• Friday, June 2, 2006 - SHARE and Tell: Curriculum for 2006-2007
Okay... it's that time of year again... homeschool conferences are everywhere, and homeschool moms are driving their hubbies nuts with yet another homeschooling question, thought, or curriculum choice! a;lsdkjfas;dlkfjasd;lkfj
So, with that being said, come share and tell! Maybe if we chat a little, our husbands will get a "brief" break!
SHARE and Tell:
What curriculum/materials will you be using for 2006-2007?
What worked well for you last year? (curriculum, schedule, etc.)
What didn't work well for you last year? (curriculum, schedule, etc.)
When will you be starting your school year?
If you've already discussed these questions on your blog, please leave a comment leaving the link to let us know so we can check it out! Thanks for sharing! (I'll be posting on mine sometime this soon... I'm still in the process of making some decisions...)
I have a unique situation in that dd should be finished 2nd grade and going into 3rd but we're backtracking for the summer. We've had a lot of problems with speech, which hinders reading and comprehension and also dyslexia. So, while I've seen a lot of progress, she's not ready for 3rd grade. We are going to focus solely on english/phonics/math.
We're using ACE 2nd grade word builders, ACE 2nd grade English, Harcourtt 2nd grade Math and A Beka 1st and 2nd grade readers. Because 1g8 is not as far behind in math as in phonics, I bought Saxon 3rd grade math to move onto as soon as we're done the Harcourtt book. Depending on when we actually start 3rd grade, I'm going to continue with ACE english and word building (really like them even though I thought I wouldn't) and do a study on our state's history.
I found through all this that I'm an "unschooler"; something else I never considered myself to be! lol We are only going into our 4th year of hsing but we've always gone through the summer. Partially because of our dd's learning challenges and partially because we don't like the dog days of summer anyway so we may as well use the time in our a/c'd house to accomplish something :-)
We take off a week for family camp in August, at least 2 wks at Christmas, several weeks in the spring....going through the summer allows for a much more liberating schedule.
OK, I don't know what we are going to do for 06/07. I have been mostly getting my curriculum from Christian Liberty (since my first started kindergarten) and using a few different books as well. I found out that my homeschooling style is “traditional” but I did not plan to be traditional and I just learned that there are all kinds of different names to the way you school. My kids will be going into the 3rd and 4th grade next year and I am finding that doing things the "traditional" way is a LOT of work for me. I am looking for something that is a little less demanding of me. I'm just not sure where to even begin to look. I know that sounds weird because there are a lot of great links to where to look all over blogs and on the CHForum I am just feeling overwhelmed at all of the choices and I just don't even know where to begin.
But at this point I plan on combining Sonlight 1+2 (what I have left + or -), with Ambleside Online Year 1. I've already read many of the books on both schedules to them. My girls are ready for 3rd grade and about half-way through first grade. I'm not sure whether I will branch out on my own with 1dd8 for reading and writing this year or use Sonlight LA3 or something else. She does need to get serious about learning cursive. 2dd7 will continue Sonlight LA1, ETC, and I may get another handwriting book for her. I'm not sure. She still wants to fist the pencil and hates to write. It may be enough to do the SL and ETC to not overdo it. Charlotte Mason has been reminding me (in my reading) to just do what she can do in about 10-15 min. for her writing. For science I will either go back and do SL2, which we didn't do any of the experiments this year, or start Apologia. We will also keep doing nature study and nature journals. I may start a book of time with 1dd8. I'm thinking of helping her start her own HSing blog too to record her reading and learning as a way to encourage narration! For math we will continue on with Miquon +/- Singapore. 1dd8 is in the red book, 2dd7 is in the blue book. They've both been doing Singapore until about half-way through this past year we started Miquon. I've heard such good things about MUS, though...
I will be doing a unit study based on Narnia called "Further up and further in" from Cadron Creek publishers. with my 4th and 6th grader, as well as Saxon math for them and their sister. The oldest is starting high school and I want to get "Learning to write the Novel Way" for her for English. Other wise, as always, it's an eclectic mix of whatever we find that interests us! Through the summer, I plan on Bibles stories, thier own devotion books, read a loud books and "Heroes of the Faith" stories. I'm esp. excited about the Narnia study as we really enjoyed the Prairie Primer a few years ago. Also some of our best friends are doing it as well.
