I was a teenager when I knew that I wanted to someday home-school my children.   I babysat a lot for the family across the street.  We lived in Phoenix, Arizona and they were the only home school family I had ever met.  Their small children were different.  They had broad interests and knew things I had never heard in school!  They were smart, inquisitive and very capable.

My upbringing and my husband’s?  Polar opposites.  I don’t think home schooling had ever entered his radar.  As our oldest child grew, the home school discussions became more frequent.  We weren’t exactly on the same page.  I wanted to do it.  He wasn’t sure it was a good idea.  We began kindergarten as a “trial,” and I guess the trial has never expired.  It works well for us, but it has always been a year by year commitment, under-girded by prayer.  If God were indicate that He wanted us to do something different, well, we would.  Yet, so far and for many reasons, it has been a good fit for our family.

We have graduated one “child” who is flourishing in college.  She was on the President’s list last semester, and is looking forward to completing her AA this school year.  Eight more to go…

What works for one child doesn’t always work for another.  We have a variety of curriculum on our book shelf.  I’m an eclectic home-schooler.  Our books rotate in and out of use, depending on the year.  This year I felt the need to change some things for my older students.

This book shelf and a filing cabinet in the basement house our available curriculum.  We have a shelf upstairs that organizes what we are currently using.

The following is a summary of what we will be doing:

Kindergarten:

This little guy is only five.  We could wait until next year to officially begin Kindergarten, but he wants to do school with his siblings so we are beginning and will see what he is able to learn.

Letters: I am using the seat work from My Father’s World to teach him to write his letters.  Rather than going in the typical order, I am teaching him the letters of his name so that he can experience the accomplishment of being able to do that.  Then we will go back and pick up the letters that are usually learned first.

Reading:  I have used “How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” for all of our other children.  I expect, when he seems ready, that we will move to this for reading practice.  The only weakness I have found with this curriculum is that when children graduate from this book they usually have trouble discerning when to read the short vowel sound versus long vowel sounds.  I have not wanted to change curriculum, though I believe I could simply teach him to read as we learn letters, and perhaps we will do that…

Phonics:  When he knows his letters we will use Christian Liberty Press’s Phonics Book A.  It teaches the short versus long vowel sounds, helps them learn to construct words with their new skills, and teaches important grammar rules at appropriate times.

Math: I am using Christian Liberty Press’s Kindergarten Math book for the first time.  When he has the basics of writing his numbers and doing simple addition and subtraction,  we will transition to Math-U-See.

Bible with his 2nd grade brother.  Memory verses will be more simple.  He has his own “Thankful List”.

2nd Grade:

Math:  Our 7 year old son is 2/3 of the way through Math-U-See’s Beta Book.  He will finish 1+ chapter per week and will be in the Gamma Level book before Christmas.  My kids complete math at their own speed.  Some are ready for Algebra in 8th grade and others have begun Algebra in 9th grade.

Phonics: We are using Christian Liberty Press’s Phonics Level B.  To complete the entire book during the school year calendar, he will need to complete 6 pages per week.

Science: Christian Liberty Press’s 2nd grade book, God’s Wonderful Works. In order to complete the book, we will do 4+ pages per week.  We will finish it early, and there will be many science related books for fun reading as well.

Spelling:  I have so many different spelling books, lists, and “All About Spelling” curriculum to boot.  Right now I am teaching him to spell and pronounce particular sounds like “all” and “ight” while letting him construct all the words possible with these letter blends (call, ball, fall; light, bright, night).  He thinks this is great fun and is learning quickly.  His phonics book reinforces spelling and we will pull from different resources as he is ready.

Spelling Games: Boggle, Scrabble Junior, magnetic letters for play, etc.

History: Together with his 4th grade sister, we are reading “Hero Tales” in conjuction with Bible.  This teaches Biblical Character as well as sharing from the lives of missionaries.  It will build compassion for other peoples in his heart and till his heart to be responsive to God’s will for his own life.

