Homeschooling My 3 Boys: 2016

I am a Christian and a wife and mother of three trying to live out God's purpose for my life. Our homeschooling journey was not a typical beginning. My husband and I had attended public school and had planned for our children to attend there as well. My oldest had attended a pre-k program at a Christian school to get him ready. It had been a bumpy start but he finally settled down and got used to it. When time came to tour the elementary school that our son was zoned for (which was known to be the best one in the county) we decided it wasn't for us. I was floored at what they had planned on teaching them in kindergarten and the learning environment was not inviting. We therefore decided to leave him at the private Christian school he was at and that is where he stayed until 3rd grade. By that time my middle child was ready for pre-k and I signed him up that year as well. Things went pretty well for him but my oldest through the years was bored and didn't want to go. He almost always got perfect scores and never studied. I tried talking with the teachers and they said there was nothing they could do until he got into the upper grades just to be happy that he was bright and "didn't need help." I was tired of paying big bucks for my son to sit and not be challenged so that is the year I took the plunge and pulled him out. It has been a learning road and I have spent many hours studying and learning what is best for my children. Everyone has a story and what works for their family. This blog is what has worked for mine. I hope that what I write will help others who are beginning or those who are always looking for things to help deepen their children's learning. Blessings!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

SUMMER READING 2015 (Pre-k)

Eskimo Twins

The Moffats

Bible – daily

Monday, July 25, 2016

7th Grade Course and Book List

Course Descriptions – 7^th Grade

Language Arts Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.5 Home

Subjects included Spelling, Grammar, Writing, Vocabulary, and a poetry study used the following resources: Spelling Workout Level H, Rod and Staff Grammar 6, IEW Fix It Level 1-2, Vocabulary from Classical Roots Level A, Grammar of Poetry, also focusing on the following poets: Stevenson, Tennyson, Lord Byron, Shakespeare: Julius Caesar

Algebra I Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Home

This course will cover the topics normally covered in a first year high school algebra course. Algebra I is the beginning of math in the dialectic years. It provides an important foundation for all mathematics that follow. Topics include factoring; rational expressions; systems of equations; lines; solving linear, fractional and quadratic equations; solving inequalities; rational and irrational numbers; and exponents, including negative exponents. Text: Elementary Algebra by Harold Jacobs

General Science Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Home

A broad studies of the sciences focusing on Biology, Science of Mathematics, Physics, and the study of orinthology. Texts used: World of Biology, World of Mathematics, and part of World of Physics (Tiner), Storybook of Science, Life of a Spider, Fabre’s Insects, What’s That Bird, Burgess Bird Book, Archimedes and the Door of Science, Albert Einstein Theory of Relativity, parts of The Sciences

The Great Conversation 2 Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Wilson Hill Academy

With the first advent of Christ and the growth of the church in the early centuries, western man looks back, seeking to understand what it all means. How did the Gospel message, spread by a rag-tag band of disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, conquer the Roman Empire? How would the Church help establish a new civilization as the old Roman civilization crumbled? Was the result the so-called “Dark Ages,” or is this medieval period full of light and promise, much more than is often realized? This course will focus on the great works of theology, philosophy, and literature and seek to understand them all in the historical context of the medieval world. As with all courses in The Great Conversation series, students will be encouraged to hone their skills in discussion and debate, as we seek to critique all worldviews from a biblical perspective. The key event bringing the course to an end will be the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603. Teacher: Bart Martin Textbook: Omnibus 2, Great Tales from English History, The Hobbit, Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, Return of the King, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Nine Tailors, Rule of St. Benedict, Beowulf, History of the Kings of Britain, Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Macbeth, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Henry V, Dante’s Inferno, Canterbury Tales, and The Reformation.

Latin I Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Landry Academy

This class begins the student's Latin studies at the high school level. The course is a rigorous, college-prep level course designed for self-motivated students who are able to handle large amounts of memorization and attention to grammatical detail. We recommend that students have a solid grasp of basic English grammar (e.g. parts of speech) before beginning the study of Latin. Our Latin Alive! curriculum will introduce students to the Latin language and the Roman people. It is brimming with relevant facts and stories! Students will learn the FUNdamentals of Latin including the noun and adjective charts for all declensions, four verb conjugations, and six tenses of the indicative mood. We will also study the function of prepositions, adverbs, and a variety of pronouns. An emphasis on proper formation and grammatical construction with an eye for reading Latin literature will be the focus of the class. Latin conversation and pronunciation will follow Classical Latin pronunciation. Students will learn to see that Latin is everywhere around them! Texts used: Latin Alive! 1 Teacher: Traci Farthing

Old Testament Survey/Bible Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.5 Home

An in depth study of 2 Samuel-Malachi in the Bible chronologically also focusing on Greek culture. Texts used: Bible, Story of the Greeks, Created for Work, Pursuit of God, Holiness of God, How to Pray

PE Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.5 Home

Outside exercise, running/walking and weight training

Fine Arts Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.25 Home

A study into the lives of composers: Vivaldi, Bach, Handel and the works they accomplished using various books and CDs to appreciate their style.

