Gather with a group of homeschool moms, and in about 10 seconds flat you will be talking about curriculum. And usually, the curriculum conversation is about math. Am I right? I know this because typically, I am the one asking the questions. I like to know what others moms are teaching and how they landed on those choices.
This year, I am teaching 6th and 3rd grades and kindergarten. Just typing that makes me nervous. When I had one, in kindergarten, we had so much time just to color and create. Now, it really feels a bit like drinking form a fire hydrant of knowledge. Here is what we will be using:
For my “sweet baby Kindergarten girl”:
Right Start Math (level B)
A Reason For Handwriting (level K)
5 In a Row (using books 1 & 2)
My “it must be fun” 3rd Grader:
Learning Language Arts Through Literature (yellow book)
Right Start Math (Level D – using lots of games!)
The New American Cursive (level 2 ***great for lefties because the binder is at the top!)
For the “She is smarter than me” 6th grader:
Learning Language Arts Through Literature (tan book)
My whole class:
Who Am I? (Bible curriculum from Apologia, book 2)
Foundations :: A Biblical worldview approach to history, science, art, drama, music and church history (their Friday classes)
Various arts and crafts
Ballet
Piano
1st read aloud :: A Lion to Guard Us, Clyde Robert Bulla
{I have added a few hyper links so you can find these books. A few are from Amazon. In effort to keep with full disclosure, please know that I am an affiliate with Amazon. If you click through and buy the product, I will receive a small compensation.}
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That about covers it. I may add a few things here and there, but this is our starting point for the 2011/2012 school year! So, what curriculum are you most excited about? Do you have any questions on the stuff I’m using? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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Tomorrow, I’ll share favorite homeschool and creative links plus a peak at my homeschool room.
Did you miss any of the back to school week fun?
Tuesday :: God Did Not Call Me to a Quiet House
Wednesday :: What Kind of Planner are You?
*****Winner of the Homeschool Planner is Emily from Whisper of Wonder!
Thank you for the planner! I was looking at your curriculum and we are also using Who is God? I have looked at Learning Language Through Literature every year, but have never known any one using it. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Have you used it before? Thanks again.
I am really excited for you to try out this planner. I think you will love it!
I love the Apologia Bible series. We did “Who Is God?” last year. This year,for “Who Am I?” I’m trying to teach the concepts in a more fun manner and not just read it to them. And we are taking 1 lesson per month. – super slow.
I did the same thing with LLATL. I saw it but didn’t know much about it. I really wanted a one package deal – grammar, spelling, comp, etc in one book. I love that the authors use copy and dictation as a lesson basis. Plus they are using great books as well. They are also good to throw in some fun activities for the students like making a newspaper and things like that to break up the ‘boring’ stuff. My oldest has loved it and her language skills have soared! Plus, it is way cheaper than other curriculum. We love it!
This year I have a 3rd and 1st grader. {wow!}
We use Sonlight for History/Science/Reading/LA{including Wordly Wise,Explode the Code and MCP Plaid Phonics review}, Singapore and Teaching Textbooks for Math, Getty Dubay Italic Handwriting, Artistic Persuits for Art, The History of the Orchestra for Music and the girls are involved in Kenpo Karate and Girl Scouts. Phew… that is a lot whenyou have to type it all out!!! 🙂
I have always been tempted by Sonlight and love their reading lists! Such literature rich curriculum! MCP Plaid – oh that brings back memories of elementary school for me! 🙂 I’d love to hear about Artistic Pursuits for Art. I have never hear do of it! My girls love art!
When do you do read aloud time? Trying the find a consistent time to do this–especially since both are so wiggly.
It works well when they are eating lunch and their mouths are busy! 🙂 that means I have to eat after, but that is ok, too. Also, when Abby was little and it was just me and Emma, we did our reading when Abby took her nap. She loved that.
I’d also say – you have to find time and sometimes I have to battle for it – meaning, they don’t always listen, but I think it needs to be part of our day. It has been really hard with Ali. So now, we sometimes do it all together before bed when she is sleeping.