What We Use

School has "officially " been back in session for a week here at our house. I frequently get asked why we start so early. I'm not a very eloquent person and usually fumble on the spot. I use words like,"uh", and " that's what I was meaning to say". But, the reasons we start back so early are:

1. It's SUPER HOT here!
2. I like to be done with the bulk of our studies in April so that I can start planning in May before the Homeschool convention.
3. Usually 3 out of the 4 chickadees are begging to start.
4. We still have summer fun, take days off and so it isn't straight school, day in and day out. A little crazy on my schedule, but doable!

So these are some of my reasons. Catch me on any given day and I could have more or less.

I spoke of scheduling. I'm a real nerd when it comes to scheduling. I micro manage our individual and daily schedules down to the last minute. Then I feel totally relieved that I have this wonderfully organized schedule and super curriculum to start us on our path of learning. After a day or two, maybe even a week we start to veer from my masterful schedule and get into a steady rhythm that works well for everyone. I make my school plans out for 36 weeks and we check off a day at a time. When everyday is checked off and all the books and tools are used we are pretty much done for the year. (I then have grandiose plans of what we'll study over the summer, but that's for another day).

So everyone is happy. My state and I, that is. I need to have proof of records in case there is ever an issue and I still feel I can veer and swerve at our own pace if need be. as long as we get it all done!

So on to curriculum. I use a bit of everything. I enjoy a bit of Charlotte Mason, Classical and Unschooling Styles (this is used during the summers and holidays). I've used most everything out there trying to find what works best with visual learning disabilities. I've come across a tremendous amount of wonderful curriculum that just doesn't work with our styles, issues and numbers of people. But the curriculum is soooooo good you just want to keep it because you never know when you may be able to implement it! Weird, I know...Or maybe even my grandchildren will be able to use it (someday)!

Here"s a list of what were using this year:

1st Grade

1. Saxon Math 2
2. Draw Write Now Books 1 and 2
3. Handwriting Skills Simplified- Learning Cursive (Ding,Ding,Ding)
4. Rod and Staff reading
5. All About Spelling (ding, ding, ding WE HAVE A Winner)
6. Apologia Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day, audio (tapes I made this summer- Ding,Ding,Ding) and online note booking pages for beginning writers
7. Tapestry of Grace year 2 Fall of Rome to the Colonies- Lower Grammar

4th Grade

1. Saxon Math 54
2. Handwriting Simplified- Cursive
3. Abeka Health- On her own
4. All About Spelling
5. Rod and Staff 3 grade reading and workbook- we pick and choose from the workbook
6. Scripture memory writing
7. Apologia Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day, audio and note booking for writers(ding,ding,ding)
8. Tapestry of Grace Y2 and Writing Aids- Upper Grammar

7th Grade

1. Saxon 87 with Saxon teacher- ding, ding, ding! Most bang for the buck out of all the math programs with a "teacher" component.
2. Abeka Health 8th grade- free read
3. Rod and Staff 8th grade reading comp.
4. Rod and Staff 6th grade English
5. Artistic Pursuits Junior High Art 1- Ding, Ding, Ding- a real art instruction program.
6. Apologia General Science- She's playing with the big chicks now!
7. Tapestry of Grace and Writing Aids Y2- Dialectic
8. FLVS- Typing- would not recommend!

****Tapestry of Grace has TONS of Literature, we also use Streams of Civilization , Story of the World with this program and everything else I can get my hands on about the time period from the Library and friends. Our 2nd year using this curriculum. Daunting but very rich!

11th Grade

1. Life Of Fred Geometry- We've tried everything and seems the most understandable. Also like Teaching Textbooks, Math U See and Saxon for other students. 1 credit
2. NotGrass American History, Literature and Bible-DING, DING,DING! Very pleased with program. Everything is laid out for your Highschooler. I read the literature also, so that we can have in depth discussions. We also used the World History program and will use the American Gov't and Economics. 3 credits
3. Rosetta Stone French-1 credit
4. Apologia Marine Biology- 1 credit plus lab
5. FLVS Computer Programming- 1 credit
6. Work Release- 1 credit (not sure if we can still count this one towards graduating total, but still earned)

total 8 credits

So that's what I'm attempting to teach my children this year by the Grace of My Lord.

Any questions?

Maybe tomorrow I'll pop up my glorious schedules!!!