Homeschooling Questions

1.  One homeschooling book you have enjoyed.

For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macauley

This is truly the main book that shaped my homeschooling style in the very beginning.  I recommend it all the time for those who are interested in a gentle, Charlotte Mason or relaxed style of homeschooling, and those who are frustrated with the “traditional” method.

2.  One resource you wouldn’t be without.

The Internet!

3.  One resource you wish you had never bought.

I don’t like to negatively mention any product.  What doesn’t work for me, will certainly work perfectly for someone else and I wouldn’t want to be a stumbling block by saying the product isn’t worthwhile.  There are several products that haven’t worked in our homeschool, but as I get more experienced with choosing things to meet our needs, I find I make fewer and fewer mistakes.

4.  One resource you enjoyed last year.

Just one???  If I have to narrow it down to just one, I’ll say my county’s extension office and the classes they offered.

5.  One resource you are using this year.

All of the curriculum resources I’m using are listed here.  Two others that are important resources this year = co-op (especially the biology lab) and field trips.

6.  One resource you would like to buy.

I really wish I would’ve purchased Diana Waring’s 2nd set in her History Revealed series: Romans, Reformers and Revolutionaries.  The price scared me off, but now I realize the price is well worth it because the curriculum works perfectly with our style.

Update – A wonderful cyber friend, Melissa, saw this post and sold me the curriculum for a great price.  Joy filled my heart when it arrived in the mail!

7.  One resource you wish existed.

I find myself patching together this and that for character training because I haven’t found anything that works just like I want it to.  Hmmm…Maybe that’s an idea for my next writing project???

8.  One homeschool catalog you enjoy reading.

I love CBD’s homeschooling catalog.

9. Which homeschool subject gives you the most frustration or anxiety?

Writing!  Strange for someone who writes herself, huh?

10. What is your greatest challenge in homeschooling right now?

My greatest challenge is balancing high school, middle school and preschool at the same time.

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I’d love to know if you complete the meme on your blog, too!

Related posts:

1. Unit Study Questions Answered
2. Questions Answered
3. Homeschooling With A Newborn

I’ll get right down to business sharing the main curriculum for each kiddo.  Remember, we NEVER do everything every day!

Mahayla – 9th Grade

Caleb – 6th Grade

Together

Eli – PK/K4

________________________________________________________________

We’re also jumping back into co-op this year where the kids will enjoy some fantastic classes once a week.  (I’m teaching the logic/critical thinking class and have shared those resources here.)

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Our daily schedule is always subject to change depending on projects, field trips, appointments, etc. – but here’s the tentative weekly schedule.

Schedule – Mahayla

Schedule – Caleb

Schedule – Eli Daily

AM

Primary Arts of Language Games/Worksheets

My Father’s World Science Activities

PM

Math and/or Art Activities

Bible Story and Literature Books

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 Happy 2011-2012!

Related posts:

1. 2010/11 Schedule
2. 2010/11 Curriculum
3. Aaahh…A Schedule

You’re gonna think I’ve gone widget crazy!!!! However, this was the simplest and easiest way to put together a post with photos rather than just writing a long and boring list.

I would love to hear about some of your favorite games!  We’re always up for something new!

Related posts:

1. Games for Preschoolers
2. Our Favorite Character Building Books
3. My Favorite Curriculum

We do most of our Bible, science and history studies together.  You’ll notice I don’t have particular things like writing, art and music in the schedule this year.  That’s because I’m using science and especially history lessons to cover those subjects this year.  For example, at least once a week there is a writing assignment that goes along with the history learning – maybe a research report or historical fiction piece or project.

So, in short, just because it looks like each day’s lessons are rather light, there’s a lot more involved in the history and science subjects than meets the eye.

Since almost everyone asks…We’re TYPICALLY finished with school around lunchtime.  That doesn’t include read-alouds, music lesson practice, nature walks, horse training and the like.  Those are our more casual afternoon activities and aren’t usually “scheduled”.  Not every afternoon is spent doing academic style things either.  We plan most of our appointments and errands during the afternoon, so at least one afternoon a week is eaten up with these things.

