I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 months since my last blog post! Honestly, I haven’t missed it a bit. After 18 weeks of morning sickness, followed by 6 weeks of bed-rest which required us moving in with my husband’s dear parents, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last month of being back to “normal” in our own home!
God blessed us so far beyond our expectations and allowed (most of) the blood clot to dissolve. Unless I start spotting again, the Doctors believe we can treat the remainder of this pregnancy as an uncomplicated one. So, for the last month, I’ve been scrambling (in the “I’m still taking it easy” kind of way) to get caught up on organizing our house and yard, having people over, and making the last bit of Summer a memorable one for the kids.
The cooler Fall weather has kicked in early this year, and I’m itching for homeschooling to begin again and routine to commence. Baby is due to arrive the end of October/beginning of November; our plan is to buckle down and get a good head-start so we can take it easier while adjusting once again to life with a newborn (which will be an education for the kids in itself!).
Three little students…and one on the way. 🙂
Last week, I finalized our homeschool plan for this year. Charity (5) is finishing off Kindergarten and starting Grade 1. Judah (3) really wants to do “school like Charity,” so I’m starting him off with a few Pre-K books and I’m sure he’ll join us when we read aloud on the couch. Anna (1) has given up her morning nap; I’m open to suggestions on how to keep her entertained! I’m hoping Baby is of the happy/contented variety like his/her older brother was. 😉
I post our goals for the year with some hesitancy. I don’t want anyone to think that what we’re doing with our 5-year-old is what they should be doing with theirs. Neither do I want anyone to feel as though I’m trying to “cover my back” so the powers that be know we’re doing “enough.” Nevertheless, homeschool Moms love to glean from each other and it’s good to do due diligence and be aware of the various teaching methods and curriculum available.
Madly in love with the principal. 😉
Without further ado, here’s our homeschool curriculum for 2014-15. We take a Christian, Classical approach to education (you can read more about it in my absolute favorite book on homeschooling: Teaching The Trivium by the Bluedorns).
For Charity (K-Grade 1):
Math
~ Math-U-See, Alpha by Steve Demme
Reading/Lanuage
~ Finish up Alpha Phonics by Samuel Blumenfeld
~Pathway Grade 1 Readers: First Steps, Days Go By, and More Days Go By by
~Rod and Staff God is Good Series by Mrs. James Swarztentrruber
Bible
~Bible reading: 1 chapter of Proverbs each day (chapter that corresponds with the day), 1 chapter from the OT at Breakfast, 1 chapter from NT at Supper
~Memory Work: 1 Bible verse, 1 Psalter, 1 Heidelberg Catechism Q&A each week
~Leading Little Ones To God by Marian Schooland
~Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan Hunt
Science
~The Answers Book for Kids by Ken Ham, Volume 1-6
~The Complete Zoo Adventure by Mary and Gary Parker
Handwriting
~Handwriting Without Tears
Spelling
~All About Spelling
Art
~Draw Write Now by Marie Hablitzel and Kim Stitzer
~How Great Thou Art | I can Do all Things by Barry Stebbing
History
~Story of the World Volume 1 by Susan Wise Bauer
~10 Girls Who Made History by Irene Howat
Geography
~Geography Songs by Kathy Troxel
~Children’s Atlas of God’s World by Craig Froman
Read Alouds
~The Trumpet of the Swan, Stuart Little, & Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
~Caddie Woodlawn byCarol Ryrie Brink
~Grandpa’s Box by Starr Meade
~Christie’s Old Organ by O.F. Walton
~Tiger and Tom by J. White
Phys Ed.
~The Ultimate Guide To Brain Breaks by Heather Haupt
~Swimming Lessons, Skating
Music
~Piano Lessons
~Choir (?)
~Color the Classics: Godly Composers by Carmen Ziarkowski
For Judah (Pre-K):
~Finish About Three Preschool Activity Workbooks by Rod and Staff
~ABC Series by Rod and Staff
~Swimming Lessons
Are you ready for the new school year? Have you taken a Summer break or do you teach year-round? What do your curriculum choices include? Are you looking forward to teaching any subject in particular? So many questions! Let’s catch up, and hopefully it won’t be so long before you hear from me again. But, I can’t make any promises. This is a busy, but wonderful season of life that will pass by too quickly I’m told!
Warmly,
Jacinda