Curriculum Choices 2014/2015
Let me just start off by saying, I am SO grateful for the opportunity to homeschool my children. My husband and I don't have all the answers, but we are honored that God has granted us this calling. We are not perfect, but we are committed to raising our children for the Lord. So, we count it a blessing to be able to do that as we educate our children each day, right here at home.
So this year, I am going to attempt to participate in the 6th Annual "Not" Back-to-School Blog Hop. This week's focus: Curriculum.
I haven't quite figured out the best way to list everything--should I go by subject or grade?? Right now, I have 3 who are school-aged; how will this look in 5 years, when I'll have 6 that are school-aged????? {Thoughts swirling in my mind!}
Here at the "Chelmont Academy", we piece our curriculum together. We use the Well-Trained Mind as a guide, adding and/or removing curriculum as we feel is appropriate. {Just ask my kids--I've been known to remove pages from books or go through with my big, black permanent marker if the information is not in line with Scripture (i.e. evolution vs. Creation)!}
Any way, let's get started!
Bible
We have daily devotion time during/after breakfast. I usually do our Scripture memory time, and then I'll read whatever the Holy Spirit has placed on my heart, what I'm studying, or something the kids want to know more about. Right now, we are reading about wisdom from the book of Proverbs. We've also started singing a hymn or two, which has livened up our time a bit. The kids think it's fun.
This will be our first year doing some sort of Bible curriculum, using Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool.* It is an online study and the lay-out is very simple. The children will read a passage of Scripture and answer a few questions about what they've read. Nothing fancy at all, which I appreciate. Sometimes finding the perfect Bible "curriculum" becomes a distraction, and we neglect just simply reading the Word. I also appreciate it because it is free, already compiled, and fits the requirement for the homeschool umbrella we've joined this year. I let my children chose what they were interested in studying:
Math
Language Arts
So this year, I am going to attempt to participate in the 6th Annual "Not" Back-to-School Blog Hop. This week's focus: Curriculum.
Click here for link-up |
I haven't quite figured out the best way to list everything--should I go by subject or grade?? Right now, I have 3 who are school-aged; how will this look in 5 years, when I'll have 6 that are school-aged????? {Thoughts swirling in my mind!}
Here at the "Chelmont Academy", we piece our curriculum together. We use the Well-Trained Mind as a guide, adding and/or removing curriculum as we feel is appropriate. {Just ask my kids--I've been known to remove pages from books or go through with my big, black permanent marker if the information is not in line with Scripture (i.e. evolution vs. Creation)!}
Any way, let's get started!
Bible
We have daily devotion time during/after breakfast. I usually do our Scripture memory time, and then I'll read whatever the Holy Spirit has placed on my heart, what I'm studying, or something the kids want to know more about. Right now, we are reading about wisdom from the book of Proverbs. We've also started singing a hymn or two, which has livened up our time a bit. The kids think it's fun.
This will be our first year doing some sort of Bible curriculum, using Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool.* It is an online study and the lay-out is very simple. The children will read a passage of Scripture and answer a few questions about what they've read. Nothing fancy at all, which I appreciate. Sometimes finding the perfect Bible "curriculum" becomes a distraction, and we neglect just simply reading the Word. I also appreciate it because it is free, already compiled, and fits the requirement for the homeschool umbrella we've joined this year. I let my children chose what they were interested in studying:
- New Testament (2nd)
- Old Testament (4th)
- Bible Poetry (6th)
{*Easy Peasy offers a full online, Christian education for free, or you can use it for just a few subjects like we are.}
Math
- Math U See: Beta (2nd), Delta (4th), Zeta (6th):
- Life of Fred
- Family Math
Language Arts
- Grammar: First Language Lessons (2nd), and Rod & Staff (4th/6th)
- Spelling: Spelling Workout
- Writing: Writing with Ease (2nd), and Writing Strands (4th/6th-supplemental to Rod & Staff, which has writing exercises included in the grammar lessons)
- Reading: WE LIVE AT THE LIBRARY!!! I usually link my children's reading with the period of history they are studying. Also, I've found great reading lists at Ambleside Online and also here.
History
- Story of the World: Middle Ages (2nd), Modern Age (4th/6th)
- History of the World--My Father's World Edition (6th)
Science
- Earth Science and Astronomy
- 2nd GRADE: First Encyclopedia of Our World, First Encyclopedia of Space, More Mudpies to Magnets
- 6th GRADE: Elemental Science: Earth Science/Astronomy, Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia
- Both: Night Sky Spotter's Guide
- Physics
Health/P.E.
We use Kid's Health, which is a free, online health curriculum, complete with lesson plans, quizzes, movies and activities. It is intended for a classroom setting, so I never use every thing, but there is a wealth of information.
For P.E., my husband has that covered. He has a minor in coaching, played college football, and loves athletics, so I let him do his thing.This fall we're covering soccer, flag football, and will continue with swimming.
Music/Art
- Piano: Teaching Little Fingers to Play
- Flute (private lessons*)
- Viola (private lessons*)
- Music/Art appreciation through Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool: Again, it is all online, the lessons are planned out, and it's free. This is an area where I struggle to always pull something together, so this is a blessing to me. We will coordinate it with whatever historical period we are studying.
- Art with a Purpose/Artpac: simple, straight-forward art concepts.
{*Check your local university for music education students who are willing to offer private lessons. This has made lessons affordable for us.}
Logic and Foreign Language
- Critical Thinking Book 1: Problem Solving, Reasoning, Logic, Arguments
- Memoria Press Latin: Pirma Latina and Latina Christiana I
- DuoLingo: we use it for Spanish, but you can also learn French, Italian, German, Portuguese or Dutch--and it is free!!
Typing
- Typing Web: A free site where I'm able to manage all of my kiddos' progress.
Well, I think that's it. That's enough, don't you think?! Any one want to help me with a schedule so I can fit everything in??? :) It is my prayer that sharing this information with you helps in some way to make homeschooling your child(ren) easier.
Happy Schooling!
Your lineup looks nice! I agree with your thoughts about Bible curriculum. Wishing you guys a great school year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Latonya. My little ones are getting excited about starting in the new books.
DeleteHappy schooling, right back at you, my friend!
I've been considering Math-U-See. How has that worked for you so far?
ReplyDeleteHi, Michelle!
DeleteWe've been using Math U See going on 4 years and so far, it's been great! It focuses on mastery of math concepts and lets you "see" those concepts using the math blocks. My children are each different in their thinking when it comes to math, but this program fits the bill for all of them.
I hope this helps you. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the response, Stacie. I have one child who struggles with math, so I'm looking at this particular product.
DeleteLooks great Stacie! So happy for you. :)
ReplyDelete