The fact you’re here, reading this article tells me that you care about your child’s education. I know it can feel overwhelming for a parent considering homeschooling. There are so many things to consider, so many things to do, and what seems like so little time until school starts. So, where do you start?
Continue reading “Yes You Can Homeschool and This Can Help!”Tag: homeschool curriculum
Homeschool Curriculum Choices in Nova Scotia
Homeschool Curriculum Choices in Nova Scotia
Parents interested in homeschooling always ask me where they can get homeschool books, often assuming they are issued by the Department of Education. The good news is, we have endless homeschool curriculum choices in Nova Scotia.
Since the Department of Education does not specify what course of study we have to follow, homeschoolers can decide for ourselves. Under the Regulations of the Education Act, Section 39 (Home Education) refers to “a parent providing a home education” and states:
A registration form required by subsection (1) shall include,
(a) in the case of previous public school experience, the last grade level attained;
(b) in the case of previous home education experience, the program level of achievement and estimated equivalent public school grade level; and
(c) identification of the proposed home education program.
Therefore, homeschooling parents in the province of Nova Scotia are free to determine what our “education program” looks like, and are simply required to provide this information to the Department of Education.
Here are some of the more popular homeschooling approaches and a few of the many curriculum options …
Traditional or School-at-Home
Traditional or School-at-Home involves using a boxed curriculum and/or textbooks.
Curriculum examples: A Beka, Alpha Omega, Calvert
Classical
The Classical method involves using real/living books to teach the children to learn and think for themselves.
Curriculum examples: The Well-Trained Mind, Teaching the Trivium, Tapestry of Grace
Charlotte Mason
The Charlotte Mason approach is similar to Classical, but with more of an emphasis on nature.
Curriculum examples: A Charlotte Mason Education, Ambleside Online
Unschooling
Unschooling involves child-led learning. The child decides what they want to learn about.
Curriculum example: Does not follow a curriculum, but reading Learning at Home by Marty Layne and the works of John Holt will give an idea what it’s about.
Montessori
Montessori is a private school system, based on the works of Maria Montessori, with an emphasis on wooden tools and toys, and organization and order.
Curriculum examples: Lisa Nolan Montessori, Montessori Homeschool
Waldorf
Waldorf is also a private school system, based on the works of Rudolf Steiner, with an emphasis on arts and hand-crafts, music, natural materials, and nature.
Curriculum example: Oak Meadow
Eclectic
Many homeschoolers put together their own curriculum from a wide variety of curriculum choices, using a separate curriculum for each subject.
Curriculum examples: Teaching Textbooks (math), A Child’s Geography, Visual Latin
Where to Buy
You can buy homeschool curriculum at any of the links above. There is also one homeschool curriculum store in Atlantic Canada where homeschool materials and curricula are available, Tree of Life, located in New Brunswick. A used homeschool curriculum store is also located in Berwick, Nova Scotia, Homegrown Homeschool Consignment. Many homeschoolers depend on their local library for wonderful books for their children, both fiction and non-fiction as well as online audio/video resources.
Does Nova Scotia Offer Public School Classes Online?
The Department of Education is currently revamping the correspondence courses and they are not available at this time. When they were offered, a full course load was not available, courses were expensive, tended to be full of the busywork typical of public school programs, and students received zero feedback from teachers during their courses. I have always recommended using a homeschool curriculum, designed for parents teacher their children one-on-one at home.
If you’re looking for more help getting started, click here for your FREE Getting Started Checklist!
If you’re already homeschooling in Nova Scotia, please help new homeschoolers by sharing what curriculum you use in the comments below!
Love, Luck &
Laughter,
Kimberly
Please note: This article was originally posted in April 2010 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in April, 2022.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, I make a few pennies to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your support!
Educents Homeschool Curriculum Sale!
The new year is a great time to add something new and fresh to spice up your homeschool! Educents can help make that possible with their end of year homeschool curriculum sale. Enjoy a little post-holiday shopping on your seat instead of your feet.
Out with the old, and in with the new! MY friends at Educents have come through with an end of the year blowout sale that’s too good to miss! These deals won’t be around after the first week of 2016, so act fast.
