our homeschool curriculum 2013-2014

School starts in our home officially on Monday, with an orientation day this coming Friday.  My friend, Cari, informed me recently that she does an orientation day with her kiddos the day before school starts.  This involves talking through their assignment sheets, looking through their books, showing them how to get their computer programs running, and talking through their daily schedule.  She informs me that this makes the first day of school run so much smoother.  Can we say brilliant?!  I think yes.  

We have an exciting year ahead since Amelia is starting kindergarten...how did that happen?!  Even though this will add more people to manage, I think it will be good for her to have a bit more routine to her day.  And this is Claire's last year as an elementary student (sniff), unless of course, you consider 6th grade elementary.  We might just do that...6th was still elementary in the school where I taught, so it can be elementary in my homeschool as well. :)

Here is the rundown of our 2013-2014 curriculum:

Amelia (kindergarten)

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons:  The title is a bit misleading with the words "100 easy lessons".  I'm not going to lie...there are a few easy lessons, a few okay lessons, and several hard/frustrating/make you want to pull out your hair because your child just can't sound out those words lessons.  Overall, though, I really like this book.  This is the third time we've used it, and I'm certain that I'll use it with Olivia as well.  It works.  Need I say more?!  

I'm going to be honest here...I've never made it to the 100th lesson.  We're quitters because really, we just want to read regular books.  So we do.  And it's okay.  And everyone can read.  Maybe I'll make it to lesson 100 with Amelia. :)

Handwriting: Printing: I haven't used this one before, but I'm not super particular about kindergarten handwriting books.  She already knows her letters, so I really just want her to practice.  

Get Ready for the Code A: I love the Explode the Code books.  We'll do B and C once she finishes with A.  

Saxon Math: K  We're doing my own personal version of this curriculum.  You know you're a veteran homeschooling mom when you're getting ready to go through a curriculum for the third time and know exactly what lessons you can skip.  Thank you, experience, you are so kind to me.

Sonlight Read-Alouds: Sonlight pretty much has the best read-alouds on the face of the earth.  If you don't want to buy the curriculum, just make a list and check them out at the library.  Sonlight read-alouds are some of my favorite books ever!

Co-op: Letter of the Week curriculum

Gym Class: once per week

Swim Class: once per week in the fall

Amelia will also be participating in some of Claire and Meredith's science activities, but it will be on a simple level.  She'll be starting a drawing journal where she will dictate, and I will write.  She will be doing a lot of free play when she is finished with school because I'm a huge believer in free play...especially when you're 5! :)

Meredith (3rd grade)

Saxon Math 3 

Harcourt Language Grade 3 and workbook  Overall, I've been pleased with this language arts program.  We're using the workbook for this year's assignments which we haven't done in the past.

All About Spelling Level 2  We're in the middle of this book, and I imagine that we'll make it through to Level 3 before the end of the year.  I really like AAS, but I also like my kids to have weekly spelling words and activities.  So, we're supplementing with...

Spectrum Spelling Grade 3  This is our first year doing this particular program.  In the past, I've used lists that I've found online for spelling words.  I'm using an actual book to simplify my life.  We'll see if it works.

Explode the Code 4

Handwriting Without Tears: Cursive Handwriting  A certain teacher in this house may have forgotten to order a cursive handwriting book for her 2nd grader last  year.  Said 2nd grader was a bit disappointed when she opened her handwriting book to find printed words instead of cursive words.  Oops!  The teacher assured the student that she would order a 3rd grade cursive book the following year.  Here it is. 

Co-op: Hands-on science, World Cultures/Geography, Art

Gym: once per week

Swim: once per week in the fall

Claire (5th grade)

Saxon Math 6/5 with DIVE CD If you are a Saxon Math homeschooler, purchasing the DIVE CD is one of the best $50 you will spend in your curriculum.  The DIVE CDs start at the 4th grade level, and I can't tell you how freeing it is to have math lessons taught on the computer by Dr. Shormann.  Claire pulls up her math lesson each day, listens to it, and asks for help when necessary.  I cannot recommend this enough!  What a blessing!!

Harcourt Language Grade 5 and workbook  And just to be clear, I always buy these textbooks under the used section of Amazon's offers.  They are usually around $5 with shipping.  Such a steal!!  Of course, I buy the workbooks new, but they are extremely reasonably priced.  

Spectrum Spelling Grade 5

Handwriting Without Tears Grade 5 Cursive

Explode the Code 7

Co-op: Hands-on Engineering, World Cultures/Geography, Intro to Spanish 

Gym: once per week

Swim: once per week in the fall

Claire and Meredith

The girls will be doing the same history, science, reading, and writing programs this year.  I'm extremely thrilled to be combining so many subjects.  This should allow for better discussion and learning for everyone.  Claire's reading program will be the advanced version of Meredith's.

History/Readers/Read-Alouds:  Sonlight Core D American History, Year 1  We are so excited to be studying American history for the next two years!  The history books, readers, and read-alouds all work together in this core.

Science: Sonlight's Biology, Taxonomy, and Human Anatomy

Writing: IEW's Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales 

And while all this is going on, we're praying that Olivia keeps happily busy doing her own activities, which I'll post about in the future (update: my toddler activity ideas are posted here).  And I'm also hoping that she doesn't give up her nap time until next summer...probably wishful thinking. :)