When you live and school with the Charlotte Mason/Unit Study styles, a lot can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time.  My kids are by no means geniuses, but they are very academically capable without having to pour over schoolwork for hours and hours a day.

You can see what curriculum we’re using this year here.

**Editing to add:  My children usually read before they go to bed at night, so reading is not typically part of the “school day”, even thought it’s part of our daily curriculum.

Related posts:

1. 2010/11 Curriculum
2. Aaahh…A Schedule

Mahayla – 8th Grade

We’re jumping to Algebra 1 a little early.  I have Algebra 1/2 we can fall back on if this gets too tough.

Logic is a very important subject to me!  We’ll get an introduction to formal logic along with continuing logic puzzlers this year.

Our history program below will cover plenty of research & factual types of writing – this will fill in the creative writing gap.

I know the language arts section looks pretty slim.  We’re taking a break from grammar this year, while our history program will include tons of reading, writing and drama.

Other:

• NimbleFingers.com for typing
• Living math lessons
• Classics reading

Caleb – 5th Grade

Saxon – not much more to say!

Both of these are logic puzzlers – and fun!

This is a new-to-me curriculum this year and I’m in love!

I’m beginning with All About Spelling to reinforce some basic phonics rules, then we’ll jump into Spelling Workout.

Caleb worked through much of this last year.  We have about 1/3 of the book to go, then we’ll just use Spelling Workout as handwriting practice.

Other:

• High-interest, often history-related books for reading
• Living math lessons
• NimbleFingers.com for typing

Together

This is an amazing curriculum!!!  It will cover Bible, history, language arts, science, art, music, drama, and so much more!  I *think* most of our art and music studies this year will come only from this study.  (Gasp!)  If I feel like we aren’t diving into art and music enough, I’ll supplement.

Another gasp!  I’m using a full-blown traditional textbook for science this year!  What??  Let’s just say I’m giving this type of learning a shot this year.  If it works, awesome – I won’t have to keep planning my own lessons!  If it doesn’t work, no biggie – we’ll keep on keepin’ on the way we always have.  Caleb will be following along with us on many of these lessons, but I have separate reading and activity plans (following the same subject) on the days when this is information overload.

Well, of course!  A nature study author can’t leave out nature study!

I’m trying a new, informal approach to foreign language this year.  We’re using this program for 5-10 minutes a couple times a week as a fun game/flashcard drill time.

Other:

• Occasional Bible & devotional studies to accompany our Old Testament history program
• Games – board, card & online – for many subjects

Eli – Early PK

We’re going to have a fun time learning the alphabet this year with one letter per week as a theme.  I have each letter planned with fun crafts, activities, experiments and such that will make Eli beg for “school”.

It’s a do-it-yourself curriculum with hodgepodge ideas from every corner of the internet and my brain, so I can’t give you a specific link.  You can check out my preschool links, though, to find many of the sites I visited when planning.  A few of the major items I’ll be pulling from include:

I’ll post a tentative weekly schedule before long.

Related posts:

1. How Do You Plan For Next Year’s Curriculum?
2. My Favorite Curriculum
3. How Do You Know If A Child Is Ready For Next Year’s Curriculum?

Here’s the basic daily plan – which hasn’t changed much from last year:

• Dressed/Bedroom Chores
• Breakfast/Bible
• Daily Chores
• Math
• Language Arts
• Unit Study
• Free Time for outdoors/handicrafts/hobbies
• Reading Break

Curriculum plans are (as always) subject to change, but here’s the projected list.  Remember, I never teach from all these materials everyday, or even every week for that matter.  These are just resources that we’ll use at some point or another. 

7th Grade

Math/Logic

• Saxon Algebra 1/2
• Mind Benders Grades 7-12
• Introductory Logic
• The Thinking Toolbox: Thirty-five Lessons That Will Build Your Reasoning Skills
• Other problems solving projects will come from various sources

Language Arts

• Easy Grammar
• Spelling Power
• Words on the Vine
• Vocabulary from Classical Roots
• Daily Paragraph Editing
• Writing will be tied into unit studies and other real-life events
• Some reading will be assigned to go along with unit studies, some reading will be free choice
• No formal handwriting practice this year

4th Grade

Math/Logic

• Saxon Math 5/4
• Mind Benders Grades 3-6+ Book A3: Deductive Thinking Skills
• I have lots of other problem solving books that we will pull activities from here and there, too.

