Here it is ony the middle of November and I am already thinking about next year!  Those you that know me, know that I have been planning my homeschooling years ever since my mother started homechooling my two younger siblings while I was in the 8th grade. I didn't homeschool until my junior year, but I knew what books I wanted to use! So, for nearly 15 years I have enjoyed cruising thru catalogs and educational books. I have some pretty lofty goals and some of them get met...but, I know what direction I want to take my children in and this is a wonderful feeling.

We have really been enjoying our school regimn this year, ok, except for Emily and her Adventures in Phonics book...which she will be done with by Christmas break/ the baby being born, which ever happens first! Last night Daddy 'tested' all the children on their knowledge in school and politics. We were both pleasently surprised at all they knew and had fun hearing some of the answers to things they didn't know. As Mama it was such a relief to know that everyone is up to Daddy's standards! With only 5 weeks and 4 days left until my due date and 4 fun-loving kiddos, one may wonder what in the world actually sinks in and stays! 

You ask what has my thinking ahead when I have several months until my new catalogs arrive and homeschool conventions start up again...I have been reading a most challenging book, form a mother and educator's stand point. The Well-Trained Mind. For those of you that have read it or used any of the Peace Hill Press materials you know how good and challenging these books are. We have been using their Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and First Language Lessons series. We are loving these books in our homeschool. Now, the WTM is a great encourager...I know that I cannot possibly do ALL that this book suggests, but the ideas are amazing and are bearing much fruit already, both in me and the children. So, I have started thinking of next year already!

Just to update you on what a day in our homeschool consists of here is a peak:

Emily- 4th grade

Notgrass Proverbs-Bible

Singapore 3B- Math

Miqoun Green- Math

Times Tests- Math

Spellwell- Spelling

A Reason for Handwriting- finishing up T

Adventures in Phonics C- Phonics Review/ Drill

First Language Lessons 3- English/Grammer

Story Starters- Creative Writing

60- minutes Reading Time ( she always reads more, but this goes on the books!)

Exploring God's Creation- Science

TimeTraveler's Unit Studies- New World Explorer's- American History

Jeremiah - 1st grade

Notgrass Proverbs- Bible

A Reason for Handwriting- B

Singapore 2A- Math

Math-It

Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading

Sonlight Lan. Arts 1

Explode the Code books 1,2,3

Exploring God's Creation- Science

TimeTraveler's Unit Studies- New World Explorers- History

Joshua- Kindergarten...not offically until next year

A Reason For Handwriting- K

Singapore Earlybird 2A- Math

Rod Staff Kindergarten Series- basic skills building

Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading - Phonics

Sonlight Lan. Arts K

Explode the Code- A,B,C

Singapore Science book 1

Time Traveler's Unit Studies- New World Explorer's - History

So, we are a busy little bunch over here! We are all having a blast learning about New World Explorer's. If you like Unit Studies the Time Traveler series from Homeschool in the Woods is terrific.

OK, now here is a challenge to you ladies, especially my friends! What are you using and why do you like it? I would love feedback! One curriculum I would love to hear about is SOW. In particular from anyone using it with Mystery of History. Please pass this challenge onto anyone you think would be interested in sharing too! The more the merrier!

Have a blessed school day!