2009 January

Course of Study With Reviews

January 7, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Homeschool

Our Course of Study with reviews

A course of study is a listing of the resources you will use for each subject for the year. In CA, homeschoolers are required to submit a Course of Study at the beginning of the school year.

For a typical course of study for grades K-12, check out this site.

http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum

Here is our course of study (it has already been updated this year!) You can read my notes on some of the books, but keep in mind that I am only a few months in, so take my reviews with a grain of salt.

Coco, 7^th grade

Bible:

I did not find any particular Bible curriculum that met my objectives for Bible class this year, so I put together my own Bible course. To find in more detail what this includes, click here.

Math:

Algebra ½ , Saxon Math.

I love Saxon math. It has a spiral review built in so concepts are continually reintroduced. It is straightforward, easy to understand, and offers a CD Rom tutor which I will definitely be taking advantage of next year.

English:

We started the year with Lifepacs by Alpha Omega and tossed them after a month. After studying and thinking more about the approach I wanted to take, I settled on these 3 individual books.

Grammar &Composition 1 by Abeka:

This is comprehensive grammar course and a pretty decent composition one. I am a big fan of this book. How many of us learned proper grammar? I for one had never diagrammed a sentence in my life. Next year, we will be able to just do a review course of daily grammar and focus on a more in-depth composition study. Then in ninth grade, we’ll go back for more Abeka grammar.

Spelling Power, Castle Moyle:

I just started this a couple weeks ago and the jury is still out. So far, we are liking it.

Vocabulary from Classic Roots:

I really like this book as well. We make flashcards each week of the key words and in addition to the exercises, review previous weeks’ words. This book focuses on the Greek or Latin roots of the words, and I have learned a few new words myself with this one. The challenge words are a bit much, I think we will come back to them when we have finished the entire course in ninth grade and do the challenge words. Why not?

Science:

Order and Reality, Abeka

This Biblical-based Science text is very well written, but covers so many subjects there is not a whole lot of depth to any subject. I am supplementing heavily and the book will last all year, as opposed to one semester as it is planned. There are lots of experiments to choose from and a workbook that goes along with it. Next year, I will be switching to Apologia Physical Science.

Healthier You, Abeka

This book is okay, we are not crazy about it but it does have lots of illustrations and photos and is easy to read. I don’t think we’ll be revisiting health until high school, but when we do we may very well use Abeka again.

Social Studies:

Lifepac Social Studies 7, Alpha Omega

Okay, I am not crazy about Lifepacs. They might work for independent “Perfect Paulas” (A learning type mentioned in Cathy Duffy’s Top 100 Homeschool Curriculum). But these books just do not work for my “Sociable Sue.” Frankly, the sight of them bores me as well. Note: Can’t wait to try Tapestry of Grace next year, a classical, unit study approach to History. I am pretty thrilled about this curriculum, I’m sure I will be posting about it someday!

Because we can’t stand Lifepacs, I added a couple units to give us a break. They are: Political Science and WWII (Unit studies include history, writing, literature, art and more.)

Foreign Language:

Spanish, Rosetta Stone Homeschool version

We have not actually gotten this yet; it is planned for second semester. It includes an audio component and is taught immersion style – no translating. I took 3 years of high school Spanish and 2 years at College level, but I plan to take this course along side Coco to be a better teacher. It offers multiple users, which is a bonus for big families.

Cheerleading, Volleyball, Fitness (gym workouts, setting personal goals)

Soleil (K)

Bible:

Abeka Bible story cards, Doctrinal drill

I use these story cards with big pictures on them for Soleil, and do doctrinal drill almost daily. As with Coco, I wanted to design a Bible class just for her. You can read about her course here.

Math:

Primer, Math U See

We are loving this math program. I chose it for its hands-on approach, perfect for my active five year old. It has a DVD with sample lessons. Soleil enjoys watching these with me and then we spend a week or two doing the assignments for each lesson. When it comes to teaching telling time, I think I may use my own Judy Clock instead of their manipulatives, as I started that with Soleil when she was 4. Because I think Saxon Math has a better program for the college-bound, I plan to switch her to Saxon in 5^th grade, when the use of manipulatives slows anyway.

Abeka Numbers Tablet

Great for practicing writing numbers.

Reading and Phonics:

Letters and Sounds K, Abeka

Abeka Readers

My Blend and Word book

I know some people detest Abeka because of the volume of busy work they incorporate into their lessons, but you don’t have to do it all! I have not found a better phonics program. I taught Abeka at a private Christian preschool and my entire class of 14 four year olds were reading before kindergarten. I highly recommend the flash cards for drilling. I also use most of the teaching aids, as I plan to use their phonics through third grade.

