We just started our homeschool year and I am a bit behind when I compare myself to previous years. It was a crazy summer and I kept stalling when it came to making decisions about curriculum. But, in the back of my mind, I kind of already knew what I would be doing.
This is the beginning of our ninth homeschool year and friends…I’ve tried most all the curriculum out there. {Or at least things similar.} It does take some trial and error to find your family and individual child rhythm. Were the mistakes easy? Nope. But I learned from them and I am able to go into this {and the past three or so} school years feeling pretty confident that the “plan” will work.
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I get asked soooo often on social media about our homeschool curriculum. And while, I absolutely LOVE to share what we love, I am the first to say, “this is why it works for us.” And if my reason doesn’t sound like it will fit with your family, that’s okay with me. I’ll consider myself a help either way because my heart really lies in sharing what we do and then allowing you the space to use that information and translate it to your family.
So, let’s get this curriculum party started. Quick reminder: I have a 6th, 9th, and 11th grader this school year. {If you are interested in our 5th, 8th, and 10th grade curriculum, click HERE.}
Let’s get started with the youngest…6th grade:
Yep, that’s a big ‘ol stack of books for a 6th grader. But, before you {and he} has a heart attack, hear me out. He and I do history, science, Bible, and health together. And the math and art are done split: I teach a lesson and then he does the work.
This kiddo has not spent one day in a public or private school, so he’s my “ultimate homeschool experiment” and had the added benefit of all the kinks being worked out on his older siblings. I joke that he will be a doctor by the age of 15 because I will have it {mostly} figured out by then. {I joke.} So why did I decide on these specific books?
{Click on any of the highlighted subjects to pop over to each website for further details.}
Health: ABeka…this is one passed down from his older siblings, so I settled on it purely because it was “free” and covers all the bases. He enjoys health lessons, so we do a lot of “real life” health, but this is just a way to check the box for the state of NY. I suffered from acne since I was eleven years old.
The Mystery of History Volume III: We started with volume I in 4th grade and are just working our way through the four volume series. I previously went through these with his older sister and brother, but he doesn’t remember those lessons at all. We have a great time reading one lesson a day and working on our timeline book {I write and he draws a picture}. But secretly, I adore this series and learn more each time I read through it. Chronological history works so well for my brain…and his.
Daily Handwriting Practice: I taught him how to write in cursive two years ago and this is my way of keeping him familiar with it. {On a side note: I teach my children how to read and write in cursive, but I don’t require them to use it. Why? Because it ended in tears every single time with my elementary-aged kiddos. Some battles are not worth fighting for me. As long as they can read it, write it if needed, and sign their name, I am okay with whatever handwriting they choose.}
Building Spelling Skills: We are halfway through this book and instead of starting a new one, we are just going to finish it up and then I will get him the next one in the series.
Easy Grammar: This one. Easy is in the title and I was like, “yeah, right…grammar can’t be easy.” Ummm…when you learn it this way, it can be! Unfortunately, I subjected my older two kids to some very dry and strict grammar curriculum in their elementary years. I’ve changed my ways once I found this grammar series. Honestly, before I started using Easy Grammar, I had no idea what I was teaching my kids. I just read the lesson and hoped they got the answers correct. And now? Don’t even get my started on the preposition song, direct object, infinitives, or verb phrases. I’m like a grammar ninja now…and so is my 6th grader!
Artistic Pursuits: My love for this art curriculum knows no bounds. I am not artistic in the original sense of the word. I had no idea what gouache paint was before incorporating this into our homeschool. I have loved all the of the art and mediums these books have exposed my children to over the years.
Arithmetic: We began our homeschool journey with ABeka math. I have tried a few others here and there, and while ABeka can be a bit more rigorous than others, I cannot deny the solid math foundation it has laid for my kids.
Bible: Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here? is the second in Apologia’s Biblical worldview series. The theological basis of the books is phenomenal and I have grown in my faith simply by reading through these with my children. {Again, I went through the series with my older two and am now adding it for my youngest.}
Science in the Beginning: Hello, I am Leigh, and I am a science curriculum drop-out. There, I said it. This book…I started it with my boys two school years ago and after 2 chapters, I ditched it. There was nothing wrong with the book, I just wasn’t in the right place for all the experiments. But now that I have a 6th grader who will make up his own experiments if I don’t, I figured that I better get on board with safe ones that actually teach him a lesson. {Side note: I highly recommend this series…it is quite “easy” to teach and lays a fantastic basis of scientific knowledge.}
Reading: He will be reading through a list of books of my choosing…and his own just for fun books.
