Faith and Life Series 3 – Life with Jesus
Ignatius Press sells the Revised Grade 3 Teacher's Manual, Student Book and the Activity Book at very reasonable prices for homeschoolers. You may purchase these books separately at several locations. Also available is a free download of lesson plans from Ignatius Press.

TA, OLV, (Kolbe as a secondary option):

Baltimore Catechism books 1 and 2 An explanation of the Baltimore Catechism can be located online for free through this link Explanation of Baltimore Catechism written in 1908 By Rev. A. Urban.

Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

OLR:

Our Holy Faith – God’s Truth Helps us Live There are teachers manuals available however they can be expensive depending where you locate one.

Seton:

Religion 3 for Young Catholics (Key Included)
Exclusive Religion book, includes answer key in the back of the book. Does not offer Lesson plans unless you are enrolled in their study program, or offer you beginning lesson plans with an order of $100.00 worth of books. You can see all Seton religion books here.

Supplemental Books for:
Kolbe: St. Joseph Catholic Childrens Picture Bible
OLV: Picture Book of Saints, The Rosary Booklet, Way of the Cross
Seton: The New Saint Joseph First Communion Catechism, St. Joseph’s Our Lady of Fatima, The Holy Rosary
Mater Amabilis: Bible History and Illustrated Lives of the Saints

Many of these books can be found at Sacred Heart Books:

Grade 3 Mathematics Comparison Curriculum

Compare Catholic home school math. Catholic Schools don’t have to be at an institution they can be in your home.

3^rd Grade Math Homeschool Curriculum Comparison

Kolbe, OLR, CHC:

MCP Mathematics Level C can be purchased with a MCP Math Grade 3 Teachers Edition
in several locations. Some homeschools even offer lessons plans at an additional cost.

Kolbe, Seton, OLV, MDG:

Saxon Math 3 Home Study Kit: Teachers Manual, Student Workbook, Fact Cards An alternative curriculum for Seton, MDG and Kolbe students. This math program can be purchased from several different locations. The best prices for the whole home study kit can usually be found at Seton Publishing or Sacred Heart Books. However, right now I have seen home study kits as low as $40.00 on Amazon…THAT IS A GREAT BUY! You can really find Saxon Math kits for less than $68.00 and that doesn’t include shipping. It is also possible to purchase the curriculum separately. The kit comes with a teacher’s Manual (invaluable,) 2 workbooks, flash cards and a meeting book. Manipulative are sold pretty much anywhere separately. They can be used for several years.

STA,

Math-U-See / Gamma Teacher Kit (Complete Kit)
– video instructions available.

MDG,

ABeka Teacher Manual is available in most locations.

Seton,

Math 3 for Young Catholics teachers manual may only be available if you are part of their program as well as the lesson plans.

OLV

Practical Arithmetic Working with numbers level C only found the answer key not a teachers manual.

Your choice

Here are some random Math sites that may also help.

http://www.mathpracticetools.com/

edhelper – good printable some are free some you need to join their site for about $20.00 a year. It’s at least worth investigating even if you don’t join.

Grade 3 Language Arts Comparison of Homeschool Programs

3^rd Grade Language Arts Homeschool Curriculum Comparison

Whether you want to design your own curriculum or just see what all the HS programs have to offer, over the next week I will be doing a curricula comparison overview of several Catholic Home Study programs. Keep in mind this is an overview to get more in depth you should visit their websites. Some come with perks, some are free, and some are not. It’s very important to keep in mind that if you are interested in a particular text book or curriculum you should further investigate if it comes with a Teachers Manual, not just an answer Key. Some of the courses come with a teacher’s manual/guide, some schools offer them for sale and some do not. If you are not sure if a teacher’s manual is available I suggest visiting the publisher’s website; then you can make an informed decision. Do not just stop at the teacher’s manuals and answer keys because some programs offer lesson plans at a price$ even if do not belong to their program. I would recommend that you consider purchasing lesson plans. They will save hours in your week. Plus, you can always adjust them to your own school assignments.

