Let's talk curriculum!

As mentioned in the past here, our curriculum choice is one of the reasons we homeschool; I fell in love with the content, its pace, and the many wonderful products they offer. Our curriculum of choice is Catholic Heritage Curricula. We have used it exclusively since the very beginning. It is classic and faith based, but also simple and easy to use. 

Kids love to unwrap their new books! there is nothing better than this for a homeschooler 😇

CHC caught my attention from the very beginning by the innocent overall theme. If you look at their catalogs you will see that they are motherly and classic, so my first impression pointed me to the innocence of the program. I wanted that in my homeschool! besides, it was faith based: most of their books are enriched by the truths of the Faith and the Magisterium. For example: their spelling, handwriting and grammar, add bible verses and apologetics early on. Their science and social studies approach, is outlined with a strong faith and reason perspective, that walks paralleled with the history of the church! it is truly careful and intentionally crafted, I love that! Also the gentle approach and their rigor allows you from the First to the Fourth grade to have a four day schedule, giving you and your students a break right in the middle of the week! 

I liked the fact that offers pre-made planners, that organize your subjects, lessons and daily activities within a 32-36 week range for you! in addition includes teacher manuals and tips to help you introduce the concepts to your students. This  is a great plus when you have no teaching background!

I am just learning the homeschool world and I am not very familiar with the variety of products and latest reviews, so I try to play safe and go with what I like and began to know.  CHC shaped my days and the goals of our homeschool, I have learned to expand my resources to my rhythm and comfort. To begin, I started with the core subjects and as we grew confident of what we were capable to do, we explored their enrichment books. We love their art program, music studies and Latin readers series.

One of my biggest fears at the beginning - speaking truth here- was teaching my kids to read. As you know by now, my English is a work in progress, so to even imagine teaching my children to read correctly, was a reason of concern. CHC has the sweetest books and an easy program for readers to introduce phonics and spelling. As a matter of fact it help me, to improve my pronunciation and spelling -one is never old to learn new things from the basic places- yes! the kids and I were enriched by this very program.

I have nothing but great things to say about CHC, we used it exclusively for now, but we are open to enhance in other places too, we help ourselves with online resources, library books and such. I can recommend it for all elementary, we just began middle school with my oldest and so far we are enjoying it very much. They are always improving and updating their programs so there is much to explore yet. 

CHC is not an online school, so there is not a tuition or enrollment fees to pay, they simply offer families a great selection of curricula to educate your children at home; the heart of their philosophy is mainly to cultivate the life of your "domestic church".

I am sure there is plenty of other methods and curricula out there that are great too. We have for now found a solid base, it has been fruitful for our family, not only because it has taught our children the subjects in the light of the Catholic Church, but it has renovated our faith as an adults in the process.