There is an endless supply of materials available for home school use. Many Christian textbook publishers are very helpful to home educators. Local home educating families use a wide variety of materials and are usually eager to share what they like about what they are using.

The costs of curriculum materials vary greatly according to your preferences and needs. Some feel very comfortable without teacher’s manuals and some need them. It is also possible to purchase or rent used materials and save some expense. Different teaching methods require different materials, some lending themselves more to the use of library materials. There are three (3) main teaching methods which we will describe here (summarized from Elijah Company Catalog):

TEXTBOOKS AND WORK TEXTS

These books are the same books and workbooks used in classrooms across the country. Textbooks are available from some secular companies as well as several Christian publishers. Some of the most widely used Christian textbook publishers are Bob Jones University Press, A Beka Books, Christian Liberty Press, Classic Curriculum from Mott Media, and Rod and Staff. The three most common work text approaches are Alpha-Omega Publications, School of Tomorrow (Accelerated Christian Education), and Christian Light Education.

CORRESPONDENCE

Work must be submitted to the correspondence school and all grades are kept by them. They provide the curriculum and the parent oversees the work. This is the most costly way to home school. You may also find it to be the most stressful because of the amount of work required. Some of these companies also provide other options whereby you may keep your own records, saving some expense. Calvert School, Christian Liberty Academy, A Beka Video School, Seton Home Study School (Catholic), Bob Jones HomeSat, and Bob Jones University Academy of Home Education for High School are all sources of correspondence schools. All listed here except Calvert are Christian schools.

NON-TEXTBOOK APPROACHES

Following is a list of seven (7) alternative teaching approaches with a brief explanation and resources available.

A. The Classical Approach – The modern proponent was Dorothy Sayers who felt our education system was failing because we are teaching subjects instead of teaching children how to think. She proposed that we should return to the form of education that once produced the world’s greatest scholars. Books: Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson, The Closing of the American Mind by Alan Bloom. Magazine: Teaching the Trivium.

B. The Principle Approach – Based on seven (7) Biblical principles on which our country was founded and by which many of the founding fathers lived. The student learns to assume responsibility for teaching himself and applying knowledge to his life through the use of notebooks to record the 4 Rs (Researching, Reasoning, Relating and Recording). Books: A Guide to American Christian Education for the Home and School: The Principle Approach by James B. Rose. Tape: “How To” audio seminar: The Principle Approach by Stephen McDowell.

C. Living Books and Life Experiences Approach – Based on the writings of turn-of-the-century educator Charlotte Mason. She believed in respecting children as persons, in involving them in real-life situations, and in allowing them to read really good books instead of what she called “twaddle” (inferior teaching material like textbooks). Her approach was to teach basic reading, writing and math skills, then expose students to the best sources of knowledge for all other subjects. Books: The Original Home Schooling Series by Charlotte Mason; For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay; A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola; Charlotte Mason Study Guide by Penny Gardner; Books Children Love by Edith Wilson; Teaching Children by Diane Lopez; You CAN Teach Your Child Successfully by Ruth Beechick. Curriculum: Sonlight Curriculum puts together a complete year’s work for each grade level using living books for everything except learning the basics. Teacher’s manuals and lesson plans are included.

D. Unit Study Approach – Unit Studies take a theme or topic and delve into it deeply over a period of time, integrating language arts, science, social studies, math and fine arts as they apply. One advantage is that all ages can learn together, each at his own level. Some already prepared unit study curriculum: Alta Vista, KONOS; the Classics; The Weaver. Books: How to Create Your Own Unit Study by Valerie Bendt; Design-A-Study Guides by Kathryn Stout. Magazine: Home Schooling Today.

E. Unschooling – An approach supported by John Holt. It is non-structured learning that allows children to pursue their own interests with parental support and guidance, and lets children learn by being included in the life of adults. Formal academics are introduced only as the need arises for the child to learn a particular thing. John Holt and the following resources are NOT Christian based. Books: any by John Holt; Homeschooling for Excellence and Hard times in Paradise by David and Micki Colfax. Magazine: Growing Without Schooling. Tape: Audio workshop: Unschooling by Patrick Farenga.

