ABC Bible Verses Handwriting and Journaling {Printable}

To cover some bible work for my younger kiddos, we read through this book:

It has wonderful lessons, discussion points, Q&A, in addition to a prayer.  We aim to cover 1 "letter" a week.  This goes along perfectly with any type of Letter of the Week program. 

To help solidify the learning and bible verse memorization, I have my learning to write age kids use the this printable I created.  Here's an example:

{Link}

There's a page and verse for each letter of the alphabet, following the book.

It shows the verse, has an area for them to draw out an example of the verse, then the verse as handwriting/copy work.  

Our Curriculum {2015-2016}

Happy end of summer?!?  Last year we tried a hybrid....this year we are back to full time Homeschool and I am so excited.  Why we nixed the hybrid is another post... 

7th Grader

Bible - Christian Studies II by Memoria Press and Who is God by Apologia

Math - Abeka Basic Mathematics (7th grade math)

Latin - First Form Latin from Memoria Press

Grammar - Rod & Staff English 7 and Classical Conversations Essentials
Grammar - Fit It! Grammar 2 - Robin Hood

Writing - IEW US History based writing
Writing - Classical Composition - Fable and Narrative (Accelerated plan)

Spelling - Spelling Power

Vocabulary - Vocabulary from Classical Roots A

Literature Units - Tapestry of Grace Year 3: Dialectic level

History - Tapestry of GraceYear 3: Dialectic level

Science - Anatomy and Physiology from Apologia

Geography - Tapestry of GraceYear 3 and Road Trip USA (for fun) by Confessions of a Homeschooler

P.E. - USAG Girls Gymnastics Team level 8

5th Grader

Bible - Christian Studies II by Memoria Press and Who is God by Apologia

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - Abeka Arithmetic 5

Latin - Latina Christiana I from Memoria Press 

Grammar - Rod and Staff English 5
Grammar - Fit It! Grammar 1 - The Nose Tree

Writing - IEW US History based writing
Writing - Classical Composition - Fable and Narrative (Accelerated plan)

Spelling - Spelling Power

Vocabulary - Vocabulary from Classical Roots 5

Literature Units - Tapestry of GraceYear 3: Dialectic level

History - Tapestry of GraceYear 3: Dialectic level

Science - Anatomy and Physiology from Apologia

Geography - Tapestry of GraceYear 3 and Road Trip USA (for fun) by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 1 CDs

P.E. - USAG Girls Gymnastics Team level 5/7

3rd Grader

Bible - Listening to Christian Studies II by Memoria Press 

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - Abeka Arithmetic 3

Latin - Prima Latina from Memoria Press

Grammar - Rod & Staff English 3

Writing - IEW Bible Heros

Spelling - Spelling Power
Vocabulary - Vocabulary from Classical Roots 4
Literature Units - Tapestry of GraceYear 3: Upper Grammar level
History - Tapestry of GraceYear 3: Upper Grammar level

History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages

Science - Anatomy and Physiology from Apologia

Geography - Tapestry of GraceYear 3 and Road Trip USA (for fun) by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 1 CDs

P.E. - USAG Boys Gymnastics Team level 4

Kindergarten/1st

Bible - ABC Bible Verses

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - Abeka Arithmetic 1

Phonics - Primary Phonics 

Phonics - First Start Reading from Memoria Press
Reading - Bob books and Primary Phonics books

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 1 CDs

P.E. - Gymnastics

Update: We don't do ALL of this every, single, day.  (I will post my sample schedules that I use for the kids soon.) For what I call our "core" curriculum, we do bible, math, history, latin, grammar, and writing every day.  Two to three times a week we do spelling, vocabulary, science, and geography. Then there is some other little "daily work" that the kids do, deepening on their age/grade.

Our Curriculum {2014-2015}

Its already August, and I know some states start school in August and some in September.  We are more of a year-round-school family, so our curriculum is ongoing and can sometimes change mid year. This year, we are trying a Hybrid school (kids in school 2 days a week).  Some curriculum is school (KCA) required and the rest we are doing here on our own.

