Since we are in the middle of moving we haven’t quite started back to school yet but I have finished all my curriculum planning and purchasing. So here is what we will be learning for this 2012-2013 school year:
Bible, History, Geography and Literature: Sonlight Core C
One reason I love Sonlight so much is that I feel as though I am delivered another addition of quality titles for my children’s library with the added bonus of a guide for me. My instructor’s guide actually allows me to relax, to enjoy the experience of the read-alouds and the way it all ties together. If all we get done on a school day (or week) is reading aloud from these books, then we’ve all learned!
Language Arts:
Foster will be using the Sonlight level 4/5 readers and Katie using the Sonlight level 2 readers. I will be trying Sonlight’s Language Arts that correspond with Foster’s readers this year for the first time. We also have First Language Lessons 1 & 2 that we pick up and work in from time to time. I will be using the pre-level of All About Reading to start with Theodore and then when he’s ready we’ll move on to Alpha-Phonics (maybe).
Math:
We are sticking with Math-U-See again this year. Theodore is starting Kindergarten and will use the Primer. Katie will be using the Beta level and Foster will be using Gamma.
Spelling:
We are using All About Spelling Levels 1 & 2 this year. I will also use the All About Spelling letter tiles to work with Theodore.
Handwriting:
Theodore, Katie and Foster will be working in their respective levels of Handwriting Without Tears but Foster will be tackling learning cursive this year. I had debated having him learn cursive now (or at all) but read an article that helped me make my decision. It basically explained that even if your child doesn’t favor and continue to write in cursive, simply learning it will help them be able to read things written in cursive or cursive-like fonts.
Science:
Foster, Katie and Theodore will be taking science classes through our local homeschool co-op.
We will also be taking advantage of our big backyard (the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) and some of their Junior Ranger programs. My desire is to be as interest-led as possible in the area of science. If one of the kids wants to know about what ants eat, then we’ll research that and go from there.
It looks like A LOT when I put it all down like this! But, the good thing is it doesn’t FEEL like a lot. I feel more relaxed about it all than I have in the past. I’m not sure why that is, maybe it’s because we are starting our 5th year of homeschooling. Maybe it’s because I have come to realize that school-at-home is not the goal, teaching and learning and growing together are the goals.
Inspiring and encouraging and challenging these little brains are what I want my focus to be this year. Not just trying to rush through a checklist of skills or be sure we are getting through the workbook by a certain time.
All the Little Grubbs 
We LOVE the Junior Ranger and other programs through the national parks… AWESOME choice in that! 🙂
LikeLike
We've done lots of student driven Science through the years and it's gotten to the point where even if I pick the subjects they love it. Hope you have an awesome year!
LikeLike