•Saturday, June 3, 2006 - A Little of This... A Little of That...
Posted by
Okay, okay, I usually don't end the year the same way that I started. I always buy way too much stuff and by September I am all gung ho and we start out doing a little of everything. By January we've cut most of it out and just squeak by with the basics.
My 16 year old will be in his second year of high school and since he loves to read I've thought we would try the Beautiful Feet American and World History. This will also be our English because of all the reading and essay questions. My 10 year old loves history so I'm quite sure we'll read a lot of the books aloud and incorporate some of the books that the Early American History course recommends. I have all of the books for the Early American History Primary, Intermediate and High school, so we'll have plenty to choose from.
I'm hoping to do the same with my daughter, who's 7, though I also have the FIAR and would really like to do that with her. Maybe she and I will do school this summer and work on some of the great books and activities in FIAR.
We use Math-U-See for all and Learning Language Arts Through Literature and Explode the Code for the younger ones. I used to try to do the unit studies like Prairie Primer and Further Up and Further In, but I'm just not good at keeping up with them. I love the concept and I love the studies, but I'm just not able to make them work for some reason.
My highschooler also needs to complete aLab Science this year, so I have a book called the Basics of Biology and a Lab manual called Experiences in Biology. I'm also thinking of using Christian Kids Explore biology with my younger two.
We always start school the first full week after labor day. It gives us plenty of time to get all of our days in and my kids love it when they see the other kids headed back to school and they still have a few more days off.
Edited by 4evrHischild on Saturday, June 3, 2006 at 4:59 PM
we school all year round and this year i am hoping to do some lapbooks, those look soooooo superly neat.
how you doing anyways? any new pics of the little jr. pickle?
We love Calvert! We have been using it for 2 years and will not change. It takes the hassle out of picking different curriculums for all the subjects you need to teach. I do use Bob Jones for Bible and I picked up a How Great Thou Art book. Plus were doing five in a row for reading time. That is all I have bought this year.
We also homeschool year round.
Rebecca
Edited by peainapod1 on Sunday, June 4, 2006 at 12:08 PM
We school year round so over the summer we will finish sonlight 3rd grade and start fourth around August or when it is done. We use Math u See and will just roll on through. Doing sign language also and just using the library and any videos we can get ahold of. We do a four day schedule and are flexible about what days as long as it is done. That is for my ds who just turned 8.
My 3 year old is doin "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" along with fun stuff with mom. My 2 year old is working on colors and sign language because her speech is delayed. My 5 month old wants to crawl and talk so mostly we stay out of her way. lol. Hope Judah is well.
Jess
I have been posting about different curriculum that I have used. I also posted links to other people's sites who talk about how they homeschool. Here is the link: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/momanna98/Curriculum/
We're using Sonlight core K , with advanced readers, right now. We just started in January so we will continue on with that until we finish. I'm guessing we'll be ready for core 1 in January. We're having a lot of fun with it. We are flying through the read alouds and are way ahead of "schedule." She's even enjoying the books that I thought would bore her.
For LA we're using Learning Language Arts Through Literature. (Red book.) We just started that a few weeks ago. We were using Sonlight's LA 1 but it made me crazy. It was layed out nicely for me. (I hate having to jump all over a manuel for one subject.) LLATL is working out great for us now. I love how it's all laid out and Mackenzie is enjoying all the hands-on projects.
For Math we are finishing up Math-U-See primer level. This is our 3rd math program. We started with Saxon and hated it. Too much repetition and teacher prep. Then we tried Singapore Earlybird and we loved it. We'd still be using it if I hadn't got that free MUS demo and been blown away. I learned a ton just from the demo. Mackenzie loves it and wants to do it all the time. In the fall, we'll start with the Alpha level.
For science, we use Sonlight's science K. Mackenzie is enjoying it. The readings are interesting, and short. And she loves the Discover and Do DVD that comes with it. That's really nice when we dont' get to an experiment, at least we watched it. And I love the kits that provide everything I need to do the experiments (with the exception of perishables of course.) If it weren't for those kits, we' d never get any experiments done. We'll move onto level 1 after Christmas.
