Ok - I know you all have just been dying to know what our curriculum will be made of next year. All (maybe) 1 of you. Seriously, is anyone out there?
Anyway -
Math - Grades Michael, Cassia, and Anna - A.C.E. This curriculum works great for us as I am not mathematically minded and when the kids can't get it on their own it's written write there in their book where I can understand it!
Katrina, Seth, & Gloria - BJU. What else?
English - All grades will use the best curriculum in this area - BJU. Not that I've tried them all, but I did major in English when in college and their concentration on the writing process and the intricacies of grammar are superb.
History - This year, I let the older kids actually choose what they're going to do. Daring, I know. Mike is doing (surprise) Evan Moor's Civil War History Pockets. He already knows much more about this war than I do, but I have a feeling it's going to play a part in whatever he chooses to do in his future. So, I don't mind him spending a year of concentration on it. He has purchased even more books and will do reports on it on top of the projects included in the pockets. I truly hope one summer in the next few years he'll be able to intern as a guide at Mannasses.
Cassia is also doing a History Pocket - Moving West. She is very much interested in pioneers, etc. She will be doing the projects, a report or two, and reading various books including on on Narcissus Prentiss & Marcus Whitman.
Anna is my more orderly, no-frills student. Therefore, she chose to use the BJU 6th grade Heritage Studies. She's basically covering world history & geography. I personally like the organization and "no-thinking" planning that gives me, as well.
Seth & Katrina will be doing history in our homeschool group. As we have 19 weeks total and most history curriculua for that age-group tend to only last half a year, that will suffice. We will build on what they are learning in class and we will also be reading the Little House series. We read that series together when the 3 older ones were young (Anna, my 9 year old, barely remembers that) and I think they'll enjoy it very much. It also ties in nicely with Cassia's history studies.
Health - each of them will be using the A Beka health books geared towards their grade level. It's basic, easy to read and understand and covers all sorts of issues such as diet, hygiene, changes in teens, manners, etc.
Science - I'm really excited to join the Apologia family this year. Mike & Cassia will be doing the General Science program. Mike will be taking the Hands-on Science class in our homeschool group, as well. Cassia is undecided. We will be doing as many of the experiments in our book as possible. Anna is doing Apologia's Human Physiology & Anatomy and Katrina is doing Flying Creatures of the 5th Day. The fact that they have notebook activities to go along with their lessons was a huge selling point for me. Science is more about observing and doing. Seth will be doing A Beka's Enjoying God's Creation. It's only about half a year's worth of information and he will enjoy the experiments of the older children.
Reading/Literature - Katrina and Seth will continue with Hooked-on-Phonics for improved reading skills and utilize the Pathway Readers for practice. I love the Pathway Readers and so do all of my children. I don't make my kids do a lot of workbook work for reading and I think that has proved a good decision. None of them see reading as work, but as something they love to do.
I didn't plan on the older kids doing a formal reading program until I came across some great literature books as a used curriculum fair. Mike is going to use an old BJU edition of "Explorations in Literature", Cassia is using A Beka's "Of People", and Anna is using the 6th grade Pathway Reader, "Step by Step." Each book has questions at the end that my kids can answer aloud. This way, I can make sure they are reading and comprehending all of the material. This is important especially for those stories that seem to be a bit more dry to them.
Handwriting - Katrina and Seth will continue to use the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum. Katrina is in the 2nd cursive book and Seth is in the 3rd printing book. I began using this series about 4 or 5 years ago and I love it. My kids' never minded doing handwriting and they improved without much time put forth every day. This program won't last a whole year, but they'll continue to get practice as they write out their spelling words, etc.
Spelling - I found a great antique speller among my husband's grandmothers' books - "The Essentials of Spelling". This speller was published in 1919 and covers 5-8 grades. Michael and Cassia will be using the 7th and 8th grade word lists given. Anna has opted to use the BJU 6th grade spelling and Katrina & Seth will also be using BJU for their grade levels, as well.
Bible - We rarely use a formal Bible curriculum. We will finish reading Adventures of Missionary Heroism and probably continue reading other missionary biographies together. We also go over our church's Sunday School lessons together on school mornings and sing a few hymns together. I plan on implementing more Scripture memorization, as well.
My children, as I've mentioned, are also involved in our church's homeschool co-op. They receive their physical education and art instruction from this group. They will also be involved in choir, home ec., and literature classes besides the classes I have previously mentioned.
I've already planned what days we will be doing school. With 4-day weeks beginning August 16, having all school-year birthdays off, a short Thanksgiving & Christmas break - we will still have 180 days of school (19 are co-op days and 6 are field trip days). I'm excited to have next year planned out ahead of time.
