Well, we're back to 'school' on Monday, but following on from my 'timetable' post, I thought I'd write about what resources we are currently using, and take a look at what has proved to be our favourites so far this year........

.

LATIN:   Prima Latina with the four youngest, and Henle Latin 1 with the older four - love it - both programmes are going well.  We also supplement with Lingua Angelica, and while we have been singing the hymns for some time, we've just started using the workbook as well - this really adds to the Latin programme - I like it.

.

MATHS:  Signpost Maths for grades 1-6, supplemented by 'Developmental Math', and then 'Teaching Textbooks' for grades 7/8 and up - as well as using a drill programme - either Caculadder or Beat the Tape, depending on whether we're in 'computer' or 'bookwork' mode, and we have fun with 'Times Tales' as well.  Maths seems to be pretty much a 'breeze' these days, there's rarely a problem with any child - smooth sailing at the moment.

.

LOGIC:  Currently using 'Building Thinking Skills' for grades 4 and up.  It's good, and the final book of the series is proving a bit challenging for the older ones - we've enjoyed the series, and it's been simple to use.  On completion, we may go back to the 'Mind Benders' series for a while - they're fun!

.

ENGLISH:  Still using 'Voyages in Literature' and 'English for Young Australians' (an old grammar programme from the 50s).  As well, my 11 year old is using 'Student Writing Intensive' course, and we incorporate the 'Teaching Writing, Structure & Style' lessons into our history programme.  It's going well, but I am beginning to feel more time needs to be dedicated to the writing units.  We may take a temporary break from 'Voyages' to concentrate more on writing lessons for a time - and, I may just use 'Ancient-History Based Writing Lessons', which will match up with our history nicely.    For Copywork, my younger ones use a combination of the Memoria Press Copybooks, the Adnil Press Copybooks, and Voyages in Language.

.

SPELLING:  Some are using the 'Phonetic Zoo', others are using 'Essentials in Teaching and Testing Spelling' - depending on personal choice.  Both of these programmes are working well.

.

PHONICS & READING:  Voyages in Phonics and Phonics is fun - these two seem to work well together.  We've also changed from the Fitzroy Readers (which worked wonders for a time) back to the old, Happy Venture Readers - good old Dick & Dora, and we're using the accompanying workbooks.  They're fun!  The older children are required to select at least one book from each of the  'Australiana', the 'Classics' and the 'Saints' shelf to complete during the term - they usually read more than this, but that is the minimum.  As well, I try to read to them after the evening meal - unfortunately, time often gets away from me - but we WILL finish the Narnia series eventually!

.

POETRY:  'Developing Linguistic Patterns Through Poetry Memorization'.  Fantastic programme!  The poems are just wonderful, and are a delight to learn.  We're working through this one all together.  Every now and then, you are asked to select a poem of your choice - it is here I'll add in some good Australian poetry as well.

.

DRAWING:  As a base, we've used 'The Drawing Textbook' - most of the children are now finishing up this little gem, and will either move onto a 'How Great Thou Art' text of their choice, or, will begin using the new Memoria Press 'Copybooks' for cursive - these look absolutely marvellous!  They include Latin prayers, hymns and saying, so this will match up perfectly with our Latin studies.  I like the font, too - much like I learned at school.  The reason I include cursive in the 'Drawing' lesson is that learning to write beautifully is indeed more 'Art' than 'English' - they will be required to do the best they can - it's not so much what they write, but how they write it.

.

RELIGION:  Catholic Mosaic with the younger ones - fantastic programme!  A very Charlotte Mason approach, with lots of 'real' picture books, beautiful stories, full of faith and morals.  With the older ones, we are using 'Faith and Life', books 6 and 8.  I like this series, it's very comprehensive, covering many topics - we've all learned a lot from these books.  As well, we memorize the catechism, and read from other supplemental material - one excellent book we're currently reading is 'St. Patrick's Summer'.

.

AUSTRALIAN HISTORY:  We have recently begun 'Australia's Yesterdays' once again, as it's been a while since we did this programme, and I'm working with the younger ones on our new publication - more to do with Australian Geography - mountains and rivers, looking at each state, etc.  We're writing it as we go!

.

SCIENCE: The older children are working through the Apologia High School series, while the younger ones work with me through the 'God's Design' series.  We've just begun the 'Heat and Energy' book, and enjoying it thus far.  We've tried various primary curriculums, but each time, come back to the God's Design series - it seems to suit our needs very well.  The three youngest children also enjoy the 'Magic School Bus' video series.

.

HISTORY and GEOGRAPHY:  Currently, we're using 'Famous Men of Greece' with the younger ones, and the 'ABC's of Christian Culture' with the four oldest.  I am absolutely loving both programmes.  The ABCs of Christian Culture has really stolen my heart - every now and then you find a resource that just suits you perfectly - and this is one of those resources!   It uses 'real' books, along with 'spine' books, and has map work, the making of time-lines, reading assignments and essays, as well as final tests at the end of each module.  I've not really been one to impose 'testing' on my children up until now, but it really all fits together well, and rounds out and finalizes the unit perfectly.

.

As well, the little ones do 'Galloping the Globe' - which is a wonderfully fun book to do - we don't always 'get there', so we're moving through it rather slowly, but, we do enjoy it!

.

MUSIC AND ART:   And then, there's Music Theory and Music Practical (Piano, Clarinet, Flute, etc.), 'Colour the Classics' or 'Meet the Great Composers' for Music Appreciation, and various resources for Art Appreciation. 

.

OTHER:  Finally (I think!), the children use 'Typing Instructor Deluxe' for typing skills and 'Pure & Simple' for Computer Skills.  These subjects aren't covered as often as I'd like - but hey, there's only so many hours in a day!

.

And just briefly to mention Physical Education - we don't do any winter sports as such, but we do love Bush Dancing, and lately, we've headed outside each afternoon for the family 'baseball match'.  We tried cricket and football, but baseball seems to be the 'in' sport at present - and we all love to play it - and have a few great laughs along the way!  Trying to explain to a six-year old to run to the next base, and NOT take off after the ball, has been the funniest thing - one of those times you just wish you had a video camera with you!   

.

All in all, most things are going very well - and amazingly, the timetable seems to work most days - I think we're all at a point now where each one knows what is expected of them, and so they mostly 'get on with the job'.

.

Have a great week!

.