Joy to the Heart

Our 2018-2019 Curriculum

September 2, 2018 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

Here is our family’s Elementary to High School
Curriculum Choices for the 2018-2019 school year!

ELEMENTARY

Our 3rd Grader:

Reading/Phonics: All About Reading: Level 4; Explode the Code books 6-7
Literature: The Boxcar Children, Encyclopedia Brown, Mouse & the Motorcycle, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, How To Eat Fried Worms, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, A Bear Called Paddington, Louis Braille
Handwriting: Hero Handwriting (for manuscript review); Conquering Cursive
Spelling: Joyful Heart Spelling Skills
Writing/Grammar/Composition: BJU English 3
Math: Horizons 3 (and moving into 4), Xtra Math
Bible: Awana T&T, daily Bible Reading
Additions: Trail Life (Woodland Hawk)

Our 5th Grader:

Reading/Literature: Lion, Witch, & Wardrobe, The Hundred Dresses, Heidi, Misty of Chincoteague, The Indian in the Cupboard, Twenty One Balloons, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Wonder, Esperanza Rising, Ginger Pye, The Penderwicks; participating in a once a month book club; free reading
Writing/Grammar/Composition: BJU English 5; Spelling through Scripture; Word Roots 1
Math: Horizons 5
Bible: Awana T&T, daily Bible Reading
Additions: violin lessons, piano lessons, gymnastics, ballet

The Elementary ‘Together’ Subjects:

Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy
Social Studies: Ancient History – Mystery of History 1 with corresponding read alouds, timeline, notebook, etc.
Art: See the Light Art Class (some), art projects at our co-op

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our 7th Grader:

- Reading/Literature: Veritas Press Omnibus 2 Secondary (including The Hobbit , The Fellowship of the Ring , The Nine Tailors, The Dragon and the Raven, Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Winning His Spurs, The Two Towers, Henry V, King Richard III, and The Return of the King)
- Writing/Grammar/Composition: BJU English 7 (online, self-paced course)
- Vocabulary: Word Roots 3
- Math: Saxon Math 8/7 with PreAlgebra
- Science: Sonlight H – Technology
- Social Studies: Sonlight Core H – World History (using the core history and only selective read alouds/readers)
- Bible: Student Leader in Awana/Trek, daily Bible Reading
- Spanish: Getting Started in Spanish
- Computers: CompuScholar Digital Savvy (online, self-paced course)
- Additions: Trail Life (Navigator)

HIGH SCHOOL

Our 9th Grader:

English 9 (Christian Literature, Grammar, and Foundations of Composition):
– Full Length Novels
                The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
                The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
               The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
               God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
               Joni by Joni Eareckson Tada
Through the Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot
– Foundations of Composition (Excelsior online composition and grammar course)
Algebra 1 with Integrated Geometry: Shormann Algebra 1
Biology: Apologia Exploring Creation with Biology
World Geography: North Star Geography by Bright Ideas Press
Spanish 2: BJU self paced online course
Instrumental Music 1: Cello lessons, Piano Lessons, Member of the local youth orchestra
World Religion and Cultures:
                But Don’t All Religions Lead to God?
                World Religions: An Indispensable Introduction
                Mimosa
                Listening to the Language of the Bible
                Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus
                Sundar Singh: Footprints Over the Mountains
                Queen of the Dark Chamber
                Jacob Deshazer: Forgive Your Enemies
                I Dared to Call Him Father
                God’s Global Mosaic
                Foreign to Familiar
                iWitness Heresies and Cults
Additions: Student Leader in AWANA/Journey

Our 11th Grader:

English 11 (American Literature and Composition):
– Sonlight American Literature 430
                Eternity in Their Hearts           Brave Companions
                Up From Slavery                       Elements of Style
                A Separate Peace                       Best Short Stories of O. Henry
               Ender’s Game                              The Chosen
                Outliers   The Grapes of Wrath
                Evidence Not Seen                    Jacob Have I Loved
                Teaching a Stone to Talk        The Portable Poe
                Death of a Salesman                My Antonia
                100 Best Loved Poems             Fidelity
                How to Read a Book   Our Town
                The Scarlet Letter   On Writing Well
                Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
                Their Eyes Were Watching God
Algebra 2b with Integrated Geometry: Shormann Algebra 2
Advanced Biology: Apologia Exploring Creation with Advanced Biology
American History: Exploring America by Notgrass
Spanish 2: BJU self paced online course
Creative Writing: One Year Adventure Novel
Information Technology: CompuScholar Digital Savvy (online, self-paced course)
Additions: Student Leader in AWANA/Journey; Violin Lessons, Gymnastics, American Heritage Girls (Patriot); Driving Practice, PSAT/SAT Practice; writing/revising/editing her own novel

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Would you like to get a glimpse of what other homeschool moms have chosen for their families?

