School will be starting up again soon!  We'll probably wait until the rest of the garden has been harvested and canned/frozen, but the serious planning is well underway already.  Following is our overall plan for the year. 

Bible

Since working through the Old, then New Testaments over the last two years, I think we're going to branch off into various devotionals and kid-friendly Bible studies this year.  Some of which will include both kiddos, while some will be seperate.  A couple will be completed as part of our kid/youth group studies at church, too.  These are just to get us started.  I haven't decided exactly where we're headed after these are finished.

How To Study Your Bible for Kids

Boy, Have I Got Problems

Biblical Responsibility lapbook - Jr. Church

Friendship study - Girl's group at church 

Science and History

This year's science cycle is chemistry.  Besides a once a month chemistry club that a friend is going to host, we will work our way through:

Christian Kids Explore Chemistry

Library books about chemistry and chemists 

Of course, nature study will continue at least weekly, too. 

Our history cycle is Early American History.  The plan is to get through as many of the units below as possible and pick up where we leave off as we head into Modern American History next year.  I'll be posting detailed unit plans as we get to them.

Explorers

Native Americans

Pilgrims

Colonial America

Revolutionary War (and other significant wars - French Indian, 1812)

Pioneers/Westward Expansion

Salvery/Underground Railroad

Civil War 

I'm also considering buying the Audio CD of Story of the World Volume III for our listening pleasure.  (And to keep up with world history of the time period.) 

Mahayla - 6th Grade

Math

Saxon 7/6

Problem Solving from various sources

Logic from various sources

Math literature 

Grammar

I picked up a variety of resources at the used curriculum sale this year.  We will poke our way through each and decide what we like the best.

Grammar lapbook

Winston Grammar

Easy Grammar

Spelling

We're going to see how the program below goes.  If it doesn't go well, we'll be on the hunt for something else as I haven't really found a spelling program that jumps out at me this year.

Making Spelling Sense II

Writing

We're continuing the blog, journal, field trip journal, writing prompts and newsletters.  We'll also be adding things here and there from:

A Beka Creative Writing

Daily Paragraph Editing

Reading

With each unit, she will be assigned at least one book.  Otherwise, I never have to worry about her reading and comprehending.  In fact, I often have to ask her to stop reading so she can get other things done!

Handwriting/Typing

Handwriting and typing will be practiced thoroughly through writing assignments.  Within each unit, there will be some copywork, though.  And at least weekly, she will practice keyboard skills at:

Nimble Fingers 

Caleb - 3rd Grade

Math

Horizons 3 workbooks

Miquon blue and green workbooks

Problem solving from various sources

Logic from various sources

Math literature 

Reading/Phonics

Right Track Reading

Christian Light Education readers

Library books 

Spelling

Making Spelling Sense I  (Again, we are trying this to see how it goes.  I will most likely switch to Spelling Workout if needed.)

Writing

We will continue with the journal, field trip journal, writing prompts and newsletters.  Additionally, we will work from:

Story Writing

Grammar

We'll pick and choose from the following programs:

A Beka Language 2

A Beka Language 3

First Language Lessons

Rod & Staff 2

Daily Language Review 3

Handwriting/Typing

Cursive practice worksheets

Nimble Fingers 

Other Things That Will Be Tackled At Least Weekly

Art/Artist Study

Adventures in Art - an out of print book I found at a used curriculum sale

Discovering Great Artists

Library books

Drawing books 

Music

Paid piano lessons for Mahayla

Madonna Woods Piano Course for Caleb

Classical Kids CD's / composer library books 

Foreign Language

We don't hit this hard, but here are some resources I at least plan to pull out once in a while.

Prima Latina

English From the Roots Up

Rummy Roots

Spanish CD-ROM 

Home Skills, Homestead Skills & Handicrafts

Hopefully, our Keepers At Home group will continue.  If not, we are always busy learning or perfecting some sort of home skill and/or handicraft. 

Indoor and outdoor chores

Weekly cooking responsibilities

Serving others

4-H Club

I know this looks like A LOT, but remember I don't do everything from every curriculum, nor do I teach everything every day!  Life is education!!!  I'll be keeping you posted on our school year and I wish you a very blessed, productive and smooth school year at your house!