We also use a smattering of critical thinking materials. Building Thinking Skills, Mind Benders, Developing the Early Learner, and a whatever else is lying around. We just pick up whatever strikes our fancy at the moment.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for your encouraging words while I was struggling. I am back on board again and ready for the next challenge. I have posted on my blog what we are doing for schooling.
Shaz
But here it goes...
For devotions we'll continue our two year bible study.
For history with the three we will continue Diana waring and go into the middle ages. My oldest will also be adding "A legacy of Liberty".
Science-- The oldest is doing Apologia Advanced Biology, the middle is doing Apologia General Science, and the Youngest, Apologia's flying Creatures.
Math is a bit up in the air-- but the oldest might go with teaching textbooks for Algebra 2. I think I skipped around too much this year with the other two trying to find a good match. We'll be doing math all summer I think.
Language Arts- The youngest will continue her Beautiful Girlhood and I think I might try the Novel Writing ???something or other for the other two, plus the usual Editor in chief, and Word Roots...etc.
We are doing Latin II in Latina Christiana, continuing our Greek and Spanish.
I also want to fit in History and the World of Art and David Quine's Music Appreciation.... Does anyone have some more hours in their day they can lend me?
How are you doing????? And how is Judah? Getting big I suppose!
I was wondering.....how would I go about getting some stuff copyrighted? I see that your stuff is all copyrighted and I wrote something up and wanted to put it on my blog, but I wanted it copyrighted so that they knew that it was mine. I don't want someone coming off the internet and getting it and making millions of $$$$ off it!!!!! And Myrtle is writing a novel too, so she was wondering also.
If you could help me that would be GREAT!!!!
Do any of your other kids have blogs beside "youngseeds"? I will be adding him and I was just curious! He is adorable!
Thanks for being an inspiration to me. You are 'spreading seeds of inspiration" to all the blog world!
Take Care of all the little "seeds" Time goes too fast. Hold them while you can!
Hope you have a GREAT Week! Come by my blog soon!
Luv
SuperAngel Kryptonite Angel
*Rosie-Posie Iris Hardbottle* ~Luthien Alatariel Elanesse~
@m@nd@
Stop by “Daily” at “The Planet”
# hat curriculum/materials will you be using for 2006-2007?
For DS13 - Jim Stobaugh's Literary Analysis...I'm super excited about this. Videotext Algebra. Unit studies for history and science. We'll be listening to SOTW dvd - volume 2 as part of our history.
For DD5 - Rightstart Math, Explode the code, unit studies for history and science.
# What worked well for you last year? (curriculum, schedule, etc.)
VideoText algebra and thinking Toolbox for DS. Explode the code for DD. Following DD's suggestions...."let's study about birds", etc.
# What didn't work well for you last year? (curriculum, schedule, etc.)
Our move proved to be disruptive.
# When will you be starting your school year? Probably in August. We'll do some fun science this summer and work on DDs reading. But, the kids will be getting used to our new location, so I won't push it until August. 1st.
WELL - I tried all kinds of things for kindergarten... I discovered both child and I need a schedule to give us something to tick off, though I don't like workbooks and traditional stuff...
Winterpromise: We are doing this this year (sonlightish with more hands on, and not quite so "heavy" in the reading, so I hear) - We are using the American Story I lots of books!! but we will skip her language arts since we are already using...
Scaredy Cat Reading System, Keenan taught himself to read, yeah for him, so we are poking through 1 / 2nd grade so he can learn to spell too :)
MathUSee - it worked last year, so we will keep it. 15 minutes a day has been awesome!!! keeps me from over doing it and making him hate it!!
Writing Strands I (yippee - I picked it up FREE) - so figure we'll do some of that somewhere,
Andrew Peduwa's poetry memorizing... will continue with that, along with the Bible verses we have been doing. what works? - reciting with a ball, excercises, the marble run, or acting them out... something physical!!
