Thursday, April 12, 2012

2012-13 Home School Curricula

On a field trip to a coal mine a bit north of where we live.
This year I officially began homeschooling my first grade son, Benjamin.  One of my reasons for homeschooling was the flexibility if offered, and we have definitely taken advantage of that this year as we had many appointment for Sophia and other things that have cropped up.  We used Five in a Row materials for the first part of the year which uses a piece of children's literature as a springboard for all other subjects.  In addition, we used Horizon Math materials for a more systematic grade level approach to math.  Halfway through the year, Benjamin began receiving some tutoring in reading to help supplement and ease our frustration with each other over the subject (even though I am a certified reading specialist, go figure!).  He now sees himself as a reader and is doing much better, and I didn't have to fight him over it.  Works for me!

I have spent this past year investigating other curricula and thinking through what else I want to use to teach my children as we progress forward.  Next year I will have Benjamin in grade 2 and Nathaniel officially in Pre-K/K.  Today I took the plunge and made some decisions and purchases, and I am very excited to receive my new materials and get planning!  I have also decided to continue homeschooling over the summer months, just not as rigidly, so that we can take breaks here and there at other times of the year and also to keep our routine going.  So, here is what I have come up with:

Math - Horizons Math 2 (Benjamin) and Horizons Math K (Nathaniel) from Alpha and Omega Publications
Spelling - All About Spelling Level 1 from All About Learning Press (Both boys...it will be review for Benjamin, and new for Nathaniel...I will continue with Level 2 for Benjamin at some point in the year.)
Grammar - First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, Levels 1 & 2 (Benjamin only)
Reading - Five in a Row (Both boys); Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read Pre-K (Nathaniel); guided reading with leveled books (Benjamin and eventually Nathaniel)
Writing - Write Shop Primary (Benjamin and eventually Nathaniel); Kid Writing (Nathaniel)
Science - God's Design for Science from Answers in Genesis (Both boys)
Social Studies/History - Unit Studies based on holidays/interest; The Mystery of History, Vol. 1:  Creation to Resurrection (Both boys)
Foreign Language - Hooked on Spanish (Both boys)
Keyboarding - Typing Instructor for Kids (Benjamin first, then Nathaniel)

Additionally, we LOVE field trips, and we will participate in a home school Art class and sports locally.  Now that I type it all out, it sounds very ambitious, but I think it will be fun.  I am definitely not going to be doing every subject every day, but with a nice menu of choices, I will have plenty to work with.  Let me know what you think!!

3 comments:

Melissa said...

We use Answers in Genesis most of the time for science and the First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind too. I love homeschooling and so glad that I am able to do this for my kids. I hope your second year goes as well as your first!

Shannon Hancock said...

Love it, Terri! I used Language Lessons 2 for Daryn this year and may continue with 3 next year, not sure. Going to the Great Homeschool Convention in Cincinatti next weekend. Our 1st visit "home" in 8.5 months!
We use Saxon Math, TLP literature has grammar, literature, spelling, and vocabulary in it. (We are just completing "Caddie Woodlawn") Use TLP book studies for Devin but Daryn gets to sit in and enjoy, too.
I.E.W. Writing for Devin. Both kids journal and do sketch journals.
The Story of the World, A Child's Story of History, and MANY living history books relevant to our 1400's to 1850 time period...from the library.
Bob Jones science, Abeka Health, review last year's geography memorization. I'm hoping to look into that AIG science youre doing or Apologia.
I'd like to get the kids in a co-op 1x a week if I can find the right one.
I wish we lived closer so we could brainstorm together! I love reading about curricula!
:) Shannon

Bethany said...

I'm not familiar with much homeschool curriculum but I do know that you'll be wonderful at it! I really wish I had done that when the kids were younger. I did enjoy my one homeschool year with them. Just make sure you get a little alone time and do some things for yourself too! I really admire you a lot!