discovering joy in the journey

Joy to the Heart

The following is what our family has selected to try to implement for the new school year.  Starting this school year, we have an 8 year old third grader, 6 1/2 year old first grader, 4 1/2 year old PreK child, an active 2 1/2 year old, and a 4 month old baby.

Due to having an infant in the house who is not in as good of a routine as the other children were at this age, we plan to start with the basics (Bible, Language Arts, and Math) and then add in more formal science, history, and geography in a couple months.  We’ll just have to see how smoothly, or not, things go!

Bible and Devotions

• Daily Proverbs
• Family Memory Verse Work
• Character Traits and Bible stories from Joyful Heart Character
• ‘Thankful Thursday’ gratitude notebook
• Proverbs Family Night Tool Chest by Jim Weildmann – one night a week with Daddy!

Science/ Art / Music / Foreign Language

• Backyard Nature Notebook
• A homemade orchestra study incorporating ‘A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’
• Rosetta Stone Latin American Spanish

Read Alouds
Until we begin our purchased MFW curriculum, we plan to read classics such as The Trumpet of the Swan, Heidi, The Secret Garden, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and Charlotte’s Web.

Reading / Language Arts /Math
our 3rd grader…

• Readers:  a mixture of Sonlight 2A and 3 regular readers, free choice reading on her own, Book Report Task Cards
• Explode the Code books 7 and 8 for phonics
• Sequential Spelling
• A Reason for Handwriting Book T – We plan to finish the transition lessons and then move into the second half of the book.  This series has the child practice writing a few letters and words each day that pertain to a certain Bible verse.  Then, on the last day, the child copies the full verse neatly.
• Copywork – Bible verses from the Joyful Heart Character lessons
• Grammar and Writing:  Primary Language Lessons and writing letters
• Horizons Math (completing Level 2 and heading into 3)
• Flashcards
• Hands on Math games from Right Start
• Calendar Binder and Math Task Cards (did for only first semester)
• Writing With Ease level 2 (started second semester)

our First Grader…

• Readers: Abeka 2nd grade readers, free choice reading on own, book sheets
• Explode the Code books 4 and 5 for phonics
• Sequential Spelling
• Copywork – Bible verses from the Joyful Heart Character lessons
• Grammar and Writing:  Daily Language Lessons for 1st, Grammar & Punctuation,  and writing letters
• A Reason for Handwriting Book B
• Horizons Math Level 1
• Flashcards
• Hands on Math games from Right Start
• Calendar Binder and Math Task Strips (did for only first semester)
• Writing With Ease level 1 (started second semester)

our Pre K child…

First Semester

• Joyful Heart Character -Bible story, memory verse, character trait study, and beginning reading activities
• Calendar Binder

Second Semester

• ABeka K readers, lots of reading from leveled readers at the library, phonics readers (Then, he took off and began reading everything he could get his hands on.  He loves Nate the Great, Bernstein Bears, the Bible, etc.)
• Explode the Code 1
• Horizons Math K

our toddler…

• Singing verses in her Joyful Heart Tune Binder
• Catechism questions and answers
• Manipulatives and games with Mommy
• Do-a-Dot Letter Art – from Confessions of a Homeschooler
• Enjoying books
• play, play, play =)

our infant…
I keep joking with my husband that our youngest ‘student’ is the one I expect to see the most growth in this year!  From getting into a consistent routine, rolling over, sitting up, eating baby foods, ‘talking’ more, etc, he has his own full blown curriculum to work on!

Lifeskills and Extracurricular Activities

• Hand Sewing:  We will continue to use My First Sewing Book (Level 1) and My First Embroidery Book (Level 2) both by Winky Cherry.
• Gymnastics (oldest three kids)
• Ballet (oldest two girls)
• AWANA – We have a T&T, a Sparks, a Cubbie, and a Puggle now!
• Family Chore Time
• Some homeschool outings/ field trips with other families in our church.

To Be Added in a Couple Months
It was difficult when we came to the conclusion that it would be best for our family to wait a couple months before working through the following curriculum!

History / Geography
Exploring Countries and Cultures in My Father’s World from My Father’s World Curriculum is our choice for this school year.   It includes geography (learning about various countries around the world), a Bible study of the book of Matthew, praying for unreached people groups around the world using Window on the World, science (biomes),  hands on art and science projects, integrated narration and copywork, read alouds about missionaries, music from other countries, and cooking experiences.  We can’t wait to start our adventure around the world!

Bible and Devotions
MFW study of the book of Matthew
(including copywork for the oldest two girls  ~ You can find free printables to coordinate with the verses from Matthew here.)

Science
As we learn about different countries and cultures, we will also be learning about the animals that live in those environments.   We plan to use the resources suggested in the MFW ECC curriculum – The Living World Encyclopedia, Properties of Ecosystems, The Big Book of Animals, The Great Animal Search, and the Encyclopedia of Animals.