So, there's our plan. Even if no one is reading this, it's nice to have it all in one place. Wonder if I could send a link to this blog to my school Superintendent and use it for my IHIP.....:)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A New Vision
So, I just ordered the last of my curriculum for next year. I am sure you all are anxiously awaiting to find out what we are doing in our homeschool for the 2010/2011 school year. But, first, let me explain something I feel the Lord showed me.
These past couple of years, we have been doing unit studies. As you know, we have enjoyed them very much. We have been able to do a lot more fun things together and I really believe the kids retained a lot of knowledge - in the history department. However, I was struggling with the other subject areas as I felt they were a bit weak. I LOVE history, so doing more research and doing the projects were not difficult. I am not gifted in the area of science and expounding on the prepared lesson plans (which seemed a bit unorganized) were difficult. English is my specialty and I know this was very weak in the curriculum I was using.
Another problem was the fact that I now had 2 younger children not old enough to really get involved with the unit study we were doing. I was doing things with them and that was fine, but running two studies was getting a bit stressful. Also making things hard was the fact that all of the kids had to be together at the same time to teach them our "together" school. If one child was out helping a friend or another one was in deep concentration over long-division, we lost a lot of time.
Most of all, I noticed that I spent most of my time doing school with my kids, leaving little time to minister to others or truly keep my home. Looking through Scripture, it was confirmed to me that my first priority as a mother is to manage my home and be a help to my husband. Where is it taught that the Proverbs 31 woman actually sat down all day and schooled her children? Her children learned how to be a wives (or what kind of wife to seek), how to work in business, how to minister to others by watching their mom and, I daresay, by working along-side her. She was a mom who loved and spent time with her children - but not just by educating them, no matter how creatively.
Sending my children to school is not an option. Yet, sacrificing ministry and the organizational management of my home is no option, either. My children need to be educated to make it in this world and to be a good testimony. They also need to see me ministering and minister alongside me in order to please God and to be a good testimony.
So, my answer? Textbooks. *GASP* Yes, I realize that textbooks are evil. They zap my children's love of learning. They aren't real life.
Let's face it. Even in unit studies, the kids know when we are doing school. No amount of projects and reading aloud is going to mask the fact that they are in school-mode. They still look forward to being "done" with school and having free time. As far as textbooks - I don't know, but it seems that I'm still picking up textbooks to learn how to do various things (ie: cookbooks, photography books, sewing books, etc). Textbooks seem to be a large part of my real life.
I realize that much of my time will still be spent educating my children. My older children will be able to read most of their material and figure it out on their own. I will do review questions with them, aide them in their writing projects, correct their work, etc. My younger ones will still require a lot of one-on-one with me. That's understanable. That's expected. However, I'm hoping that with the organization of textbooks I will have more time to do what I need to do - be a true help to my husband. Teaching our children is only one of the many ways I need to aide him. It is not the only way.
I want to spend more time teaching my children scripture. If you study the Bible, THAT is what parents are supposed to be teaching their children. I need to teach them what God wants from them - His Words, His principles, His love. I don't need to be concentrating on getting my children to love reading the classics. I need to be concentrating on developing their love for the Word. I don't need to teach my children every word of the Gettysburg Address. I need to memorize Scripture with them. I don't need to spend time developing their love of learning all things scientific, literary, etc. I need to develop their love for Christ and for others by ministering. That is what being a Christian mom is all about.
I've decided that I'm not a homeschooling mom. I'm a Christian mom who homeschools. There is a difference. The difference is in my priorities.
These past couple of years, we have been doing unit studies. As you know, we have enjoyed them very much. We have been able to do a lot more fun things together and I really believe the kids retained a lot of knowledge - in the history department. However, I was struggling with the other subject areas as I felt they were a bit weak. I LOVE history, so doing more research and doing the projects were not difficult. I am not gifted in the area of science and expounding on the prepared lesson plans (which seemed a bit unorganized) were difficult. English is my specialty and I know this was very weak in the curriculum I was using.
Another problem was the fact that I now had 2 younger children not old enough to really get involved with the unit study we were doing. I was doing things with them and that was fine, but running two studies was getting a bit stressful. Also making things hard was the fact that all of the kids had to be together at the same time to teach them our "together" school. If one child was out helping a friend or another one was in deep concentration over long-division, we lost a lot of time.
Most of all, I noticed that I spent most of my time doing school with my kids, leaving little time to minister to others or truly keep my home. Looking through Scripture, it was confirmed to me that my first priority as a mother is to manage my home and be a help to my husband. Where is it taught that the Proverbs 31 woman actually sat down all day and schooled her children? Her children learned how to be a wives (or what kind of wife to seek), how to work in business, how to minister to others by watching their mom and, I daresay, by working along-side her. She was a mom who loved and spent time with her children - but not just by educating them, no matter how creatively.
