Homeschool Curriculum Plans
As the years of homeschooling go by, I find myself becoming more relaxed in my style of home education because I’ve seen just how well it really does work. I still use curriculum, but I change it around to fit my needs; that’s a long way from my first year as a homeschooler, using a scripted curriculum — which, by the way is TOTALLY fine if that’s what works best for you and your family!
This year, I have one daughter approaching the end of her high school career, and my youngest is a middle schooler. {Please excuse me while I breathe into this paper bag.}
I’ve linked to most of these to make it easy for you to find and research on your own if you’d like. As the year goes on, I’ll share about what we’re loving and what we’re not, plus a few specific curriculum reviews.
LINDSEY’S SENIOR YEAR:
BIBLE
– Mostly independent study, some family devotions, and a homeschool enrichment class focusing on the book of Genesis.AMERICAN HISTORY (Columbus to the present day)
– We’ll be using Exploring America by Ray Notgrass, plus a variety of accompanying literature.SCIENCE
– Exploring Creation with General Science by Dr. Jay Wile
– The Human Body by Dr. Jay Wile
– Nature study, including keeping a nature journalMATHEMATICS [revised from original plan]
– Barron’s E-Z Business Math
– Foundations in Personal Finance by Dave RamseyLANGUAGE ARTS
– Weekly composition and literature assignments to accompany Exploring America history studies.In addition, Lindsey will have an abundance of life skill training with her job, getting a driver’s license, financial responsibilities, household chores, occasional babysitting, and more. She’ll also be learning to knit, and taking an art class.
———–
KATHRYN’S 6th GRADE YEAR:
BIBLE
– Daily devotions and study, as well as weekly Bat mitzvah classesAMERICAN HISTORY (late 1800’s to present day)
– America the Beautiful by Charlene Notgrass, plus accompanying literatureSCIENCE
– Outdoor Hour Challenges from Barb’s blog, Handbook of Nature Study
– Computer Science with KidCoder: Windows and Game Programming
– Exploring Creation with Anatomy by Jeannie FulbrightMATHEMATICS
– Teaching Textbooks – Grade 6LANGUAGE ARTS
– Plenty of reading, plus writing assignments and oral narrations
– Copywork of poems, quotes, and Bible versesWe’ll add in: current events study; working on drawing and art skills; handiwork projects, including knitting; music appreciation; life skills; and lots of good read-aloud literature!
With both girls, academics are important, but not our biggest priority. We are far more concerned with teaching them to be responsible and thoughtful young women who love the Lord with all their hearts.
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
Looks like our 6th grade plans are pretty similar. Except instead of American history and a separate science program, we’re using Beautiful Feets’ History of Science this year while I recover from the trauma of introducing a kindergarten student to the mix again – it’s been a while. We’ll keep doing Barb’s challenges too, though.
I love you for that last sentence especially – there ARE more important things – in this world and the next – than academics. I figure if I raise a young woman who loves the Lord, he will help her learn all the things she needs in the proper season 🙂
Looks like a really good line up for next year. It looks very different from last year’s curriculum post, in terms of specific books for langauge arts, but it’s a natural progression towards being more relaxed and adjusting to what works for your children. I look forward to reading more of how the school year pens out in future posts!
Hi Jamie! I didn’t realize that Lindsey was going to be home schooled again this year. Did she decide that public school wasn’t all that she had thought it would be? I hope all goes well. This will be the first year that I’ll get to stay home and home school Penny full-time. So, I’m excited about that. But, I’m quite nervous about moving to the big city of Denver. So, can you please say a prayer for our family? We just sold our home and are now looking for an affordable, but nice home in a safe neighborhood in… Read more »
Chandra,
Big exciting changes for your family, huh? Yes, Lindsey will be at home this year. It’s not so much that she didn’t like public school, but it would take her a few more years to finish if she is tied to public school requirements, and she’s not ok with that.
I just start to think about having to look at curriculums and it scares me into thinking maybe public school would be better, but I know it wouldn’t be. It is so helpful to see what other families are doing as part of their education.
Jess,
Don’t panic! There are almost too many choices out there but that’s the beauty of it: choices! And you can start super-simple and then add in other things as you begin to feel confident. My thought is that, as long as I try to help them enjoy learning, they’ll learn what they need to know — and be prepared to keep on learning throughout their lives!
Can you expound or even email me about what/how you are doing a current events study?
Thanks!
Kristy
TheMessExposed.blogspot.com
Kristy,
Mostly we use God’s World News, a monthly publication geared towards kids. There are several levels, depending upon grade level. I’d like to expand on this in the coming year, but we’ll see how that goes!
It looks like you have a good plan set up for your girls. I pray your year will go well and that your girls will grow up as you hope and pray and work for.
If your family is anything like ours, you’ll love Dave Ramsey. He’s hilarious and a good teacher besides.
Exploring Anatomy was our favorite year of science. So much fun!
I read this and went wait… what?! Then I had to go catch up on Lindsey’s school situation before I could come back here and comment. That is so exciting that she decided to come back home to finish! Since it is her choice, you will probably have a very much motivated young woman there. If you haven’t yet, you should look into North Atlantic Regional High School (http://narhs.org/node/248 site is undergoing redesign so only a limited couple of pages are functioning right now- I checked). If you kept good records while you were homeschooling her, you can have her… Read more »
I’m thrilled to see that your girls will be learning to knit! Of course, I’m a bit biased since I love to knit and we opened our yarn shop a year ago. It’s a great skill, though. Don’t forget to check and see if your local yarn shop has knitting classes or groups. They may also do some charity knitting projects. In any case, have fun!!
Catherine
We are trying out the KidCoder series too, so I’d love to hear how it works out for you later in the year. Have a great year!
We used Exploring America with my oldest his Jr. Year. I graduated him in 2009 – he used everything on your list except the Dave Ramsey program.
Have a great year!!!
If you are interested in connecting with other Apologia users, check out the Apologia Blog Roll that I host here:
http://myjoy-filledlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/apologia-blog-role-2012-2013.html
Blessings!