F. Delayed Academics. Based on the research of Raymond and Dorothy Moore. This approach delays formal education until the child is mentally, physically and emotionally ready (usually sometime between the ages of 8 and 12). It emphasizes development of good habits in the child through help with household work and family service projects, limiting time spent with peers, and balancing academics with work and service. Books: any by the Moores. They also have tapes and videos available. Magazine: The Moore Report International.

G. Learning Styles. This approach results from research showing that everyone has a specific way in which he learns best (i.e., visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.). The parent figures out the learning style of each child and then develops a curriculum that is best suited to each. Books: In Their Own Way by Thomas Armstrong; Learning Styles and Tools by Robin Scarlata; Brain Powering Your Child by Sharon Smisek; and The Christian Home Educator’s Curriculum Manual by Cathy Duffy.

Following is a list of local resources and a list of curriculum publishers. Following that, you will find a list of other catalog resources which contain a large variety of home-school friendly curricula and educational resources.

There is also a reading list. We highly recommend that you do a lot of reading to help develop your own philosophy of education and style of teaching, as well as to get encouragement and practical ideas and tips. These books may be found in public libraries, the GRHE library, the homes of other home educators, or in catalogs on our list. Find some of them and READ!

Here are some suggestions to get you started. Some excellent books on home education and philosophy of education are The Wholehearted Child (Clarkson), Home Grown Kids (Moore), Home Educating with Confidence (Boyer), The Charlotte Mason Companion (Andreola), The Right Choice – Home Schooling (Klicka), and The Homeschool Manual (Wade). We also suggest that you order a large collection of catalogs to see the variety of what is available for you and get a feel for what will work best for your family. It is of great concern to us when new home schoolers just want someone to tell them “what to order” and have no apparent interest in reading anything about home schooling nor in searching out curriculum options that will work best for their family. If you are going to home school, you are an educator, and you need to act like one!

LOCAL RESOURCES

There are a number of locally available resources, although we also recommend that you order the catalogs of non-local companies to round out your information and to have available to you the resources you may need at any given time. The public libraries and the GRHE library are also sources of information and curriculum.

Barnes and Noble Booksellers, (540)776-2960
They offer homeschoolers discounts on educational materials and no shipping charges.

Family Christian Stores, (540)772-3959
They carry a limited amount of home school curriculum.

KSS Instructional Aids, (540)362-7172
This is a teacher supply and supplement store.

Moore Expressions, 540-777-0454
Karen Tucker, Manager is a former Homeschool mom
They carry a wide range of new and used Homeschool curriculum materials and can order items not in stock.
630 Abney Road, Roanoke VA 24012  (just off Williamson Rd)
www.mooreexpressions.com

The Learning Source, (540)342-9864
This teacher supply/supplement store offer discounts one Saturday a month.

BASIC CURRICULUM WITH LOCAL CONTACTS

We recommend you contact each of these companies and request their catalogs:

A Beka Publications (Christian Textbook Publisher), (800)874-3592

Alpha-Omega Publications (Christian Worktext Publisher & Computer Programs), (800)622-3070

Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. Science Curriculum designed for the homeschool

Bob Jones University Press (Christian Textbook Publisher), (800)845-5731

Calvert School (non-Christian, traditional correspondence school featuring classical education), (301)243-6030,

Christian Liberty Press (Christian Textbook Publisher), (800)832-2741

Christian Light Education (Christian Worktext Publisher), (800)776-0478

Hewitt Research Foundation (Christian; Evaluation & Personalized Curriculum; Good for delayed or handicapped learner as well as gifted student) P.O. Box 9, Washougal, WA 98671

KONOS (Christian Unit Study Curriculum), (214)669-7922

Mott Media (Publisher of Classic Textbooks), (313)685-4348

Moore Foundation (Christian Curriculum), (360)835-2736

Rod and Staff Publishers (Christian Textbook Publisher), (606)522-4348, Box 3, Crockett, KY 41413-0003

