Curriculum

This is one of my favorite times of the year. I have spent hours and hours doing reseach and it's finally time. I get to order curriculum! I am so very excited.

I had one silly moment. Well, at least regarding this. I have a feeling that the baby is going to blow through her first grade math. I still want her to do a first grade math, but I think it will be relatively easy for her. She's doing a lot of the basics now, but I haven't taught any of my kids beginning math. The big girl and the boy were in school for that. I wanted to have a back up plan for her. I found on my shelves Teacher's Guide Part 1 of Horizons 2d grade Math. I needed the second part that has the answers, extra worksheets, and tests. I put out a call to my homeschool group. We had done Horizons with the boy and I still had the 3d grade curriculum. Only I didn't. I had the 2d grade. Exactly what I was looking for. For some reason, I always think he's a grade ahead of where he really is. So, that being said, if she does get through her math as quickly as I think, I have a back up. The math I was saving for when she's in 2d grade. Whoo hoo!

Here's our list of curriculum for next year:

Science- God's Design for Life: The Human Body. I actually bought this last year at convention becuase I knew I wanted to cover the human body. We are using their Animals book this year, and we all really like it. It is multi-grade and can be easily supplemented if I need to. I also have a great book that shows different views and functions of the body. Way cool.

History- American Heritage Studies. We are taking a break from Story of the World. I need a break. That and I think we need to focus a little more on the important foundations of this country. So much going on in the world today. We will be doing a study of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. I am super excited about this. And the studies were free. You gotta love that.

Bible- We are doing character studies and an Exodus lap book. I also have a Bible study that I bought last year that I will start using this year, and continue next year. It was a little intimidating when I got it home, but I think I'm ready to tackle it.

The boy- he is doing LIFEPAC for his math and language arts. They have worked so well for him this year and we are going to continue that path. He loves them and he gets a great sense of accomplishment when a workbook is done.

The big girl- she is doing Switched on Schoolhouse for her math. That is a computer based program made by the same people that make the boy's curriculum. This year is pre-algebra for her. I can teach her just fine, but she wants somethig a little flashier than her boring book. Fine. We'll see how she likes it. She will be doing Reading Comprehension in Various Subject Matters for her language arts. It encompasses reading, comprehension, and vocabulary. The subjects are broken down into literary groups, so I will supplement that way. If it's poetry, we'll talk about different poetry styles and write some of our own kind of thing.

The baby- she will be working on Modern Curriculum Press (MCP) Math as a first grade curriculum. I like the bright colors and the scope of information covered. I think the book will keep her occupied and will appeal to her. When she's done, it's Horizons Math. For language arts, she will be doing Explode the Code, Books 4 and 5. Along with that she will start a grammar workbook for grades 1-2. We have all been happy with the Explode the Code books. It seems to have really opened up her reading. The grammar will just be a couple of days a week.

Extras- I have a typing program that I want the kids to work on. It's one of those things that they will need to be able to do in this technology age of ours. And I still have that Spanish program from Tell Me More! that we need to get to. Need to find the time somewhere for that. Just a couple of days, not every day for extras.

That's the run down for now. I love searching and looking and finding what I think the kids will like and learn with. What are some of your favorites?

Have a great day!