Art

• MFW incorporates the use of Global Art by Mary Ann Kohl.
• Draw Write Now – We will be drawing animals to coordinate with the different continents and regions/habitats of the world.

If you are interested in seeing what other homeschoolers are doing, check out the Not Back to School Blog Hop hosted at Heart of the Matter!  It is Curriculum Week!

As part of the NOT Back to School Blog Hop, here are our curriculum choices for this school year.  This year, as we looked at curriculum, we had to consider the needs of our 2nd grader, Kindergartner, 3 year old Preschooler, and our adorable, but fast moving toddler!

Bible and Devotions (with the oldest 3 kids)

1. Bible Notebook  – The older two girls read a section and then draw and write about it.  I read aloud to the younger two children and talk briefly about what was read.
2. Hymns for a Kids Heart: Volume 1 – We hope to learn and sing one new hymn a month.
3. Leading Little Ones to God

History / Geography

Adventures in My Father’s World from My Father’s World Curriculum is our choice for this school year.  It includes a Bible study of the names of Jesus, science (which we are modifying slightly since we did most of the experiments last year), history of the exploration and founding of the United States, a state by state study,  hands on projects, integrated narration and copywork, read alouds, and music which includes learning to sing patriotic songs as well as to appreciate the music of Tchaikovsky.

Science

1. Sonlight Discover and Do Level 1 Science (experiments with light, water, and magnets)
2. Nature Study – I finally have a copy of the Handbook of Nature Study by Ann Comstock and am going to TRY to incorporate a weekly nature walk.

Art

1. Art Appreciation – We are continuing to use the Come Look With Me series.  This year we plan to use Come Look With Me: Art in Early America and Come Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children.
2. How to Teach Art to Children (from Evan Moor)
3. Draw Write Now – I’ve coordinated some of the lessons in books 2, 3, and 5 with the MFW learnings.  Our K student will only be doing the drawing portions, but her older 2nd grade sister will be expected to do the writing portion as well.

Reading / Language Arts /Math

our 2nd grader…

1. Readers:  Abeka 2nd grade readers, Sonlight 2nd grade intermediate readers and then the 2A readers when she is ready, free choice reading on her own
2. Explode the Code books 5 and 6 for phonics
3. Building Spelling Skills –  I plan to just choose 10 of the words they have listed each week.  She also needs more practice with spelling sight words.
   (Update: We decided to just choose sight words, words from her Explode the Code lessons, and a couple words from her handwriting verse to make 12 spelling words each week instead of using the spelling book.)
4. A Reason for Handwriting Book T – We plan to use half of this book for 2nd grade and the second half for 3rd.  This series has the child practice writing a few letters and words each day that pertain to a certain Bible verse.  Then, on the last day, the child copies the full verse neatly.
   (Update: In addition, I dictate the Bible verse to her three days a week.  I say the verse once and she has to write the verse correctly without help (spelling, punctuation, etc.).  When finished, she then checks her work against the original and makes any necessary corrections.)
5. Grammar: Daily Language Review and Grammar and Punctuation (both from Evan Moor)
6. Write On Target for Grades 1&2
   (Update:  We have used this sporadically and not each week.)
7. Horizons Math (completing Level 1 and heading into 2)
8. Flashcards
9. Hands on Math games from Right Start

our Kindergartner…

1. Readers: Abeka 1st grade readers, Sonlight readers (She is reading the first grade already and even the 2R and 2I levels on her own, so I will probably just let her pick each day what she wants to read to me.), free choice reading on own
2. Explode the Code books 1-3 for phonics
3. Hands on sight word spelling
4. A Reason for Handwriting Book A
   (Update: In addition, just as I do for our 2nd grader, I dictate the Bible verse to her three days a week.  I say the verse once and she has to write the verse correctly without help (spelling, punctuation, etc.).  When finished, she then checks her work against the original and makes any necessary corrections.)
5. Can You Find Me? (k-1)
6. Horizons Math Level K (continuing from last year)
7. Hands on Math games from Right Start

our preschooler…

1. Bible and Rhyme for 3’s (not the full curriculum)
2. Playdough mats, learning puzzles, hands on games and manipulatives
3. Can You Find Me? (preschool)
4. potty training  =)

our toddler…

1. play, play, play =)
2. books with mommy and siblings

Lifeskills and Extracurricular Activities

1. The Quiet Art Series Lessons in Responsibility for Girls Level 1 for ages 6-8 (from Pearables)
   (Update:  We found this book to be just ‘okay’ during our use of it first semester.  Second semester, we plan to have a greater emphasis on sewing skills.  The plan is to work on beginner’s crosstitch, use out potholder looms, and then move into using the following two books…My First Sewing Book (Level 1) and My First Embroidery Book (Level 2) both by Winky Cherry.)
2. Playing the Recorder – Our 2nd grader is using My First Hymnal and is doing it at home with Daddy.
3. Gymnastics (oldest two girls)
   (Update: Second semester, we are switching to ballet!)
4. AWANA – We have two Sparks and a Cubbie now!
5. Some homeschool outings/ field trips with other families in our church.