School of Tomorrow (Christian Worktext Publisher), (800)925-7777

Seton Home Study School (Catholic Curriculum & Correspondence School), (703)636-9990

Sonlight Curriculum (Living Books Approach – Complete Curriculum), (303)730-6292

The Weaver (Christian Unit Study Curriculum), (714)688-3126

ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM RESOURCES

We also recommend you order catalogs from these resources:

Bluestocking Press (Non-Christian, but many good history and economics resources from a conservative point of view), (800)959-8586

The Book Peddler (Christian, variety), (800)928-1760

Cornerstone Curriculum Project (Christian Math, Science, Music, Art and World Views), (972)235-5149

Doorposts (Christian; specializes in resources that develop strong Christian character), (503)357-4749,

Educators Publishing Service (Non-Christian; Language Arts, Math and Special Needs; affordable materials created by public school teachers), (800)225-5750, w

The Elijah Company (Much more than a great catalog; lots of home school information), (888)235-4524

Family Learning Center (Christian Language Arts Programs)

Farm Country General Store (Christian; discount prices), (309)367-2844,

God’s World Book Club (Christian; homeschool resources; weekly student news magazines), (800)951-2665

Greenleaf Press (Christian; specializes in history resources), (615)449-1617

Landmark Distributors (Christian; Principle Approach resources)

LaCelle Family Ministries A family based ministry that offers a good selection of quality material, often at discounted prices

Masterbooks (Creation Science Resources)

Mountain View Books (Unit Study Resources)

Rainbow Resource Center (Christian; discount prices), (888)841-3456

Timberdoodle (Christian; discount prices; some distinctive items not found other places),(360)426-0672

Tobin’s Lab (Christian; Science resources), (800)522-4776

Vision Forum (Christian resources for character building; reprints of old books), (800)440-0022

MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS

ACTS AND FACTS (Free periodical dealing with issues from a creation science perspective)
Institute for Creation Research
10946 Woodside Ave. N.
Santee, CA 92071
 

GOD’S WORLD PUBLICATIONS (Weekly newspapers for students K- 1 2 and adults; Christian perspective on news; also a book club and resource catalog for students and teachers.)
P.O. Box 2330
Asheville, NC 28802
 

HOMESCHOOLING TODAY (Bimonthly; includes a unit study, literature studies, removable art feature, science projects, preschool activities, and teen articles. Christian.)
P.O. Box 1425
Melrose, FL 32666
 

MOORE REPORT INTERNATIONAL (Raymond & Dorothy Moore Publication; Bimonthly)
The Moore Foundation
Box 1
Camas, WA 98607
www.moorefoundation.com

NATURE FRIEND MAGAZINE (Christian nature magazine for children that emphasizes creation, creation, high family standards & stewardship of God's world. Monthly.)
P.O. Box 73
Goshen, IN 26526

THE TEACHING HOME (Christian home education magazine; Focus on major topic each issue; also much from readers & support groups around the country. Bimonthly.)
Box 20219
Portland, OR 97220

THE HOME SCHOOL DIGEST (Quarterly magazine featuring some of the most respected names in the home education movement. Its purpose is to expose home schoolers to the wide range of issues affecting them. Also publish An Encouraging Word for homeschooling moms.)
Wisdom’s Gate
P.O. Box 125Q
Sawyer, M 49125

PRACTICAL HOMESCHOOLING (Quarterly magazine published by Mary & Bill Pride. Features regular articles by the Andreolas, Sam Blumenfeld, Cathy Duffy, Jessica Hulcy, the Shearers & more! Also reviews 50+ resources each issue.)
Home Life
P.O. Box 1250
Fenton, MO 63026-1850

NATHHAN (National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network. A Christian support network for families home schooling children with mild to severe learning difficulties. Phone support, newsletter, resource guide, library.)
5383 Alpine Rd. SE
Olalla, WA 98359
206-857-4257

THE WALLBUILDER REPORT (Free quarterly publication with Biblical insight and encouragement surrounding current events. Lots of GREAT information on our Founding Fathers. Published by David Barton’s organization.)
P.O. Box 397
Aledo, TX 76008-0397
Wallbuilders

SUGGESTED READING LIST

Home education resources can be located in the Public Library in the nonfiction sections under the numbers 372 and 649. They have more books than are listed in this section. Please be aware as you read that some of these may come from a non-Christian philosophy of education. There may still be ideas and information you can glean from them, though, so feel free to read everything you can get your hands on!