This list might scare some, but know that we don't do everything every. single. day.  

Some things are once or twice a week.  Somethings are once a month. Some things are 5 mns a day, some are 15 mns a day. So.....while it might look like a lot its manageable....most days.  If/when it get to be too much, some of the extras slide.  I'm ok with that.  After all, I'm the teacher, right? 

6th Grader

Bible - *Big Truths for Young Hearts

Math - *Saxon *8/7

Latin - First Form Latin from Memoria Press

Grammar - Rod & Staff English 6 and Classical Conversations Essentials

Writing - *IEW Middle Ages

Spelling - Spelling Power

Vocabulary - *Vocabulary from Classical Roots 6

Literature Units - *Tapestry of Grace (through the hybrid)

Classical Studies - Famous Men of the Middle Ages from Memoria Press

History - *Tapestry of Grace (through the hybrid)

Science -*Chemistry (through the hybrid)

Geography - Road Trip USA by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Fine Arts - through KCA

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 CDs

P.E. - USA Girls Gymnastics Team

4th Grader

Bible - through the hybrid

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - *Horizons 4

Latin - Latina Christiana I from Memoria Press and *Song School Latin

Grammar - Rod and Staff English 4  and Classical Conversations Essentials

Writing - *IEW Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales

Spelling - Spelling Power

Literature Units -  5th grade from Memoria Press and *Tapestry of Grace (through the hybrid)

Classical Studies - Famous Men of the Middle Ages from Memoria Press

History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages

Science - *Chemistry through KCA

Geography -  Road Trip USA by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Fine Arts - through the hybrid

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 CDs

P.E. - USA Girls Gymnastics Team

2nd Grader

Bible - through the hybrid

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - *Horizons

Latin - Prima Latina from Memoria Press and *Song School Latin

Grammar - Rod & Staff English 2

Writing - Writing With Ease Level 2 and *IEW Bible Heros

Spelling - Spelling Power

History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages

Science - *Chemistry through KCA

Geography - Road Trip USA by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Fine Arts - through the hybrid

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 CDs

P.E. - Gymnastics

Preschooler/Early Kindergarten

Bible - ABC Bible Verses and Big Thoughts for Little People

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - Abeka Arithmetic K and Numbers 1 and 2 from Memoria Press

Latin - *Song School Latin

Alphabet - Letter of the Week (simplified) from COAH  and Alphabet 1 and 2 from Memoria Press

Phonics - Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading

Reading - First Start Reading from Memoria Press

Classical Conversations Foundations Cycle 3 CDs

P.E. - Gymnastics

The items marked with the * are the books that are required from our Hybrid school.  There are more books within the history, literature and bible classes there, but those are course and time period (Middle Ages) specific.

Curriculum Series {Christian Studies}

There are SOOO many great bible studies and curriculum available today, this (surprisingly) was one of the hardest for me to choose.  I wanted an actual curriculum, not just a bible study.  We have plenty of time for that in the future, so for now I wanted them to learn the bible stories....the classical way; from the beginning.

Christian Studies I and II from Memoria Press

They have a wonderfully laid out schedule for all their curriculum.  This specific book is suggested for their 3rd grade year.  I have my 3rd and 5th grader starting together.  We will finish this book, and hopefully through the Christian Studies II, as well, this year.

Most of Memoria Press' curriculum is laid out very similarly.  There is a section on Fact to Know, Vocabulary (Bible Verse in this case), Comprehension Questions, and Activities.  They are broken down into 5 lesson, then a review throughout the book.  The further we get into MP books, the more I'm tailoring them to our needs.

SIDE NOTE: (The beauty of homeschooling.  I'm the teacher.  I make the decisions about what we do and don't do.  The single hardest thing for me to get into my noggin.)

There are a few different ways you can attack the "how to" with these.  You can do the whole lesson all in one shot, or break it down throughout the week.  We've done both ways depending on how our week looks.  For me, this is helping my girls learn more independent study.