English/Grammar

Kolbe: Voyages in English 2006 Grade 3 with Voyages in English 2006 Grade 3 Teacher Edition supplements are: McGuffey’s Third Eclectic Reader (you can also get McGuffey’s free online) English from the Roots Up Volume I , Writing Strands Level 3 (Writing Strands Ser)

OLV: Voyages in English 2006 Grade 3or God gave me the gift of Language 3

OLR: Voyages in English 2006 Grade 3

STA: Voyages 2 and/or Simply Grammar

Seton: English 3 for Young Catholics – Seton Grade 3, Basic Skills Better Sentence Structure Through Diagraming, Book 1

CHC: Language of God Level C

MDG: Primary Language Lessons by E. Serl and Sound Beginnings

MA: Primary Language Lessons E. Serl

Angl: Sing, Spell, Read & Write 3^rd grade kit; Shurley Grammar: Level 3

Phonics

Kolbe, Seton: Phonics Workbook: Level C (MCP) Teacher’s manual with answer key for Phonics workbook, level C (MCP phonics program)

OLR, OLV: Word Study Level D (MCP)

Reading

Kolbe, OLV: Catholic National Readers – Book 3

STA: Catholic National Readers – Book 2

Seton: Reading 3 for Young Catholics, Comprehension – Seton Grade 3

Seton, OLR: Faith and Freedom Readers – This is Our Town, This is Our Valley

CHC: Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls; More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls , Little Apostle on Crutches

MDG: Primary Language Lessons by E. Serl

MA: Program of your choice

Literature

MDG, MA: Harp and Laurel and living books

CHC: Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls; Little Apostles on Crutches

STA: A Landscape With Dragons: The Battle for Your Child’s Mind

OLV, Seton: Catholic Stories of Saints and other stories check their sites.

Handwriting: All unique programs

Kolbe: Handwriting Book D – Cursive

STA: Writing Without Tears 3- Cursive

Seton: Handwriting 3 for Young Catholics – Seton Grade 3

OLR: Basic Handwriting

CHC: CHC Handwriting 3

MA: D’Nelian Cursive

MDG: Primary Language Lessons by E. Serl

OLV: Exercise in English

Spelling

Kolbe, OLR: Own Syllabi

STA: The W.I.S.E. Guide for Spelling

Seton: Spelling 3 for Young Catholics – Seton Grade 3 , Vocabulary:Wordly Wise A, B, C

CHC: CHC Catholic Speller 3

MDG: Write Road to Reading

OLV: Traditional Catholic Speller 3 After my own investigation into all the 3rd grade curriculum has led me to make the following decision in my daughters Language Arts program.

English, Phonics, Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary Words will come from these sources:

“English from the Roots up,” “Easy Grammar 3 And 4 – Student Edition: Grades 3 And 4
” (not listed), Sentence Diagramming.
“McGuffey Reader” or “Primary Language Lessons” (because I have these books.)
Also have “Saxon phonics” (also not listed) I will be supplementing with when necessary.
SpellingCity.com is where I will go to drill spelling words, play games with them and test.

“Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls,” Catholic Saint Stories, “Our Town,”
Living books from MA and other home study reading lists.

Handwriting:

I really should try Writing Without Tears because handwriting is her least favorite subject.
I have “Handwriting 3 for young Catholics.”
- I read bible stories associated with the pictures in writing book while my daughter writes out her lesson. She loves that.

How to Educate yourself about Homeschooling

As Pope John Paul II says: Do Not Be Afraid

Everyone who begins homeschooling has some type of phobia. Either afraid they won’t socialize their child or fear that they don’t have the brains to do it.

I had those same fears just as most do. What’s the old saying, the more you know the more you know that you don’t know! Get yourself some support friends, either through Catholic Homeschooling yahoo groups, websites, or your church. I can’t believe what a difference it has made in my families life.

Still don’t think your educated enough? If you can read and you like to learn, your educated enough. Seek assistance from those with positive homeschool experiences to help you.

Take a Grammar Refresher or Keyboarding online course from Ed2go they have a wide selection of Online Courses.Even though I have a bachelors degree, I have taken continuing education courses through this establishment. They are very reasonably priced. The experience was great. I never had to leave my home. Maybe you have a child in high school that may benefit from one of these courses or one that is college age but, not ready for college. In our area the price of a course runs approximately $99 – 105.00 and run every 6 weeks. You work at your own pace as it fits your schedule. There are message boards that share class discussions, emails, and other ways to communicate. Hold on to this motto: You are never too old to learn something new! It’s life changing!

Find the key to making through your first year without spending a mint.

Find out about a Catholic Home Study Program.

Learn about Scope and Sequence for each grade and where to find them.

Go to the library and read books like

Charlotte Mason Education is not a Catholic Curriculum however her vision for education was not one to be overlooked. So a number of women came up with a totally free Catholic Version of the Charlotte Mason Curriculum. You can find it at Mater Amabilis.

You can join their Yahoo Group, Mater Amabilis (which means Mother Most Amiable) to find out more about their style of homeschooling.

