 |
 |
 |
|
 Watch a video about Timberdoodle's Complete Core Curriculum here!
We believe that you are looking at the best complete curriculum package available for eighth grade. We've combined language arts, math, thinking skills, science, and history programs to make this year an engaging, memorable; yet simple-to-plan year of learning.
What is included in this grade?
FAQ about this curriculum
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions; we are eager to serve you in any way we can.
 |
 Language Arts and Reading
Most children dread grammar study because it is too complex. But Easy Grammar is just that, easy. By deleting and marking certain words or phases, Easy Grammar employs a virtually "hands on"; approach. This very logical, simple, no nonsense grammar program is easy to use because each lesson focuses on just one topic. Lots of review helps to ensure comprehensive learning with excellent results. Best of all? The lessons are very manageable, often taking as little as 10 minutes to complete!
Sequential Spelling is not only the most logical spelling program we've seen, but it is also one of the easiest to use. Simply read him one list of words a day to write down, correcting any mistakes as you go. That's it! The sequences are based on building from easy words to advanced words such as from all, tall, stall, install, installment, to installation; an intuitive approach with no memorization required. If your student has not yet completed Sequential Spelling books 1-6, you will want to do them first.
Editor In Chief provides your student with a mock newspaper article and photo. Interesting and often entertaining, the stories suffer from multiple problems, which the child must correct; a fascinating way to review grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and attention to detail.
Everyone agrees that children who have a solid grasp of word roots are bound to be children with better spelling and reading comprehension skills primarily because they have acquired the ability to decode words. But how do you teach Latin and Greek roots? Well, we knew we didn't want something too dull, too schoolish, too intense, or based too heavily on mythology. We also knew that moms are busy enough without another teacher-intensive topic to worry about. With those objectives clarified, it is was easy to see that Word Roots is perfect, with its self-teaching, simple and engaging approach. We've not seen any word roots program more effortless than this one!
As a special bonus this year we've included The Curious Case Of The Misplaced Modifier. Using a different mystery vignette at the beginning of each chapter, this book will thoroughly but painlessly instruct your children on seven common grammatical mistakes writers often make. Not only will your children learn to recognize these mistakes, but they will also be taught how to avoid them, or in some cases to allow them.
While we believe reading is the single most important skill your student will need, you'll notice that we did not include any traditional readers. Don't let this puzzle you. Our experience is that the best way to help your child become an eager reader is to constantly supply him with reading materials that interest him. Future doctors may want to read up on anatomy; young explorers are drawn to the escapades of adventurers young and old; and the baby-lover in your family will be captivated by adoption stories. Assign reading if you must, but encourage it at all costs; a child who enjoys reading will find it easier to excel in every area. |
|
Math
Finally, a math text designed for homeschoolers! Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra's friendly text and often humorous line drawings are specifically written to independent learners, and contain far more explanation than any others on the market. Because the Teaching Textbooks series was designed for homeschoolers studying independently, it uses far less irrelevant jargon than other textbooks, while still retaining all the terms that students need to know for those important standardized tests.
Secondly, and ultimately what sold me on this program, are their computer CDs with down-to-earth, step-by-step multimedia solutions for every problem in the book, plus an additional CD-ROM with complete step-by-step solutions for every test problem. The lectures - one for each lesson in the textbook - provide hours of instruction. They cover the same material as the written lessons in the textbook, but many students prefer to listen to (and watch) an explanation for each lesson rather than read it out of a book. Field-tested with outstanding results this is a brilliant idea, long overdue and skillfully done, with many hours of instruction. Enjoyable, efficient, and effective, what more could you want from a math program?
For those of you continuing on from Teaching Textbooks Math 7, you'll want to know that its computer based format shifts a bit this year. You'll find that your student works out of the textbook now, going to the computer for lectures and solutions. It is just as self-teaching as ever; so you should still find yourself doing little more than giving assignments and watching his progress! |
|
|
 Thinking Skills
Building Thinking Skills 3 Verbal was a favorite school assignment in our family. The comprehensive, straight forward program develops your child's ability to process verbal stimuli in a way that is logical. Sound intimidating? Don't worry, the exercises are clear, with sample completed activities so that the student can see exactly what to do. The activities offer lots of variety too, from determining the best opposite word to figuring out complex word problems and even flowcharting a cycle, etc. Whether your child thrives on verbal problems or finds them to be challenging, this book is sure to help build his skills. |
|
Science
Physics fits my personality. There is nothing wishy-washy about physics; everything has order and purpose, everything that exists is either matter or energy. Lay that foundation well and your child will more easily comprehend mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics, electronics, and a slew of other physics-based subjects.
Christian Kids Explore Physics gives your child an overview of physics with a series of thirty easy-to-understand lessons. Lessons include review exercises, thinking exercises, an answer key and more. These hands-on activities and experiments are not only fun, but they will actually help your child gain a solid grasp of the concepts.
|
|
History
Written by home-school mom Linda Hobar, this is one spectacular masterpiece. Not just a textbook, it is brimming with multi-age activities, book and video lists, memory helps, and timeline suggestions. Written in a conversational style, what appeals to us most about this program is its worldwide approach to history.
The Mystery of History Volume II provides a historically-accurate, Bible-centered approach to learning about the Early Church and the Middle Ages from Pentecost to the printing press! The completely chronological lessons span the continents to shed new light on who walked earth when God revealed Himself to mankind during this pivotal period of history.
The user-friendly format presents three lessons per week with hands-on activities, quizzes, tests, weekly timeline, mapping assignments, and supplemental reading and resource list. Volume I is not required but is highly recommended as a prerequisite. Call us if you'd like to switch volumes in this bundle. |
|
 Other
A fidget friendly, hand exercising, stress-relieving, creativity enhancing study tool! Thinking Putty helps students focus by giving their hands something to do while their brain is working.
Thinking Putty is Silly Putty but enhanced with knock-your-socks-off colors that shift or morph completely as you squeeze. This non-toxic, non-gooey putty will bounce, stretch, tear, drip, snap, even shatter. Silicone-based, it never dries out. Includes an impressive adult-sized handful of high quality moldable putty.
Many of you are required by your state to test your child yearly. Spectrum Test Prep gives you a way to prepare for that in a no-stress manner. Includes actual test questions, tips on test preparation, strategies and techniques for answering different kinds of questions and full-length practice tests. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
