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.

Why we study Latin...

And by "we" I really mean my kiddos. :)

(I guess I study it too, since I'm reviewing the lessons, hearing the memory work, etc, but hey...I've been through school already....and college...its their turn!)

Here is the rest of my Latin Curriculum post.

Learning Latin for the Future

SAT verbal scores.  

We are no where near that time, but I'd like for them to have an edge on it when it is time.  Its been proven that student who have learned Latin, score higher on the verbal portion of their SATs.

Future jobs.

Anything in the medical, science or legal field has a plethora of words derived from Latin.  Not that I'm expecting my children to become Doctors and Lawyers, but since I have 4 kids, chances are good that one of them will fall into one of those categories!?!?

Learning other languages.

Learning the systematic and logical Latin language will help in learning a lot of other foreign languages.  They will gain a foundation for all other language study. I hope my kiddos will pick up a language or two over the course of their education.

Learning Latin for Now

The improvement and understanding of the English language.

About 60% of the English language is derived from Latin.  From what I'm learning as I teach Essentials, the more complex concepts would make more sense if we understood Latin.  Learning root words along with prefixes and suffixes will also help strengthen their English vocabulary. (We are using a vocab program along these lines too!) Latin will help in the forming of sentences as the kids deconstruct and reconstruct their understanding of the English language; a lot of English's grammatical rules are derived from Latin.

Reading comprehension and writing.

Latin helps develop the ability to read closely for accuracy.  Latin is very particular in translation and students have to really read carefully.  This will spill over into all other subjects, especially writing.  Details are important and Latin is full of details.  

Studia vestra frui!

Curriculum Series {Latin}

Its a "dead" language, right?  So why study it???

Friends who have their kiddos in public/private school always give me that look when they find out Latin is part of our curriculum.  

First I'll go over what we use and why.  Then I'll go over why Latin (the cliff notes version!)

Prima Latina and Latina Christiana I from Memoria Press and Classical Conversations Latin memory work

I bought the Prima Latina series last year (maybe the year before?) and we are just now really getting into it.  I started my (then) 4th grader, but we only made it a few lessons on our own and it always seemed to get pushed for other items on our "to do" list.  I didn't really get Latin or why to teach it and I didn't know it myself, so I couldn't really teach it.  At that point in time, I wasn't wanting to spend the cash on the DVDs, partly because they were an "extra" as far as I was concerned and partly because I didn't want my kiddos to be "doing school" in front of the TV.  

I got over it.  

I'm so glad I did!  

Here's what we have and how we use it...

Prima Latina (link) and Latina Christiana (link)

We use spiral notebooks, the DVDs, the student workbook, teacher manual and occasionally the flashcards.  We have the CDs, but haven't used them yet.  We also use Quizlet for this subject as well.

My girls are going at two different paces.  My 5th grade, is double timing it through the course with 2 lessons a week and my 3rd grade is taking it at a normal pace.

DVD course

These lessons are about 15 minutes each.  They each watch their assigned lesson for the week and have their student book handy to follow along with, underline derivatives and anything else brought up in the lesson. Although they are not the most exciting videos to watch, they are able to hear the pronunciation, see the words, and bottom line....Leigh Lowe (the creator) knows Latin and teaches it well.

Spiral Notebook

Next they do their copy work.  (I'm kind of addicted to spirals this year....not sure how I've made it this far without them!?!?) The girls copy the Practical Latin section, the Vocabulary section, and the Latin Prayer section.  They do this once for each lesson and I have them do it before they do their book work.  

Student Book

I have them review the lesson in the book, then do the bookwork.  (This takes around 15 as well.)  The lesson covers Latin sayings, vocabulary, prayer, memory work, derivatives, etc.They are able to look up the work in the lesson if they need to since the lesson is on a two page spread and the book work on the next two page spread.  There is more copy work there, so they have now copied their vocabulary words a few times at this point.  