Another well known author in Catholic homeschool circles is Maureen Wittmann. She has written a number of books one of which is on my recommended book list, Catholic Homeschooling Companion, and another book called For the Love of Literature. She has also started Webinars help homeschooling families. You can visit her blogspot maureenwittmann

The best advice I received from a friend when I was investigating homeschooling was that I was already homeschooling my daughter; with all the schoolwork/homework she was bringing home because she wasn’t doing it in school, what difference would a few more hours on my time schedule make. That comment opened up a whole new world for us. I can’t say there aren’t days that my daughter wishes she were with the kids at school or I wish I had a bit more time to myself however, overall it’s changed our lives for the better - Especially with our Catholic Education.

Homeschooling With Gentleness: Catholic Discovers Unschooling

Editors Note: I have had personal experience with Fast Web, it really works. It’s not a gimick.

Museums, History, Art, free Days and Homeschool Days

Find a Museum Close to You

Many of museums offer “free days” or “homeschool days”

Go to museums in the USA All types of museums to choose from. Art Museums, Science Museums and many more.

Visiting and Learning about Ancient Egypt, Greece and Italy is no farther than a click away.

Atlanta, Georgia has Michael C. Carlos Museum said to be one of the best Ancient Egypt Museums in the US. Admission is $7 per person. See Mummies Egyptian time periods. Items from Greek, Roman and Ancient American time periods as well.

Totally Tut Pyramid Game $17.98

Exploring never got better than with the fascinating Michael Carlos online Ancient Greece Museum there is no explaining this one, it a fun way to read and learn all about Ancient times. Enter into a Flash multimedia presentation with lots of features and choices for teaching things such as architecture, living, geography, battles, God’s Goddess’, heroes, names, and Greek Democracy.

Art Institute of Chicago

View an entire multi-media guide to the Ancient World and choose from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Italy when visiting the the Art Institute of Chicago. Cick the stories button (link) if that option is available that goes along with the images. The story runs a quicktime movie that explains the history surrounding the image. For example, here is a video telling about the Ancient Boats used in the time of Cleopatra in Egypt. Explaining how the boats sailed up and down the Nile River. These would make great history lessons for younger grades as an introduction to Ancient History.

Lesson Plans for the Ancient Studies are also available at the Art Institute of Chicago for teaching Math, Fine Arts, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. These look like they would make great unit studies. Note: these lesson plans are main focus includes those in 4th and 5th grade.

Then go and learn about Ancient Egypt at the British Museum in the UK learn about hieroglyphics writings.

Vatican Online Museums

You don’t have to go any farther than the tip of your fingers to find loads of Ancient history. Here at the Vatican Online Museum you will find quality Christian history, art history and more.

St. Louis Art Museum

The St. Louis Art Museum is a spectacular Museum if you ever get the chance to go there. It’s free every day and on Friday’s their special exhibits are free too. They have beautiful Ancient Art and quite an extensive collection of religious and Chinese art. They also have educational programs some for free depending on the time and season.

Parthenon in the USA

One of the most awesome things I ever saw in the United States was a life size replica of the Greek PARTHENON – in NASHVILLE, TN!! It was unbelievable. I felt like I was in Greece. Inside there is a Colossal statue of Athena holding Nike It’s located in down town Nashville and at this time it cost $6.00 for adults and $3.50 for kids 4- 17, if your younger than that you get in free. they are open year round from about 9-4 except Sunday it’s 12:30 – 4:30. View the photo gallery

Free Living History Books and Stories

The following Stories can be found on the Baldwin Project they come from a book called Heroes Every Child Should know. You can click the link to view the entire book online or you can choose one of the titles below and read only that story. Baldwin Project also offers this 379 page book for sale as a reprint. Perseus Hercules Daniel David St. George King Arthur Sir Galahad Siegfried Roland King Alfred The Cid Robin Hood Richard the Lion-Hearted Saint Louis William Tell Robert Bruce George Washington Robert E. Lee Abraham Lincoln Father Damien

Stories about Saints

Can be found in this book called In God’s Garden Once again you can view the entire book free online or just read about the individual Saints. One thing I notices about this online book – while the stories are easy to read their are not many pictures. A suggestion might be to print out the individual stories and make your own book with Saint pictures out of it. Or better yet make a lap book with it. Here are the Saints and their stories. (these stories are in the public domain.) Saint Ursula Saint Benedict Saint Christopher Saint Catherine of Siena Saint Augustine of Hippo Saint Augustine of Canterbury Saint Cecilia Saint Giles Saint Nicholas Saint Faith Saint Cosmo and Saint Damian Saint Martin Saint George Saint Francis of Assisi

