Curriculum 2014-2015

It seemed so far away and now, suddenly, it is here; The beginning of a new school year.  We've been on break since mid-May.  I will never do that again.  As usual I don't feel organized but I am nonetheless ready to begin.  We all need our structured days back.

Math
We use Spectrum workbooks mainly.  They are inexpensive and allow for plenty of practice work.  They are not used for instruction.  If (when) there is a topic I cannot teach I turn to Khan Academy and YouTube.  We are working from the 3rd, 4th and 6-8th grade books this year.

English Language Arts
Again, Spectrum workbooks are used for my 8 and (soon to be) 9 year olds for Reading, Spelling, Word Study/Phonics and Vocabulary. In order to focus on a specific topic or theme, I am able to pull a couple of pages from each book.  My oldest (12) is using this book for Reading Comprehension.  I like it for him because the stories allow for cross curricular application and discussion.   He will use Soaring with Spelling and Vocabulary, Mastering Vocabulary
and Digging Into Diagramming to round out his program.  We will also add in 3-4 novels for each child to read and complete reading response journaling.  Writing will be incorporated in all subjects so I did not purchase a curriculum.  Book reports, creating short stories, formal/informal letters will be done periodically.

Social Studies/Geography
We take a varied and eclectic approach to this subject.  My kids are very curious about people; how and why we are all different.  We often read and talk about different cultures, their customs and how they compare to ours.  My 8 and 9 year olds are using this Map Skills workbook to stay sharp on reading different maps and following directions.  Last year we all took a notebooking trip around the world to study facts about various countries.  This year, I plan to do a USA notebooking tour.  I am still figuring out how to beef up a study for my oldest.  I am leaning toward a literature based approach.

Science
I wanted to keep it fun and simple this year so I didn't purchase a curriculum.  Now that we are getting started, the kids are wondering what we are doing for science this year.  They want more experiments and projects.  Whyyyyy??  I admit I didn't properly plan ahead for that so we may postpone science until 2015 and work through the summer.  In the interim, though Easy Peasy Homeschool will suffice for them.  I will also pull from Middle School Chemistry for my oldest.  It involves some experimentation but I think I'll be able to manage.


I think that's it.  We'll add in some art, music study for fun.  I am excited to for this year to begin.