Researching and Planning

Planning and Researching for the 2011-2012 year.

My oldest will be in 3rd grade.
The twins are 4 years old, so they are...
well,...
they are 4 years old and everything that comes
with that, smiles.

This is our first year planning
without really knowing what we want.
We just knew that changes needed to be made.

So...
Off to a home school conference we go.
We went with an open mind and a blank canvas.
We had researched lots and now was the time to
question and put our hands on curriculum, lots of curriculum.
Just can not do that over the Internet,smiles.
An expo can be overwhelming, but for
some reason, this year was not.
We took the first day to soak it all in
and look, just look.
No buying.
This can be hard because there is soooo much
out there, soooo much that looks good.
But, we resisted.
If there is one thing we have learned in the 3 years
we have home schooled,
less is more, less is more.
On day two, we made choices that we feel
will fit our family.

This is what we decided on:

Language arts: Rod and Staff- Building English Series
Spelling: All About Spelling level 2
Math: Math-U-See
American history: Truth Quest- Exploration-1800
Science: Real Science 4 Kids- Chemistry and Physics I

We are excited.
Of course, there is Bible, nature studies, hymns,
composer/artist studies, geography, and
reading of books, lots of books.
We love our read aloud
and reading time.

We do not do all of these daily.
Oh no, have learned that lesson the hard way.
And we will not be trying to fit all
of these in our schedule at the beginning of our school year.
Another lesson learned.
Instead, we will ease into our year,
adding things as we go.
With 3 years under our belt,
we have learned to take a slow pace.
There is no rush, this is not a race.
We are not trying to keep up with the Jones.

Bible, reading of books, language arts, spelling, and math
will be our focus at first.
Four days a week.
One day each week will be saved for
field trips, art, nature studies, science experiments,
or anything we fancy.

For the 4 year old twins, we are going to use
Little Hands to Heaven as a guide
with other resources added.
It will be a very relaxed approach.
The twins see big brother doing things
and they want to join in.
This is an answer to that.
It will be fun too.

How will our daily rhythm look when
our home school starts back up?
Not sure.
We are still enjoying the our summer rhythm.
Soaking it all in.

2010-2011 Homeschool at Barefoot Cowboys

Here is what we have for our new home school year
for my oldest son- 8 years old- 2nd grade.
Our new school year starts August 15th.

Language Arts
The Basic Cozy Grammar and Punctuation Course
DVD by Marie Rackham
Listen My Children and You Shall Hear
by Betty Lou Kratoville

Writing
Writing in Narrative
by Peter Joel and Dr. Leslie Simonson
Handwriting Without Tears
by Jan Z. Olsen

Spelling
Dolch words- 2nd grade

Math
Math-U-See
Living math books
math word problems in a notebook

Science
Real Science-4-Kids Chemistry Pre-level I
by Dr R.W. Keller
Lots of hands on, whatever my son's interests are,
experiments

American History- Revolutionary War
Several spine books to be read aloud by me

World History
Greek and Roman History
The Story of the Greeks and The Story of the Romans
by H.A.Guerber
These are the spine books to be read aloud by me

Geography
Tree in the Trail and Seabird
by Holling C. Holling

Natural History
Parables of Nature
by Mrs. Alfred Gatty
Seashore Birds
by Burgess

Literature and Tales
Aesop's Fables
Fifty Famous Stories Retold

Composers
Bach, Vivaldi, and Beethoven

Artists
not decided yet

Free Reads
my oldest will choose from the library


Our Daily Rhythm

Wake up and wash faces and make beds
Before breakfast, we light the morning candle
and say our morning prayer
Breakfast
at breakfast Bible story and singing
am chores for all
Story telling and read alouds
outside time, unstructured play
snack prep with all helping
snack
M/T/W/TH/F activity
unstructured play
lunch
twins nap/quiet time
reading, math,writing, history, etc. for the oldest
up from nap/ quiet time
wash faces
snack prep with all helping
afternoon chores for all
unstructured play/soccer practice, etc.
dinner
bath time
reading and story time
nighttime candle lighting and prayer
bedtime

Monday- baking
Tuesday- painting
Wednesday- sewing/clay/play dough
Thursday-nature art
Friday- surprise

I am sure things will change here and there.
It was hard slimming down all the options out there.
I want our home school to be a gentle learning environment.
I am excited for the new school year.
Will be involving the little ones more, too cute.
Many blessings.

A Little Gem I Found For Our School Studies

Excitement abounds.
We have really been struggling with planning language arts for our 8 year old.
We want his introduction to be gentle and not full with lots
of workbook instruction.
After much research, We think we might have found what
we have been looking for.
It is called
The Basic Cozy Grammar Course.

Here is the description that is on their website:
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com

The Basic Cozy Grammar Course

Imagine learning grammar in front of a cozy fire with soft strains of classical music playing in the background, or on the beach while gulls and eagles soar overhead. Marie will quickly make you feel at home in her cozy beachside cottage. In this "living textbook", while she walks you through her cottage and around the grounds, she walks you through the rules and concepts of basic English grammar in a whimsical, fun-loving way.

Doesn't that sound fun?

We also ordered the punctuation course too.

Our school blue print is coming along nicely---finally. I will post our blue print soon.

Many blessings.

Planning Update

Still working on our upcoming school year.
Planning process is slow this year.
Hoping to be done by the end of July.
I will post our blueprint then.
Enjoying our hot, lazy days of Summer.
Many blessings.