Language Arts

• Language 3
• Conquering Cursive
• Spelling Power, Fourth Edition
• Spell Quizzer
• Writing is the same as 7th grade
• Reading is the same as 7th grade

Bible/Devotions

• Bible Topics – Daniel, Jonah, Ruth, Romans, Psalms, Proverbs
• Possible Bible/Character/Devotion Missionary Studies include:

How to Study Your Bible for Kids

Journeys of Faithfulness: Stories for the Heart for Faithful Girls

The Squire and the Scroll with Life Lessons from the Squire and the Scroll

Princess & the Kiss: A Story of God’s Gift of Purity with Life Lessons from the Princess and the Kiss

Beautiful Girlhood

Bible Games Packet that reinforces books of the Bible, divisions of the Bible, Bible research skills and more.  I bought this at a Bible outlet store that was going out of business a few years ago.  The game boards and pieces are all just paper tear-outs.  Since I’ve already prepared all the games, I can’t find the title of the product anywhere.  It was originally published by Standard Publishing, but I’ve had no luck finding it on their site either.  It’s a wonderful resource!  If I find out the title and it’s still available anywhere, I’ll be sure to post it.

Bruchko

George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans

Bartholomew’s Passage: A Family Story for Advent

Hero Tales, vol. 1: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes

Unit Studies

This is the fourth year in our four-year history/science cycle.  We will be working on modern history and physics.  I’ll post plans as each unit comes along.  For now, here are the tentative unit lists.

History/Geography

• US Geography
• Statue of Liberty and Other National Monuments
• US Government
• US Presidents
• Inventors
• 1900-2010 History – This will be our biggest unit!
• World Geography

Science

• Energy – Heat & Electricity
• Light, Color & Sound
• Magnets
• Simple Machines and Work

Nature Study

We’ll use various ideas from the NaturExplorer units once (or more) a week.  I’ll be posting many of those ideas here and at Shining Dawn Books.

Artist and Composer Study

August – Cezanne, Chopin

September – Rousseau, Vivaldi

October – Rodin, Gershwin

November – Gauguin, Ellington

January – Toulouse-Lautrec, Schubert

February – Seurat, Berloiz

March – Russell, Schumann

April – Matisee, Brahms

May – Kandinsky, Stravinsky

I’ll be sure to post lots about our daily lessons and happenings through the school year!  Have a super 2009-10!

(You can find our current studies along with the resources I’m using in the sidebars.)

Related posts:

1. Christmas School Plans
2. Charlotte Mason Carnival – Back To School Planning Bash
3. Next Year’s Plans

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 separate.  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.

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:

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

History

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 The Story of the World Vol. 3 CD’s for our listening pleasure.  (And to keep up with world history of the time period.)

Mahayla – 6th Grade

Math

And various logic activities.

Grammar

Spelling

Writing

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

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, and at least weekly, she will practice keyboard skills at Nimble Fingers.

Caleb – 3rd Grade

Math

Various logic activities

Reading/Phonics

Spelling

Writing

We will continue with the journal, field trip journal, writing prompts and newsletters.

Grammar

Handwriting/Keyboarding

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

Artist Studies

Music

Paid piano lessons for Mahayla

Composer Studies

Foreign Language

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

Home Skills, Homestead Skills & Handicrafts

Keepers At Home group

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!

Related posts:

1. Next Year’s Plans
2. Plans For A Kentucky Unit
3. Middle Ages Unit Plans

This was another question asked recently at co-op.  Another part of the question was:  How do you plan for next year when you may or may not want to change curricula?  Once again, here’s the answer I gave, but I know my friend would appreciate your thoughts in a comment.

I’ve told you before that I can be considered by some as “curriculum ADHD”, so I’ve had experience planning for a year in the midst of curriculum changes!  Here are my basic planning steps:

1.)  PRAY!  Ask God to guide you in all things – and that includes curriculum choice.

