Our School Year '09-'10 Part Two!
Trey-6th grade
Math-Chalkdust A big switch for us this year, but I am really loving it. A dear friend with a (homeschooled) son whom I had the privilege of teaching in one of my first children's choir recommended this curriculum. He is now at Davidson, which is a really great university academically. Trey's strength is math, so this helps take a lot of pressure off of me when it comes to teaching him; I now let "Uncle Buck" teach him on DVD :).
Grammar-Analytical Grammar I am loving this program so far. A NC woman wrote it, so it must be good, right?! This is his weakest subject, and although we are not very far into it, I think it is going to help him tremendously.
Vocabulary--Wordly Wise So far, so good. It is challenging for him, but I love how they combine reading comprehension and parts of speech to make a really sound curriculum. My husband was even impressed with the difficulty level :).
Science--Apologia General Science We are finishing this from last year. It was a little early to start it with him in the 6th grade, but we still love it and are finishing it. When it is over, we will start on Apologia's Physical Science.
History--As I already said, we are using Mystery of History (Renaissance and Reformation). I am also planning to start implementing BiblioPlan for some Literature and Writing.
COW (Christ's Oral Witnesses)--A good friend of ours leads this one for our homeschooling group. It is a public speaking curriculum that she put it together. It has been so great for him. They will be competing in the Spring.
Bible--Grapevine. Already mentioned this one as well, love it! We also work on a new verse every week and review previously memorized ones.
Jonathan--2nd Grade (although I am not too big on giving him a grade level, he is just progressing at his own special pace :)
Reading--Joyce Herzog's ScaredyCat Reading. Not totally sure if I LOVE it, I need to get deeper into it.
Math-U-See--This is our 2nd attempt at the Primer Level and I cannot believe the difference! He is doing so much better this time around! He really likes it. We watch the DVD (which is around 5 minutes) on the first day of his lesson. He loves it (I think because it makes him feel like two of his other siblings who also watch math dvds). Just that little lesson on dvd I feel gives him more reinforcement, which he really needs.
Handwriting--Handwriting Without Tears. I cannot say enough about this program! If you are thinking of teaching this one, though, I highly recommend going to one of their workshops. The workshops are a little expensive, but so well worth it! The curriculum is very reasonably priced. This curriculum has lots of input from Occupational Therapists, which is helpful for our kids with Ds.
Journal--Jonathan's favorite subject :). He dictates a paragraph to me about a topic I give him and then illustrates it.
Science--Apologia Elementary Botany (with his sister). I really like it. It is a little difficult for Jonathan, so I adapt it for him and just give him little snippets at a time. Only two days per week may not be the best, as the shorter lessons are definitely working better for him.
History--Mystery of History
Speech--We go over Speech exercises together while his therapist is out on maternity leave.
I also include miscellaneous fine motor activities in his workboxes, as well as worksheets/activities from workbooks that have been sitting on my shelves ;).
Rebekah--2nd Grade
Bible, History, & Science--already mentioned above
Reading--This one is a little tough for me. It is a combination of "Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading" and PathWays Readers. So far, this combination seems to be working the best.
Grammar, as such--First Language Lessons. I did this with our oldest son and really enjoyed it. She & I have now picked it up, even though you can start it in the first grade.
Math--Math-U-See I love how well they explain Math concepts. She thinks it is fun!
Spelling--A Reason for Spelling. This is our first year doing Spelling. So far, I like this curriculum. When I originally typed this post, I was pleased. Now, not so much. I am currently researching to find something else. There is just not enough "meat" to it. I do not want something really complicated, but I at least want the rules explained.
In other workboxes, I also include some fine motor activities, such as cutting, puzzles, and sometimes things that are just fun :). I always try to have one day where she has to write that week's spelling words in a different form (on the wipeoff board, spell with flannel letters on a flannel board, use letter tiles). I also include some worksheets (she really enjoys these) that pertain to something that we are learning.
Also, almost every morning (depending on our schedule for that day), all except for Trey (who is in the room with us, just working on other subjects) participate in Calendar Time. We count and use straws for the number of days in school, we go over the days of the week, the date, the months of the year, the continents, starting to learn the Books of the Bible, our verse of the week, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Depending on the time, we then usually go over to the piano and sing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and a couple of hymns that we are working on.
Please do not think that all goes nice and neat as planned, because after all, we do have 5 and two of those are little!! Some days are way more challenging than others, and please do not even ask when I get our laundry done ;).