This is our (idea) week:
Monday - Copy the bible verse into their spiral
Tuesday - CC day (no extra schoolwork)
Wednesday - Lesson day
Thursday - Activity
Friday - Review facts on Quizlet

This is our third year homeschooling and each year I'm learning to be more flexible and roll with "life" when it happens.  Some days we get all wild and crazy and cover the whole lesson on Monday, instead of breaking it down.  Some days, we do two lessons a day.  It just all depends on what our week looks like.  As long as the whole lesson get covered by the end of the week....we're good!

Modifications I've made for us...

We don't do the memory verse memory work.
(Gasp!)
I know, I know...but we do read it and they do copy it into their spiral.  (We have other bible memory work that we are doing.  For me, its more important they they are memorizing the verses we are working on that builds their character.)

We don't always do the Activities.
My priorities are reading the bible and getting through the questions.

I don't always make them answer in complete sentences.
Its funny to me that my 5th grade asks every. single. time! She is my one that does NOT like to write.  How the question/answer is worded helps my decision.  It goes on a question by question basis.

We don't do the review sections in full.
These I might just ask them about.  Or we work on in a timeline.  Or they work them on their own.  Or they do half of it (up to mom's discretion.)  You are the teacher.  You make the call.  (Embracing the power! :)

Quizlet review
I set all the "Facts to Know" up in Quizlet by Unit.  Once a week I have they play a game, do a matching quiz, use the flashcards...something to review all the facts for that unit.  Once we get further in, I'm sure I'll spot check and randomly have them do earlier units.

 Golden Children's' Bible

Buy this bible for the study!  (Don't make the mistake I made.)  I had already ordered the Jesus Storybook Bible for my kiddos, thinking this would cover it.  MP recommends Golden for a reason.  They lessons give you specific pages for this bible AND have extra activities using the pictures IN the Golden Children's Bible.  Don't settle.  Get the book.  Its a great book.  Stories are well written and pictures nicely done.  The Jesus Storybook Bible is not as thorough more for younger kids.  Still a great book, but I use it for my 3 year old and 1st grader.

This is an area where we tried a curriculum (God's Great Covenant) that didn't work for us.  We only got a few lessons in, but I just couldn't find a comfortable stride with it.  I can count on one hand the number of curriculum choices I've made that haven't worked and that I've changed.  This is the only one so far that I didn't finish, and dumped mid use.   

Jumbo Bible Activity Book

{link to Amazon}

Don't you just love when take a risk (relatively speaking) and it turns out great? I wish I could say that about the Bible curriculum that this was supposed to be a supplement for.... :)

I bought this book after searching and searching for Bible Activity/Coloring books.  There are a ton out there, by the way.  I pull out the pages so kids can work on them and color while I'm reading our bible lesson.

This book covers the entire bible with book and chapter references.  I do make sure that the pages go along with what we are currently studying, which is the Old Testament.  (I'll cover our bible course in my Curriculum Review series.)  There are a ton of pages and a range of activities, suitable for all ages.  For around $12, I consider this a great buy!

In searching for a link for you, I found a Book 2 and Book 3 on Amazon.....and immediately put those books in my cart.  (Yes, I did get a little giddy!)

Curriculum Series....

I posted awhile back on {How I Choose Curriculum}.

I also posted what our {Curriculum 2013-2014} will be.

I thought maybe I should post why I chose what I chose and how I move through the different levels.....so far.  

So I'm going to make it a little more in-depth. I'll try to highlight each subject, tell you what I use, how I use it, why I use it, if I've used something else, and anything else I think might help.  I'll start with what I call our "Core" curriculum, then move onto everything else.

In our house, Core curriculum means:

Bible
Math

Grammar

Writing

History

Science

2nd tier of my Core:

Latin
Vocabulary

Spelling

Literature

Classical Conversations
Handwriting

The Extras are:

Character

Poetry

Geography

Music

Art

The reason why some of these are "extras" is because they get Vocabulary and Geography in History, Christian Studies, Latin, Classical Literature, and in Classical Conversations.  They also get Art, Music,  and Science at CC.  We take Music Lessons (violin and piano) every week and we read classical literature and me throwing lit units in this year was an afterthought.  I'm not saying the "Extras" aren't important, just that its ok if we don't get to them every day and every week.

