We are back at it! Last Tuesday we started in on our lessons. In planning for these first few weeks, I felt like it would be unwise to start everything all at once. The first couple weeks are shorter/lighter due to the holiday and a family wedding. We plan to add in a few more subjects in the next couple weeks.
Without further ado . . . I'd love to share what we are doing this year!
Mace (pre-school, 4 to 5 years old)
Mace is following his Alphabet Path this year. It's a simple little pre-school plan I wrote up for him late this summer. In many ways, it is geared for little boys. All our activities are centered around the letter of the week. These activities include picture books, math activities, letter formation activities, art appreciation, a craft, helping in the kitchen, etc.
Mace also sits in on some of the other subjects when it is of interest to him (geography mostly).
Nutmeg (third grade)
Reading: Nutmeg finished our phonics program last year, so this year she is reading aloud to me. We do some "buddy reading" (we alternate reading paragraphs aloud from her school books) as well as fiction books that she reads aloud to me.
Writing: Nutmeg writes for science, history, and in her journal. We are also using IEW's Bible Heroes writing program for lower elementary. It's been a great fit for her so far.
Handwriting: Nutmeg is learning cursive with "Write Our Catholic Faith" workbook this year. She's so excited! What a difference from her older brothers who insist cursive handwriting is a waste of time. She is also doing copywork/diction Charlotte Mason-style for handwriting and spelling. I give her a passage of text for her lessons. She neatly copies it throughout the week and on Friday has a "spelling test." I dictate the sentence/paragraph to her out loud as she writes it on a blank sheet of paper.History: We are using RC History again this year. We are cycling back to Volume I, the ancient world. Nutmeg and I read about this time in history together. We have many different books that we pull from. She also will do hands-on projects, short reports, and mapping.
Science: Nutmeg and I are trying a new science program this year. The product is from Elemental Science. Our selection for the year is "Earth Science and Astronomy for the Grammar Stage." We have a number of books that we read from throughout the year, do a weekly science experiment, simple lab reports, and written narrations. There are also some hands-on projects we hope to tackle.
Math: Singapore Math, Primary Mathematics. (second time going through this for me, very nice to have my notes from last time)
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| In mid-growl. "No pictures!" |
Memory work, swimming, piano with Hoffman Academy, nature study.
Basil and Sage (seventh grade)
Lots of changes here . . . . moving up in the world, wowzers!!
Math: This is the boys' first year not having mom as the primary math teacher. Sage was quite hesitant about it but now he is saying that it is one of his favorite subjects. They are using the online (3.0) version of Teaching Textbooks. I placed Sage in seventh grade math and Basil in pre-algebra. The placement seems to be spot-on so far. We are all very pleased with the transition.
Writing: We are also making a transition in writing/composition. We are moving from IEW to Memoria Press's Classical Composition series. Our years with IEW has been fruitful and we could continue well into high school with this program but I felt we would benefit most from a change. I think the boys need some instruction from another viewpoint. I want to make sure their writing isn't formulaic. Since they are late coming into this series they are going to combine two abbreviated years into one. This year they will do "Fable" and "Narrative." The following year they will continue on with "Chereia and Maxim."
History: RC history. They have check-lists for each unit that contain reading assignments, writing, map work, vocabulary, and discussion time.
Science: Big change here as well. After looking around at various science options, I came back to Apologia. They are doing the Apologia General Science program. This is quite the step-up from the elementary series, phew-eee!! One boy in particular is overwhelmed with the workload but after one partial week in, I think he's beginning to find to his way. Science experiments and lab reports are a staple in this series and they haven't done much of that at all. They both admit that they are learning quite a bit. I have read reviews from parents whose students have gone into science-related majors in college and it has been favorable. One professor asked what science program was used for a particular student. So even if our boys don't follow a science path, I at least think they'll get a decent science foundation for life.
Logic: Dad is the teacher this year!! They will be using Classical Academic Press's "The Art of Argument." Hey, if a pre-teen is going to argue, he might as do it well, right?! Lol.
Discussion. I am hoping to put together some Socratic discussion groups with our homeschool group this year. The only thing is that it is super tough to balance schedules with all the families. Hopefully we can make this happen!
Accountability. Ack! Running short on time and I know I'm forgetting something. Well, I'll just do another post sometime with updates and anything I've forgotten. But yes, accountability. This a new time slot built into Basil and Sage's schedule. We do this late Thursday afternoons. We did our first session last week. Doug and I were thrilled at the fruitfulness of this time. More to say but I'll leave it at that. It is such a fantastic time to connect with each boy separately. They are able to share their concerns, we address the concerns, share our own concerns, encouragement, praise, etc. Wonderful!
Coming soon . . .
We are going to try a few online classes. Study skills and Latin. Homeschool Connections.
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| Nature study!!! (and photography too, by Basil) |
Memory, independent devotional books, Easy Grammar, finishing up some cursive work, longer dictation selection for spelling and punctuation, nature study, knots, physical fitness.
Together:
I know this is long but really I glossed over so much. I do like to share all the details but I've got to run and read some books with my "little" pre-schooler. Then my third grader is up on the docket. Time flies these days!!
I did want to share about our geography plans a little. They are laid-back but I'm pleased with them. Okay, I love it! I do so appreciate our world and wish we could be a traveling family. But for now we cannot, so we're traveling in ways that we can mange. Through books, food, and videos.
Each week we are "visiting" a new country. We memorize the location and capital, as well as one neighboring country and capital. We briefly talk about the country. Nutmeg, Mace, and I "fly" to the country with our passports, get them stamped, and then read some picture books. We eat an ethnic dinner. We read about geography in general and specifically about each region from this book. One of my favorite resources this year are some really great videos I found on youTube: Geography Now! Check out this first one we watched on Iraq. After watching our video today on Israel, I have an inkling (albeit, every so slight) that we don't exactly share the same worldview as the guy who does the videos but I am still so grateful for his research and work he's done to share the videos. He really does a good job of sharing a balanced view of the world. I am learning so much already!!
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| Iraq |
Shakespeare. We are delving into another play this year. As You Like It. The boys are ever so disappointed that we are not covering a tragedy. Again! We'll get there boys, really!!
Memory. Aside from Shakespeare, this is lighter for the boys this year. Nutmeg will continue on. The boys' concentration is moving into other spheres.
Faith. We'll continue our rhythm of listening to the daily Scripture readings and watching the reflection videos at breakfast. After breakfast we work on our memory verses and talk through some apologetics.
Music Appreciation: I am so grateful for this find! We are using Memoria's Press "Music Appreciation" book and CDs. It has been perfect for us! Yay! Another super find!
Homeschool Group Classes:
Mace: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Maria Montesourri religion program)
Nutmeg: Gym, Choir, Art, Geography.
Basil and Sage: Gym, Art, Geography, Faith.
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