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!