Shop the Educents Homeschool Curriculum Sale
On top of the following already awesome deals, you can use the code SAVE15 for an extra 15% off sitewide (or FREESHIP for free U.S. Only shipping on orders over $49).
Life of Fred Elementary Math Series – The wildly popular Life of Fred books are a great way to get your child excited about math. Kids everywhere love the misadventures of math genius Fred. I keep meaning to pick some up for my literature loving daughter!
National Geographic Kids World Atlas | Space Encyclopedia – National Geographic is one of the most trusted names when it comes to education about our world. Through brilliant photography, the National Geographic World Atlas can help educate your entire family.
5 Kit Magic School Bus Variety Bundle – The Magic School Bus has spent decades educating children about all facets of science. Now, with this variety bundle, the lesson can continue in a fun and engaging way. Perfect for kids aged 5-10, this bundle will be more than enough for a whole school year of learning fun. My son especially loved The Magic School Bus when he was little and would have adored these kits.
Freestyle Building Kit – Children have loved building toys as long as simple wooden blocks have been around. The Freestyle Building Kit pushes creativity even further. The kit includes thousands of blocks in various, vibrant colours.
Spanish Course – Buy 1 Get 1 Free – Learning another language is one of the most valuable skills you can have, and countless studies have shown that the earlier you start, the easier it is to learn. This buy-one-get-one-free Spanish package is already a great deal, and now you can get it for even less.
Scholastic Beginning Reader Boxed Sets – When it comes to supplying books for young students, not many do it better than Scholastic. From LEGO to Star Wars and Clifford (three of OUR favourites), these books are a great way to get your littlest learners excited about reading.
Scholastic Young Reader Boxed Sets – And for slightly older readers, you can continue their education with classic books. With topics ranging from Harry Potter to Minecraft, any young reader is sure to find something they like.
Whether you are a parent hoping to turn playtime into learning time, a teacher stocking up supplies, or a homeschooler starting new lessons in January, there’s something for you at Educents!
What are you planning to spice up your homeschool with this month? Please let me know in th comments below!
Shop the Educents Year-End Blowout Sale
Love, Luck &
Laughter,
Kimberly
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy I may make a few pennies to keep up Homescooling in Nova Scotia. Thanks for your support!
2014 “Not” Back-to-School Blog Hop: Curriculum Week
I can’t believe it’s that time of the year again already! It seems just yesterday I was composing a post for the 2013 Curriculum Week and here it is, planning time once again. I’m still in full summer mode. Surprisingly, my children asked if we could start homeschool early this year! That’s never happened before, LOL. I’m not completely ready with everything we are going to use this year, so I will give you a rough sketch. In general, we are continuing on with our blend of following The Well-Trained Mind combined with Tapestry of Grace in our classical-eclectic way with a little bit of unschooling thrown in for good measure.
For both children:
Tapestry of Grace, Year 3 (covers History, Geography, Language Arts/Literature, Bible) combined with reading & curriculum suggestions from The Well-Trained Mind
The Periodic Table of Elements Coloring Book – we will be continuing to go over the table of elements together, one element at a time, as last year
Rosetta Stone French – we will be continuing on with it again this year – my youngest going at a slower pace than my eldest
For my 15 year old:
Teaching Textbooks: Geometry (need to pick this up when we can)
Henle Latin – possibly continuing with this, I need to have a discussion with my son on whether he is dropping this and just sticking with French this year
The Well-Educated Mind – we are using this as a supplement for our studies of Literature
A Rulebook for Arguments & Classic Rhetoric for the Modern Student (we didn’t find a used copy last year but are hoping to this year) – for our Rhetoric studies
Photography/filmmaking – my son started doing some promotional photography and videos over the summer and will continue to work on this over the year for credit
For my 10 year old:
Teaching Textbooks: Math 6 – we didn’t finish last year and are continuing
Prima Latina/Latina Christiana – my daughter wasn’t keen on studying Latin last year, so we are going to try again this year
And I will be keeping track of everything using The Ultimate Planning System and My Home School Grades!
