Curriculum Fall 2013

I've been busy obsessing about homeschool curriculum for the fall!  I always enjoy seeing what other people use and how it all fits together.  So, after lots of thought and researching and overthinking...  here are my plans:

Lucy will be in third grade, 8 years old in the fall.  Julia will be in first grade, 6 years old.  Esther will be 3 1/2 and Isaac 1 1/2.

Together, Lucy and Julia will do:

History - History Odyssey Ancients Year 1 (This is chock full of resources.  Some books we will get from the library, several I've purchased.  You definitely have to check out the website and view the sample pages to see all that is included here.  I also found these games to go along with it.)

ETA: The Homeschool Buyers Co-op has this Highlights Adventures Kit for Ancient Civilizations.  Looks like a great add on for our studies!

Science - REAL Science Odyssey Earth and Space

Bible - I am going to choose from a variety of things that I've wanted to do: the Put On Chart, this Names of God book, or things pulled from For Instruction in Righteousness and Polished Cornerstones.  I still need to sit down and plan this out.

Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting C (Lucy) and A (Julia)

Spanish - Little Pim, this workbook, and Teach Me Tapes

English/ Spelling/ Phonics -
     Julia - ABeka Letters and Sounds 1, Language 1
     Lucy - ABeka Spelling and Poetry 3, Language 3
     both girls - Bravewriter (I have The Writers Jungle and Jot it Down for me to read through this summer and will be using ideas and lessons from these.)

Reading -
     Julia - is working through The Reading Lesson and Bob books
     Lucy - Sonlight 4/5 readers and comprehension questions (link)
                one or two Progeny Press study guides

Math - Math Mammoth (1A Julia, 2A Lucy)

Music - We are starting piano lessons this summer!  Lucy and Julia also take ballet during the school year.  I have a classical music CD from My Father's World with some activity ideas to do along with it.

Art - I haven't decided how to do this yet.  I bought Enjoying Art Together, we have Artistic Pursuits, I Can Do All Things, and the art program here looks good.  What to do??

Read Alouds - I have so many choices, just need to make a list and start working through them.  Daddy is reading The Chronicles of Narnia to the girls currently.

For the little ones - I will put this in another post.  I've gathered a few things to hopefully keep Esther learning and Isaac entertained for a bit.  :)

Hm... am I missing anything?  What are your fall plans?

For other curriculum plans, see this linky.

Homemade Toddler Toy

This has been keeping Isaac (13 months) occupied lately:

a Huggies wipes box and several frozen juice container lids

put them in the slot

 open the lid to get them back out again

I clapped and made a big deal when Isaac got one in the slot, so he's really proud of himself.  He really has to think hard and push to get the lid turned the right way, making this the perfect toy.  Esther likes playing with it too, just for fun.  :)

Lizzy

When studying fish for science, what does a homeschooler do?  Get a fish, of course!

Meet Eliza Jane.  (Shh.... we know its a male Betta fish, but we're ignoring that fact.)  The kids wanted to name it after themselves, so we came up with a name including their initials E, I, L, and J.  He She also goes by Lizzy.  The girls were so cute picking it out and carefully carrying it home.

Actually, it wasn't my idea to get a fish.  Our science book suggested it (REAL Science Odyssey) and included a great fish study worksheet.  We all sat down and drew and labeled Lizzy, learning about gills and fins.  We also took her temperature (by taking the water temp).  We compared the water temperature, the room temperature, and the kid's body temperature while discussing cold and warm blooded creatures.  I love that homeschooling allows us to be so hands on in our studies!

Here is the review that I did of our science curriculum.  We are definitely still enjoying it and looking forward to the Earth and Space level in the fall.  :)

Indoor Math Game

There is still plenty of snow on the ground here and most days we are snuggled inside, trying to find something fun to do.  Yesterday I taped this game on the floor and snuck in some math practice too.  The girls loved it!

Each person had a turn to throw three bean bags.  The center was worth 5 points, the next area 3 points, and the biggest area 1 point.  They had to stand off of the rug to throw.  The scorekeeper (we took turns) added up the points from all three throws.  Whoever had the most points won!

It was sweet to hear them being very encouraging to each other.  Lucy even purposely threw her bean bags just right so that Esther would have a turn winning.  :)  Fun!