For us....I count a day of school if we get in Bible, Math, Grammar, and either History or Science.  I think there has been maybe one or two days that we've done that little of work; usually its those plus handwriting, spelling, bible and vocab etc. for a "basic" day.

Anyway.....hope my little series helps!  

Our Curriculum {2013-2104}

Before you freak out at the long list below....we don't do everything every. single. day.  

Some things are once or twice a week.  Somethings are once a month. Some things are 5 mns a day, some are 15 mns a day.

So.....while it looks like a lot (I've added more this year), I'm hoping it all works out.  

And if it doesn't....we drop some.  

Or work through the summer.  

Or every weekend.  

(Kidding!)

5th Grader
Bible - Christian Studies I and II by Memoria Press
Character -  10 days of Character Confessions of a Homeschooler (using this one per month!)
Math - Abeka Arithmetic 5
Latin - Latina Christiana I from Memoria Press
Grammar - Classical Conversations Essentials
Writing - Classical Conversations Essentials
Spelling - Spelling Power
Vocabulary - World Build from Dynamic Literacy
Literature Units - 4th/5th grade from Memoria Press
Poetry - Poetry for the Grammar Stage from Memoria Press
Classical Studies - Famous Men of the Middle Ages from Memoria Press
Classical Studies - Famous Men of Rome from Memoria Press
Classical Studies - D'Aulaires' Greek Myths from Memoria Press
History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages (finishing) then Early Modern Times
Science - Botany from Apologia
Geography - A Trip Around the World Series matching up with CC Foundations

Fine Arts - World Greatest Artist/Composers by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Classical Conversations Foundations

Music - Piano and Violin lessons

P.E. - USA Gymnastics Team

3rd Grader

Bible - Christian Studies I and II by Memoria Press

Character -  10 days of Character Confessions of a Homeschooler (using this one per month!)

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - Abeka Arithmetic 3

Latin - Prima Latina from Memoria Press

Grammar - Rod and Staff Beginning Wisely

Grammar - Classical Conversations Pre-Essentials

Writing - Classical Conversations Pre-Essentials

Spelling - Spelling Power

Vocabulary - World Build from Dynamic Literacy

Literature Units - 4th/5th grade from Memoria Press

Poetry - Poetry for the Grammar Stage from Memoria Press
Classical Studies - Famous Men of Rome from Memoria Press

Classical Studies - D'Aulaires' Greek Myths from Memoria Press

History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages (finishing) then Early Modern Times

Science - Botany from Apologia

Geography - A Trip Around the World Series matching up with CC Foundations

Fine Arts - World Greatest Artist/Composers by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Classical Conversations Foundations

Music - Piano and Violin lessons

P.E. - USA Gymnastics Team

1st Grader

Bible - Listening to Bible stories from the Jesus Storybook Bible when read with above

Character -  10 days of Character Confessions of a Homeschooler (using this one per month!)

Handwriting - A Reason For Handwriting

Math - Abeka Arithmetic 2

Grammar - First Language Lessons 1 and 2

Writing - Writing With Ease Level 1

Spelling - Spelling Power (All About Spelling was too easy so we are switching)

Classical Studies - D'Aulaires' Greek Myths from Memoria Press

History - Story of the World: The Middle Ages (finishing) then Early Modern Times

Science - Botany from Apologia

Geography - A Trip Around the World Series matching up with CC Foundations

Fine Arts - World Greatest Artist/Composers by Confessions of a Homeschooler

Classical Conversations Foundations

Music - Piano lessons

P.E. - Soccer/Gymnastics/Karate

Preschooler

Letter of the Week (simplified) from COAH 

Lots of active play and reading

Phew!!!  Its going to be a fun year!

(All the curriculum is linked either to the book on Amazon or the manufacturers site.)