Sending my children to school is not an option. Yet, sacrificing ministry and the organizational management of my home is no option, either. My children need to be educated to make it in this world and to be a good testimony. They also need to see me ministering and minister alongside me in order to please God and to be a good testimony.
So, my answer? Textbooks. *GASP* Yes, I realize that textbooks are evil. They zap my children's love of learning. They aren't real life.
Let's face it. Even in unit studies, the kids know when we are doing school. No amount of projects and reading aloud is going to mask the fact that they are in school-mode. They still look forward to being "done" with school and having free time. As far as textbooks - I don't know, but it seems that I'm still picking up textbooks to learn how to do various things (ie: cookbooks, photography books, sewing books, etc). Textbooks seem to be a large part of my real life.
I realize that much of my time will still be spent educating my children. My older children will be able to read most of their material and figure it out on their own. I will do review questions with them, aide them in their writing projects, correct their work, etc. My younger ones will still require a lot of one-on-one with me. That's understanable. That's expected. However, I'm hoping that with the organization of textbooks I will have more time to do what I need to do - be a true help to my husband. Teaching our children is only one of the many ways I need to aide him. It is not the only way.
I want to spend more time teaching my children scripture. If you study the Bible, THAT is what parents are supposed to be teaching their children. I need to teach them what God wants from them - His Words, His principles, His love. I don't need to be concentrating on getting my children to love reading the classics. I need to be concentrating on developing their love for the Word. I don't need to teach my children every word of the Gettysburg Address. I need to memorize Scripture with them. I don't need to spend time developing their love of learning all things scientific, literary, etc. I need to develop their love for Christ and for others by ministering. That is what being a Christian mom is all about.
I've decided that I'm not a homeschooling mom. I'm a Christian mom who homeschools. There is a difference. The difference is in my priorities.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Speaking of Planning...
...I already have a plan for the upcoming school year. I know, I know. THIS school year isn't even over, yet. But, I like to plan ahead.
My goal is to sit down with my Well Planned Day planner several days throughout the summer and plan each lesson for each day of the new school year. For instance, get out my children's math books and go through and plan what lessons and what pages they will be doing for each day. Then, on to English. When will that test be?
As we know, the best laid plans tend to fall victim to real-life. There will be days that someone is sick or an unforeseen field trip occurred. But, I will have finished all of the hard lesson planning during the summer, so will only have to take a few minutes each week to re-evaluate where we are and plan my children's days accordingly in the Home Schooler's Journal.
That is my plan of attack in lesson planning for the 2010/2011 school year. Do you have a plan? I would love to hear it. I'm not above changing my plan for a better one. :)
My goal is to sit down with my Well Planned Day planner several days throughout the summer and plan each lesson for each day of the new school year. For instance, get out my children's math books and go through and plan what lessons and what pages they will be doing for each day. Then, on to English. When will that test be?
As we know, the best laid plans tend to fall victim to real-life. There will be days that someone is sick or an unforeseen field trip occurred. But, I will have finished all of the hard lesson planning during the summer, so will only have to take a few minutes each week to re-evaluate where we are and plan my children's days accordingly in the Home Schooler's Journal.
That is my plan of attack in lesson planning for the 2010/2011 school year. Do you have a plan? I would love to hear it. I'm not above changing my plan for a better one. :)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Planning is Everything
But how do you plan?
Some people don't. They fly by the seat of their pants. Some make it look effortless and manage to accomplish much. Others, like myself, fail miserably in this method. Sometimes, it's necessary to just be flexible and do what you can when you can. But, for the most part, a plan is needed for homeschool survival.
In the past, I created an Excel spreadsheet to help organize my children's lesson plans. I've used individual assignment books so each of my children can see what is expected of them each day. Unfortunately, this creates a lot of work for me and my kids somehow seem to lose things in about 10 seconds flat.
In my search for the perfect planner, I've come across a few very helpful materials. I am listing them on my website this week including the one planner I've stuck with these last several years. Go on over to Homeschool Potpourri an take a look. Let me know if you use or have tried any of the planning helps I've listed. What do you use & why do you like it?
Have a blessed homeschool day!
Some people don't. They fly by the seat of their pants. Some make it look effortless and manage to accomplish much. Others, like myself, fail miserably in this method. Sometimes, it's necessary to just be flexible and do what you can when you can. But, for the most part, a plan is needed for homeschool survival.