Atelier art... with some other families every week or so... should be fun I think!!
lots of music - I play it during chores, and bedtimes and nap times... nothing official.
and that sounds like WAY too much... but if I can, I want to do some extra science stuff too... I know crazy... SO we'll finish...
congratulations again on that sweet new baby! ahh....newborns.
this year i think we are going to use My Father's World, Saxon Math, Math U See (for the 7 year old), Unit Studies, Horseback riding lessons, and maybe Gymnastics (both the 7 and the 6 year old seem interested in them). I think we'll also continue Karate for the 7 year old. He seems really gifted and also loves it.
I'll try to remember to post on my blog too.
IN HIM.....
julie
So many fun things to do and learn.. so little time! We school year-round and I am constantly re-doing/updating our schedules it seems to try to fit our lifestyle and personalities. I've blogged about it on my page :)
Well, We loved MFW when they were smaller along with Explode the Code.
We have had great success this year in Saxon Math. My daughter pulled her grade from below average to waaaay above in one year. Mystery for History,
Lots of read alouds in all subjects and I'm looking into Polished Cornerstones for blossoming daughter. You can't beat Spellpower and my kids love English from the roots up. We start back to school after Labor day. We love to squeeze one more camp trip in when everyone else is off the lake. Next weekend is our Curriculum fair. I am looking for a change in lang arts/grammer.
Any suggestions for teaching 4th and 6th together? Thanks Much!
Em and I will be doing 1st grade next year. We'll be following a variation of CM/Ambleside curriculum. Lots and lots of living books. Apologia zoology. Explode the Code. Story of the World. Still iffy on the math. A special study of Michigan.
Nature studies. Lapbooking. Field trips. Art and music study.
That is the name of our school. Let's see.
Bible- BSF (bible study fellowship) and Lamplighter books.
Math- Up in the air, Saxon or Teaching Textbooks for my freshman, and probably Saxon for the two younger 6th and 4th
Language Arts- Easy Grammar and Daily Grams for the 6th and 4th and I am thinking of switching over to Spelling Power from MCP Spelling Workout.
History- Beautiful Feet suggestions for my freshman for Ancient History and for the 4th and 6th Story of the World.
Science- that's easy, no contest, Apologia all around!!
Critical Thinking Company thrown in here and there
Rosetta Stone for Russian and Spanish
and then a sprinkling of this and some to that!
Well, I will donn my Prairie Dress and use the following curriculum! (Just kidding!)
Extreme Adventures with God, by Kay Arthur
Morning Devotions: Genesis, with Jon Courson Via www.joncourson.com
Five in a Row Volume 4 (Summer School)
FALL 2007
Mystery of History Volume Two
Prudence and the Millers with Workbook (Health)
Apologia Physical Science for *L*
Stratton House Home Science Adventure, Astronomy, Birds, and Magnetism *A*
Harvey's English and Composition (1800's) *L*
McGuffey Readers and Workbook (1800's) *A*
Spelling Power
Institute For Excellence in Writing
A Reason for Handwriting
and a woman seeking the Lord's Will (daily), a wife (striving to keep the romance alive), a "Smamma" (Step- mother) of one and a homeschooling mom of seven (I was never going to have children), who starts every day over (after messing SOME thing up the day before), knowing God's grace is overflowing (just like my laundry), and so thankful He's blessed me more than I'll ever deserve.
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•Friday, June 2, 2006 - What we're using
We're using ACE 2nd grade word builders, ACE 2nd grade English, Harcourtt 2nd grade Math and A Beka 1st and 2nd grade readers. Because 1g8 is not as far behind in math as in phonics, I bought Saxon 3rd grade math to move onto as soon as we're done the Harcourtt book. Depending on when we actually start 3rd grade, I'm going to continue with ACE english and word building (really like them even though I thought I wouldn't) and do a study on our state's history.
I found through all this that I'm an "unschooler"; something else I never considered myself to be! lol We are only going into our 4th year of hsing but we've always gone through the summer. Partially because of our dd's learning challenges and partially because we don't like the dog days of summer anyway so we may as well use the time in our a/c'd house to accomplish something :-)
We take off a week for family camp in August, at least 2 wks at Christmas, several weeks in the spring....going through the summer allows for a much more liberating schedule.