Here are our curriculum choices for 2011/2012. I think this year we are using the most structured curriculum that we have used in a few years. Even though we are following a more structured curriculum, I think it still has all of the elements that we love. Lots of read alouds, using real books. Also, I really wanted to continue to group as many things together as possible – I enjoy using the most family style learning I can. It makes things easier for me and I think it’s good for the kids to have some subjects together. It makes for more interesting dinner table conversations, I like to hear how the different ages are processing the information.
As to how I am going to schedule our day, I am still working on that! Not quite sure how it will all come together.
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| Jacob – 5th Grade |
Trail Guide to Learning – Pathways of Exploration
Great Adventure Bible Study
Vocabulary – finish up with Worldly Wise and then move to Dynamic Literacy {I’m excited about using this}
Math – Horizons
Handwriting w/o Tears – Cursive
Handwriting w/o Tears – Cursive
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| Jonah – 3rd Grade |
Trail Guide to Learning – Pathways of Exploration
Great Adventure Bible Study
Math U See
Explode the Code
Handwriting
Science Notebook – because Jonah is such a nature/animal lover, this will be fun for him
Fundamentals of Drawing
Great Adventure Bible Study
Math U See
Explode the Code
Handwriting
Science Notebook – because Jonah is such a nature/animal lover, this will be fun for him
Fundamentals of Drawing
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| Sarah – 2nd Grade |
Trail Guide to Learning – Pathways of Exploration
Great Adventure Bible Study
Explode the Code
Math U See
Handwriting – Handwriting w/o Tears
Handwriting – Handwriting w/o Tears
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| Anna – K/1st Grade
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Five in a Row – Vol. 3
Great Adventure Bible Study
MCP Mathematics – Level K
CHC Handwriting/Handwriting w/o Tears
God’s Love Story
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| Leah – Kindergarten |
Five in a Row – Vol. 3
Great Adventure Bible Study
MCP Mathematics – Level K
Handwriting – Handwriting w/o Tears
God’s Love Story
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| Levi – Pre-K |
Five in a Row – Vol. 3
Great Adventure Bible Study
God’s Love Story
So this is a pretty dry list of what we hope to accomplish this year. This doesn’t include the other things like field trips, time spent in the kitchen, feast day celebrations, chores, and all the other myriad of items that make up a vibrant family life. The things that do give our children a truly well rounded education.
thanks for sharing. i’ve been wanting to try the Great Adventure Bible Study for kids. is this your first time using the program?
This is my first time, and I just ordered it at the beginning of the week, so I haven’t been able to look over the materials yet. I asked around quite a bit and have only heard good things. I will keep you posted!
Your plans looks great! I love that you are able to combine the kids so well. My children are 8 years apart and then seven years for the next set (18, 10 and 3), so although we sometimes have an extra listener (especially for old FIAR favourites!) I can’t combine them for activities. You’re very lucky!
I’ll be watching with interest for posts about the Science Notebook – my 10 yo daughter is a self-described science wonk like her mother, so I’m sure she’ll want to read about it on your blog.
You’re going to be a busy mom, Jen… but your plan looks WONDERFUL! We are using Horizons 5, too… just love Horizons math. I also see, however, that you are using Math U See with another of your children – so doing what works best for each child.
Thanks for sharing your curriculum!
What wonderful plans.
Blessings,
Dawn
It looks like you have a great year planned! I dropped by to see your curriculum post and was excited to see your heart for adoption. We are somewhat-patiently waiting to see the face of our daughter!
This sounds good. We start on Monday (it’s so hot anyway.) We are going to ease in this year. Two 1/2 day weeks instead 1 full time week at first.
I’m sure your schedule will come together as you get going:) Looks like a great year ahead! This will be our first year of Handwriting W/O Tears, and I’m looking forward to it! Thanks for sharing!
Schedule? What’s a schedule? Looks like a fun line up!
Congrats on getting that all lined up! I’m interested to hear how you like the Bible study materials too. When do you plan to start? I’m thinking we need to use these (locally) terribly hot days for school, since we are stuck inside anyway. Then we can take lots of time off in the fall to be outside! It would help if I had MY curriculum lined up, though
Stopping by to wish you a GREAT year of homeschooling!
Looks like a great year in the making! You are absolutely amazing. Here I am freaking out about how I may have to juggle teaching two and you are doing it with SIX! Hats off to you, my friend~
What fun to see your plans laid out and thank you for sharing. There are some new things I have never heard of (Trail Guide to Learning)? Is this something you use each year?
Good line up! It is not dry- it is difficult to “jazz up” a curriculum post.
I enjoy seeing what resources others are using.
I wanted to mention on the art- I wish we had purchased (we still may) the numbered drawing pencils. We got by with what we had on hand, but they would have been helpful.
Looks like a great year!
what an exciting cirriculum for all your children. thanks for sharing.
Hi Jen~ I left a comment here but somehow I don’t see it any more? Weird, it must have disappeared. I was wondering about the Trail Guide to Learning. Have you used this before? I haven’t seen that so I briefly looked at the link. I wasn’t sure if it was Social Studies or what exactly…I’d love to hear your thoughts about it. Thanks!
Tiffany, it has a history focus, the explorers and pioneers of America. It also covers science, geography, and language skills like vocab, spelling, copywork etc. The first unit is Columbus, another one later is Daniel Boone. It is for 3rd – 5th grade but can be adapted for 2nd & 6th as well. We are really excited to start this program. Real books are included such as the 1911 Boy Scout Handbook – your boys would love that! Even though this seems a bit boyish, Sarah will enjoy it too. She loves school and is eager to learn about all sorts of things. Also, somewhat new to us this year, is this program utilizes notebooking. Finally there is an art component too. There is a yahoo group of parents who are using or have used the program, let me know if you want me to send you an invite. Let me know if you have other questions too!
Great Adventure Bible Study looks great, I have been looking for something like that for my first grader. Have you used it before?
Wow Jen, this sounds really intriguing to me. Do you know if it’s “user friendly”? I noticed there was some kind of DVD or CD with the program or is that just for teaching?
It comes with a teacher’s manual, which so far looks very easy to follow along. We don’t officially start until next week, so I can’t say for sure. The CD that comes with it has supplemental material on it for the student.
We haven’t used it before. I just received the items in the mail and haven’t had a chance to really dig in yet. However, I think I should have purchased the adult version too.
OK, thanks, I will be eager to hear how you like it:)
I only have 4 and I”m with you about scheduling… gotta come up with a plan to get it all finished. I also was glad to see that you have one in K/1 and one in K and they were doing about the same activities… if my son can’t handle 1st grade I”l be doing the same. He’s older so I want him to be “ahead” of his sister… but she’s less wiggly and LIKES and has the patience to sit and learn for longer;) We’ll see how it goes;)
I can’t believe I wasn’t following!! Yup – I have a 3rd grader, holding a frog too – BOYS!
Jen, it looks good! I hope you have a great year, and you’re in my sidebar so I can keep up with you!
Have a wonderful year, sounds like fun!
Yes, it makes life so much easier to do things “family style”!
Thanks for following!
Thank you!
Well, I started out reading about your curriculum, but I got distracted by all your beautiful children!! And then I had to look for adoption info. because we want to adopt. I’m so glad you have lots of resources on your sidebar!!
It looks like a great list! I’ve always wanted to try FIAR.