We’re reading Christian Liberty Press’s, American Pioneers and Patriots. which should carry us through November.  Then we will do some reading about Minnesota History (using library resources) and Historical Explorers (which really excites him).  He loves reading.

Geography using Geography From A To Z by Jack Knowlton.  This is a picture glossary of land features with definitions.  We will learn 1 or more per week.  He has a fascination with maps and globes and this is a beautiful and colorful way to introduce him to geography.

Bible: In addition to reading Hero Tales, we will be memorizing 1-2 Bible verses per week (depending on the length of the verse).

Read from a children’s Bible daily,

Thankful List: record 3 (or more) blessings he has to be thankful for each day,

and often we read a devotional from Keys for Kids.  We receive a booklet every 3 months with scripture assignments and daily devotionals.  Keys for Kids works with camps to help kids grow the other 51 weeks a year they are not at camp.  You can check out their web site for more information.

Music: At some point I would like to begin introducing him to the piano.  He will also sing some with his sisters when we visit various churches with camp promotion through the winter and spring.

4th Grade:

Bible:  Hero Tales with her brother (2-3 mini stories per week)

Memorize 1-2 Bible verses per week, Bible Reading,

Thankful list (3 or more blessings to be thankful for each day),

Studying God’s Word, Book E, by Christian Liberty Press: Brings students from Genesis to Ruth.  Features scripture reading with a time line, a summary, questions, cross word puzzles, etc.   One chapter per week (plus work in an additional 4 chapters) to complete in one year.  That’s about 2 days worth per week for us.  The other 3 days she will do Keys for Kids.

English: Accelerated Christian Education English, which includes cursive (3 pages per day).

Adventures in Phonics Level C by Christian Liberty Press: 1 page per day

Spelling: using Natural Speller by Kathryn Stout (lists for grades 1-8) and concepts from All About Spelling.

Science: A Beka Understanding God’s World, Level 4; 10 pages per week with experiments and such to complete in the school calendar, but this girl loves science and may finish by the end of the first semester.  In that case we have science magazines and library resources to continue learning.

History: A Beka The History of Our United States~ 10 pages per week; American Girl books for extra fun and period learning.

Math: Math-U-See, Level Delta

Spanish: Rosetta Stone, Level One, Easiest setting  (This is not something I have required at this grade level, but it is what she wants to do as her sisters have always done Spanish.  She will restart at a higher level of difficulty in 7th or 8th grade).

Music: Singing with her sisters when we travel, some piano and ukulele.

7th Grade:

Bible: Thankful List (3 or more blessings to be thankful for each day) &  Scripture       memorization,

Studying God’s Word, Level H by Christian Liberty Press, on the Book of Acts,

Self Paced Bible Reading and devotionals from Jesus Calling on the days she doesn’t do CLP’s Study of Acts,

Science: Signs and Seasons:Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy;  Adjunctives to Enrich her learning about God’s creation of the Universe such as Louie Giglio’s DVD Indescribable, youtube videos about telescopes, etc.

English: A Beka Grammar and Composition 1, grade 7 (8-9 pages per week will get us through the entire book).

Spelling:  Natural Speller by Kathryn Stout (lists for grades 1-8)

Cursive practice: A Beka Penmanship Mastery II 

History and Geography: Reading Missionary Books, 1 per month.  In addition, memorize the country of each missionary on the globe or atlas, knowing the name of the continent.  Look up facts about the country today, try a recipe that is loved in that country, know the status of the church there today and pray for them during the entire month you are learning about them.  Resources include: Window on the World; when we pray God works by Daphne Spraggett with Jill Johnstone, A Trip Around the World and Another Trip Around the World (these have interesting facts and recipes), and Rand McNally Classroom Atlas, the Library and Google 😉

Math: Pre-Algebra by Math-U-See

Music: Piano instruction, continue learning ukulele on her own, singing/harmonizing with her sisters and perform when we travel

Spanish: Rosetta Stone: Continue from where she left off last year.  She also started young and has restarted at a more difficult level.