Writing with Phonics, Abeka

This a great writing curriculum, just remember you don’t have to do it all. I use the manuscript style. Sure, you can teach your kindergartner cursive. I just didn’t want to.

Science:

Science Excursion

This is a fun kit I bought at a convention. I bought it mostly for the supplies, we don’t really use the workbook that came with it. We’re talking kindergarten here, so for us science is all about the experiments. Next year, I will probably follow the Well Trained Mind science curriculum, with a Charlotte Mason influence in my approach. I plan to stay away from textbooks in science at least for the first few years.

Social Studies:

God’s World, Abeka

This is okay, what I really love are the giant-book visuals that go along with the workbook. Starting next year, Soleil will begin a classical history course, Tapestry of Grace. No more textbooks!

PE:

Cheerleading, Swim, fun physical activities at home (bike riding, dance, walks)

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Course of Study

January 7, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Homeschool

Our Course of Study

A course of study is a listing of the resources you will use for each subject for the year. In CA, homeschoolers are required to submit a Course of Study at the beginning of the school year.

For a typical course of study for grades K-12, check out this site.

http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum

Here is our course of study. To see it with my reviews of the books, click here.

Coco, 7^th grade

Bible: I put together my own Bible course. To find in more detail what this includes, click here.

Math: Algebra ½ , Saxon Math.

English:

Grammar &Composition 1 by Abeka

Spelling Power, Castle Moyle

Vocabulary from Classic Roots

Science: Order and Reality, Abeka, A Healthier You, Abeka

Social Studies: Lifepac Social Studies 7, Alpha Omega

Foreign Language: Spanish, Rosetta Stone Homeschool version

PE Cheerleading, Volleyball, Fitness (gym workouts, setting personal goals)

Soleil (K)

Bible: Abeka Bible story cards, Doctrinal drill

You can read about her Bible course I designed here.

Math: Primer, Math U See, Abeka Numbers Tablet

Reading, Writing, Phonics:

Letters and Sounds K, Abeka

Abeka Readers

My Blend and Word book

Writing with Phonics, Abeka

Science: Science Excursion

Social Studies: God’s World, Abeka

PE: Cheerleading, Swim, fun physical activities at home (bike riding, dance, walks)

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Homeschool Bible Course

January 7, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Homeschool

I had a couple of months to research every aspect of homeschool before I actually had to start teaching. I looked at several Bible courses and just didn’t find any I liked. I waited to go to the curriculum fair, knowing I’d find one there. I didn’t. I finally arrived at the conclusion that I was just too picky, I’d have to design my own.

After thinking about what it is I really wanted my girls to get out of their Bible class, I knew workbooks weren’t going to work for us. Though there are obvious differences in what I require from a 12 year old and a 5 year old, the objective is basically the same.

I want them to…develop their own quiet time and walk with Jesus, grow in knowledge of the Bible, have scripture in their heart, and develop a desire to know more about God.

My prayers have been answered! In a nutshell, here is what we do.

Coco (7^th grade)

Daily Quiet time

Personal prayer time

Assigned reading from scripture. I assign readings that go with whatever unit we are in. For this time, her reading is a chapter a day.

Journal entry regarding her quiet time that day. She is only required to write a few sentences, but she writes at least a page in a composition notebook each day.

Weekly memorization of scripture.

She is given an assigned verse or passage and studies it on day 1. What does it mean, what other verses support this, what does it have to do with her life? On day 2, she’ll write it out twice in her best cursive. We practice it aloud each day and on Friday, she’ll take a written test. She has yet to miss a single word on any test. Not only that, but Soleil, my five year old often recites not only her own verses, but her sister’s as well.

Quarterly Units

Each quarter, we also study together from the Bible two or more mornings a week. Our units this year are: The Tabernacle, Parables, Women of the Bible, and the Pauline Epistles. I use different resources to create these units and incorporate history, activities, arts and more. Maybe someday I will post them J

Soleil (K)

Daily prayers

Though we pray together many times a day, in the morning Soleil sits at our dining room table and prays alone, in her heart. She is a prayer warrior already!

Weekly memorization of scripture.

Soleil memorizes a verse each week and recites it to me. We also review constantly.

Daily Bible Story time

I read her stories from Bible books, Bible story cards from Abeka or her favorite, right from the Bible.

Daily Doctrinal Drill

I use a little book I got from Abeka for two bucks. We review the drills daily at our morning mingle.