Now let’s check out what my 9th grader is up to:
History: In NY, one year of high school US history is required and my daughter loved this series, so I am going with it for this guy. I keep it simple and have him read and answer a few comprehension questions and that’s it. History is meant to be interesting and fascinating. I focus on the sequence of events, the character of the people, and what we can learn from history.
Algebra 2: He started with pre-algebra in 7th grade and Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Saxon lays out their math program with Algebra 2 next, instead of Geometry. This is because Geometry is interwoven into the Algebra programs. So, how do I “teach” Algebra 2? The instruction CD-ROM is saving my life…along with an older sister who can chime in from time to time. (Click HERE for the CD-ROM.)
Easy Grammar: This book is laid out with one independent review to do each day. Review? Yep. There is only so much grammar and it’s mostly been taught up to this point, so a daily review is all that is needed to keep it fresh.
IEW: And here is where I start to shake in the knees a little bit. You see, I tried IEW many many years ago and just couldn’t “get it.” So…I ditched it. My oldest loves to write and {I’m not joking} wrote her first research paper in 6th grade. I’ve been flying on her coattails a little bit and now realize that we may need something more formal for writing. I hear over and over again from homeschool moms about their love for IEW, so I’m trying out their recommendation. {Say a little prayer for me as we begin it next week.}
Computer subjects: His stack of books may look a little meager, but that’s because he will do a handful of his subjects, such as Spanish, computer, and vocabulary online. Check out “All in One High School” for some great curriculum options…or use the entire school year program for FREE!
Reading: I will have a reading list for him to work through during this school year.
And here we are up to the 11th grader:
Easy Grammar: As I mentioned in my boys’ curriculum, I chose this for her for the very same reasons.
Advanced Mathematics: The Saxon high school math curriculum has done really well for our family, so I figured that I would continue with it. She does not plan to pursue a career that would use specific higher math, but I want her to continue honing and increasing her math skills. This book combines Algebra, Geometry, Trig, and Calculus. (Click HERE for the DVD instructional.)
Advanced Biology: She thoroughly enjoyed Biology I in 9th grade and is considering a career in the medical field, so this is the perfect solution. She is so excited about learning in-depth about the human body.
Dual Enrollment: We have decided to take advantage of dual enrollment for our upper classman high schoolers. What does this mean? She can take online college courses, receive 3 college credits AND meet high school requirements…all at the same time. The cost of taking a college course while still officially enrolled in high school is significantly less than taking that same course post high school graduation. She begins an English Composition 101 course next week. My plan is to see how that goes and then possibly add English Comp 102, Speech, and Western Civ I and II.
Extra Online: She will continue working through some online lessons that are focused on Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
High School Electives:
In true homeschool fashion, we don’t always focus on grades for some “subjects.” This year, I have my two high schoolers going through a few courses at the same time. This saves me time from reteaching it 2 years later. No one says that the same series of electives has to be done every 9th grade, every 10th grade, etc. There is only one of me and it really doesn’t matter if one gets Economics in 9th and the other in 11th. As long as the NY state requirements are met, we can create a “schedule” that works for us. And a total aside…we go WAY above and beyond what the homeschool law requires. I want my children to LEARN and develop a love of learning.
Foundations in Personal Finance: I am really excited {and they are too!} about gaining a solid foundation now, before they begin making and managing money. Honestly, I plan to go through this course alongside of them…a little for my knowledge and a bit so I can remind them of these lessons down the road.
The Art of Argument: I’ve steered away from logic courses in the past because, well, I couldn’t see adding one more thing or the reason for it. Now that my big kids are, well, big, I want to equip them with the ability to clearly articulate their beliefs. I want them to learn to hear false words and competently and confidently give a retort. This book, along with the teaching DVD is geared towards younger students, but I really want to give them this foundation, even if it is elementary. {Oh and my 6th grader will sit in on these lessons as well.}
Christian Worldview Class: We will be blessed to join in on a “class” with friends that will focus on current events, our world, and our faith in it.
Summit Ministries: I picked up a few seminar DVD’s at the homeschool convention and my plan is to toss them in here and there, have a discussion afterwards, and then let it sink in for a while before watching another one. I see this happening more in the winter when we are cooped up inside.
Going through this with all 3:
Character Training: We worked through this book when all 3 were quite young and I thought a little revisiting of character traits never hurts anyone. It’s a little “dry” but I keep it more lively by giving some silly and real-life examples.
Yes, it’s going to be a full homeschool year. I feel so blessed to have such access to incredible resources to grow my children’s hearts and minds. And even though we have official “school time” our life and learning are so interwoven throughout each day.
I hope these ideas have spurred you into thinking about what works best for your child(ren) and family!
xo,
Leigh
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