This first entry might be long, because I have so much that I want to tell you! It's so exciting! First, I'll answer the question of what we do. This is our first year of using an actual curriculum. There are thousands upon thousands of options for home schoolers. It's so overwhelming. First, you have to know what type of learner your child is. No, first you have to learn about the types of learning, then decide which your child is. :) Next comes the curriculum conundrum. What type of education do you want your child to have? And will you be more traditional, like regular schools, or more laid back? I've come close to more than one panic attack the first year figuring this all out! By the grace of God, and the wonderful wonderful support system we have, it all worked out. :)

Last year, we used different resources from here and there and everywhere. :) We're now using Classical Conversations. It's a classical style curriculum. Cara is doing really well with it and she loves it! They have a class that meets once a week. We have a tutor who goes over the memory work for the week with the kids, they do a science experiment, an art project and then we all have lunch together. If you're not familiar with the classical model of learning and want to know more, please go to this site:  www.welltrainedmind.com/classed.html  Also, a great resource on Classical Education is "The Well Trained MInd" by Susan Bauer Wise.

Classical Conversations covers, Science, Math facts, English Grammar facts, History timelines, Latin and some music.
Here's an example of our memory work. This is from week 1. Obviously, some of this she won't understand and can't use right now. The Grammar stage, which is what we're in now, is all memory work. Kids are like sponges. They soak up information and retain it.(unlike adults who forget where they just put their cell phone, car keys, kid.....)   Most of the memory work is put to song and what parent doesn't get excited hearing their child sing about Christopher Columbus and The Boston Tea Party?  It's really cool.  One day, I'll figure out how to put sound bites on here, so I can share that with you too.  And in case you're wondering, OiLS is up there, because that word has all the shapes you use to draw..circle, lines, dots, angles and swirly lines.

So, we still have to cover the basic 3 "Rs" on our own. (I never understood why it's called that, but oh well) For English, we're using a series of books published by Pathway publishing Co., which I believe is an Amish company. All the readers are about Amish children and families. Cara loves these! Every day, she reads a chapter and then goes to the corresponding workbook and fills in the answers to the questions about the story. I'm proud to say, she's doing her English work all by herself, except for the occasional help and push to get done. :) It's hard to stay focused when you're six. Reading is definitely one of her strengths. Here's the link to the books that we use for English:  http://www.cathyduffyreviews.com/phonics_reading/pathway-readers.html

For Math, we use Saxon. (thank you Meme!) It also comes with workbooks, a huge teacher's manual and we bought lots of fun manipulatives to use along with it. We start Math by adding days to our calendar, charting the weather and then learning about the basic principles using our fun learning manipulatives. What kid doesn't love to build with blocks or count little plastic bears? I love it and I'm 30. :) Anyway..... then after we're done "playing" Cara goes to her work book and answers the questions. We're also learning Math facts with Classical Conversations, so we have 2 different Math courses each day. With C.C. we're learning the Math Facts Tables. Counting by 1's, 2's, 3's...etc...This week, we're on 5's and 6's.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_(teaching_method)

God's word is shown throughout all of the curriculum we use, but we also use The Jesus Storybok Bible.  We read a chapter every day.  It's a wonderful book!  It does the same thing the Bible does, by showing the reader to Jesus, but in a way that children can understand.  The pictures in it are beautiful too.  We're really enjoying it.    http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222097741&sr=1-1

We also have a list of Latin words that we memorize each week and the History time line cards, which Cara loves, because she learns hand motions to go with them. Stick your arms straight up in the air. That's the tower of Babel.

Soon, Cara and I will be learning piano!! (thank you again, Meme!) We are both VERY excited about it! 
So, I think I've covered it all! English, Grammar, History, Science, Art, Math, Latin and Music. All the bases are covered.

If you managed to get through all this, I hope you enjoyed it and I hope it helps! Cara is really learning and doing well! I'm so proud of her! She really makes this easy for me! One of the best parts - I get to learn it all too! I'm paying for her education, but I'm getting one as well! :)