Our Homeschool Curriculum 2014-2015

It has been nearly 2 years since I made my last blog post.  My life just got so busy that it became necessary to put my blogging aside for the time.

I just thought my followers would like to know what curriculum I'm using this year.  I like to read what other homeschoolers are using.  Mostly because I think the combinations people use are fascinating.  I've learned about a lot of new curricula that way.  I have 3 girls and I will call them by their nicknames.  I don't like going by graded levels, so for the sake of not putting them in a graded box, I will include their age instead.

Missy Boo, age 10

Language Arts: Living Literature by Cindy West. We really like this curriculum.  It is literature based and for grades 3-5.  It doesn't cover a full year so I've had to write my own lessons to go along with it to make it last an entire year using literature of our choosing.  I just used Cindy's LL as a model.  So far, I plan to use Little House in the Big Woods and By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder and anything else that we might find interesting.

Copywork: Most of her Copywork will be included in her Language Arts but she will also use our Scripture Memory verses.

Reading:  Some of the titles will be of her choosing, some will correlate with Living Literature and others will be from the 1000 Good Books List.

Math: Christian Light Education (CLE) Math 400.  This is our second year with this math program and she really likes it.  Honestly, in some areas I think this math is a little more advanced (as far as grade level) than other programs but I love how its laid out and how it allows her to be more independent with her math.
Plus Living Math!!

Geography:  Trail Guide to World Geography.  She requested that we use something for Mapping and Geography independent from all of our studies. I already had this in my home library, so I thought I'd use it.  I got it for Christmas from my mom (Thanks, mom!).  That lets you know how much of a nerd I am. The Teacher's Manual has the questions in it but it is really nice to just print the Daily Drill questions and maps from the CD-Rom.  If you plan to use this and have the money purchase the CD-Rom, it's worth it.

Art: Art with a Purpose: ArtPac4. While we love art it just always seems to be on the back burner.  I'm hoping that her using this independently will get it done.  It's our first year with this, so we'll see how it goes.  Really and truly, it's a great value for a whole year of art.
    She also has an art co-op class this fall (one day a week) and the it will be using lessons from this book: Discovering Great Artists.

Science:  Another co-op class this fall (one day a week) and we will be using Focus on Chemistry for grades 5-8.  

Piano: Alfred's Premier Piano Course 1A.  She got this for Christmas and has been DYING to use this.  We will begin this next month.

Fomowhop, Age 8

Language Arts: Learning Language Arts Through Literature- finish Red Book and Begin on Yellow Book.   

Reading: Some titles for reading will already be in LLATL but we will also use the Sonlight Grade 2 reading list (I bought the readers used for about 1/3 of the new price) and 1000 Good Books List. 

Copywork: Most of her copywork is in LLATL but she will also be using her Scripture Memory Verses for copywork.

Penmanship: A Reason for Handwriting C.  I bought this for $1 at our homeschool group's used book sale.  Only a few of the cursive letter practice pages were missing.  If I need practice pages I can use the Amazing Handwriting Worksheet Maker. Its FREE!

Math:  Christian Light Education (CLE) Math 200. 
Plus Living Math!!

Geography: Co-op class this fall (one day a week). She will be learning about US State facts and mapping.

Art: Art with a Purpose: ArtPac3

Science: Co-op class this fall.  She will be studying Hands-on Physics but I have no idea what curriculum-- if any-- that the teacher will use.

Missy Boo and Fomowhop Together

Five in a Row.  We will be using a random selection of books from Volumes 1-4 and studying according to the season or whatever strikes our fancy.

Bible: Finish Foundations 1: Creation to Christ and begin Foundations 2: Christ our Messiah.

Netts, Age 3 

Don't think I'm going to go out and buy a complete all-on-one preschool program with additional bells and whistles.  That's just not for me.  I've learned my lesson with little ones.  Learning comes naturally for them and they learn best through play.  I simply need ideas for fun activities and learning moments.  I'm mostly including a list of books that I will use for inspiration.  I bought all of these books used (except the ebooks on Currclick and they were on sale) so this is an inexpensive preschool "program" that I can use for the next couple of years.

Unplugged Play by Bobbi Conner- using the Preschool section

Toddler's Busy Book and Preschooler's Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

365 Days to a Smarter Preschooler

Science is Simple by Peggy Ashbrook

Before Five in a Row

The Little Hands Art Book by Judy Press

What to Teach before the Numbers by Amazing Grace Learning Centers

What to Teach before the Letters Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Amazing Grace Learning Centers

Homeschooling the Early Years by Linda Dobson

Using Pintrest for homeschooling

Okay.  You have to know that if you make a blog post with Pintrest and homeschooling in the same title that you might be a Pintrest addict.  Guilty.  But so you know; I am not the only one who's blogged on the topic.  Simple Homeschool Blog made a great post. about the same topic but in a different flair.  They have it more like a beginner how-to. 