Also studied the following artists’ lives and technique that they used and became familiar with many of their works: Giotto, Botticelli, and DaVinci.

Debate Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.5 Grace coop

Includes discussions of the communication process, audience analysis, and public speaking guidelines. A course which involves topic choice, research, organization, and effective communication. Speaking projects include introductions, interviews, demonstration speeches, declamations, informative speeches, devotional speeches, and persuasive speeches.

Other books studied: Ourselves (Mason), ½ Pillar of Iron, Plutarch Lives (partial)

10th Grade Book List and Course/Credit Description

Course Descriptions – 10^th Grade

Ancient/World Literature Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Home

In this class we read, discussed, and wrote about various literature focusing on the ancients using the Old Western Culture curriculum. We also read and used the following to work on writing and grammar skills: Sentence Skills with Reading, How to Read a Book and On Writing Well, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student. Also studied poetry using: The Grammar of Poetry and studied the works and lives of: Stevenson, Tennyson and Lord Byron. Books read: Aeneid, Metamorphoses I & II, Lucretius, Lucan & Statius, Cicero (Selected Works), Mere Christianity, Plutarch Lives (Selected Works), Ourselves (partial) Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Macbeth

Introduction to the Writing Process Semesters: 1 Credits: 0.5 Bluefield College

This course is designed to improve the student's writing abilities through study and practice of the entire writing process from topic selection through editing. Texts used: St. Martin’s Guide to Writing, Writer’s Reference with Writing in Disciplines

Honors PreCalculus Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Lucid Education

This course will cover the topics normally covered in a high school pre-calculus course. Topics include: Preliminaries, different types of functions, graphs, analytical trigonometry, analytical geometry, systems of equations, inequalities, sequences, probability, induction, etc. Texts used: Precalculus by Prentice Hall Instructor: Derek Owens

Physics Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Lucid Education

Covers a typical HS Physics class including: motion in 1-2 dimensions, Newton’s laws, work and energy, momentum, circular motion, gravity, temperature and heat, waves and wave motion, optics, electricity, electric circuits. Text used: Physics by Douglas Giancoli (Prentice Hall), also read outside of class Six Easy Pieces, A Briefer History of Time, Microbe Hunters (selected works)

World History/Romans Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Home

We used Old Western Culture curriculum which focused on how Rome was founded, culture, technology, the rise and fall and the early church fathers struggle with the collapsing empire and persecution. Texts read: The Early History of Rome (Livy), Jugurthine War, Catiline’s War (Sallust), The Gallic Wars (Caesar), The Annals of Imperial Rome (Tacitus), Early Christian Fathers, Eusebius: The Church History, What Happened to Justice

Latin Readings IV Semesters: 2 Credits: 1 Wilson Hill Academy

Latin Readings is designed for intermediate Latin students who have finished working through Latin grammar (using Wheelock’s Latin or Latin Alive! I-III, or the equivalent) and are ready to practice reading Latin literature. Grammar will be reviewed continuously as students grow in their translation skills, reading a selection of literature from Cicero to Newton. Students will explore a variety of time periods, styles, and genres, studying literary components of the texts in addition to Latin grammar and syntax, with a teacher who will integrate Latin Readings with The Great Conversation classes. Texts used: Latin Alive IV Instructor: Sheryl Vine

Old Testament Survey Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.5 Home

An in depth study and chronological reading of 2 Samuel-Malachi in the Bible along with other texts read: A Shepherd Look at the 23^rd Psalm, Practice of the Presence of God, Story of the Greeks, How to Pray

Health Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.50 Home

Covering typical Health topics including: physical, mental, spiritual, and social health. Text used: Total Health by Susan Boe

Fine Arts Semesters: 2 Credits: 0.25 Home

A study into the lives of composers: Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel and the works they accomplished using various books and CDs to appreciate their style. Also studied the following artists’ lives and technique that they used and became familiar with many of their works: Giotto, Botticelli and Da Vinci

Music Appreciation Semesters: 1 Credits: 0.5 Bluefield College

An introduction to the most important forms, styles, and movements of Western music.

