Homeschool Curriculum 2008-2009

Our homeschooling choices, narrowing them down… This is going to be a great school year! Though it is hard to nail down exactly what the kids’ grades are, I am considering Mikah to be in 2nd/3rd, Naomi to be 4th, and Haniya to be in 6th.

• Language Arts. We’re making the switch back to Pathway readers and workbooks, which we have explored in the past. This feels like a breath of fresh air. Not only will I have simple, old-fashioned readers for the kids, but the corresponding workbooks will cover phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and simple writing exercises. I will supplement with Daily Grams.

• Writing. Writing Strands (previously purchased) for Naomi and possibly Mikah. Because Haniya’s passion is writing, she will be working on a special curriculum — the One Year Adventure Novel.

• Latin. Continued study with English from the Roots Up, Volume I (for Naomi and Mikah) and Volume 2 (for Haniya).

• Math. Naomi (3rd/4th) and Mikah (2nd/3rd) will continue with Singapore Math and Miquon Math. Naomi will also use Key to Fractions. Haniya will begin using Teaching Textbooks for 6th grade. Mikah and Naomi will continue to practice math facts using the Flashmaster.

• Science. Continue using God’s Design for Science, but implement more experimentation and hands-on science in the kitchen and on the homestead. We’ll finish “God’s Design for Heaven and Earth” before moving on to “God’s Design for Chemistry.” We will purchase a weather station to do in-depth weather studies. Because Naomi’s passion is science, we will seek out additional science books, requiring her to read, research and write/present her findings. We will be challenged to find hands-on science projects for Mikah. He loves building and machines, but his hands are still little. We’ll do the best we can with projects around our property and continue to encourage him with his Legos and Fischertechnik.

• History. Mystery of History, Volume I: Creation to Resurrection. I’m excited about beginning this program, based on the reviews it gets and the relative simplicity of implementation. I have a dear friend whose family uses (well) and loves it, and her recommendation made a great difference in this decision. We can supplement as time or desire allows, but mostly I intend to rely on it as a one-book read aloud to draw our attention to God’s hand through the history of our world. I chose to purchase the reproducibles and the audio CD to enhance our enjoyment of this program.

• Art. Naomi and Mikah will continue drawing practice using the Drawing Textbook. I highly recommend this simple and comprehensive little textbook; I have enjoyed drawing with it myself. Haniya will use that along with How Great Thou Art.

• Music. This is an update to the original post. The children will continue taking piano lessons once per week.