My personal Pintrest Boards are filled with homeschooling ideas and more.  Here are some great ideas for your Pintrest boards.
*Classroom Ideas. Decorating, organizing and dreaming for my new schoolroom later this year.
*Math ideas.  Since Pintrest is very visual the ideas will likely be more hands-on. I have had great success with the homemade math manipulatives from other pinners.
*History and Geography.  Maps, timeline ideas, period costumes, finger puppets.  I just love the ideas that flow from there
*Homeschooling Blogs.  I have been introduced to some of my favorite homeschooling blogs this way.
*Language Arts.  Printables, worksheets, Games, learning crafts, notebooking paper.  Language Arts is really a broad topic.
*Preschool and Kindergarten.  I have a whole board devoted to the little ones.  They involve so much more hands-on activities.  Especially for ones that don't preform well with traditional teaching methods.
*Holidays.  Oddly enough, I have a board for holidays.  You can get really detailed in holiday studies and there are ideas galore.  A paradise for craft lovers.  :)
*Science.  Some experiment ideas and homemade model ideas. 
*Gift ideas and other practical homemaking ideas.  Let's be honest, homemaking is a subject that must be addressed.  Our children need to know how to function outside the home on their own when they leave the nest.  Being able to make gifts, cook, decorate, sew, organize are valueable skills.  I have found very helpful ideas on Pintrest that has-- believe it or not-- made my life easier.

I've also found pins for lapbooking, notebooking, crafts, art projects, printables, file folder games.  I could go on and on.  It's a homeschooling mom's dream come true!

I take time about once a month and go over my boards for new and fresh ideas to add to my home or my homeschooling.  You may wish to adopt the same method or just when the need arises.  I love being able to access my already pinned ideas and viewing pins of others.  I have them nealy organized by category and can look them up instantly. 


Some of my successful and favorite pins:


http://pinterest.com/pin/29343835041900391/
On my "Homeschool Math" board.  I even made some for 3 digits and 6 digits.  My kiddos love them!


Also in my "Homeschool Math" board.  Great idea for kids who are very visual and hands-on.


From the "Homeschool Stuff" board.  Great for a reading area.

"Homeschool Langauage Arts" board.  A cute file folder game for compound words.



I've got a few more blog links if you want to learn more.
http://www.examiner.com/homeschooling-in-mankato/using-pinterest-to-stock-your-homeschool-idea-toolbox

http://www.meetpenny.com/2011/07/what-is-pinterest/

http://www.confessionsofaslackermom.com/fun-things-to-do/the-ultimate-guide-to-pinterest
This one even has a long list of homeschooling pinners you can follow.


Happy Homeschool and Pinning!!


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Valentine's Day fun

Valentine's Day is upon us and I'm already looking for ways to incorporate the holiday of love into our school day.  I've found these great links to help out with that.




Currclick.com

Free Notebooking Pages
Free Unit Study
Free Printable Valentine's cards
Free Daily Assignment Cards for February
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 Copywork $1.99
Another 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 Copywork also $1.99 --my favorite of the two.
Valentine's Day Party Kit.  Cute kit. Printable cards, party ideas and more.  Only 50 cents
Free Valentines Day Mathbooking Journal
Valentine's Day copywork projects  Very cute.  $2.00

Other

Free Couples Notebooking Pages --although I don't agree that Pocahontas and John Smith was a couple.

List of Valentine unit studies, pages and more. From Homeschoolshare.com

Valentine Crafts

More craft ideas

Reading list from prescool to young adult

Pintrest favorites by homeschool blogger: 3 Boys and a Dog

That about round it up for this post but if I see any more freebies or cheap resources , I'll post it.

Back in the Homeschooling Saddle

The holidays are over, the tree is put away, the presents have lost their new luster and the kids are becoming cranky from lack of routine.  It's like a holiday sugar crash.  Which makes it so much harder to get back into the homeschool routine again.  ::SIGH::  But we must prevail! Yes, we must (I also have to give myself pep talks when all else fails).  I wanted to share some articles that seem very relevant for this time of year.  I've bookmarked them and save them to read again......and again.  Why? Because the ladies who wrote them know where I'm coming from.  They have some helpful advice.  I wish I wrote them!



Like I've said before, easing back into a schedule can be hard but the ladies from Homeschool Classroom have an interesting idea in the article Easing in after the Holidays. It may be outside of your comfort level if you are a STICK TO THE SCHEDULE type mama (like me), but I think it might be the key to getting back into routine.


On the other hand, you are dreading starting school again because you hate the curriculum, your children hate the curriculum....yada yada yada. Then I think it's time to fess up.  If you're a slave to the curriculum and it's not working for you.... you need to let go. 
Letting go of curriculum guilt A great read and a little sensitive for me since I HATE to admit I spent very tight school budget money on something that doesn't work for our family.


Or maybe you need some fun.  I know exactly what you need......FIELD TRIP.  Thats right, field trip.  Being able to do the fun stuff is one of the many reasons we homeschool, right?  Well, grab your journals and head out the door.  The world is your field trip.  Six Reasons you should save time in your schedule for field trips.


And in the spirit of New Year's Resolutions, how about new resolutions and tips to improving your homeschool?  Sounds easy enough.  Here are some practical tips  to Make your homeschool days easier in 2012. Ok, so the article was written in January 2011 and was for 2011 but they still apply. 

HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING in 2012!!