Check out Curriculum Week posts during the 10th Annual Back to Homeschool Blog Hop!

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Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Learning

Filed Under: Curriculum We Use, The Joy of Homeschool

Books, Books, Books!

June 5, 2018 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

Well, it’s finally happened. We have five voracious readers in the house! Books line our shelves, the library basket is overflowing, and the children are requesting to go check out more. I asked my children which books have been their favorites over the years. Here is a list of some of their
best loved chapter books .

From second grade through middle school, they’ve compiled a tremendous list of book choices for you. And, it’s just in time for summer reading!

Let’s Dig In!

2nd Grade Favorites

Our fifth child took off with reading during his second grade year. Yay! He went from loving the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel to Marjorie Weinman Sharmat’s Nate the Great series. He then surprised me and began reading the Imagination Station series! He has almost completed all of the books in the Imagination Station series. He enjoyed them so immensely that he requested that they be incorporated into his 8th birthday theme! I’m hopeful we can find another series that he enjoys just as well. He has (somewhat reluctantly) moved onto Geronimo Stilton books, but I’m planning on introducing him to the A to Z Mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown, and the Boxcar Children soon!

His sister, when she was 7-8 years old, loved the Amelia Bedelia chapter books by Herman Parish, the Critter Club series by Callie Barkley, The Magic Tree House series written by Mary Pope Osborne, the Thea Stilton series, as well as the seemingly endless Rainbow Magic Fairies book series by Daisy Meadows.

Rainbow Magic Fairies

3rd & 4th Grade Favorites

This past year, as a 9-10 year old, she has thoroughly enjoyed some classics like Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Norton’s The Borrowers series, and E.B. White’s books Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte’s Web. She also enjoys the Winne the Horse Gentler series written by Dandi Daley Mackall, the Tuesdays at the Castle series by Jessica Day George, and the Magical Animal Adoption Agency series by Kallie George.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The Borrowers

Trumpet of the Swan and Charlotte’s Web

Winnie the Horse Gentler

Tuesdays at the Castles

Magical Animal Agency

When our oldest son was her age (9-10), he took pleasure in reading the How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell, The Moffatt series by Eleanor Estes, and pretty much anything written by Andrew Clements. He also says that he enjoyed the Flashback Four series around that time as well.

How to Train Your Dragon

The Moffats

Andrew Clements’ School Stories

Flashback Four series by Dan Gutman

5th & 6th Grade Favorites

During his 5th and 6th grade year (aged 11-12), our son came across several books and series that he was pleased to devour! He recommends…

C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series

The Explorers series by Adrienne Kress

The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Copernicus Legacy series by Tony Abbott

The Hero’s Guide to Saving the Kingdom series by Christopher Healy

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen series by Eric Berlin

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Wizards of Once series by Cressida Cowell

The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Mysteries of the Cove series by J. Scott Savage

Masterminds series by Gordon Korman

My second oldest daughter recommends Esperanza Rising and the Starlight Animal rescue series as well for late elementary and early middle school readers.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

Starlight Animal Rescue series by Dandi Daley Mackall

Upper Middle School Favorites

My oldest daughters (ages 14 and 16) love to read as well. Although my oldest daughter has slowed down due to her course work load and her passion for writing her own book, I just can’t keep up with all of the books my 14 year old reads! For middle schoolers (aged 12-14), she recommends the following books and series…

Viking Quest series by Lois Walfred Johnson

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

The City of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau

A Night Divided by Jennifer A. Nielsen

The Giver Series by Lois Lowry

Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger

Freedom Seekers series by Lois Walfrid Johnson

The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff

The Missing series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

Share this list with a child you love and see if they can find a new book or series
that they might enjoy reading this summer
– either relaxing by the pool during those pesky safety breaks
– inside sitting under a fan on those dog days of summer
– or staying cool swinging in a hammock enjoying the warm breeze!