Flashcards

I bought the flashcards separately before they were with "Prima Latina" when they were "Latina Christiana."  My youngest has used them, but not my oldest.  The reason being, they cards aren't marked for what lesson that are in so I only pull them apart when my 3rd grade gets to a new lesson.  My 5th grade uses Quizlet (see next point)

Quizlet (link)

Have I mentioned before how much I love this site? :)  Maybe just once or twice?  Really, you'd think they are paying me to advertise for them, but no.  I just really, really like it!!! Both of my girls use this to "play" on the iPad.  I'm amazed at what I can get them to do when I give that to them! I group the quizlet sets in 5 chapter sets, so 1-5, 6-10 etc. ThiS causes them to learn words ahead (but is easier than having 25 sets of words) and gives them a cumulative section review each time they study. 

Teacher Manual

Just the same as the student book but with the answers. I use this for correcting.

CD

We should be listening to the CD for pronunciation, but don't.  Its just one more thing.  Maybe I'll start playing it at night as they fall asleep like we do for the bible and books on CD?  Osmosis???

Classical Conversations Latin memory work

The kiddos have weekly memory work for CC, which they practice each week.  I figure it will just benefit them when they get to conjugations in Prima Latina and Latina Christiana.

. . . . . . .

So this post is already long enough....I'll post tomorrow on the "why" of Latin tomorrow.

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.)

CC Cycle 1, Week 21 Review at Home {Game Plan}

For our "Weekly Review Session" we get all the kids together and make a little party of it.  We cover all the new information for the current week, plus go over the whole timeline and add a Geography study.  We are amazed at how much better the kids do during proofing on the weeks we meet.

Here's the Game Plan for our Week 21 review session.....

History Sentence and Timeline

The Exploration of Canada

Here is video (2mns) about the high tides and the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick.
Here is a history sentence drawing sheet.

As always, listen to songs from CC CD

English 

Linking Verbs

Singing the Linking Verb to the tune of "The Ants Go Marching In"

(Working on a printable that goes along with the song.)

Science

The 5 Major Circles of of Latitude

Here is a worksheet to draw in and label the lines.

Geography

Canadian Provinces 

Extra Geography Unit - Canada

We will color in the flag while learning about it, study where Canada is on the map and any major rivers, oceans and land formations.

Latin

We will play a review game using this and placing the 4th Declension noun endings

Math

Here is a cute printable showing Associative Law.

Fine Arts

Bach

When we do our Famous Composers study, I download these on each one so we can listen while we study.  You get 100 of their hits for $1-2.  That's a steal!!!
In our homeschool, we are working through Confessions of Homeschoolers Greatest Composers study

At the end, they should be able to fill out this review sheet.

How I Chose Curriculum

One of the most asked questions I get from fellow homeschoolers, people who are thinking about homeschooling and everyone else is....How do you choose your curriculum?

Well...the most asked question by people who don't homeschool is something like, "How do you not go crazy having the kids around all the time?"  Which for those of you that HS will kinda make you sad, right?  I LOVE having my kids with me.  (Ok, let's be honest here...there are those days, but for the most part its true. :) 

But, I'm not getting into that debate here.

How I choose my curriculum???

A lot of researching!

When I made the decision to pull the kids out of school, I spent the next month researching curriculum.  I was obsessed!  I did a few things....

  

1) I called and emailed every single person that I knew who homeschooled.  I asked about what they used and why.  What they've tried, why they like it or why it didn't work.  

2) I read The Well Trained Mind.  What I really mean, is I devoured it!  Its a HUGE book.  But I read all the parts that were pertinent to us.  I took notes.  I combed over it again and took notes again.  (Actually I still do!  I look over it about every 6 months.  Once around Christmas and once in the summer.

3) I cross referenced everything from the previous two sources with Cathy Duffy Reviews.

4) I did check out some HS sites that did curriculum review, but didn't find them as helpful.  I was looking for a place that I could type in "Math" and see all of my options and the reviews, instead of a specific Math program.  (If anyone knows of such a site, please let me know! ;)

What I wish I could have done?  Actually look through the stuff.  I got to a little bit with the friends that were local, but that was a select bit of curriculum.  We have no homeschool resale store here and when we made the decision it was not during the time of a homeschool conference.