What curriculum are you using this year? Are you excited about something new you found at a homeschool conference? Join in the 6th Annual “Not” Back-to-School Blog Hop and check out what curricula other families are using:
Love, Luck &
Laughter,
Kimberly
This post contains affiliate links, if you click through and buy I make a few pennies in order to keep up Homeschooling in Nova Scotia.
Homeschool Curriculum Sale Ends Today! Build Your OWN Bundle!
**This sale has ended**
Save up to 92% on bestselling homeschooling products, including MANY on Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 list! The bundles are AMAZING, including products such as Learning Language Arts Through Literature, A Child’s Geography, Character Concepts, Picture Smart Bible, Math Mammoth, and more! There are SO many incredible products to choose from, all bundled up in grades/themes OR you can “Build Your Own!” |
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You may want to Build Your Own Bundle if you’re homeschooling more than one child, like I am. I have one going into Grade 6 and one going into Grade 11. MY 10 picks would be:
So MY dream bundle would include two choices from the Middle School Buy more & save more! Purchase 2 “build your |
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It’s here! Save Up to 92% off Homeschool Curricula – Build Your Bundle
The “Build Your Bundle” – Homeschool Edition sale is now OVER! For one week only (July 21-28) save up to 92% on bestselling homeschooling products, including MANY from Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 list! |
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Charlotte Mason Bundle This bundle features a complete curriculum using Charlotte Mason Methods for language arts, handwriting, and reading, a full geography curriculum, a plethora of resources for studying nature, artists, poetry, and a variety of “extras” just for mom!Included are popular products: Write From History, Sheldon’s New Language Lessons, Handwriting Lessons Through Literature, Fine Art Pages, Grapevine Bible Study, and more!Learn all about Charlotte Mason and enjoy a special bonus (a $90 value all by itself)—the top 5 best selling G.A. Henty audio books from Jim Hodges Productions. This bundle is jam packed full of amazing resources your family will love! |
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Tots & PreK Bundle Teach your little ones about God’s amazing creation and the value of virtue using our Tot & Preschool Bundle!Included are popular products from: We Choose Virtues, Character Concepts, Grapevine Bible Studies, and more!This bundle gives you a complete Christ-centered preschool program, including age-appropriate character-building tools, a stick-figure Bible study, a creation-based coloring book, a handwriting curriculum, an independent activity guide (for those times when you need a moment to focus), and much more! |
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K-3rd Grade BundleTeach your K-3 children basic skills and core truths through easily understandable lessons and hands-on activities. Our K-3 Bundle includes reading, math, science, handwriting, character training and Bible resources.Your children will experience life in 17th century America as they learn about the settlers and America’s 13 original colonies. You will have everything you need to savor these first days of discovery! |
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Elementary: 4-6 BundleThis bundle features Wordsmith Apprentice from Common Sense Press, a Cathy Duffy Top 100 Pick! Included is a science curriculum teaching Geology, also from Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 Picks. You will also find “Mapping the Word With Art“, a highly acclaimed curriculum that has a blend of history, geography, and art. There is more: Bible, handwriting and copywork resources, writing guides, timeline cards, ancient history notebooking pages, creative writing for both boys and girls, and an editable weekly homeschool planner for Mom – all for one LOW PRICE! |
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Middle School BundleYour middle school students will tour the classical world and develop academic excellence using our Middle School Bundle.This bundle features Learning Language Arts Through Literature and two science curricula, one from Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 picks, as well as your choice of volumes from “A Child’s Geography” – a complete geography and history curriculum! Also included is a popular history timeline/book of centuries, Renaissance and Reformation notebooking pages, a classical music curriculum and famous composers notebooking pages, and a creative writing collection that even “non-writers” will love! |
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High School BundleYour high school students will develop academic mastery and intellectual maturity using our High School Bundle.This bundle features a New Testament Bible curriculum, an introduction to psychology, a full year of math curriculum, resources for world history and geography, philosophy, home economics, college prep, grammar, a creative writing collection that even “non-writers” will love, an anatomy science unit study from Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 picks, and more! You will receive enough materials for a full year of high school! |
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Bundle Just for Moms!Save money, strengthen your marriage, and streamline your schedule using our Mom Bundle. Find the encouragement you need and the insight to speak to your child’s heart (even that difficult child!).Whip your home into shape and train your children to do their chores effectively with a Easy Peasy Chores ($18.99 value!) This bundle brims with useful tools to help you bring calm to the chaos. Get them all for just $10! | |
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Build Your OWN Would you rather hand-pick your selections? There are two “Build Your Own” Bundle Options! You can choose any 5 products priced $19.99 and under for just $25 ~ a savings You can choose any 10 products priced $19.99 and under for just $39 ~ a savings SO many amazing products to choose from! |
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BUY MORE & SAVE MORE! |
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*Many ways to save!
