We have finally started school. I started this year off with a lot less planning and less cost - always a good thing.

Here is a list of our schedule and most of the materials for those who are wondering how I keep these boys busy.

Bible and Missions:

• We are reading through the New Testament in chronological order... got the list off the web
• I also added mapping (we'll see how that goes) just for fun
• We receive the Voice of the Martyrs for Kids , newsletters, and updates from missionaries here in America and abroad. We map these somewhat and read about what is going on around the globe.... taking time to pray for our brothers and sisters in chains and praising the Father with them as more souls are reached.

History

• Story of the World 2 the audio version followed by questions and mapping.

Math

• One boy is doing teaching textbooks on the computer
• Another is doing a workbook for now and will rejoin older brother on TT when he's finished with his workbook.
• The oldest is doing a workbook and requesting material similar. I think I'll look into Saxon or Horizons for him when he is close to finishing this one.
• The younger two are working on Math-u-See Beta 

Spelling

• Sequential Spelling for the older 3

Writing and Handwriting

• Excellence in Writing for the older 3. Anyone who knows my boys knows they don't enjoy writing and so we are trying a borrowed copy to see if just maybe this will help. This is one of the areas we will focus more on for those 3.
• I am also hoping to order Story Starters for days when we need a break and want to have some creative fun.
• The younger two are working on penmanship and just the practice of writing with Draw Write Now.

Science

• Apologia Botany for all 5 and possibly a college coloring book for the older 3. I have to order those still so updates will have to follow.

Music

• Jerod- is still taking bass guitar lessons, Daron- is taking banjo lessons now, Will- is still taking mandolin but begging for more instruments, Rob- has joined in lessons with a recorder, and Nate- wants a drum set but is tapping out tunes on my keyboard while waiting.

Art

• We are still using Discovering Great Artists and look forward to doing more weekly projects

Reading

• My older three are reading better with Will reading the most. This year I am going to try to encourage books from lists like this
• the younger two are going to continue learning the basics with lots of stories to share together including our family favorites 

Electives

• Finally but probably their favorite subjects- I have let our boys decide on a few subjects they want to learn about. Jerod is studying a basic economics program from Money Matters, Daron is studying survival skills, Will is taking a computer course on a Railroad Business, Rob will be getting another kit for his Snap Circuit set and study mapping with Nate. The older three will rotate their subjects every 3 months

     This really is just the filler time as most of the time they are content to work on their own- shooting bb guns, building little campfires to cook acorns on, jamming on the instuments with some friends, visiting friends and doing skateboard tricks off their porch while video taping it, playing Civil War in our woods, cooking, EATING, going for walks, working on art projects of their own making, helping our farmer friend, ant wars, fishing and exploring, training the dog to go downstairs, and many more exciting things. How could I possibly compare with all those fun things that teach them so much? They have no idea how much "school" they really do .  Just wait till I order the handheld microscopes...