It’s the perfect time to delve into a great book!

Please note that the above links are NOT affiliate links. They are there as quick links to help visitors learn more about each book or series.

Filed Under: The Joy of Children, The Joy of Homeschool

Nativity Handprint Crafts

December 18, 2017 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

I’ve always enjoyed making handprint crafts with young children. There’s just something about painting their sweet little hands, the giggles that ensue, and the smiles that always result. And, of course, a memory is made and a print is captured– one that can never be duplicated seeing as our children are constantly growing and changing!

For the month of December, some common handprints that can be created are snowmen, reindeer, Santa, Christmas trees, hearts, and angels. Considering our family’s desire to focus more on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus, I’ve often desired to make a nativity handprint. After some eager experimentation by my 9 year old, I think we’ve found one that we like! The painting involved is a bit more detailed than your typical handprint craft, but I think it is well worth the time as it produces a beautiful, meaningful keepsake.

Steps to Creating Your ‘Nativity Handprint Craft’

1) Choose what item you want to make your nativity handprint on.

You may wish to have your child’s handprint on paper, cardstock, a potholder, an ornament, a December calendar page, etc.

2) Paint your child’s hand.

You can use washable tempera paint for printing onto paper, but I’d recommend using acrylics for printing onto other items.

Thumb – angel (You can paint the entire thumb one color.)

Index and pinky fingers – shepherds
Ring finger – Mary
Tall finger – Joseph

(Paint the tip of each finger a skin color to form the face and then choose another color for the rest of the finger to be the clothes . Try to paint each ‘person’s outfit’ a different color.)

Palm – baby Jesus in a blanket, on yellow hay, in a brown manger

Since there is a lot of paint to be applied (and the paint can dry rapidly), you will want to try to paint quickly and/or may need to retouch a few areas of the hand before going on to the next step.

3) Press the painted hand onto your choice of material.

For flat items, simply have your child place their hand straight onto the paper and then gently press their hand down. For round items, like an ornament, have your child grasp the item. (You may wish to have them practice them before their hand is painted.) Whatever the item to be printed, encourage your child to not move their fingers or palm in order to avoid smudges and smears.

Once you believe the print is transferred, the child can lift their hand away – straight up from a horizontal surface. For a round object, you may wish to gently pull the round object away as he/she pulls their hand straight back in the opposite direction.

Some examples….

cardstock

Styrofoam ornament

plastic fillable ornament

4) Use a small paintbrush to touch up any areas that may not have been filled to your liking.

You could also repaint your pinky to add wings to your angel.

5) Let air dry.

The time allowed for drying will vary based upon the material that you chose to paint. (Paper will be quicker than other items. Our plastic fillable ornaments took at least an hour to dry completely.)

6) Use colored permanent markers to add details.

**If your handprint is painted on a clear fillable ornament, you will have a couple of additional steps.

a) stuff with shredded paper

b) add a Scripture reference

Free printable tags for Luke 2:10-11 at Hubbard’s Cupboard

c) Attach twine as a hanger and then wrap it with a thin ribbon to form a bow.

And, there you have it –
an enjoyable craft that can foster a moment to pause, during this busy season,
and to communicate the meaning of Christmas!

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts and Sewing, The Joy of God's Word

Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments

December 15, 2017 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:1-3

John 1 may not sound like a typical portion of Scripture to be memorizing during the Christmas season, but as you memorize and reflect on the meaning, it becomes a wonderful text to dwell upon leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth!

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John 1:9

Who is Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What were the circumstances surrounding his birth? How did people respond to His coming? How will you respond to the Good News of God sending His One and Only Son, wrapped in flesh, to die on the cross for the payment of your sins? These are just a few of the questions my children and I are contemplating as we take time to memorize John 1 and study the significance of some of the titles given to Jesus as we work our way through His Great Name: Jesus (Volume 2).

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

As we study His Great Name, I am continuing to attempt to come up with additional, creative ways that we can have His name before our eyes, ingrained in our minds, and pulling on our hearts this Christmas. Why? Well, as we grow older and mature in our faith, we need reminders that Jesus is more than a baby born in the manger long ago. Our Heavenly Father sent the Son of God, the long awaited Messiah, Immanuel, the Creator, the Alpha and Omega, the Light of the World, the Servant of the Lord, the Lamb of God, etc. – to redeem His people and to bring glory to His Name!

