For all of you who don't know about Jacque's Back to (Home)School Contest, check it out, here's my entry.

Monday we are finally beginning our 5th year of homeschooling. Each year gets better and better, but this year my DC are actually anxious to start a new year. I have to admit, I'm still a little nervous about how it's gonna go this year and knowing me a lot of my plans are going to change, but here's a general idea of what I'm planning to do this year.

First I'll start with Bible. After alot of praying and asking the Lord to guide me what Bible curriculum to buy, it finally came down to Heart of Wisdom. I really love Robin's approach. She actually uses a combination of approaches, one of them being Charlotte Mason. I have really enjoyed learning more about Charlotte Mason's approach and I have learned a lot through Ambleside Online which I will get to later.

Another approach Heart of Wisdom uses, is Scrapbooking to Learn. Well, I tell you, I LOVE this!!!! I really think this is gonna become a big thing in our homeschool. We love to do crafts and although scrapbooking is new to me I'm eager to jump in. I already got a head start and bought some Creative Memories scrapbooking materials from a cetain HSB someone who sent me a coupon and lured me in.

For History, Bible (Heart of Wisdom) will be a big part of it and also some of the books  from Ambleside Online's booklist. A lot of there books you can read or download online for FREE.

I also am using some of Ambleside Online suggestions for Geography, Literature and  some of Science. I'll take what I like from there and mix the rest with my own stuff. Now creating my own curriculum is a BIG step for me, but I've really learned to let go and relax....well, maybe just a little.

For instants, I tried to find a US Geography unit study I liked, but couldn't. So, I've created my own by using games puzzles and resouce books of my choice.

One of my favorite resource books I'm using is from BookCloseOuts.com they have a GREAT selection of books, for an even GREATER price, but you gotta hurry, because they sell like hotcakes. One way to find out what's new is Kris started a BookCloseOuts Yahoo group, plus she's always posting their New Arrivals on her blog.

For Language Arts, I finally decided to use English for the Thoughtful Child which I purchased at Soul Rest Educational Supplies. An AO friend told me that she uses it and loves it, she even emailed me some samples, Thank you Tracy.

As far as literature goes, we are going to be doing Narnia, and I purchased a buch of great books at Yesterdays Hopes for this years' read alouds and for the older childern's reading enjoyment....I'm beginning to sound like Martha Stewart-YIKES!

Science is going to be doing my own stuff but I'll also be using a mixture of AO, Apologia's Exploring Creations, and Sam's Science Adventures--I love their unit studies and so do my children!!!

For Math I'm using Math-U-See and thowing in Times Tales in the mix. I ordered that a while back from The Old Schoolhouse Store.

Now I'm mainly homeschooling my four older children, but I got some things for my DS3yo because he wants to join us this year too. I'll have the older ones take turns teaching him and he can join us in their regular studies too, because I do multi-teach. But incase you are intesested I thought I'd share them as well...Martha Stewart is kickin' in again-sheesh.

Anyway, I'm gonna using Learn at Home-gr.K,  Preschool Activities In a Bag, Hooked on Phonics: Getting Ready to Read, plus I'm still checking out some of the goodies over at Heart-N-Soul.

I think I covered all of Jacque's quiz questions, so that's all folks...for now.

God Bless,
Amber

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