While I am still in the planning stages for our upcoming new school year, here is the list of what we are planning to use this year:
Bible
For our daily devotional I really enjoy Little Visits with God. They have a new updated version, but I prefer the wording in the original book, which I found on Paperbackswap.com. Last year I used a variety of devotionals, including this one. This year I will only use this devotional.
Our main bible study will be Bible Study Guide for all ages. We are using the beginner student pages which is recommended for children in Kindergarten to age 3. Although the boys are in first grade I decided to use the beginner level so that our older daughter could participate as well.
We are also participating in a Co-op on Journey with Jesus. This is a 13-week program that we are doing with our co-op group. I am the instructor for this.
Additional Resources:
Nest Animated Hero Classics Biography dvd’s
Language Arts
This year we will begin using, First Language Lessons for the well trained mind.
For our vocabulary we are using Wordly Wise 1st grade. I’m sad to report that I purchased this last year and though I thought it was a good program, our life got hectic and I had to cut it out of our program due to time constraints.
For our reading program we are using a combination of:
Explode the Code 1 & 2, Bob Books Collection 3, and the First Grade readers from our Sonlight Core K program.
We are using the Handwriting without tears’ My Printing Book and Draw and write notebook workbooks this year. We have used the HWT program from the beginning and I cannot say enough good things about it. When we finish our workbook I will either advance them to the next level or just continue with daily copy work.
History/Geography
Sonlight Core K: Introduction to World Cultures
I’m not really sure if this is where I should file our Sonlight curriculum package, but because it includes history and geography I’m going to list it here even though it includes so much more. This is our first year using Sonlight and our first year buying a boxed curriculum program.
Beginning Geography: Land Forms & Bodies of Water (volume 2)
Beginning Geography: Continents & Oceans
Additional geography resources:
Math
Singapore Math Primary Mathematics 1A & 1B
Additional resources:
Science
This year our focus is on teaching the Scientific Method and using a microscope.
We do not use a set science curriculum, instead I piece together our own curriculum based upon our Scope & Sequence and current interests.
Nature study plays a big role in our homeschool program and we are continuing our studies using The Young Naturalist’s Guide to Florida and The Handbook of Nature Study.
The Arts:
We attend various plays and musicals throughout the year. The children receive formal art instruction with an art teacher and we enjoy doing arts and crafts whenever the mood hits us!
Co-ops and Extra curricular activities
- P.E (group/co-op) 1x per week
- Golf (private instruction) 2x per week
- Spanish (group /co-op) 2x per week
- Junior Lego League (co-op) 1x per week
- Art (group instruction) 1x per week
Sounds like it's going to be a busy and exciting year. I hope you all have a fabulous homeschool year. We're in our 6th week of 1st grade here. 🙂 Our co-op starts on the 24th of Sept (meets 2x a year for 8 sessions)…I'm teaching 3 classes…woohoo!
We love First Language Lessons. I think you'll enjoy it as well. Thanks for posting the details of your curriculum.
What is Family Math? I'm intrigued – I've never heard of it.
We're doing Core K too! However, of us it is the second time through as I used it the first time in 2002. It is a great year.
Thank you for sharing on the Blog Hop. I enjoyed reading what you will be doing this year.
Great list. My youngest is doing Core K this year. I'll have to check out the bible study you are doing.
Great to see another eclectic Science teacher 🙂 I do the EXACT same thing!