Curriculum Week
Our Curriculum for 2010-2011
Curriculum subjects where both boys use the same books are highlighted in yellow.
Bible:
Lapbooks
Timelines and Maps
Tools and Technology (Great Science Adventure)
I love using the Great Science Adventures books. The little booklets give great information and there are great activities that can be added to a lapbook.
Light and Sound (Great Science Adventure)
Christian Kids Explore Physics
We used Christian Kids Explore... for the first time last year, we used the chemistry one. This Physics one we reviewed for TOS last year and now we can add it to this year's physics study.
Exploring the World of Physics
Great overview of Physics, good for upper elementary and up. 14 chapters cover motion, the Laws of Motion, gravity, simple machines, energy, heat, states of matter, save motion, light, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, nuclear energy, and future physics. The early chapters incorporate plenty of scientific history, and include biographical details of many physicists.
TOPS books have experiments using everyday items you should have at home. They are very detailed and the experiments usually work. There are sample experiments on the link pages I gave you below.
TOPS Electricity
TOPS Light
TOPS Sound
TOPS Pendulums
Physics for Every Kid
We love Janice VanCleave. We can usually do most of the experiments in the book with just things we have around the house. I like how she explains why the experiment works like it does. It helps to make more sense of the science and does not just leave you wondering why it worked the way it did.
Lapbooks
Basic Physical Science Lapbook by HOAC
Simple Machines Lapbook by HOAC
Exploring Light Lapbook by HOAC
Heat and Temperature Lapbook by HOAC
The boys just LOVE these. This is their favorite part of doing physics. Building models that show the use of simple machines we study in our physics unit.
K'nex Intro to Simple Machines: Gears
K'nex Intro to Simple Machines: Wheels, Axles and Inclined Planes
K'nex Intro to Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys
Writing:
Institute for Excellence in Writing
Art Study
We study one artist a quarter. We do one painting a week and read about the artist and do some lapbook elements. We also have the elements in the activity pack from Homeschool in the Woods.
Art Appreciation Lapbook by HOAC
Hands-On History Activity-Paks - Artists
Music Study
We will study one musician a quarter, 4 a year. We will listen to music by that composer, read about the composer and do some lapbook elements. We also have the elements in the activity pack from Homeschool in the Woods.
Hands-On History Activity-Paks - Composers
A Young Scholar’s Guide to Composers
I may add some of this. We did the complete study last year. As we study the composers more slowly now I may add in the pages from this curriculum.
Hymn Study
Our Hymn Study will be based on the Hymn Study at Ambleside Online. I may use some of the hymns from previous years since this is our first year doing this. My children already know a lot of hymns because we sing hymns A Capella, four part harmony for special music at church and at nursing homes. I am going to pick hymns that we have not sung before.
Poetry Study
Our poetry study will be based in part on the Poetry Study from Ambleside Online. I will not be using the poems they suggest, at least at first, but I am adding poetry study into our weekly studies... poetry study will be every Thursday.
Math:
It is curriculum week. We are a very eclectic homeschool family. Using many things we like from all over... collected over the 20 years of homeschooling. I hope this list points you to some knew resources you have not used yet.
Our Curriculum for 2010-2011
Curriculum subjects where both boys use the same books are highlighted in yellow.
Bible:
Dallas High Schools Bible Study Course New Testament created in the 1930's I think. My husband is leading our Bible Study this year. That excites me. It is a basic overview with Bible reading and questions. It is a great resource for studying the Bible and we are using it as a family. We are doing this book Monday-Friday and...
Christian Character by Gary Maldaner on the weekends.
Great for self assessment and setting of goals for an improvement in character. Also studies each character trait and has an activity to complete. Great book. I am looking forward to the fruit that will come from working our way through this book.
Great for self assessment and setting of goals for an improvement in character. Also studies each character trait and has an activity to complete. Great book. I am looking forward to the fruit that will come from working our way through this book.
History:
I plan my own units for history. I use the following books as a base and add in lapbooks, maps, a timeline, biographies, and Historical Fiction. We are starting History with Elizabeth I this year and progressing as far as we get... no set time or place in history to get to by the end of the year. We just start where we stopped last year and keep going. When we get to modern times and finish we start back at creation.
The main book of our study this year until we finish it. We already covered book 1 and 2. We love MOH. Then Truth Quest will be our guide. I can't wait for MOH4 to be done... until then we carry on with what we can get.
This year will be our first year using Truth Quest. I hope we like it.
The Story of the Renaissance and Reformation
We are near the end of this book. We covered most of it last year.
These books are great. There is a whole series of these from ancient to great republic which goes through the administration of William McKinley at the end of the 19th Century.