Math-Chalkdust A big switch for us this year, but I am really loving it. A dear friend with a (homeschooled) son whom I had the privilege of teaching in one of my first children's choir recommended this curriculum. He is now at Davidson, which is a really great university academically. Trey's strength is math, so this helps take a lot of pressure off of me when it comes to teaching him; I now let "Uncle Buck" teach him on DVD :).
Grammar-Analytical Grammar I am loving this program so far. A NC woman wrote it, so it must be good, right?! This is his weakest subject, and although we are not very far into it, I think it is going to help him tremendously.
Vocabulary--Wordly Wise So far, so good. It is challenging for him, but I love how they combine reading comprehension and parts of speech to make a really sound curriculum. My husband was even impressed with the difficulty level :).
Science--Apologia General Science We are finishing this from last year. It was a little early to start it with him in the 6th grade, but we still love it and are finishing it. When it is over, we will start on Apologia's Physical Science.
History--As I already said, we are using Mystery of History (Renaissance and Reformation). I am also planning to start implementing BiblioPlan for some Literature and Writing.
COW (Christ's Oral Witnesses)--A good friend of ours leads this one for our homeschooling group. It is a public speaking curriculum that she put it together. It has been so great for him. They will be competing in the Spring.
Bible--Grapevine. Already mentioned this one as well, love it! We also work on a new verse every week and review previously memorized ones.
Jonathan--2nd Grade (although I am not too big on giving him a grade level, he is just progressing at his own special pace :)
Reading--Joyce Herzog's ScaredyCat Reading. Not totally sure if I LOVE it, I need to get deeper into it.
Math-U-See--This is our 2nd attempt at the Primer Level and I cannot believe the difference! He is doing so much better this time around! He really likes it. We watch the DVD (which is around 5 minutes) on the first day of his lesson. He loves it (I think because it makes him feel like two of his other siblings who also watch math dvds). Just that little lesson on dvd I feel gives him more reinforcement, which he really needs.
Handwriting--Handwriting Without Tears. I cannot say enough about this program! If you are thinking of teaching this one, though, I highly recommend going to one of their workshops. The workshops are a little expensive, but so well worth it! The curriculum is very reasonably priced. This curriculum has lots of input from Occupational Therapists, which is helpful for our kids with Ds.
Journal--Jonathan's favorite subject :). He dictates a paragraph to me about a topic I give him and then illustrates it.
Science--Apologia Elementary Botany (with his sister). I really like it. It is a little difficult for Jonathan, so I adapt it for him and just give him little snippets at a time. Only two days per week may not be the best, as the shorter lessons are definitely working better for him.
History--Mystery of History
Speech--We go over Speech exercises together while his therapist is out on maternity leave.
I also include miscellaneous fine motor activities in his workboxes, as well as worksheets/activities from workbooks that have been sitting on my shelves ;).
Rebekah--2nd Grade
Bible, History, & Science--already mentioned above
Reading--This one is a little tough for me. It is a combination of "Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading" and PathWays Readers. So far, this combination seems to be working the best.
Grammar, as such--First Language Lessons. I did this with our oldest son and really enjoyed it. She & I have now picked it up, even though you can start it in the first grade.
Math--Math-U-See I love how well they explain Math concepts. She thinks it is fun!
Spelling--A Reason for Spelling. This is our first year doing Spelling. So far, I like this curriculum. When I originally typed this post, I was pleased. Now, not so much. I am currently researching to find something else. There is just not enough "meat" to it. I do not want something really complicated, but I at least want the rules explained.
In other workboxes, I also include some fine motor activities, such as cutting, puzzles, and sometimes things that are just fun :). I always try to have one day where she has to write that week's spelling words in a different form (on the wipeoff board, spell with flannel letters on a flannel board, use letter tiles). I also include some worksheets (she really enjoys these) that pertain to something that we are learning.
Also, almost every morning (depending on our schedule for that day), all except for Trey (who is in the room with us, just working on other subjects) participate in Calendar Time. We count and use straws for the number of days in school, we go over the days of the week, the date, the months of the year, the continents, starting to learn the Books of the Bible, our verse of the week, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Depending on the time, we then usually go over to the piano and sing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and a couple of hymns that we are working on.
Please do not think that all goes nice and neat as planned, because after all, we do have 5 and two of those are little!! Some days are way more challenging than others, and please do not even ask when I get our laundry done ;).
Comments
I am using HWT too, but have never been to a workshop. Can you share more about what you found so helpful?
Also, about the download (Autumn Treasures) you asked me about. We aren't doing all of it - just picking and choosing what will work best for my boys. There is more writing than would work for 2 of them (and so we do a good bit of dictating). We are enjoying it though and hope to finish it up this week.
Blessings
Leslie