I have begun to get antsy about school. I mean "antsy" in a good, excited way. I think. I still haven't decided exactly when our official start date will be, but it is either 3 or 4 weeks away now.
I ordered the bulk of our curriculum several months ago (before the price increased), but it had just been languishing in the box until a few days ago. Now at least it has taken its rightful place on our bookshelves! Progress, no?
I normally take a one-day "Joli Retreat" near the end of the summer, to really dig into our school books and get everything organized and ready, and get myself (re)familiarized with it all. And especially with us switching to a new core curriculum this year, I have really felt like I needed that concentrated time. I was able to get a good start during the nights that G and I had here alone last week...but it was only that: a "start."
Below is a list of our plans as they currently stand.
Core Curriculum - My Father's World, "Adventures in My Father's World"
This package from MFW includes U.S. History, geography, Bible, science, music and art.
Elisabeth (4th grade)
Bible/History/Geography/Science: MFW
Reading: MFW "book basket"
Language Arts: Intermediate Language Lessons
Writing: Writing Strands, level 3
Math: Math-U-See, last part of Gamma
Spelling: Spelling by Sound & Structure
Typing: Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe
Vocabulary: Words of the Weeks, Vol. 1
Handwriting: Cursive Connections
Art: I Can Do All Things
Music: Piano Lessons
Noah (3rd grade)
Bible/History/Geography/Science: MFW
Reading: MFW "book basket"
Language Arts: Primary Language Lessons, 2nd half
Math: Math-U-See, last part of Gamma
Spelling: Spelling by Sound & Structure
Typing: Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe
Handwriting: Cursive Connections
Art: I Can Do All Things
Daniel (2nd grade)
Bible/History/Geography/Science: MFW
Reading: Sonlight Grade 2 Readers
Language Arts: Primary Language Lessons
Math: Math-U-See, Beta
Spelling: Spelling by Sound & Structure
Copywork: Queen Homeschool "Copywork for Little Boys"
Art: I Can Do All Things
Lily Kay (1st grade)
Bible/History/Geography/Science: MFW
Reading: Sonlight Grade 1 Readers
Language Arts: Sonlight Lanuage Arts 1
Math: Math-U-See, Alpha
Art: I Can Do All Things
WAIT! I almost forgot to include 'lil Mr. Gabriel and what he needs to work on this year! O.k., here goes:
Gabriel - infant
look cute
eat
tummy-time
look adorable
nap
smile at everyone
eat
tummy-time
nap
flirt with everyone
jumperoo time
eat
exersaucer time
smile at everyone
eat
Of course, one of the wonderful perks of homeschooling is that Jas and I get to call the shots. SO, we reserve the right - at any time, without prior written notification - to change ANY of the above components if we find that:
1. it is too easy
2. it is too hard
3. it is simply too much, time-wise
4. we just feel like it
Love this post! Excited for you guys! Now I can mark those questions off my list for when we get together, but I'm sure thinking about all this will just create more questions!! : ) Can't wait to see you all! And so excited for you as you begin the school adventure! I'm ordering our curriculum today!
ReplyDeleteI'm no authority, but I believe Gabriel has already mastered many of the elements listed in his scope and sequence for this year. ;)
ReplyDeleteI really like the contents of MFW. If Morgan weren't as old as she was and if I weren't so totally loving Apologia's science, I think we'd do MFW :) But, I want a core that we can do across all three kids and social studies seems our best fit..so I'm putting my own "Exploring Countries and Cultures" curriculum together using several of the items used in that MFW course and Around the World in 180 days.
ReplyDeleteAre you doing the cycle that has American Patriots and Pioneers? I did that with the little girls last year....it was so, so good to use as my goal last year was for them to understand that the US is a land of immigrants; and THEY are every bit as "American" as all those who immigrated before them. Anyway...it was just a really, really good text to help them understand this.
Hope you have a great school year!! New challenges with baby boy moving around more, huh? :) Love checking in and seeing how much he is growing!! Blessings, Jennifer
Very excited to hear how your year goes. We are trying out Sonlight for the first time this year. My biggest question is how do you teach your children to read? Do you use a special program? Did they learn to read simply through the Language Arts/first readers with Sonlight? I have been working here and there with Arin on reading since she was 3! lol and she is still not a fluent reader. Maybe I tried to early, or haven't found the right thing yet. Hopefully this will be the year that it all clicks and she will take off with the reading :)
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