We are near the end of this book. We covered most of it last year.
These books are great. There is a whole series of these from ancient to great republic which goes through the administration of William McKinley at the end of the 19th Century.
The Story of the 13 Colonies
We are in the beginnings of this book. We have only covered a few stories in here.
We are in the beginnings of this book. We have only covered a few stories in here.
I have the old version of this. I have used Diana Waring's books to add to our studies for years. The new version is supposed to be expanded. I have not seen it yet.
From 64 AD to 1976 AD
Lots of facts about events that are crucial to Christian History, a great addition to any study.
Lots of facts about events that are crucial to Christian History, a great addition to any study.
Lapbooks
Timelines and Maps
History Through the Ages - Record of Time (timeline) [this is a timeline where the kids add figures as you go through your history study]
I highly recommend the History Through the Ages Collection of Historical Timeline Figures on CD that goes with the timeline. They even keep the figures up to date and add new ones in to match the chapters of Mystery of History which we use as our spine for our History studies.
The above books are the main books we use for History. We use other biographies and non-fiction books also. I will not be listing all of them here, it would make this page way to long. Check my Week In Review posts to see what we are doing each week with more specifics and check our School Shelfari on my sidebar, too.
Historical Fiction:
This changes often. But you can check my Resources for 2010-2011 page and check our School Shelfari for what the boys are currently reading, too.
This is what the boys are currently reading:
This changes often. But you can check my Resources for 2010-2011 page and check our School Shelfari for what the boys are currently reading, too.
This is what the boys are currently reading:
Science:
I love using the Great Science Adventures books. The little booklets give great information and there are great activities that can be added to a lapbook.
Light and Sound (Great Science Adventure)
We used Christian Kids Explore... for the first time last year, we used the chemistry one. This Physics one we reviewed for TOS last year and now we can add it to this year's physics study.
Great overview of Physics, good for upper elementary and up. 14 chapters cover motion, the Laws of Motion, gravity, simple machines, energy, heat, states of matter, save motion, light, electricity, magnetism, electromagnetism, nuclear energy, and future physics. The early chapters incorporate plenty of scientific history, and include biographical details of many physicists.
TOPS books have experiments using everyday items you should have at home. They are very detailed and the experiments usually work. There are sample experiments on the link pages I gave you below.
We love Janice VanCleave. We can usually do most of the experiments in the book with just things we have around the house. I like how she explains why the experiment works like it does. It helps to make more sense of the science and does not just leave you wondering why it worked the way it did.
Lapbooks
The boys just LOVE these. This is their favorite part of doing physics. Building models that show the use of simple machines we study in our physics unit.
K'nex Intro to Simple Machines: Gears
K'nex Intro to Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys
Electronic Snap Circuits
Love, love, love this! Educational and FUN!!!
Love, love, love this! Educational and FUN!!!
Writing:
This is our first time using this material. I found out while previewing the Teacher set that my girls had done part of this as part of a co-op many years ago. This is our first time using it at home though and the first time using it for my boys. We are only finished using part of Lesson 1 so I will keep you updated as to how things are going. The first paragraph assignment went very well. The boys both wrote their stories without any complaints and liked typing them up to hand in.
Extra's:
Art Study
We study one artist a quarter. We do one painting a week and read about the artist and do some lapbook elements. We also have the elements in the activity pack from Homeschool in the Woods.
Art Appreciation Lapbook by HOAC
Music Study
We will study one musician a quarter, 4 a year. We will listen to music by that composer, read about the composer and do some lapbook elements. We also have the elements in the activity pack from Homeschool in the Woods.
I may add some of this. We did the complete study last year. As we study the composers more slowly now I may add in the pages from this curriculum.
Hymn Study
Our Hymn Study will be based on the Hymn Study at Ambleside Online. I may use some of the hymns from previous years since this is our first year doing this. My children already know a lot of hymns because we sing hymns A Capella, four part harmony for special music at church and at nursing homes. I am going to pick hymns that we have not sung before.
Poetry Study
Our poetry study will be based in part on the Poetry Study from Ambleside Online. I will not be using the poems they suggest, at least at first, but I am adding poetry study into our weekly studies... poetry study will be every Thursday.
Nathan's Individual Books
Math:
Financial Accounting from Professor in a Box
We reviewed this last year for TOS, that review can be found here.