Okay, that sure looks like a LOT all written out!  We began mid July and trying to fit everything in each week has been a challenge.   I think I’ve concluded that the curriculum we have chosen is appropriate, but the implementation of it needs to be adjusted (For example, how many days a week we try to do grammar or how the readers are scheduled may be changed a bit to make it more manageable.)  So, we may be tweaking here and there as our school year gets into full swing =)

Hop on over to see what other homeschoolers are planning for their children or share what you have decided!  I hope to participate in the other weeks of the Not Back to School Blog Hop.  Next week, it’s a school room hop!  Take a peek at where we ‘school’.

So, what have we been using this year for our homeschool journey?

Bible and Devotions (with the oldest 3 kids)

1. Listening to the Bible on CD using the Word and Song Bible
2. Worship songs – from Chris Tomlin CD’s to Cedermont Kids to breaking out in our own songs periodically
3. AWANA Bible Memory – We currently have a Puggle, Cubbie, and a Spark!
4. ABC Bible Memory Verses: Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts by Susan Hunt – one a week, in ABC order
5. Learning the Ten Commandments using the Bible and Hand Commands
6. Learning the catechism and how to apply it using Susan and Richie Hunt’s book Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God

Reading and Language Arts

our first grader…

1. Readers:  Sonlight Readers 1  (with additional leveled readers from Abeka which we are borrowing from a friend, Pathway readers which use a lot of sight words and have very sweet stories that my daughter enjoys, and any other readers we find that are appropriate for her =) )
2. Explode the Code books 3 and 4 for phonics
3. Spelling from Sonlight Language Arts 1
4. Reading and spelling words from a high frequency word list
5. Copywork – the ABC Bible memory verse for each week
6. Draw Write Now book 1
7. Handwriting Skills Simplified for Grade 1
8. Grammar – Daily Language Review
9. Writing Folder

our Pre Kindergartner…
I’m using parts of my 4’s curriculum with my 4 year old for LA.   She already knows all of her letters and sounds and has started reading some of the BOB books, predictable readers, and decodable words.  She is learning her sight words, word families, rhyme, letter formations, etc.  She can also work on activities in the literacy tubs. She also loves to write in her writing notebook and comes up with some cute 1-2 sentence stories!  (We will be staritng Explode the Code 1 and Horizons Math K with her in January.)

our toddler…
For my 2 1/2 year old, I am trying to set time aside to read aloud just to
him. I have Before Five in a Row for him, but so far I am just reading the
stories to him as he chooses them.   I also have a special  ‘school bin’
with hands on activities just for him during school time.  This poor little guy is missing out on most of the 2’s curriculum that his sisters used, but he is still getting some one on one with mommy and is learning God’s Word through his Joyful Heart Memory Verses!

Math

1. Horizons 1 Math (We used BJU last year and she did well with it.  However, it didn’t focus as much on math facts and skip counting by 3’s. 4’s. etc. at the K level, so when we switched to Horizons, we were a little behind in those areas.  She is on par with everything else so far =) )
2. Math flashcards and hands on activities for practicing addition facts.  Here is a link to several easy ideas we have been implementing.  (Counting and Simple Addition)
3. BJU math workbook 1 (on her own for fun and to coordinate with the math homeschool class that she is taking)
4. Calendar Binders (We’ve added tally marks and money for our first grader.)
5. Mind Benders
6. Math tubs

Science

Sonlight K Science (The kids LOVE the Discover and Do DVD!)

History and Read Alouds

1. Sonlight Core K (ages 5-7)  We have been using the Core K history selections and read alouds.  The girls have loved the read aloud choices so far.  They have especially enjoyed The Boxcar Children and My Father’s Dragon.  We did a lapbook to coordinate with My Father’s Dragon and it went really well.  They liked it so much that we are going to try to do another one with our Johnny Appleseed book this week. www.homeschoolshare.com .has tons of free printable lapbooks which makes this so much easier to attempt!
2. YWAM publications – The girls also enjoy listening to us read aloud the YWAM Christian Heroes Then and Now books and often listen on their own to the YWAM Heroes for Young Readers CD.

Art

1. From time to time, painting just for fun!
2. Crafts related to the seasons or holidays
3. Art Appreciation – Come Look With Me series

Extracurricular Activities

1. AWANA (oldest 3 kids)
2. Gymnastics (oldest two girls)
3. Homeschool group (one day a week for our first grader)  She has a full day of classes!  She is taking ballet, math, physical education, art, music, science, and storybook cooking!

