There is much troubling news in our world today, but I know God is in control and full of justice and mercy. In order to avoid hanging out on social media any longer I decided to type up my plan for the kids school year. It'll be helpful for me to have a record of what I'm intending to accomplish and we'll see how this measures up to reality. Thought it also might be of interest to friends who are planning their curriculum too.
This is the first year I'll have four real homeschooled kids. In the past the most I've had is two, since Phillip and Sarah were at Cornerstone. Now Phillip is graduated, Sarah is home, and Mary is starting Kindergarten. It will be nice to have everyone in one place for a couple years. Before anyone thinks "how could she possibly have time for all this" I should clarify that most of the school books I choose for the kids are designed to be very independent. For the older three kids I assign them their work at the beginning of the week and, in theory, check to make sure they did it. I'm here for questions and help, but they're on their own. Mary is the only one who requires daily one-on-one time, and even that is not more than an hour or so of direct teaching.
We were planning to start Classical Conversations this fall, but once my dear husband saw the $$$ leaving his bank account he changed his mind. This is no great disappointment to me, as I'm thankful to have a free day back in my schedule. CC is a wonderful program, though, and we will miss being with our friends. However we have many other activities and classes in which we'll be participating throughout the week.
So here goes:
Mary - Kindergarten
- Catechism: First Catechism
- Phonics: The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading and Explode the Code workbooks
- Printing: Handwriting Without Tears, My Printing Book I recommend skipping the kindergarten level book and starting with 1st grade.
- Math: Saxon 1 (again, skip K)
- Science: Co-op class
- Social Studies: a totally unnecessary subject at this age, but I'll come up with something for her to show our charter school teacher once a month ;-)
- Extra curriculars: gymnastics, swimming, kids choir and possibly piano
Paul - 2nd Grade
- Catechism: First Catechism
- Writing/Grammar: Winning with Writing, Growing with Grammar
- Penmanship: Memoria Press Copybook II, and III
- Literature: Total Language Plus Study Guides Shiloh and The Whipping Boy. These are really neat all-inclusive language arts study guides with lessons in grammar, spelling, writing, etc. all drawn form a literature book. They recommend 3-5 books/year to make up a full program, but as I'm using them as a supplement I just chose one per semester. Paul is an excellent reader, but I need to get him reading more real literature, not just "fun" books ;-)
- Spelling: All About Spelling
- Math: Saxon 3
- Science: Co-op class and LIFEPAC 3rd grade. I used some LIFEPACs last year and really liked them. They are very engaging and my kids can work through them totally independently. 3rd grade science looks to be better aligned with our charter school's learning units and Paul is able to work above grade level.
- History: Our Nation Under God For younger grades I really like these sweet little history texts from Christian Liberty Press. I love history but don't think it's a particularly important subject at this age. So a text book I can give to Paul and have him read a few pages each week on his own is a good fit. I've used the Story of the World books for younger grades too and I love them, but I like the more traditional (rather than classical) approach of teaching American history first (more concrete and relevant to littles), then going back to ancient history later (3rd or 4th grade and up).
- Supplements: typing, Kahn Academy, Xtra Math - this is an excellent online math facts practice site
- Extra curriculars: soccer (fall), basketball (winter), baseball (spring), swimming, possibly golf and tennis (this boy loves sports), choir and piano
Ruth - 4th Grade
- Catechism: A Puritan Catechism Spurgeon's adaptation of the Westminster Shorter Catechism
- Writing: IEW Level A class at A Brighter Child (wonderful homeschool store with on-site classes)
- Grammar: Easy Grammar
- Penmanship: Cursive practice books
- Literature: Shiloh and The Whipping Boy with TLP Study Guides (will do these together with Paul)
- Spelling: All About Spelling
- Math: Ruth is finishing Saxon 5/4 and will start 6/5 later this fall
- Science: Co-op class and LIFEPAC 4th grade.
- History: Our Golden California
- Supplements: typing, Kahn Academy, Xtra Math
- Extra curriculars: gymnastics, swimming, choir and piano
Sarah - 7th Grade
- Catechism: A Puritan Catechism
- Writing/Grammar: Writing & Grammar 7 BJU. writing assignments from history, science, and literature studies.
- Literature: Jr. High Reading List from CCS
- Math: Saxon 8/7 which Sarah can hopefully complete by end of the fall semester then moving on to Algebra 1/2 (pre-algebra)
- Science: Co-op class and Science: Order & Design A Beka
- History: BJU World Studies
- Supplements: Computer programming
- Extra curriculars: swimming, golf, choir, piano
Phew, I think that covers it! I'd like to add in some scripture memory too, but haven't planned that out yet... I'd love to hear feedback on any of the curriculum choices, things you think we may be missing, or other programs you just love. Thanks friends!
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