School Starts Again

As the second half of the year starts we are making some curriculum changes, as I am often want to do. We are switching back to Tapestry of Grace now that Kailie is old enough to read well on her own and complete work independently. We will be beginning with Year 2 Unit 3 which encompasses the time from Jamestown through the establishment of the 13 colonies. We will finish the year with Unit 4 which covers the American Revolution and the beginning of the United States as a nation. I'm really excited as this is probably my favorite era to study (well, so far anyway!). Here's a look at the books we'll be using:

2009-2010 Curriculum Plans

Here are the (tentative) plans for school this year (note: that means starting next week!)

Combined all the kids:
Updated 8/3/09
Bible/Geography/Missions: Exploring Countries and Cultures from My Father's World - we do not normally purchase Bible curriculum; but it is included in this program which is a study of world geography and people groups/religious beliefs with an emphasis on God's work in missions and studying the lives of different missionaries. This is a great year to add it in, since our history program isn't too heavy this year. We already owned it so I figured, "Why not do it now?" (yeah, another whole curriculum with a baby due in about 5 weeks...why not??? ha!) 8-)

History: Truthquest American History for Young People Vol 2

Science: Apologia Creation Series - Astronomy and adding in lapbooks from Knowledge Box
Central.

Literature, Scripture Memory, Poetry, Composer Study, Picture Study and Nature Study: We will be following the curriculum guidelines from Simply Charlotte Mason

This year's read-aloud list for family reading:
Winnie-the-Pooh
The House at Pooh Corner
The Little Pilgrim's Progress
Charlotte's Web
The Trumpet of the Swan
The Secret Garden
Mr. Popper's Penguins
The Princess and the Goblin
5 Children and It

Hymn Study: Hymns for a Kids' Heart

We do Bible as a family separate from school time so we don't purchase "curriculum" for that; however, Kailie will have assigned independent reading (listed below) and we will be continuing our memorization of the Westminster Shorter Catechism with all the kiddos this year.


For independent work, Kailie (Grade 3) will be doing:

Spelling: Building Spelling Skills 3 from Christian Liberty Press

Grammar: Rod and Staff English 2

Math: CLE Sunrise Math 2 and also: Singapore Math 2 Books A and B

Penmanship: Italics Handwriting Book D

Reading list:
Chronicles of Narnia (entire series)
Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates


Bible: Matthew (as scheduled in our MFW program)

Character Study:
Wisdom and the Millers
Hero Tales Vol 1.

Handiwork/Homemaking Training:
Keepers of the Faith: Keepers at Home

Hopefully we will also be beginning piano lessons this year as well, we're still waiting on the piano though so that makes it a little difficult! ha!


Emma (K/1) will be doing:
Math: Singapore Earlybird Math Book 2A and 2B

Penmanship: Italics Book A

Phonics: Rod and Staff Reading 1 and Phonics 1
and The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

Thinking Skills: Thinking Skills Grade 1


Isaac (Pre-K) is doing:
Rod and Staff Pre-school Series I'm also researching this site: Hubbard's Cupboard for additional ideas.

We are also using workboxes with all the kiddos to keep all of this curriculum organized!
Abby, Lauren and the new baby will be happily listening in/interrupting as often as possible. 8-)

Back to school

Well, first let me say thank you to everyone for your prayers and support during our illnesses. Isaac is doing better and the other kids seem fine (for now!). We returned to our schooling after a nice l-o-n-g break for the month of December. Here's a breakdown of Kailie's schedule for this week:

2nd Grade

History/Geography/Bible/Writing:
Tapestry of Grace Y1 (see sample of the period we're studying here)
This week's reading:
Time Travelers (Usborne)
Tut's Mummy Lost and Found
Mummies in the Morning
The Child's Story Bible (Catherine Vos) Exodus 1-5 for this week
The Children's Illustrated Story Bible (Dorling Kindersley) Exodus 1-5
Deserts (now in a combined volume called "Wild Places" from Usborne)
Mummies Made in Egypt
Geography from A to Z
Story of the World Volume 1

Grammar/Spelling:
Primary Language Lessons (also using this for our source material for poetry memorization)
Spelling Power

Nature Study:
Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 2

Read Alouds:
Farmer Boy
Baby Island
Pilgrim's Progress

Math:
Math Mammoth

Character Study/Bible Study:
Polished Cornerstones

Hymn Study:
Then Sings My Soul for singing/listening we own all the Indelible Grace CD's which are modern arrangements for hymns, listen to them here

Home Economics:

Pearables: Level 1

Sewing Machine Fun for Kids

Art:

How To Teach Art to Children

Music:

The Story of the Orchestra

I love homeschooling and I love that we don't use any typical textbooks/workbooks either. It definitely requires a LOT more books than a textbook approach would, but it is so worth it for the love and interest in learning it develops in a child.

In case you're wondering, we get through this list of books in about 3 1/2 hours a day, which means Kailie saves around 4 1/2 hours a day for more fun stuff and play than her public school peers.