Books marked with * indicates they can be found in Roanoke Valley libraries and books marked with # indicates they can be found in the GRHE Library.

PHILOSOPHY OF HOME EDUCATION

The Charlotte Mason Companion (#), Karen Andreola

The How and Why of Home Schooling (*), Ray Ballman

The Socialization Trap (#), Rick Boyer

Home Educating with Confidence (#), Rick Boyer

Going Home to School, Llewellyn Davis

The Homeschooling Father (#), Michael Farris

The Christian Home School (#), Greg Harris

How Children Learn (*), John Holt (not from a Christian view)

How Children Fail (*), John Holt (not from a Christian view)

Teach Your Own (*), John Holt (not from a Christian view)

The Right Choice: Home Schooling, Chris Klicka

For the Children’s Sake (#), Susan Schaeffer MacCaulay

The Original Homeschooling Series (#), Charlotte Mason

School Can Wait (*), (#), Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Home Spun Schools (*), Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Home Style Teaching (#), Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Home Grown Kids (*), (#), Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Better Late Than Early, Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Home Built Discipline, Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Home School Burnout (#), Raymond & Dorothy Moore

Home Education: Rights and Reasons (*), John Whitehead

CURRICULUM GUIDES

Christian Home Educator’s Manual, by Cathy Duffy, Volume 1 for K-6, Volume 11 for 7-12

Home-Schooling Resource Guide & Directory of Organizations (*), by Mary Hood

Teaching Children (1st – 6th), by Diane Lopez

The Big Book of Home Learning (*), (#), by Mary Pride

“HOW TO” BOOKS

Ruth Beechick: 3 R’s Manuals (K-3) (#), Reading, Arithmetic & Language (#), You CAN Teach Your Child Successfully (4th-8th), (*), (#)

Valerie Bendt: How to Create Your Own Unit Study (#), The Unit Study Idea Book (#)

Samuel Blumenfeld: Alpha-Phonics (*), (#), How to Tutor (*), (#), The New Illiterates – and How You Can Keep Your Child From Becoming One (*)

Rick Boyer: Home Fducating With Confidence (#), Yes, They're All Ours (#), Hands-On Character Building (#)

Bill Butterworth: The Peanut Butter Family Home School(*)

Ronald & Inge Cannon: Apprenticeship Plus (#), (High School)

Clay & Sally Clarkson: 7he Wholehearted Child (#)

David & Micki Colfax: Home Schooling for Excellence (*), (not a Christian perspective)

Gayle Graham: How to Home School: A Practical Approach (#)

Borg Hendrickson: How to Create A Low Cost/No Cost Curriculum (*), Home School: Taking the First Step (*)

Joyce Herzog: Learning In Spite of Labels (#), Choosing & Using Curriculum for Your Special Needs Child (#)

Mary Hood: The Relaxed Home School (*), (#)

Marilyn Howshall: Wisdom's Way of Learning

Gladys Hunt: Honey for a Child's Heart (#), Read for Your Life (#)

McAlister & Oneschak: Homeschooling the High Schooler (#) (Vols I & II)

May Pride: The Big Book of Home Learning (*), (#), Schoolproof (*)

Barb Shelton: Senior High: A Home Designed Form-U-La (#)

Kathy Salars: NA THHAN Resource Guide (#) Resources for Special Needs)

Theodore Wade: The Home School Manual (*), (#)

Shackelford & White: A Survivor's Guide to Homeschooling (*), (#)

Elizabeth Wilson: Books Children Love (#)

HEAV: The Virginia Home-School Manual (*), (#)

Greater Roanoke Home Educators
P.O. Box 14223
Roanoke, VA  24038
Voice Mail:  (540) 342-6111
E-Mail info@grhe.org