Nathan was already doing Algebra 2 so we did a few lessons and put it away. We decided he did not need more trigonometry or pre-calc so we are having him do this practical product this year. This is the same as a semester of introductory accounting in college, taught by a college professor. This will come in handy for the business Nathan and his dad hope to start, the whole family will probably be involved. Nathan is excited about doing this. This Financial Accounting program is on 4 DVD's, 3 for the student one for the teacher. There are some pages that need to be printed out. You can also print out the powerpoint pages but that would be costly. Nathan will be doing it all on his laptop, except the pages that must be printed for him to complete the some of the problems. The quizzes and tests are also printed. You don't need anything but the DVD's, some ink and some paper, though.
Grammar:
Easy Grammar Plus
Nathan has been working on this slowly for the past 2 years. He should finish it this year. We have the older book from 1995. I guess I will have to upgrade when Christopher needs this program next year.
Nathan also does Building Life Relationships, Educational Foundations and Home and Life Management. These subjects are studied using Books, Cassette Tapes, Cd's, and DVD's we have on how to homeschool, how to get along with others, courtship, character study, and homemaking. We also add in practical experience in home, small engine, and car repair and maintenance. Getting along with siblings also adds to the practical experience of getting along with others. LOL
Math:
Financial Accounting from Professor in a Box
We reviewed this last year for TOS, that review can be found here.
Nathan was already doing Algebra 2 so we did a few lessons and put it away. We decided he did not need more trigonometry or pre-calc so we are having him do this practical product this year. This is the same as a semester of introductory accounting in college, taught by a college professor. This will come in handy for the business Nathan and his dad hope to start, the whole family will probably be involved. Nathan is excited about doing this. This Financial Accounting program is on 4 DVD's, 3 for the student one for the teacher. There are some pages that need to be printed out. You can also print out the powerpoint pages but that would be costly. Nathan will be doing it all on his laptop, except the pages that must be printed for him to complete the some of the problems. The quizzes and tests are also printed. You don't need anything but the DVD's, some ink and some paper, though.
Grammar:
Nathan has been working on this slowly for the past 2 years. He should finish it this year. We have the older book from 1995. I guess I will have to upgrade when Christopher needs this program next year.
Nathan also does Building Life Relationships, Educational Foundations and Home and Life Management. These subjects are studied using Books, Cassette Tapes, Cd's, and DVD's we have on how to homeschool, how to get along with others, courtship, character study, and homemaking. We also add in practical experience in home, small engine, and car repair and maintenance. Getting along with siblings also adds to the practical experience of getting along with others. LOL
Christopher's Individual Books
Math:
The boys really like Teaching Textbooks. Up to Algebra 1/2 we used Saxon. If I was starting over we would buy all the Teaching Textbooks. We like how they are laid out and they are much more easily understood. They are made by homeschoolers for homeschoolers. I highly recommend them. The boys love the independence of this curriculum and using the CD's on the computer.
Grammar:
Daily Grams: Guided Review - Aiding Mastery Skills for Junior High/Senior High Level teacher text
Typing:
The boys also read books of their own choosing and they will be doing Phys. Ed. They will be using our Elliptical Walker, our Bowflex and taking walks at Winterthur for phys. ed. and there may be some other activities thrown in. There is also a TOS/Fun box. If we have a TOS product to review it goes in that box... if not then the boys can do what they want.
Well, that is our 12 workboxes
Bible
Math
Writing
Science
Extra's
History
Grammar
Phys. Ed.
Historical Fiction
BLR/EF/HLM or Typing
Reading
TOS/Fun
I hope you enjoyed looking at what we are using for our homeschool this year. If you have questions leave a comment.
I love your History/Science filled curriculum!! Even your Bible Study books sound interesting! IF you were in a co-op near me I would want you leading!! LOL!! Sounds exciting... Have a Happy Homeschool Year Debbie! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks like a full and FUN year! I love the Hands of a Child Lapbooks and use many of them myself. They are so much fun and really add a lot to our studies!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing that Composer study on several of these blogs, I am going to have to check that out for sure!
Enjoy your new year!
Excellent and informative post. I love!!!! HS in the Woods stuff-they are the creme d'la creme of the lapbook world. Have a great world and I will have to ask ya how the TOPS go after you get a chance to use em. They look cool.
ReplyDeleteHave a great year!
Nice post and informative too. I will have to ask ya about the TOPS after you get a chance to test em out! They look fun. LOVE the HS in the Woods lapbooks! Have a great year!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a thorough listing of your curriculum. I definitely learned some new things. I think we just have Easy Grammar and Daily Grams in common. Great post!
ReplyDeleteSaying "hi" on the blog walk. It was fun looking through your curriculum choices you've used over the years.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great, fun selection you've got! We're using New World Explorers from Homeschool in the Woods this year, and I'm certain my kids will enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks like a great year. Stopping by on a blog walk to say hi!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun year filled with lots of hands-on excitement.
ReplyDelete