One piece of advice that I did receive is that if something doesn't work...don't be afraid to dump it and find something else.

CC Cycle 1, Week 20 Review at Home {Game Plan}

For our "Weekly Review Session" we get all the kids together and make a little party of it.  We cover all the new information for the current week, plus go over the whole timeline and add a Geography study.  We are amazed at how much better the kids do during proofing on the weeks we meet.

Here's the Game Plan for our Week 20 review session.....

History Sentence and Timeline

Mexican Revolution

Here is video (5mns) about the Mexican Revolution and a printable for them to draw their interpretation.
As always, listen to songs from CC CD

English 

Helping Verbs
Listen to the helping verb song (still on helping verbs! :)

Here is a printable that goes along with the song.

Science

Earth's Atmosphere
Here is a video (2 mns) about a solar flare and the Aurora Borealis, which occurs in the Thermosphere layer.
Here is a cute little song about the Earth's Atmosphere.

Here is a great resource about the Atmosphere from Education.com.
Here is an activity I put together about the atmospheric layers. 

We will put together one of these to show the layers in proportion.

Geography

Mesoamerica

Extra Geography Unit - Mexico
We will color in the flag while learning about it, study where Mexico is on the map and any major rivers, oceans and land formations.
From Children's Amazing Places we will read about the underwater city of Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza.
Now would be a great week to go out to a Mexican restaurant. YUM!

Latin

We will play a review game using this:

Math

There is a fun math song that one of our tutors sings with the kids.  Here is a link to the song on you tube.
Here is a cute pizza worksheet from education.com about the circumference and area of a pizza....um, I mean circle.

Fine Arts

Handel

When we do our Famous Composers study, I download these on each one so we can listen while we study.  You get 100 of their hits for $1-2.  That's a steal!!!

Here you can listen on YouTube for free.

At the end, they should be able to fill out this review sheet.

3rd Declension Noun Endings {Printable}

I print these on card stock and (for now) put them in page protectors.  I file them in my CC Review notebook under Latin and pull out for whatever week we are on.  This hangs on my mini magnetic boards until we do CC Review.

If you want the whole pack (and matching game) before I'm able to post them, email me and I'll send it to you.

Happy Declining!

Cycle 1, Week 18 Review at Home {Game Plan}

For our "Weekly Review Session," we get all the kids together and make a little party of it.  We cover all the new information for the current week, plus go over the whole timeline and add a Geography study.  We are amazed at how much better the kids do during proofing on the weeks we meet.

Here's the Game Plan for our Week 18 review session.....

History Sentence and Timeline

Listen to songs from CC CD

Here is a link to a short video about North American Mound Builders.

English 

Listen to the helping verb song.
Here is a printable that goes along with the song.

Science

Here is a link to a NOAA video about the Ocean Floor.

Here's a worksheet Kelly made up.  She found the image (after LOTS of searching), but there was no way to reference since there was no documentation....if its found, its owner will get the kudos!  Kelly just added the missing parts and boxed out the labels on the drawing.

Geography

We are going to study Guatemala (since that's in Mesoamerica and we will study Mexico in a few weeks).  Using A New Trip Around the World we will:

Read about Guatemala and do some mapping work.
Label maps, printed from Worksheet Works.  (If you check it out...you'll be in love!) 

Then one of the girls will read aloud about the flag (page 16).  

There is also a crossword puzzle for this section, which is like a review of everything they've heard.

During the week we might make some of the recipes included (page 19) for Tortillas and Arroz Guatemalteco (a.k.a. Spanish Rice)

Latin

We will play a review game using this:

Math

There is a fun math song that one of our tutors sings with the kids.  Here is a link to the song on you tube.  (Kinda corny, but hey...whatever works!)

At the end, they should be able to fill out the weekly review sheet  here.