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. 

Coming Soon...

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

2013 Fall Planning

It is that time of the year... planning time.  Though, when are homeschooling moms not planning?  It seems we spend a bit of time planning the next school year throughout the current year.  As you know, we spent most of the 2012-2013 school year with K12's Virtual Academy.  We made the decision primarily based on financial necessity.  This year, we are not much better financially but our resolve to independently educated our children is stronger than ever.

Earlier this year, I discovered the wonderful resourcefulness of YouTube.  Now, I've watched many a YT video but never did I watch (or look for) homeschooling videos.  All it took was one video for me to get hooked.  (Don't ask which one because I couldn't tell ya!)  Most of the videos I was attracted to were the ones explaining how to homeschool on a budget.  And not just the average 'get books from the library' suggestions.  I was learning the who, what, where & why of creating your own homeschool curriculum for free or as close to free as possible.  I've discovered so many websites that provide free curriculum, resources for creating lesson plans, etc.  I've always known of free printable websites but for the first time since we began homeschooling officially in 2006, I've come to realize I can (and will) homeschool for free.

Now by "free" I mean I will not purchase a full curriculum from publishers (with the exception of science that we will begin in the Spring).  The majority of my lesson plans will be created via printables I find online, unit studies,  notebooking and lapbooks centered around living books.

I'm so excited to begin formulating a plan for each of my children.  I love to shop but I'm just as excited to see how little money I can spend this year! I'll keep you posted.  How's your planning coming along?

Sunday Night Thoughts

Right now, I'm getting my lesson plan/schedules done for the week. (Just for the girls since E's plans are done by k12).  I'm so very tired of doing this.  It's so TEE-DEE-US.  Ugh!  What makes it more difficult is that they are a little ahead of their grade level in some areas.  It's hard to find the right work for them to do.  Tae, my first grader, loves to work and gets excited about learning but if she hits a roadblock she'll freak out.  However, my sweet little Yaya, my precious kindergartener is tough to figure out.  She doesn't like to write (unless SHE makes the decision to write), she knows her math but if she can see that it is the same type of work Tae is doing, she'll stop and say, "I can't do that, it's first grade work."  WAH??  If I give her stuff geared toward kindegarteners, she'll say it's "too easy" or "I don't want to do this because I already know the answers."  If I could put them on the computer and let them have at it, they wouldn't complain a bit.  SO FRUSTRATING.  Goodness.  I've flirted with the idea of unschooling them but somehow it turns into straight up playtime.  I don't know, maybe letting them (especially Yaya) lead is the better way to go for the remainder of the school year and summer.  I'll give them the access to the books, worksheets, etc. but let them decide if they want to do it. (??)  I don't know.