We are in our second week of our new school year. This has been the year of change. Not only did Jeremy leave his salary position to work from home in real estate but Josh is starting his 9th grade year with his first year in homeschooling. Jeremy is in charge of Josh's schooling and he chose to use Monarch from Alpha Omega for his entire curriculum. We also joined the HSLDA and enrolled with an umbrella school. The school requires high school curriculum acceptance and attendance and grades for all levels/grades. I'm none too excited to be "grading" my K and 1st grader. But I won't get started on that.
Maggie and Emma are doing the same curriculum this year. I'll see if they progress at the same pace or if I need to work slower with Emma in order not to "hold" Maggie back. I'm redoing first grade math for Maggie so for now it's super easy. We do our work in the morning at the dining room table (we usually do History and any other reading on the couch) and it takes around 2 hours at the most....unless.one of the girls are having trouble focusing.
I am posting this simply to share and for our own records. : )
Here's the run down:
Bible - we do this as a family every morning around the Breakfast table with Daddy. It's not a curriculum but a way of life.
Math - Rod and Staff First Grade - this was my biggest struggle. I couldn't decide between continuing with Saxon, or Math U See, or something else. I went with something else. I'm doubt I will stick with R&S after we finish this level but we'll see. I'm so wishy washy with math.
Reading - Explore the Code 2, BOB books, and other easy readers.
Spelling - All About Spelling Level 1 - I'm not sure I'll buy Level 2. I have SWR and I love the concept but I have such a hard time teaching it and understanding some of it. I like All About Spelling because it seems to be a lot like SWR but not as confusing but much more expensive.
Handwriting - Getty-Dubay Italics - Emma Book B, Maggie Book C; lots of thank you notes, get well cards, and birthday cards (we don't do the book on days that we do cards or letters)
History - Heritage Studies 1 by BJU (free from SIL) - Monday & Wednesday - we are reading and discussing it, no written work
Science - hands on nature studies with Daddy once a week and online/library documentaries
Geography - Beginning Geography - Tuesday and Thursday - more for fun than a necessity- girls love it!
Other "fun" things:
My Calendar Book (try to do daily)
Draw, Write, Now 1 & 2 (Love these, only do them occasionally)
A few things that keep the littles busy during school:
Imaginets - bought this at a curriculum fair on a whim - everyone loves it, especially the older girls
Lauri Shape and Color Sorter
Lauri Number Puzzle Board and Pegs
Special Paper and Markers that only work on special paper (I have lost 2 upholstered chairs to a certain spirited little red head who drew on them with permanent marker, sigh, first child to do that)
Wooden Puzzles
String and some big beads
We try to do weekly trips to the library (usually Daddy with the older ones) and an outing with another family or something fun with just our family. I plan to buy a teaching typing program too. Does anyone have a suggestion? Also I would love to hear who reports to the BOE and who uses an umbrella school.