*The B2G1 FREE offer applies to pre-assembled or “Build Your Own” |
You might also be interested in: |
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Final Day to Win $100 worth of Homeschool Curricula!
Enter to win $100 worth of homeschool curricula!I’m so excited! The BIGGEST digital homeschooling Enter the giveaway, and then this week… Save up to 92% on popular homeschooling curricula!ONE WEEK ONLY – July 21-28, 2014! Click here to be reminded What is the “Build Your Bundle” – Homeschool Edition Sale? |
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The “Build Your Bundle” – Homeschool Edition contains the best educational digital products on the internet! Included are well known publishers, including products on Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 list!Unlike overwhelming bundle sales filled with ebooks you don’t want, the “Build Your Bundle” – Homeschool Edition is a brand new concept that will allow homeschoolers to pick and choose what they want to purchase ~ all at a MASSIVE discount of up to 92% off! | |
Take a Sneek Peek at Our Bundles: |
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Tots & Preschoolers BundleTeach your little ones about God’s amazing creation and the value of virtue using our Tot & Preschool Bundle!
This bundle gives you a complete Christ-centered preschool program, including age-appropriate character-building tools, a stick-figure Bible study, a creation-based coloring book, a handwriting curriculum, an independent activity guide (for those times when you need a moment to focus), and much more! |
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Kindergarten – 3rd Grade BundleTeach your K-3 children basic skills and core truths through easily understandable lessons and hands-on activities. Our K-3 Bundle includes reading, math, science, handwriting, character training and Bible resources. Your children will experience life in 17th century America as they learn about the settlers and America’s 13 original colonies. You will have everything you need to savor these first days of discovery! |
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Elementary: 4-6th BundleYour 4th-6th graders will develop foundational skills and gain insight into the ancient world using the comprehensive collection of resources found in our 4th-6th Grade Bundle.
This bundle features both a science curriculum and a creative writing course from Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 picks. You will get a popular curriculum that has a blend of history, geography, and art. Also included: Math, Bible, |
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Middle School BundleYour middle school students will tour the classical world and develop academic excellence using our Middle School Bundle.
This bundle features a full language arts curriculum and two science curricula, |
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Bundle for High SchoolersYour high school students will develop academic mastery and intellectual maturity using our High School Bundle.
This bundle features a New Testament Bible curriculum, an introduction to psychology, a full year of math curriculum, resources for world history and geography, philosophy, home economics, college prep, grammar, a creative writing collection that even “non-writers” will love, an anatomy science |
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Charlotte Mason BundleAmazing things await you in our Charlotte Mason Bundle!
This bundle features a complete curriculum using the Charlotte Mason Methods for language arts, handwriting, and reading, a full geography curriculum, a plethora of resources for studying nature, artists, poetry, and a variety of “extras” just for mom! Learn all about Charlotte Mason and enjoy a special bonus (a $90 value all by itself) of great, classic audio books! This bundle is jam packed full of amazing resources your family will love! |
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Bundle Just for Moms!Save money, strengthen your marriage, and streamline your schedule using our Mom Bundle. Find the encouragement you need and the insight to speak to your child’s heart (even that difficult child!). Whip your home into shape and train your children to do their chores effectively using a popular book “chores program”. This bundle brims with useful tools to help you bring calm to the chaos. Get them all for just $10! |
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“Build Your Own” BundlesOur “Build Your Own” bundles offer you the opportunity to select a certain number of products with a retail price of $19.99 or less for up to 80% off! We have MANY items to choose from, including Cathy Duffy Top 100 Picks!
When you purchase a combination of any 2 “Build Your Own” bundles, you will get the 3rd one at 50% off! |
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*Lots of ways to save!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
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