Other books read and studied: Fabre’s Insects, What’s That Bird, Burgess Bird Book, ½ Pillar of Iron

2016-17 Curriculum

Kindergarten, 8th & 11th grades

Morning Time- will include everyone and is scheduled for an hour this year. With older kids doing other things harder to keep them too long. :) I decided to do a loop schedule in case something came up so this is how it is scheduled this year.

Morning Loop Schedule

Daily (30 min.) Including 5yr. old

Bible NT – reading OR Geog/Hist lesson in SCM Matthew-Acts & Romans

Geograpy & History on Monday & Friday – Bible on Tues.-Friday (Missionary update monthly)

Character Quality- discussed weekly – Read – Uncle Arthur’s Stories

Memory work pick –Bible verses, Art, Science

Hymn Study

Trivia question- Compact Classics

Weekly Loop (30-45 min.)

MONDAY’s Nature Study-Tree Book (Draw) & Artist Study (MP Enrichment guide)

Weekly loop (Tuesday-Friday)

Ourselves (1st semester) Plutarch (2nd semester)

Pillar of Iron (finish)

Dictation

Composer Study (1st semester) Poetry (2nd semester)

Evidence that Demands a Verdict (only did parts of this book)

Uncle Arthur’s (Character)

Pillar of Iron (completed this year)

Shakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing & How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare)

Book of Centuries

Evidence that Demands a Verdict

Dictation

Pillar of Iron

Official Kindergarten Year

Taking a more relaxed approach and trying to let him be a kid. :) We are only planning on about 1 1/2 hrs of actual "work" where we are sitting at the table. Not counting our reading. It will be broken up but are mostly working on some math, spelling, and writing. The rest of the day he will play and is able to hang out with brothers during morning group time. Reading will happen throughout the day morning, lunch, rest time, before bedtime. The lists always seem more hefty then they really are. Instead of making a detailed week plan this year I did more of an "idea" list of things to cover, books, activities, etc. I wanted it to be a fun exploration year. He loves learning of other countries so we will be focusing our time and attention on other cultures and countries and since he never went to preschool we wanted to include some community helpers to round out the year. :)

Final Book list here

Bible- Golden Children's Bible, Leading Little Ones to God and 5 Minute Devotions (and working through AWANA first year Sparks :)

Literature- Since he is on a 2nd grade reading level decided to boost him up to MP 2nd grade for most things. Will be reading the following this year:

Alternating list- 3 days week

· Read Flat Stanley before the week of school starting

· Animal Folk tales of America/ Alternate with Billy and Blaze series

· Prairie School

· Courage of Sarah Noble

· Little House in the Big Woods

· Bears on Hemlock Mountain

· Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, Johnny Town Mouse

·         Boxcar Children #1 & 2
      Ivy and Bean & others
      Betsy Tacy
      Twig
George and the Marvelous Medicine
      The Chocolate Touch
Velveteen Rabbit
      See Through the Forest - Selsam

Pathway readers: 2 days week read:

· Busy Times

· More Busy Times

· Climbing Higher

Audio Books-read aloud (with me)

· Matilda

· James and the Giant Peach

· Lion Witch and the Wardrobe

· ~~Peter Pan~~ (couldn't get through)

·         Penderwicks- Spring
Penderwicks- Garden Street
Penderwicks - Pt. Mouette
      Little House and the Long Winter
The Water Horse
      Five Little Peppers and How they Grew
T    My Side of the Mountain
      Heidi

**Also reading the MP 2nd grade Literature as assigned including the poetry enrichment.

Spelling- ~~Reading Lessons through Literature (starting with Level 1 to solidify all of the phonics rules and then working through not sure how far will get this year but will probably begin Level 2)~~ Switched to All About Spelling and completed level 1 then started copywork and CM dictation

Writing - Continue correct letter formation and beginning copywork

Math - Decided for my sanity since I am familiar with Saxon after using it with my other two children will be switching back from Singapore to Saxon. Saxon 1 this year and continuing with Math Seeds

Science/History- Just readers - Memoria Press 2nd grade curriculum + readers, misc. list will post list at the end of the year. Once a week nature study and once a week reading God's Big World magazine and activities

Geography/Community Helpers- see help list below all of the books including in the study and will list a final book list at the end of the year of all of the other books we covered during the year.

o Reading: Window on the World on each country, Around the World, Missionary Stories with the Millers, using My Book House, The Children's Hour collections, Uncle Arthur Bedtime Stories, Our Little Cousin Series, Seven Little Sisters Who Live on the Round Ball That Floats in the Air, Twin Books (Perkins), Peeps at Many Lands, Audrey of Outback, Boxes for Katje, Children of the Noisy Village, and many others. For Community Helpers- using Want to Be Series and list of various books (see list at end of year).

