Homeschool Planning for 2012-2013

After spending much of the summer in prayer and research, I have finally pulled together all of our materials for next year in one place.  It looks like a very over-stuffed book shelf but, believe it or not, there are going to be lots of library books that we will work our way through in addition to these this year.

The beauty of homeschooling is the ability to fit the learning to my children’s interests and needs.  Our crew includes a marine biology loving dyslexic 3rd grader, an invention crazy 2nd grader, and a joyful 3/4 preschooler.  They are very excited about choosing their materials for the year, and I am thrilled to follow them.

By the way, I should clarify, that just because I fully believe in letting the children have a say in helping to choose what we study, I am a very structured in our actual school methods.  If it were left up to my sweet students, we would only study science and history – not a option sorry kiddos.

If you look closely you will notice that Lego, embroidery kits, and sea monkeys are part of our learning materials for the coming year. It all makes sense in my grand plan. Really.  Here is the breakdown.

Math

For the 3 Rs we have found BJU Press to be a good fit for our family. We don’t use the video option for any of the subjects, but the colorful workbooks and intentional review are a beautiful and consistent system that works well for us.

BJU Press Math – level 3

 Two Plus Two is Not Five (Easy Methods to Learn Addition & Subtraction)
(addition skills review)

Math Mammoth money (money skills review)
—–

Language Arts

This is going to be the center of my energy this year.  Dyslexia is a tricky thing to work around, but we are making great strides with the materials we used last year, so we will press on.

BJU Press English 3 (grammar & writing)

Barton Reading & Spelling System

All About Spelling level 2

BJU Cursive Gr. 3

BJU Reading Gr. 3
—–

Social Studies

We are trying something new with social studies this year.  After having devoured hours and hours of The Story of the World the last time we studied the middle ages, I needed to find something new for this time through.  I liked the audio-book format, and loved the activity book, so those were on the top of my list in looking for a replacement.  Enter Mystery of History.  Audio, check.  Activities, check.  Christian worldview, check.  I’ll let you know how it works out for us.

Mystery of History Vol 2
(middle ages)

Veritas Press Middle Ages timeline cards & memory song – we loved their self paced class last year, but my computer just won’t keep up, so I had to opt out this year.

Various lapbook elements including these from The Chronicle of the Earth

 Draw and Write Through History: The Vikings, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance – volume 3

Evan-Moor Daily Geography Practice ,Grade 3

I may also add the beautiful maps from Map Trek.  Still researching this one.

—–

Science

Science is our favorite subject, so don’t let the short list below fool you.  This is where my kids get really excited and focus a lot of their attention.

Apologia Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day  and the corresponding Junior Notebooking Journal

Inventions of Leonardo da Vinci for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 21 Activities (For Kids series)

Human Body (various resources)
—–

Fine Arts

Meet the Masters – Track 3 (art & art history)

SKETCH Children’s Art Program

Fine Arts Integrated Through History – drama, music & art classes

Shakespeare for Kids: His Life and Times, 21 Activities (For Kids series)
—–

Physical Education

Swimming Lessons – Executive Health Club

Cross Country Ski Team – Bill Koch League

Ballet & Jazz – Imagine That Dance
—–

Read Alouds

We read ~ a lot.  These are some of the books that I have pulled out for the coming year, but I’m sure that we will find quite a few others to add in as we go.

All of a Kind Family
Viking Quest, Raiders from the Sea
Ink on His Fingers
Pilgrim’s Progress
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Adam of the Road
The Shakespeare Stealer
Mossflower
Invention of Hugo Cabret
Hank the Cowdog series
—–

Bible

Memorize books of the Bible – Wee Sing Bible Songs (Wee Sing) CD and Book Edition

Tabitha’s Travels: A Family Story for Advent
– Advent storybook, we have had a lot of fun with this series and are looking forward to Christmas

The Child’s Story Bible
This is my absolute favorite read aloud Bible EVER!  It is truly amazing, despite the hum-drum cover.  Really, if you look at nothing else, check out this book.

Did I miss anything?

Probably.  There are a lot of art/craft supplies hidden in the boxes on that shelf, and I have a huge binder stuffed with fun field trip and activity ideas.  Oh, and our preschooler is going to be working her way through my all-time favorite lesson plans, Five in a Row.  The right hand side of the shelves are for her.

It looks as if next year is going to be a lot of fun.  I can’t wait to break into those new books.

Off to go take a peek at what other families are planning.  Linking up with some great friends over at ihomeschool network.