2.)  Know Your Goals

- What is my educational philosophy?  Do I need to plan my year to be more in line with Charlotte Mason?  Do I need to make more room for classical subjects?  Do I need to buy more workbooks?

- What are my children’s learning styles?  Do I need to do more/less hands-on next year?  Do I need to find materials that are more auditory?  Do I need to stick with one type of curriculum all year or do I need to vary the approaches for more interest?

- What “holes” do I see from this year?  For instance, I don’t feel like I have been including enough classic literature in our curriculum.  I also don’t feel like I’ve been pushing my oldest to her greatest potential.  Those will be things I’m sure to think about as I make out plans for next year.

3.)  Know your plans

- For example, if I know that every Monday afternoon we will be at co-op, I need to plan my curriculum with that in mind.  I wouldn’t want to plan schooling so tightly that we would be behind in our studies from “missing out” on a Monday afternoon of book work.

- If I like to plan field trips or be a part of 4-H, Keepers At Home or other clubs, I need to keep all that in mind as I think about what I want to accomplish in our curriculum over the year.

4.)  Research your choices

- With all the above in mind, really take some time to research what’s best for your family.  Think about things like:

• Is there anything I can buy that will cover more than one child?

• Is there anything I can find that will meet several of our needs – meeting particular learning styles, filling the “holes” from last year, and helping me include more CM style learning?

- I use catalogs, the internet, used curriculum sales, our state homeschool convention and a local Christian/homeschooling bookstore when researching.

- I often buy things I’m not sure about from used sources so I haven’t wasted a lot of money if it doesn’t work.  Internet selling sites are my friends when a bad choice has been made! 

5.)  Write out a plan for each child to be sure everything:

- is being covered  (Make sure you haven’t forgotten math or something!)

- is well balanced  (You haven’t overloaded the schedule, but at the same time you have enough.)

- really fits the learning style of that particular child

- pulls the kids together as much as possible

- won’t overwhelm you!

6.)  Gather supplies

- don’t be afraid to make mistakes

- don’t be afraid to make changes

- don’t be afraid to stick with something and give it another chance

It’s funny that as I type this, I’m simply ready for this year to be finished!  It’s been a long year with a toddler running around.  We only have four more weeks to go!!  Once our year is over and I have a few moments to sit on the porch swing with the sun in my face, I’ll be ready to cart the catalogs out with me.  

Related posts:

1. How Do You Know If A Child Is Ready For Next Year’s Curriculum?
2. My Favorite Curriculum

This was a question asked recently at co-op.  My friend’s question related more specifically to whether or not a child is ready to “move on” to the next grade level.   Here’s the not-so-short answer I gave.  I’m sure my friend would enjoy reading your comments, too.

1.)  What grade you call a child is fairly meaningless as an overall rule.

-Most children I know are working either somewhat above or below that particular grade in at least one subject.

-If a child has struggled greatly in math, for instance, then go slower with math – starting now.  Who cares if the workbook says 2nd grade when they are actually in 3rd grade?  Who cares if they won’t finish every workbook page by the end of the year if you go slower?

-What’s more important – that they understand a process or get through the book?  Also, is it more important to get multiplication eventually  – at their own pace – or to become so frustrated with ”not getting it” before they’re ready that they feel like a failure and never choose to like math from that point on?

2.)  All schools – whether public, private or homeschools - have different expectations for each grade level.  In other words, what one school expects to be accomplished in 2nd grade might be an expectation for 4th graders in another school.

-If your child is greatly struggling with an entire 3rd grade curriculum, you might research a different curriculum rather than blaming your child for not being smart enough to keep up.

-Make sure the curriculum you’re using is meeting their learning styles and even their interests.  I don’t mean to say that every assignment has to be pure joy, but if your child is motivated by bright colors vs. black and white pages, find a curriculum with bright colors.  If they enjoy crafting over workbooks, look into hands-on curriculums.