Comprehensive History book called On the Shores of the Great Sea

You can read this book free on line thanks to the Baldwin Project. It has stories in it that include everything from the home of Abraham to the rise of Carthage and more. Some of these stories may be a bit too advanced for 2nd and 3rd grade learning. The Home of Abraham Into Africa An Old Trade-Route Joseph in Egypt The Story of the Nile Flood In a Strange Land The Children of Israel Back to the Fatherland The First Merchant Fleet Conquerors of the Sea Early Pioneers Hiram, King of Tyre King Solomon’s Fleet The Story of Carthage Out of the Shadowland The Story of the Argonauts The Siege of Troy The Adventures of Ulysses The Dawn of History The Fall of Tyre The Rise of Carthage Hanno’s Adventures Some More About Greece A Cloud in the East The Battle of Marathon King Ahasuerus How Leonidas Kept the Pass Victory for the Greeks Some Greek Colonies Across the Blue Waters The Beauty of Athens The Death of Socrates Retreat of the Ten Thousand The Story of Romulus and Remus How Horatius Kept the Bridge Coriolanus Alexander the Great King of Macedonia Conquest of the East Conquest of India Alexander’s City Back to Rome Again A Great Conflict The Roman Fleet Hannibal’s Vow The Adventures of Hannibal The End of Carthage The Triumph of Rome Two Young Romans Julius Caesar The Flight of Pompey The Death of Caesar The Empire of Rome Pax Romana

Also included in the Baldwin Project resources is this Catholic history book on

Saints to the End of the Middle Ages

It includes a host of well know Saints. Here is the table of content list from the book. When you click on the link you will go directly to that saints history story. Cyprian, 200-258 Athanasius, 296-373 Ambrose, 340-397 Chrysostom, 347-407 Jerome, 340-420 Augustine, 354-430 Benedict, 480-543 Gregory the Great, 540-604 Columba, 521-597 Charlemagne, 742-814 Hildebrand, 1020-1085 Anselm, 1033-1109 Bernard, 1091-1153 Becket, 1118-1170 Langton, 1170-1221 Dominic, 1170-1228 Francis, 1182-1226 Wycliffe, 1320-1384 Hus, 1373-1415 Savonarola, 1452-1498 Here is another book on Saints from the Baldwin Project call

Stories of Saints

Here are titles from that book. Click the link and go directly to the story. The Palace of Gondoforus St Mary of Egypt The Gentle Giant St Patrick St Bridget of Kildare St Elfleda’s Ale The Saintly Friends of Assisi St John Gualbert’s Crucifix St Ursula and the Eleven Thousand Virgins St Edward’s Smile and the Seven Sleepers St Zita’s Pilgrimage St Nicholas St Herman-Joseph’s Apple St Louis of France The Patience of St Frances the Roman St Margaret of Scotland The Silence of St John of Nepomuk St Charles Borromero St Ruadan’s Protection St Gudula’s Lantern St Anthony of Padua The Roses of St Rose The Good Almoner’s Hat St Gonsalvo’s Bridge Saints Stephen, Lawrence, and Hippolytus St Clothilde’s Banner St Bernardine of Siena St Raymond’s Boat St Elizabeth of Hungary The Dedication of St Francis Borgia St Jeanne D’Arc St Francis and the Birds St Roch and His Dog St Rigobert and His Goose St Deicolus and the Wild Boar St Giles and the Hind St Corentin’s Fish St Oringa and the Hare St Spiridion’s Mules St Umiliata and the Weasel St Felix and the Spider St Luanomar’s Cow St Kentigern and the Robin The Friend of St Gerasimus Chronological Order of the Saints

Ancient History

Here is a simple Ancient history link on Teacher’s Vision secular based on the 7 Wonders of Ancient History.

Good link to a fun Hieroglyphics site. Get as detailed as you want with Egyptian writings, numbers, fractions, downloads and links.
Totally Tut Pyramid Game $17.98
Good site, claims to be a kids site on Mummies of Ancient Egypt but I think it may be a little advance for 2nd and 3rd grade without parental guidance and interpretation. It includes a timeline, what mummies are, who they are and how they are made. Even includes what they thought about afterlife. With your guidance through this site it definitely has potential.

Another fun site I ran across are mummy projects; one is, How to Mummy a Chicken!

A very nice 4 volume collection of World History books is called “The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child” they deal with all types of history from Ancient to modern. These books are not free however, you can find them on Amazon.com for really good prices. This collection even offers test books for each of the volumes with the answer keys

Volume 1, Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the last Roman Emperor Volume 2, The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance Tests and Answer Key (2: The Middle Ages) Volume 3: Early Modern Times Volume 4, From Victoria's Empire to the End of the USSR

On to the Free Books and Stories online

Greek Mythology:

Looking for a Greek Mythology book? Here is one to investigate. It was written in 1896, yes, 1896. It claims to be the best introduction to Greek mythology for children and it is free to read online. The book is called Gods and Heroes It includes all the prominent gods of mythology such as Neptune, Mercury, Isis and heroes such as Hercules and his twelve labors. Done very well as a narrative.