This will be my third year using this as our "spine". I have been completely impressed by the options and recommendations. If you have even an inkling of an idea of maybe homeschooling or wondering what an education could look like apart from a public setting, this is THE book to read.
One piece of organizing that I have added this year that I am totally loving and benefiting from is the Well Planned day It is a place where I can keep almost all my lists and schedules in one place and it has really helped me be better organized and a little less scatter brained (I think.)
We start our day with about a half hour of memory work. To start the year off, the kids are memorizing the 50 presidents, the 50 states, books of the bible, 8 history cards a week, and drilling math facts. We don't do every single item every day, this list gives us a little variety through the week, and I am seeing some nice progress. We have songs for learning the presidents, states, and bible books. Music always helps!
Next up in our day is Math. I changed math programs this year to Teaching Textbooks. So far, I really really like this. It consists of computer software with interactive lectures, math problems, drill practice, and computerized gradebook. The part that I like best about this program is that the "teacher" is eternally patient! I am a fairly competent math teacher and enjoy the subject, but my patience can run thin. The fellow "in the computer" doesn't get mad! We also have the paper text to go along with it, so that they are also writing their math out so as to not become too dependent on the computer. They are learning great vocabulary and I am seeing their confidence grow. In the spring I ordered Wrap Ups to help make the memorizing a bit less paper intense.
While one kiddo is on the computer for math the other kiddo works on language arts independent work.
On Monday: Begin spelling lesson in Spelling Workout C, a page in A Reason for Handwriting. (Ady is finishing printing, and Caiden is beginning cursive), and a lesson in Jesus, My Shepherd.
Tuesday: same
Wednesday and Thursday: They do an activity with spelling words, either writing 2-3 times each, or writing sentences, sometimes they get to play spelling games at Spelling City (a free online spelling website that is fantastic!). Copywork for Caiden, Copywork for Adyson, and one bible lesson.
Friday: Spelling test, a page of handwriting or write a letter, and a bible lesson(sometimes a bible video).
After these tasks are done, they each do 30 minutes of silent reading with the requirement that they choose from our library piles. Our piles are made up of books that I have chosen based on our current topics in science and history. Usually we have about 20 books to choose from.
After lunch and quiet time we usually only have two subjects left. (yay!)
Language Lessons
Our volume is level one and two in one book, but they have since republished. We will finish level two soon and head on into level three. I highly highly recommend this piece. The kids love it! It is chock full of great grammar/writing work, tons of repetition and fun scripted lessons. about 15 minutes a day.
On Monday, Thursday and Friday we follow language lessons with History. We are using The Story of the World, which I cannot recommend highly enough. The text is great and written so clearly and concisely, the kids remember tons from it. The Activity Book is a perfect complement with comprehension questions, book lists, example narrations, and all the student pages including maps for each chapter, and several project ideas for each chapter.
By the spring term, I have also added Writing with ease. Although we were doing some of these things already, I like the fact that good literature and sentences are already chosen and papers are already copied. I ordered a one teacher text which has one set of student pages, and ordered a second set of student pages.
We read one section on Monday and one kiddo does a narration. Then we look through the corresponding encyclopedia pages and read a children's book or two. On Thursday it is part two, narration by kiddo number two, and maybe some more books. Friday, we do map work and complete one of the projects. I love love love the way it is spelled out and incredibly user friendly. We finished volume two in February and have moved on to volume three. This time around I ordered a second set of student pages, thereby eliminating my need to photocopy each time we do an activity. This has definitely made things even easier!Once a week, we do a science lab or two. Adventures with Atoms is our text. the kids also have a notebook where they write definitions, draw pictures of the experiment, write observations and answer questions. They really like this part of the week, and the book is full of super easy experiments.
After the morning work is done and I'm fixing lunch, they often go outside and play. A couple of times a week, we go for a hike/walk/bike ride. For the fall, and Spring, both kids are playing soccer, which they love.
They are both taking piano this year from a local teacher. This involves 30 minute lessons once a week and daily practice; during their lessons, the kiddo not at the piano, reads aloud to me and does a written narration. We go to the library to swap out our weeks' books either before or after the lessons.
Tuesdays they go to Bible Club for about an hour and half.
Saturday afternoons are usually filled with playdates.
We attend church on Saturdays where they get to enjoy a children's class, then we stay for quite awhile for a late dinner and fellowship.