10th Grade:

English: Accelerated Christian Education, English Level 2 for 10th grade. (approximately 3 pages per day, including quizes and tests, in order to complete during the school calendar year).

Spelling and Vocabulary: A Beka Level IV; Awesome.  Includes the Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes.  There will not be enough lists for the entire year.  When we complete this book, we will use the ACT Study Book for additional words.

Read books!

Physical Science, Accelerated Christian Education

This is our first year using PACES.  I’m loving it and so are the kids.  We’ve used several curriculum for science, but inevitably high school science will test things that simply aren’t in the student books.  This curriculum is designed for students to self teach at their own pace.  It’s all there, not wimpy, and is biblically based.  Because of the cost of the little work books, they use the work books to guide them, but write answers in a notebook.  That way, we can reuse the curriculum.  Booklets include quizes and tests.  Teacher check books (score keys) are sold separately.

Social Studies: A Beka World History and Cultures; must complete 17 pages in the student text, including check points and chapter reviews, in order to complete the entire book this year.

Math: Math-U-See; Completing Geometry in the first quarter and moving into Algebra 2

Bible: Thankful list (record 3 blessings or more per day and pray thanks!)

Self Paced Daily Scripture Reading and weekly scripture memorization,

Free Class: Bibliography and How to Study the Bible through Christian Village Missions online school “Contenders Discipleship Initiative.”  This will be self paced as we have time.

Phy-Ed: This kid loves to exercise.  She’s using youtube videos for strength training using body resistance, cardio, and wants to add in weights this year.  Possible goal: become a trainer.

Computer: 1 semester credit.  Training in on software to assist the media and registration person at camp.

Music: piano instruction, continue self teaching guitar, singing/harmonizing with siblings when we travel, worship team at church.

Drivers Ed: 1 semester, non-academic credit

Extra curricular activities and volunteer opportunities as they are available.  Next week she’s taking a 2 day acting class through the local theater company.

11th Grade:

Bible: Thankful list (record 3 blessings or more per day and pray thanks!)

Self Paced Daily Scripture Reading and weekly scripture memorization,

Free Class: Bibliography and How to Study the Bible through Christian Village Missions online school “Contenders Discipleship Initiative.”  This will be self paced as we have time.

Science: Accelerated Christian Education, Chemistry

History: Accelerated Christian Education, American History which includes some government

English: Accelerated Christian Education, English 3

Spelling: A Beka Vocabulary, Spelling, Poetry V; There will not be enough lists for the entire year.  When we complete this book, we will review last year’s words and use the ACT Study Book for additional words.

Math: Math-U-See, Algebra 2

Music:  piano instruction, continue self teaching ukulele, singing/harmonizing with siblings when we travel, worship team at church.

Phy-Ed: 1 semester.  Recording all activity: Walking and hiking; cutting and stacking wood, gardening, rec field instructor at camp, trampoline at home, etc.  Winter time we will also include some youtube exercise videos.

Extra curricular activities and volunteer opportunities as they are available.  Next week she’s taking a 2 day acting class through the local theater company.

Drivers Ed 🙂 1 semester, non-academic credit

 

I haven’t listed phy-ed for the younger kids, but they get lots of outside play, year round.  They also help put up wood, tap trees and haul sap for making syrup for weeks every spring, and a variety of other outdoor chores on our 40 acres.  They will ice skate on the pond this winter, climb the hill and slide back down, build snowmen and forts, and so much more.  😀

Life skills are a big focus this year, for a variety of ages: scheduling and organizing time, learning to wash their own clothes, teaching the littles to do dishes, how to balance a check book, menu plan, some sewing, etc.

We have begun our home schooling early, easing in this week, with the intention of being able to take a week off when baby is born in October.  A home birth, welcoming baby, holding him or her, changing diapers, and so many questions and answers will be a class all in itself for the little ones.  The older ones know all about new babies, and they can’t wait!!  They have helped with so many younger siblings, from newborn on up, for so many years that I should probably give them a credit in child development!

Have a good school year, from our family to yours!