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If I could describe the 2018-2019 school year in one word, I’d say it was fine. We went through the motions and the kids still learned quite a bit, but I just didn’t have that spark, that passion for teaching. It was all just fine. Bluh.
This year, I have five students (!!) ranging from PreK to middle school and it seems like a turning point for me: I need to step up my game and take my job more seriously. I believe that homeschooling is the best choice for us right now – my kids, especially the ones with learning disabilities, are thriving! – and I want to be better for them. I started planning in July, spending hours brainstorming, researching, and preparing. I know reality is never as perfect as I plan (story of my life), but I’m still excited and ready to begin.
Below is my labor of love, the feast of ideas for the first twelve weeks:
TERM ONE: AUGUST 19 – NOVEMBER 8
MORNING BASKET
- The Presidents Visual Encyclopedia (continuing on from last year)
- The Great Adventure Storybook
- Read Alouds:
- The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Book 1: The Mysterious Howling
- Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
- The Borrowers (and then watch the movie!)
SEVENTH GRADE HISTORY
Books and Activities:
- Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
- The Golden Bull
- The Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt
- The Golden Goblet
- Adara
- complete an Egyptian-inspired escape room
FIFTH GRADE HISTORY
Spine: Beautiful Feet’s Modern and US History program
I stretch this guide into two years. The first term is spent entirely on the Civil War.
Books, Field Trips and Projects:
I stretch this guide into two years. The first term is spent entirely on the Civil War.
Books, Field Trips and Projects:
- Across Five Aprils
- The Perilous Road
- Iron Thunder
- Dear Austin: Letters from the Underground Railroad
- Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt
- Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad
- learn (memorize?) the Gettysburg Address
- Lincoln’s Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever
- field trip to one of the local battlefields
- attend a living history reenactment
EXTRAS FOR THE TWO OLDEST BOYS
- Logic: The Fallacy Detective
- Vocabulary from Classical Roots
- Classic Novels
PRE-K-THIRD GRADE HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY
Trying something new this year! For Term One, we are studying China, Japan, Thailand, India, Antarctica, Australia and Morocco.
Books:
- Maps
- Anno’s China
- The Story About Ping
- Ming Lo Moves the Mountain
- The Seven Chinese Brothers
- Ruby’s Wish
- Grandfather’s Journey
- The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks
- Crow Boy
- Grass Sandals: The Travels of Basho
- Hush! A Thai Lullaby
- The Lotus Seed
- Once a Mouse…
- The Story of Little Babaji
- The Emperor’s Egg
- Mirror
MATH
- 7th grade: Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
- 5th grade: Teaching Textbooks 6
- 3nd grade: Teaching Textbook 3
- 1st grade: Abeka 1
WRITING
- 7th grade and 5th grade: Coverstory
- 3nd grade and 1st grade: WriteShop Primary Book B
MIDDLE KIDS READING & PHONICS
- J: Explode the Code Level 5
- S: Explode the Code Level 2 & Beyond the Code 1
TJ PRE-K
TJ has a speech delay and is a bit behind academically (if you can even say that about an almost 5-year-old!) but we’re plugging along at his pace. I can’t wait to see how he progresses now that he has official “schoolwork” to do each day.
TJ has a speech delay and is a bit behind academically (if you can even say that about an almost 5-year-old!) but we’re plugging along at his pace. I can’t wait to see how he progresses now that he has official “schoolwork” to do each day.
- All About Reading Pre-Reading
- ABC See, Hear, Do
- speech games and worksheets from The Speech Zone
- Farmyard Math
- Mathematical Reasoning Beginning 1
- Year of Playing Skillfully
- tons and tons of picture books
SCIENCE
To make my life easier, I decided to just do one science theme for everyone and adjust the work to their ages and abilities.
- Noeo Science Chemistry 2
- Nature Study – Trees
CREATIVE EXTRAS
Trying something new! In the afternoon, they will have a list of activities that they are welcome to do. These are open-ended and largely self-taught.
- Home Art Studio: Second Grade
- Coding using Scratch and these books: Star Wars Coding Projects and Code Your Own Games!
- Guitar Lessons
- Typing via Typing Instructor
- Foreign Language via Duolingo
- Simply Draw with Bob Parsons
- Claymation
Wow, so many things! Good luck on the new school year
I love your book display on the wall! We used Around the World Part 1 last year and loved it. I know you're already familiar with BFB, so you know it will be a hit, but have fun! We're excited to start Part 2.
I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it! I'm really excited to get started.