Spanish - Memorizing songs (Lyric Language Spanish) ~~and working through Cherrydale Press (Speaking Spanish With Ms. Mason)~~ (ended up using Spanish books (Brown Bear Brown Bear what do you see - memorized this one this year) and working using youtube videos for color learning, basic daily use of words) Memorized - Doxology, Jesus Loves Me Also looking at taking advantage of some apps when we finally get cable internet!! :)

Memory work - Memoria Press 2nd grade

Fine Arts -Memoria Press 2nd grade enrichment

Art- using Global Art and Preschool Art

Piano - starting in the winter last year taking classes privately continuing once a week

8th Grade

Bible - Reading through the Gospels, Romans study (Simply Charlotte Mason)

History/Literature/Theology - online class: Starting Points at The Potters School see book list:

How to Read Slowly

Know Why You Believe

Frankenstein

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Deadliest Monster

Mere Christianity (Required)

Never Before in History - America's Inspired Birth

The Magician's Nephew (Required)

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Required)

Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know (Required)

Other books reading- What Happened to Penny Candy, The Deerslayer, Story of the World vol. 3

Science - Science Matters and various chapters in Microbe Hunters also included an Astronomy unit end of the year - using Sabbath Mood Homeschooling guides & The Planets by Sobel along with Galileo's Daughter

Math- We felt like he needed another yr of review for Algebra so we are trying Jann @myhomeschoolmathclass.com (he benefits so much from a live teacher- ) Continued on taking Geometry with me using Harold Jacobs - Geometry text

Drill - Geography drills (world 2x wk), Scripture memory: AWANA (using verses that my youngest will be memorizing) Also memorized John 3

Grammar- IEW Fix It Level 3 (2x week), Rod and Staff Book 7 (2x week), Dictation 2x week

Writing- IEW Starting Points (coincides with his History/Lit class)

Latin II- online at Landry Academy using Latin Alive 2 - after the split we continued with the same teacher at Big River Academy

Logic- Art of Argument CAP

Other readings- How to Read a Book (parts)

Life skills - (continuing on from last year) working on note taking and organizational skills this year along with doing own laundry and working through this book mostly when we have time and weekends: The Young Man's Handybook: Preparing your Son on the Homefront

PE - participating in a homeschool basketball league this year (mostly year round)

Violin - free time practicing

11th Grade

Bible - Reading through the Gospels, Romans study (Simply Charlotte Mason),

Literature/Grammar - Dual enrollment courses at Bluefield College- Eng 102 (2nd writing course) and will be taking ~~Literature Appreciation~~ (for his final Lit. requirements for undergrad.) Couldn't get into his class so he took British Literature also reading: Watership Down, David Copperfield with me. Will also keep him reading by:

Old Western Culture - Roman Roads Media Year 2: Romans see book list: http://www.romanroadsmedia.com/store/the-romans.php didn't finish the last 9 wks. so would like to fit that in as part of our Lit course this year: Nicene Christianity and then adding the following books to read: Consequences of Ideas (Sproul) and The Jesus I Never Knew (is what we hope to complete this year have an additional list if time to complete more) Also hoping to read more speeches this year and using the list from Ambleside Online.

Will be finishing up Classical Rhetoric this year, reading How to Read Slowly and our 2nd reading of How to Read a Book

Dictation- 2x week

History- DE -Bluefield ~~2 semesters of U.S. History~~ (to finish up his History requirement for undergrad) didn't get in -took Government at Truett McConnel University and Microeconomics at Bluefield

Current Events- will be reading and writing a summary of the events of the week

Science - Astronomy- homegrown using various resources and having him do more research than anything: ~~using parts of Muses of a Mom course she made and including labs from Super Charged Science Astronomy 3 CD~~ and the following books: Microbe Hunters, Great Astronomers, Stargazer's Guide, Taking Back Astronomy (used the clep guide to prep - The Idiot's Guide to Astronomy & Astronomy for Dummies alongside of DVDs) Dantes test at the end of the year to get college credit

Math- AP Calculus w/ Derek Owens

Drill - Geography drills (world 2x wk), Scripture memory: AWANA verses with brothers

Electives:

Greek I- Basics of Biblical Greek Decided he really needed a living language and has chosen Spanish we are going to be using Duolingo and Easy Peasy Spanish for this year also used Language Transfer

Sociology- Taking the Intro to Sociology DE course at Bluefield

Personal Computers - DE Bluefield College (took this summer)

Logic- Moral Philosophy- taking a course at Memoria Press Academy

PSAT prep- taking a month course at Memoria Press Academy

Guitar - plays in 3 different bands (High School band at church, and a special event band and fills in about once a month on Sunday mornings for the adult band) also helps out teaching the Middle School Band

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