This year marks our 7th year of home education, so hard to believe! Seems like yesterday when Jacob and I embarked on this adventure together. His kindergarten year was a busy one, not only were we getting adjusted to adding more formal lessons to our day, but Leah joined our family midway through the year. Four kids five years of age and under kept me on my toes – they still do! I’m so grateful for this time with my children.
Our school years continue to evolve depending on what works for my children and what works for me. I try to take in to account what works best for each child as well as keeping perspective on the fact that there are only so many hours in the day. Last year we used Paths of Exploration. We loved it and it was a great fit for our family last year. It was the most “boxed” curriculum we had used in several years. Then we added in Classical Studies from Memoria Press. My kids loved learning Latin, loved learning about Rome, as well as learning more about the Greek Myths.
So I started doing a bit more research into the curriculum from Memoria Press. The more I read, discussed, read, and prayed, the more I discerned that Memoria Press would be a good fit for the older kids. I enjoyed the family style learning of Paths of Exploration and its one of the things I love about Five in a Row. The older kids and I will still work together for Latin and Classical Studies as well as our read alouds. Jacob, however, was craving a bit of independence with a majority of his work. I wanted to honor his input. As he grows older he needs to take more and more responsibility of his own education. I’m glad that he is eager for some independence in this area.
Jonah and Sarah are going to be working together in grade 3 curriculum. Jonah still struggles a bit with reading and they work well together so it just made sense, as well as its a bit easier for me if they are working through the same material.
That leaves the youngest three. Academically they are all at about the same level. My main goal is to get all three of them reading by the end of the year. We are doing a roundup of our favorite Five in a Row books. I wrote a guest post about why we do Five in a Row and I have written a post about how I plan for our Five in a Row. I also have a Five in a Row planning page that you can print and use.
Sounds like a great year. We are also using Math U See. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Five in a Row but have never used it myself.
Looks like a great line up!
Sharla, Five in a Row is one of my all time favorites!!
Looks like you have everything lined up and ready to go! Praying for a blessed school year for you and the children.
P.S. Stan didn’t want to practice his swimming in the pool yesterday. We told him it is so important. It will save his life. He said, “I don’t care.” We said he could drown if he didn’t know how to swim. He said, “I don’t care if I drown.” (We KNOW he does, was just being super stubborn.) We said if that were to happen, there would be no more Legos, Star Wars, Wii. His reply, “I don’t care.” Oh can he be stubborn
Thanks Patty!
oh those stubborn streaks!!
We love FIAR! It is such a wonderful resource. Have a wonderful year.
Blessings, Dawn
Looks like a great year. I always drool over Memoria Press stuff. This year we will be using something from them, finally.
Jen, I understand the oldest craving more independence. I’m trying to give Anna (also sixth grade!) more independence this year, too. I will be interested to hear all about Memoria from you – they have interested me for a long time.
It, as always, looks like a great plan. I admire you so much!
I always look forward to your curriculum posts, Jen. Memoria Press is new to me so I’ll check it out. I always love to glean fresh ideas. Thanks for taking the time to share and God Bless your school year…Neat that we are sharing our kick off on the Assumption:)