Quarterly Units

Soleil participates in the units listed above as well. She is involved in the discussions, activities, oral quizzes, everything. It is way easier than I thought to do a lesson that reaches both girls. Her favorite thing so far was when her big sister dressed her up as the high priest for an assignment on the Tabernacle. Because she had been active in the conversations, she knew exactly what every piece represented.

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The R Word

January 5, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Following Jesus

Seek first his kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

New Year’s is continuously linked with that nasty word…resolutions. We all make them, we all break them.

We are less than a week into January and I suspect that some of us have already broken the promises we made ourselves on January first. Which is why I no longer make resolutions, per se. I like to think of them as goals, or areas on which to focus.

Whatever you call them, at the top of every mom’s list should be a deeper relationship with God. There is not one among us that has become like Christ in every action, every thought. In every minute of every day.

We already know the way to be more like Christ is to spend more time in His presence. We know that simply setting the alarm clock a little earlier and getting up when it calls will ensure that this time happens. Yes, we know there is nothing more important. And yet.

Anytime is a good time to take a look at your relationship with God, but the start of a whole new year just seems to beg for an honest assessment.

Are you spending enough time without distractions in His presence? Do you spend time listening, not just talking? Are you prepared to let His guidance shape your day?

Today I just want to encourage you to make the time to connect with Jesus. There is no goal more worthy.

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Fun idea: Family Times Book

January 4, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Creating Family Times

Do you long to create meaningful times with your kids?

If you’re anything like me, then you end up having too many movie nights with your family because it’s easy. Not much thought required, or preparation. I had no shortage of ideas, but where were they all when I needed them?

In an attempt to organize my life one summer, I decided to create a Family Time Book. First, I found a plain 3 ring binder and I divided it into several sections. Here, I am going to share how my book came together with the hopes that you will create your own book. And where will you find your ideas to fill the empty pages?

Magazines, websites, other people’s stories, and even sometimes a movie or TV show can spark an idea. Of course this site will have new ideas frequently, so be sure to subscribe!

Here are my sections:

Instant family time ideas: Here is a section of blank pages that I jot notes down on whenever they pop into my head. If we’re blessed with an evening with nothing planned, instead of popping in a DVD, I can glance here and find ideas with little or no preparation required. These ideas are good year round, not season specific.

General Crafts: Here I store ideas for crafts that do not fall under any particular season or holiday. If we do a craft and I know we’ll want to do it again some day, I mark helpful hints directly on the instructions for next time. Sometimes I’ll include a photo. If the craft didn’t go over too well, I’ll chuck it.

The 12 Months: This is actually 12 sections, one for each month. Each month contains the following:

Month at a glance: At the beginning of each month is a blank page where I list the ideas and suggested dates as I add them. That way, when I am planning my monthly calendar, I can plan these special activities ahead of time. I also include family birthdays and holidays here, so I remember to have the kids can make cards and thoughtful gifts.

Traditions: Here I include: A description of the tradition, recipes, journal entries from previous years, instructions to crafts. If I got the idea from a book, I list the book and page to reference. Often times our traditions include historical information as well, such as for St. Lucia Day in December. Upon completing the tradition or celebration, I will make a few notes similar to a journal entry and file it away for next year.

Holidays: Here I file copies of recipes and ideas that I use for specific holidays, such as my Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie recipe for Thanksgiving and my Rugelach recipe for Christmas.

Seasonal craft, games, and outings: These are ideas I’ve found or done that pertain to a certain month. Here I include detailed instructions and photos if I have them on hand. This is incredibly useful when I am browsing through magazines and find a craft I want to try the next month. Instead of saving the whole magazine, I can tear out the instructions and file it away.

A few notes about my book:

I used a view binder, so I slipped in a pretty cover page and spine.

Instead of buying countless notebook dividers, I used heavyweight paper and post-it divider tabs to indicate new sections. You can find these tabs at any office supply, much more affordable than dividers.

I gave myself permission for my book to not be perfect. Instead of typing out all my notes, I write them on lined paper. This way, I will not put off adding to it, “until I can get on the computer.” I also make goofy illustrations and print photos on regular paper. This way, I don’t feel the need to wait until I have the time to make it nice before adding to it. In fact, its stained recipe pages and doodled-on instructions are part of its charm.

If you take a few minutes to make your own book, you’ll save loads of time! Anytime an idea comes your way, you can simply file it away and not have to worry about where you put it, or even remembering it. For me, that is the best part…it is all laid out for you, so you don’t have to rely on your memory.

Soon, I will be posting some of my favorite entries to share with you. Happy Family Times!