3.)  I would never harm a child’s self-esteem by telling them that they aren’t ready to advance to the next grade level, or that they will redo all the same curriculum again next year because they “didn’t get it” this year.

-Whatever changes you need to make – redoing a particular book, buying a grade level lower, implementing reteaching strategies, taking things slower – should be adult decisions.  A child will be much more motivated to continuing trying and learning if they don’t feel like a failure.

4.)  If you are drastically concerned:

-Talk to seasoned homeschoolers about the issues and get their advice.

-Look through books like What Your ___ Grader Needs To Know.  Remember that this is one person’s opinion, though.

-Test the child to see what level they are actually working on.  Remember that not every child tests well and the results may be a bit skewed.

-Research the particular concerns on the internet to see what steps you might take.

-Get a tutor.

Homeschooling is such an awesome opportunity for raising children who are bright, confident and allowed to blossom at their own pace.  God created every one of us to be different, unique and special.  Just because one of your children may struggle with a particular subject, or even all subjects, doesn’t mean that God doesn’t have great big plans for them anyway.  Help them to the best of your ability, while giving them an abundance of encouragement and love, and God will take care of the rest! 

Related posts:

1. My Favorite Curriculum

Subjects we do together:

Bible/Devotions

Read through the New Testament in The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos and complete our Bible timeline using the The Big Picture Bible Timeline Book.

The Seven C’s of History (this is our summer study)

Discovering Jesus in Genesis by Susan Hunt

Missionaries Unit using Missionary Stories with the Millers as a “spine”

Bible Bowl

History

Ancient History Unit – Spine book:  History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

Middle Ages Unit – Spine book:  Knights & Castles: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience the Middle Ages

Kentucky History Unit – Spine book:  Spectacular State Report Projects-For Any State

Science

Astronomy Unit – Spine books:  Exploring Creation With Astronomy by Jeannie Fulbright and the Astronomy Lapbook from Knowledge Box Central

Earth Science Unit – Spine books:  Primarily Earth, NaturExplorers Hard as a Rock, and Considering God’s Creation

Art, Music, Foreign Language

Various art studies, art lessons and art projects throughout the year, no specific resources

Various music composer studies, music classes and hymn memorization throughout the year, no specific resources

Prima Latina

5th Grade Math

Math 6 / 5: Homeschool Set

Bi-weekly problem solving and logic opportunities using a variety of resources.  Below are a few sample books:

Mind Benders Grades 3-6+ Book A3: Deductive Thinking Skills

Thinking Skills, Grades 5-6

NC Math

5th Grade Language Arts

Daily silent reading

Daily read alouds with Mom

The following subjects will often be integrated into the current learning unit.  Other times, activities will be chosen from various places including…

Spelling:  Spelling Works!

Grammar:  Great Grammar Lessons That Work

Writing:  All sorts of sources including:

• Easy File Folder Reports
  

• 30 Biography Book Reports
  

• 30 Nonfiction Book Reports

• Building Skills In Writing: Story Writing

• Igniting Your Writing

Typing:  Nimble Fingers

2nd Grade Math

Horizons Math 2

Miquon Math

Mind Benders

NC Math

2nd Grade Language Arts

Reading:  Still plugging along in Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and adding easy readers, Explode the Code, and fun games

Grammar:  First Language Lessons

Spelling:  Spelling Workout

Typing:  Nimble Fingers

Extras

Co-op classes 1x/week

Piano Lessons

Horse Lessons

Just a reminder for some of you who will say, “She’s using ALL that THIS year?!!”  I don’t use everything all the time.  Nor do I use all of anything.  I use only what I feel like my kiddos need at the time.  I pull the best from several resources because no one resource ever seems to fit us perfectly!  It doesn’t bother me to have undone pages in a workbook or undone lessons in lesson guide.  I’m the teacher at my house and I get to choose what we do and don’t do.   The list above is actually far from complete.  I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting things to add to the mix.  I guess I’m the ultimate eclectic, unit study, lapbooking, notebooking, workbooking, literature loving homeschooler!  It all has it’s place you know!

Related posts:

1. Our Homeschool
2. My Favorite Curriculum
3. Caleb’s Days