Monday, August 06, 2012

2012-13 Curriculum

Okay . . . here goes another year of this adventure called home education (and a boring text only post - I'm so out of the blogging sadle)!  This year we'll have a 4th grader (Agent H), a first grader (Agent E), a preschooler (The General), and Shortcake who will again be along for the ride with a few tot activities.

I searched the web for reviews on the curriculum we're using this year and couldn't find any first-hand users.  I was so intrigued by it I went out on a limb and bought it anyway.  The name of the company is Living Books Curriculum.  It's a Charlotte Mason based curriculum.

4th Grade
Bible: The Story of God for Kids, recommended by Living Books Curriculum

History: The Story of the Ancient World from Living Books Curriculum.  We are starting with the grade one simply because that puts us at the beginning of World history.  I will be supplementing his study with independent reading.  Our first independent read is Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick.  We'll also use this book for narration.

Science: Answers in Genesis, God's Design for Heaven & Earth and weekly nature studies

Dictation (in leu of a spelling program): We'll be using Agent H's AWANA handbook

Math: This will be our first year using Horizons

Read Aloud: The Snow Treasure, some of the books from The Chronicles of Narnia

Extras: As listed below under first grade

1st Grade: Living Books Curriculum, Grade One

Bible: The Story of God for Kids, recommended by Living Books Curriculum


History: The Story of the Ancient World from Living Books Curriculum (LB Curriculum), grade one of course.  I've been pre-reading this and I LOVE it!
AND
American History, here is the list of books.
Geography:  See the books here.


Science: An assortment of living books that study life, earth, heath and physical science. See here for a list of the books.


Reading: We are using Hooked on Phonics.  The LB Curriculum does include a program but we're just going to stick with what has been working for us.

The LB Curriculum also includes poetry, art, and music appreciation, the same read alouds I listed for Agent H above plus a few others.

Penmanship: This is new grounds for us as well.  We have used Handwriting without Tears in the past but we're switching to the LB Curriculum recommended Italics program.

Math: Horizons

Storytelling (narration): Aesop's Fables

Nature Study: Weekly nature walks with the Handbook of Nature Study in hand.


Preschool
The General and I will be doing mix of LetteroftheWeek.com, Little Hands to Heaven by Heart of Dakota, and Totally Tot's ABC program.

This was our first week of school.  Yes I know everyone gasps at our early start but we really needed to start.  There is a certain amount of peace that the school schedule brings and we have been out since May so we've had quite a nice break already.

I'm going to try Charlotte Mason's recommendation to keep lessons to 15 minutes.  After just one week of school our experience has been that we are able to complete our lessons in the morning - a big change from last year.  But I admit that we have just one week done for this school year and time will tell if that lasts.

Happy studies!


7 comments:

Mrs. Nerdy said...

I have a 4, 1, and preK kiddos as well. I like looking at your plans :)

Tristan said...

I've heard of LBC and they look like a solid CM company. Have fun with them.

We're not surprised at your early start, we took June off of most things (not math or reading) and began adding a new subject each week back in July.

You can peek at my plans for seven kiddos on my blog: http://ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/08/curriculum-for-seven-kids-2012-2013.html
I have grades 6, 2, 1, K, Prek, and younger ones.

Granola said...

Thanks ladies! I'll check out your sites too! That list is huge and it's so nice to have a particular person's post to go to. :)

The K. Family said...

Sounds like your organized and looks like your kids are going to have a lot of fun! Too bad I only have one left in school because I love buying school stuff!

Granola said...

It is FUN to buy school supplies! It feels tremendous to have all the decisions made for the year too so you can just sit back and use your tools. It's hard to believe you only have one left! By the way, your corn maze looks like SO much fun!

The K. Family said...

I'm so sorry about your mother. She was a very special and godly wife, aunt, mother, and grandma and I know you all will miss her so much. Arthur is planning on going down for Thursday. Let us know if there's anything we can do to make it easier. We will be praying for you all.

Donna said...

Hi there, Granola. I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I lost my mom in 1996 and my dad just a year ago. I'm glad my Lord's Prayer stitchery will act as an inspiration for you, in tribute to your mom. I'm in the process of making over my home office and I'm actually adding quite a few Polish Catholic pieces to honor my dad (who was Polish), and who went to Mass every single morning. Thank you for writing... Donna