2010-2011 Curriculum

This post is a long time coming, but I thought I would post what materials we are using this year.
Math
Honey has started using second grade Saxon math.  This is a new program for us.  We have already done second grade math, but since it's a new program I wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything before moving on.  We switched from K12 mainly because of cost.  Plus K12 had a lot of busy work that we weren't crazy about.
Babe is doing first grade K12 math.  I made copies of all of Honeys worksheets when she did the program so rather than order a whole new set of materials I decided to just use what we had left over.  Plus I know this program pretty well having already taught Honey, so I think it will be a good fit.
Language Arts
We are using a few things for language arts.  Many of these things we do together as a family.  I am trying this year to group a lot of our subjects.  So far its going great.
First we are using First Language Lessons for a Well-Trained Mind.  We are also doing Aesops Fables literature pockets by Evan Moor Publishing and then Caldecott Winners literature pockets by Evan Moore as well.  Honey is also reading chapter books and then writing short summary's after she reads.  We will be starting the American Girl Series soon and using that for language arts as well as History.  We are also using a grammar work book for Honey.
History
The pockets are some of my girls favorites so we are using the Ancient Civilizations History Pockets by Evan Moor.  When we finish those than we will move on with our American Girl History.  I found lapbook lessons for each of the books.  Here is the link.
Science
I have to admit this is not my favorite subject to teach.  It usually involves pulling out a bunch of materials and makes a mess and if you know me I am not a fan of messes but I came up with some science packs off of Rainbow Resource that has the materials pulled together for you and then found this book, How to do science experiments with children.
Spelling
For Honey I am using Building Spelling Skills Daily Practice by Evan Moore.
Babe is using High Frequency Words: Stories and Activites, Level A
Geography
We aren't doing much right now in geography but I found these passports on Rainbow Resources  and then this website puts together lots of useful information on different places.  We will also be learning a lot about Germany since their uncle is serving a mission there.
Art/P.E.
We don't have anything super formal for these subjects but we do do them I promise.  For PE whether it be wii fit or bike ride we engage in physical activity each day.  And as for art I have ordered something, but haven't implemented it yet.  But we do art projects and my kids are constantly creating.  I don't want to do anything super structured with art because I don't want to confine there creativity to how lines "should" be formed or whatever . . . Anyhow . . .

I hope to be adding Rosetta Stone to our curriculum but I can't decide which one to do.  Any thoughts?

Boxes for Katje

I love homeschool share. I go there often for lapbook ideas. My kids are very visual and love anything that involves some sort of project so this is right up their alley. Since we have been focusing on character building I loved this unit on Boxes for Katje. It really focuses on gratuity and thinking of others. It leaves a lot of room for discussion like the country of Holland, the state of Indiana, how the mail system works, how we can think of others and help those that are in need, and so much more. I highly recommend this unit. Check it out. It provides a TON of information and all the printouts you need. Here is the direct link and let me know what you think!

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/boxes_for_katje.php

Standin' Tall by Janeen Brady

I am so excited to blog about this. I grew up with this series and really wanted my kids to experience it as well. We have been working on some character traits as of late and these are a great way of reinforcing. I was about to order it, but thought I should ask my mom first if she still had the series. Low and behold SHE DID!!!! HOORAY!!! However, being that I used them as a kid and C.D.'s didn't exist yet, all of the music is on cassette. So now I will have to figure out how to get them from cassette to C.D. since I don't even own a tape player anymore. But even with that slight setback it's way better than shelling out the money. Anyways, I highly recommend this for younger kids that need a little reminder of how to behave! Here's the link for the the standin' tall website if you are interested . . .

http://www.britemusic.com/brite-sets/standin-tall

It's a little pricy to buy the whole set, but there is also an option to buy each book and c.d. individually to cut down on forking out a ton of money all at once.

The Funny Things Kids Say

Honey was doing her math test today and was working on the following question. 

The party started at 4:30.  Lisa arrived at 5:15.  How late was Lisa?  Honey eventually figured out that it was 45 mins., but her first answer was "really late."  I thought that was pretty cute!  (o:

Hooked on Phonics

Hooked on Phonics is doing it again!  They are having an overstock sale so the prices are already marked off significantly.  Then to make the deal even better you can get an additional 50% off by entering the coupon code SLICK50.  You won't see the additional 50% off until you add the items in your cart so keep that in mind.  So the items that are already marked down will have another 50% taken off in the check out.

Click Here and then scroll down and click "Overstock" on the left hand side to see all sale items.

Workboxes Post #2

So here is the post that I was so excited to tell you about.  These are the workboxes.  I found the idea on this blog  http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/search/label/Organizing

I was looking for some ideas on how to teach multiple kids, at different grade levels, at the same time, without going completely crazy, which is what was happening to me.  And this is what I stubbled upon.  And I am SUPER excited about it.  

The workbox system was created by Sue Patrick.  The program helps you structure your day more efficiently and present curriculum in a way that helps children learn more independently.  Her program calls for twelve bins per child.  I felt like this was a bit excessive.  I have tailored the system to fit our family better.  Hailey has 8 bins, Emma has 5, and Carson has 3.  Well, actually Carson has 2 because Target didn't have enough bins when I went shopping there, so I will have to go back later and get 1 more.  

So here is what you do with the system.  Do you see the picture with the tags that have the kids names on them?  Each one of those numbers coincides with a bin that has the same number.  So each day, the kids will grab there tags and then work their way through the bins.  Now do you see the picture that has the blue thing holding a bunch of random tags, ie piano, outside, snack?  You can move the numbers on the kids tags and input these other random tags to spread things out.   There are also mom tags that you can place on the bins that the kids need help on.  For example, Hailey almost always needs help on her math.  So on the bin that holds her math work I would place a mom tag.  But on her phonics she is pretty good about doing on her own so she would not need help on that one.  

So the point of this whole thing is that you orchestrate your day so that on the subjects that your kids need help on do not conflict with other bins of other kids.  Again, this system encourages independence and gives the kids an idea of when the school day is over.   

I am excited to get moving with this and also to be involving Carson.  To get him doing sensory activities, puzzles, play dough, etc.  Before I felt like I was just shoeing him away and with this system, hopefully I will be able to get him involved.

Just incase you haven't caught on, I am SOOOOO excited about this!!!  Nerdy, I know.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Oh, and as for the last picture, I found these cute bins on sale for $2 at Michaels.   So I bought a few to organize all of our different school materials.  Nothing to do with the workbox system, but I thought it was exciting.  What can I say? I LoVE organizational tools. 

Monday, September 14

WORKBOXES 

Be on the look out!!!  I am trying out something new and will be unveiling it soon and I can't wait!!!

Keep checking back for the updates!