Homeschool Easy REVIEW

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Again, the Review Crew comes to the rescue.  I was still trying to decide on what to use this year for Little Bug who has now started 2nd grade.  I am an eclectic homeschooler so we piece things together that work best for each child.  The chance to review the 2nd Grade Entire School Year Curriculum from Homeschool Easy seemed like a perfect match for this year.  I needed a little more streamlined options right now and this seemed to fit the bill.  I received a link to download the necessary files and downloaded everything easily and with no problems.  You will need access to the internet and a printer to print all of the curricula.  I am printing the sections as we go because there is a LOT to print.

Little Bug getting ready to read her online book

The curriculum (which is not common core based) includes:

• Reading - phonics and comprehension
• Math - includes addition/subtraction review, fact families, comparing numbers, number sense, place value, addition/subtraction of 2 and 3 digit numbers, money, fractions, measurement, time, months, shapes, grouping, graphs, tables, tally marks, and word problems.
• Grammar - fundamental grammar (includes flashcards). Includes Statements, Commands, Subjects, Predicates, Compounds, Nouns, Commas, Tense, Verbs, Contractions, Quotation Marks, Pronouns, Adjectives, Adverbs, Synonyms, Combining Subjects and Predicates, and Combining Sentences.
• History - focuses on American History and patriotism.  Includes Patriotism, Famous Americans, and Geography.
• Science - includes videos, art projects, and experiments (Landforms, Natural Resources, Motion, Weather, Dinosaurs and Fossils, Plants, and Animals)-CAUTION - this is NOT from a Creation standpoint
• Writing - creative writing that includes 2 assignments per week.  Writing is also used and practiced in Reading, Grammar, History, and Science.

I created a binder with dividers to put all of the assignments into

I REALLY like that "This program focuses on the traditional American educational system used before the advent of state standards, Common Core, and state testing." (from 2nd Grade Overview).  I feel it is quite comprehensive.  It includes an 8-month program for 32 weeks with daily assignments in each subject.  Once your files are downloaded you can print out and review the How to Use Homeschool Easy - 2nd Grade and 2nd Grade Overview documents to get a feel for the program and understand how it works.

I like that the lessons are simple and straight forward but also loaded with great information.  She is learning a lot about her world from the reading assignments.  They have included learning about where you live, your environment, geography, transportation, animals, idioms, and occupations (and that's just in the first month).  The one challenge we have faced is that sometimes the links to the videos don't work.  This is not new with YouTube links since they are famous for either taking down videos or the creator of the video is no longer a member so their video is no longer accessible.  We remedied this quickly and easily by simply searching for a new video.  The worksheet didn't necessarily match the new video, but we got close enough to answer the questions well enough that learning still happened!!

Sample completed assignments in Grammar and History

I love the comprehensiveness of the program. Everything you need is included (how-to documents, schedules, links, supplemental links for more information, and answer keys).  I do not love the jumping around and back and forth to go through the subjects.  Because many of the assignments are based on videos or online books, you need to access those links through a document within that subject that you downloaded.  For instance, for Little Bug to complete her reading, I need to go to the syllabus page for Reading and click on the necessary link for that day's assignment.  I am working on getting shortcut links on my computer desktop to help with this, but an awesome future update to this program might be some sort of interface that allows you to easily navigate the subjects and their assignments.

Sample of the reading syllabus with links to online books

Little Bug working on her reading assignment

Little Bug is enjoying the curriculum and seems to have pretty good interest in everything she is doing and learning.  She REALLY likes the word searches and crossword puzzles and is getting quite good at them.  We already have a devoted math program so we are just using the math as a supplement for now. I have looked ahead and am excited for what is to come and feel that she will get a well-rounded experience with the subjects and learn a lot from all of the videos and books accessed online.  For now, I feel that the quality of the curriculum outweighs the hassle to get to some of the assignments.  I am getting used to it and learning shortcuts.  The binder really helps to keep things organized.

One of her two writing assignments for the second week

Despite the challenges, we give the 2nd Grade Entire School Year Curriculum two thumbs up.  I like what she is learning and how they have presented the material.  I also failed to mention that in the times we are currently living, how refreshing to be able to use a curriculum that strengthens our core of a historically strong America steeped in patriotism. We will definitely continue using this program for her 2nd-grade year.  Thank you Homeschool Easy for a great curriculum!  You can connect with Homeschool Easy on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

Please also be sure to check out the reviews from my fellow Crew members.  There should be reviews on all grades from 1st through 5th grades.  Simply click on the graphic link below to read the reviews.