Today, I want to share one more possibility for intentionally setting a reminder of who Jesus truly is before our hearts and minds – making Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments. As you prepare and assemble these ornaments with your children, I pray that you will take time to look up the verses under each title of Jesus and reflect on the amazing outpouring of love and mercy God has shown to us in sending the gift of His Son, Jesus!

How To Form Your ‘Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments’

1) Download the FREE Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments printables from Hubbard’s Cupboard.

2) Print the ornament pieces onto white cardstock.

3) Carefully cut around each circle.

4) Rearrange the name circles by making a color pattern that appeals to you.

5) Fold each circle in half, between the two titles of Jesus.

6) Using a glue stick, attach one folded backside to a different folded backside.

7) Continue gluing until you have connected half of the folded circles together.

8) Then, affix another set of four folded circles together.

9) Cut the gold curling ribbon (or another thin ribbon) to approximately 10 inches in length.

10) On one set of assembled circles, use glue to adhere the ribbon.

11) Spread glue all along the backside of one set of glued circles. Carefully align and join the two sets of circles.

12) Push your fingers towards the centers of the name circles, making sure to firmly press and smooth each one.

13) Using scissors, carefully trim the edges of the circles that show any white backing.

14) Slightly adjust the direction of each name as needed.

15) Cut a second color of ribbon to be about 10 inches long. Tie this piece of ribbon around the first ribbon to form a bow (or tie a second piece of curling ribbon and use scissors to curl it).

16) Display on your tree, give as a party favor, tie onto a present, etc.

Yet to all who received him,
to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God…

John 1:12

Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved.

Acts 2:14

More resources for studying the Names/Titles of Jesus…

Filed Under: Christmas, The Joy of God's Word, The Joy of Holidays

Names of Jesus Banner

December 1, 2017 by Michelle (Joyful Heart) Leave a Comment

Would you like a simple, yet meaningful, banner to decorate your home this Christmas? If so, I have two free printables for you that I hope will bless you and your family!

I recently finalized the second volume of His Great Name: Jesus. For each volume, I decided to also create coordinating pennants with the titles of Jesus that we are studying. Regardless of whether you also choose to explore the titles given to Jesus with us this Christmas, feel free to print and make your own banner to adorn your home and bring a heedful reminder to who we want to focus our hearts and minds on each day- Jesus!

Gather your supplies:

Names of Jesus Banner (2 FREE printables to choose from at Hubbard’s Cupboard)
White Trim/Cord (3 yards long and about 3/16 inches thick)
Cardstock (white)
Scissors
Hole Punch

Steps to Creating Your ‘Names of Jesus Banner’

1) Download the ‘Names of Jesus Banner’ printable from Hubbard’s Cupboard.

2) Print the banner pieces onto white cardstock.

3) Carefully cut along the thick, black, outside edges of each pennant.

4) Use your hole punch to make two holes in each name pennant.
(Punch each hole along the dotted line, halfway between the top edge of the pennant and the name block.)

5) Organize the pennants so that there is an even amount of names and titles on either side of the larger ‘Jesus’ pennant. (We organized our name pennants according to the order in which we plan to study the titles of Jesus using His Great Name: Jesus (Volume 2). )

6) Slide each name along the cord, adjusting the space between each as necessary.

7) That’s it! Super easy!

Now, you have a simple, but purposeful trimming for your fireplace, larger doorway, or wall.

Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy.
~ Psalm 99:3

May you cherish this season leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior!

Filed Under: Christmas, The Joy of God's Word, The Joy of Holidays

discovering joy in the journey
Joy to the Heart

Our 2018-2019 Curriculum

Books, Books, Books!

Nativity Handprint Crafts

Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments

Names of Jesus Banner

Recent Posts

Categories

discovering joy in the journeyJoy to the Heart

Our 2018-2019 Curriculum

Books, Books, Books!

Nativity Handprint Crafts

Names of Jesus Paper Ornaments

Names of Jesus Banner

Recent Posts

Categories

discovering joy in the journey
Joy to the Heart