Below, I am hesitantly sharing what we do – a Day in the Life with our Kindergartner, almost 4 year old preschooler, and our just turned 2 year old toddler.  Oh, and this homeschool mommy is pregnant with blessing number four and expecting in 2 weeks =)   So, our ‘typical’ day and routines will be changing soon!

6am – My alarm goes off and mommy tries to get up (usually I’m up no later than 6:30am though), shower, daily Bible reading and meditation on God’s Word, prepare breakfast drinks for the kids (This may sound silly, but it is my way of prepping for the breakfast rush as I prefer to not have a toddler wrapped about my ankles or hanging on my side as I pour 6 glasses of liquids – 1 milk and 1 juice cup each.), eat my breakfast in the peace and quiet before little ones awake, and check email.  This is all accomplished on a good day =)

7:10-7:30am  – Our toddler usually awakes at some point during this time , is changed, dressed, and cuddled.  Then he tends to play with his trains while mommy sneaks in a load of laundry and makes the bed.

7:30am – Big sisters awake, get dressed, make beds (if they remember), and come downstairs for breakfast  (They may awake earlier than this, but per advice of some other moms, we have recently made a rule that they can’t come downstairs until 7:30am (mainly for mommy’s sanity=) . )

After breakfast, the kids brush their teeth, comb their hair, finish making beds, and play/read a little.

We try to start school no later than 9am.  We head downstairs to the basement playroom – which is a welcome and much loved addition to our home this fall!

We usually begin with our Calendar Time and focus in on the following….
Adding the new date card and stating fully, adding a tally mark for the number of days in the month,  saying the pattern for the month’s cards, talking about yesterday/today/tomorrow, checking the weather and adding a picture and sentence that describes the weather, marking on our weather graph, adding a straw for the number of days in school, singing songs such as ‘This is the Day’, ‘Seven Days’, and the ABC Song (using sounds instead of letters)   (Our K and preschooler, usually, are involved with this, and sometimes the toddler joins us for songs and to tries to take out the straws =) )

Math Time with my K student is typically next.  We are working our way through the Bob Jones University (BJU) Math lessons and corresponding workbook.   I am not an avid proponent of workbooks and worksheets for K and lower, but my daughter absolutely loves this approach.  This doesn’t mean we don’t do the active hands on though also with her!   During this time, 2 days a week, my preschooler also has some type of sorting, patterning, or counting and ordering hands on math activity to do.  My toddler plays, brings us things, sits on my lap, etc.

Bible and Character Focus
We have been following the Bible and Rhyme for 3’s this year for this time as well as memory verses from the girls’  AWANA program at church.   We typically introduce and read a new Bible story each week and then do related devotionals and sing songs / read related children’s books throughout the week.  (Both girls participate in this and the toddler plays or comes to sit and listen.)

Literacy Focus
Our kindergartner reads from her BJU reading booklet, a decodable book, and then chooses 3 additional books to reread to us.  Her preschool sister loves to sit and listen to her read and then takes the book and ‘pretend’ reads it!   Two days a week, our K child will also write in her Daily Writing Practice Book.  I got the idea from another Kindergarten teacher’s website.

Next, we will usually head upstairs for a snack and continue literacy at the kitchen table.  Our K child will write in her writing notebook and complete one or two pages in her Explode the Code phonics workbook.  Her preschool sister, depending on the day, will either be introduced to an alphabet letter that is related to this week’s Bible story and make related letter art or do a letter sort, picture sound sort, or practice letter formation in a tactile way.  (After eating his snack, our toddler either colors, looks at books at the table, watches Blues Clues, plays with some nearby toys, or clings to mommy =) )

Book/Theme a Week
This changes each week and is a time for more literacy, math, and art connections and/or a science and social study focus related to a children’s book or a holiday related theme.  Most of the ideas come from Story Lessons for K and/or the Bible and Rhyme Lessons for 3’s.  For example, last  week was a theme centered around Jan Brett’s book The Mitten and we focused on winter weather, winter wear, snow, and snowmen.  Some art projects can be done with our toddler around and participating (which he loves!), but sometimes we opt to do some of these activities at the start of rest time later in the day,

Missionary Story/Chapter Book
This is something I have been wanting to incorporate all year, but have been failing to do so!  I have just recently purchased books from Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and am trying to figure out a good time of day to incorporate these.

By this point in the day, we are all very ready for a lunch break!  This is usually when we end our ‘official’ school day.  After lunch is free play and stories.  Then comes nap for the toddler (and mommy at this point) and rest/quiet play for the K and preschooler.

After naps/quiet rest time is snack and more free play, stories, and some more Blues Clues.  Then dinner prep and a chorus of ‘Daddy!!!!’ sung out once daddy comes home =)

And that is it – a day in the life of our growing homeschool family =)