School Curriculum

Fall is just around the corner and I've been spending much time this summer planning our school schedule and curriculum for next year. In June, Shane and I attended the state homeschool conference at the Portland Convention Center and had an amazing and inspiring time. We left with a renewed sense of why we homeschool and a commitment to homeschool all the way through high school. We had a great time attending workshops and exploring the giant exhibit hall.

I LOVE researching and carefully planning our curriculum for each school year. Although this schedule seems like a lot, it's really not as much as it seems. Some of it requires the girls to work independently and all of it takes minimal time for me to prepare. I usually spend about an hour on Sundays preparing for the school week ahead and about 15 minutes every morning getting things ready and reviewing the day's work. We aim to get school done by about 1 pm every day so the girls can spend the afternoon on making art, music and other hobbies. Many days we're done by lunchtime. We start each morning at 8:30. Here is a list of what we'll be studying and using this year.

Mira, Third Grade

Bible -Family Devotions: Proverbs People Character Devotions, Training Hearts Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism @ breakfast
Personal Devotions: Bible Study Fellowship Weekly Study

Math – Horizons 3

Spelling – Phonic Zoo Level B

Writing – Writing Trails in American History

Grammar – Rod & Staff Grade 3

Latin: Prima Latina

Handwriting – A Reason For Handwriting (cursive continued from last year)

History – Sonlight Core 3, History Pockets, Draw Write Now & weekly Friday history crafts.

Literature/Structured Reading – Sonlight/Well Trained Mind/Veritas Books. (Will post list/schedule soon)

Science – Christian Kids Explore Chemistry & WTM: Experiments: Adventures w/Atoms & Molecules.

Art: Drawing Books. Paint like the Masters. Master's School of Art painting and drawing classes.

Annah, Kindergarten

Bible –Family Devotions: Proverbs People Character Devotions, Training Hearts Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism @ breakfast, Personal Devotions: Bible Stories on CD. Big Book of 5 Minute Devotions, Crossroads of Character: Learning to Make Wise Choices

Math – Horizons K

Phonics – Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading. Bob Books. Explode the Code 1, 2, 3

Literature – Read a Louds with Mom (Will post book list/schedule soon)

Social Science/History – Geography, Uncle Rick Audio of US History for Preschoolers, US History read-a-louds, History Pockets and Friday history crafts.

Science: Chemistry w/Mira as interested, nature study

Latin: Prima Latina video w/Mira

Handwriting – A Reason For Handwriting Level K