In the past, I created an Excel spreadsheet to help organize my children's lesson plans. I've used individual assignment books so each of my children can see what is expected of them each day. Unfortunately, this creates a lot of work for me and my kids somehow seem to lose things in about 10 seconds flat.
In my search for the perfect planner, I've come across a few very helpful materials. I am listing them on my website this week including the one planner I've stuck with these last several years. Go on over to Homeschool Potpourri an take a look. Let me know if you use or have tried any of the planning helps I've listed. What do you use & why do you like it?
Have a blessed homeschool day!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
New Site for Booksellers!
Funny. I posted about Homeschool Classifieds the other day and I get an invitation in my e-mail inbox to be among the first to join another homeschool book selling site. Ironically enough, the site is called sellhomeschoolbooks.com. If not catchy, it's easy an address easily remembered!
Though I'm still getting a bit used to this site, it's really easy to use. Posting is similar to e-bay, though much less complicated. The best part is that it's FREE!! Looks like you could use some options that would cost money. This leads me to believe that someday they may decide to charge for membership fees and other niceties on the site. But, for now, I'm taking advantage of my free year.
Check it out. Be one of the founding members. Who knows what you might find there.
Though I'm still getting a bit used to this site, it's really easy to use. Posting is similar to e-bay, though much less complicated. The best part is that it's FREE!! Looks like you could use some options that would cost money. This leads me to believe that someday they may decide to charge for membership fees and other niceties on the site. But, for now, I'm taking advantage of my free year.
Check it out. Be one of the founding members. Who knows what you might find there.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Homeschool Classifieds
I absolutely love Homeschool Classifieds. It is a great site for homeschoolers to buy and sell their used books for free! You can pay a minimal fee in order to list more than 5 books at a time, but it is more reasonable than e-bay. Not to mention, they also allow you to sell Teacher's Editions!! I mean, really, aren't those the books we're looking for the deals on or desiring to make some of our money back?
Check it out. You do not have to have an account in order to buy, only to sell. Let me know what you think!
Check it out. You do not have to have an account in order to buy, only to sell. Let me know what you think!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Taking Time
I wish I had already known some things several years ago when I began to teach my oldest child. Being the first child, he was the one with whom I compared the "normal" home-schooler. If "most" kids were understanding something at a certain age, then he should be as well. If it wasn't a difficult concept for me to understand in my childhood, then why was he struggling? If he didn't get the day's concept, we worked on it until he got it - some nights we worked until 9:00 p.m. It was my immaturity as a homeschool mom that many of our "bad" days were formed.
Now that I've been homeschooling for 7 years, I'm either wiser or just plain tired.
My six year old son is a first-grader this year. He has been doing quite well, though he would much rather be outside running around than writing spelling words. At the beginning of the year, he really struggled with expanded form in Math (i.e - 50 + 2 = 52). This concept was so easy to me as a youngster. My previous 4 children never struggled with this and I had no idea why he just didn't "get" it. Just recently, I realized it had been quite a while since we had done expanded form - months, in fact. I wondered if he would get it now that so much time had elapsed and he was doing quite well in other areas of Math.
Wouldn't you know it? Just the other day, his review section on his math page was....expanded form. And, again, wouldn't you know it? He got EVERY SINGLE ONE.....RIGHT!!!!!!!!! No problem. Piece of cake.
All it took was time. Not time in beating the lesson into his head over and over. Not time in making him write different numbers in expanded form for hours on end. Not time in me worrying and pulling out my hair. Just time off without even thinking about it. Through time, stress was removed. Through time, precept was built upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little. And, he GOT it.
What I wouldn't give to have known that seven years ago.
Now that I've been homeschooling for 7 years, I'm either wiser or just plain tired.
My six year old son is a first-grader this year. He has been doing quite well, though he would much rather be outside running around than writing spelling words. At the beginning of the year, he really struggled with expanded form in Math (i.e - 50 + 2 = 52). This concept was so easy to me as a youngster. My previous 4 children never struggled with this and I had no idea why he just didn't "get" it. Just recently, I realized it had been quite a while since we had done expanded form - months, in fact. I wondered if he would get it now that so much time had elapsed and he was doing quite well in other areas of Math.
Wouldn't you know it? Just the other day, his review section on his math page was....expanded form. And, again, wouldn't you know it? He got EVERY SINGLE ONE.....RIGHT!!!!!!!!! No problem. Piece of cake.
All it took was time. Not time in beating the lesson into his head over and over. Not time in making him write different numbers in expanded form for hours on end. Not time in me worrying and pulling out my hair. Just time off without even thinking about it. Through time, stress was removed. Through time, precept was built upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little. And, he GOT it.
What I wouldn't give to have known that seven years ago.
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