Sunday, August 1, 2010

2010-2011 Curriculum

I'll admit it, I'm one of those super-excited, over-the-top, ridiculously organized, gun-ho, newbie homeschooling mommas!

And while I've had lots of well-meaning moms tell me to not to worry about schedule and "book education" with my Preschooler and Kindergartner, I just can't help it!

I'm excited to get into our first real year of homeschooling (last year I casually took Trusten through "Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons" and the Rod & Staff Preschool books).

And the kids are ready too!  They love to learn, they love having books to work through, they even love a reliable schedule, so why not take advantage of their love for that kind of structure?!

In fact, I'm so excited to start school, that we're starting today, August 2nd!

We're starting each day just like we always do, but with one new addition...

Morning devotions with Daddy!  I'm super excited about this part!  We always have family worship in the evenings, but now we'll be starting and ending our days the same way!
  • 6:45--Devotions with Daddy
    (Time schedule stops there!  Then we move onto routine schedule!  :)

    • Breakfast
    • Hygene (brush teeth, get dressed)
    • Chores
    • School!
       
  •  School routine (we'll start all together with these activities)
    • Prayer- we'll be praying through Voice of Martyrs weekly prayer updates
    • Globe- Locate country from VOM prayer request
    • Hymn-Starting with "This is My Fathers World"
    • Pledge of Allegiance-American flag and will add Christian flag and Bible
    • Scripture memory verse
    • Bible/character concept-We'll be going through the Fruits of the Spirit
    • Calendar- (My Fathers World curriculum)
    • 100 chart with straws- (My Fathers World curriculum) Teaches numbers, counting by tens, etc.
    • Weather Wheel
So here's a look at the curriculum we'll be using this year:
Pre-School
*Handwriting Without Tears
~
Nice handwriting is VERY important to my husband.  And after looking over this curriculum (which we were given for free!), I am so excited about this approach to writing!  I am learning as I read the teachers manual, the importance of "golf" pencils, posture, and so much more!

Brahm will be doing the whole sh-bang: work book, wood letters, slate practice, wet-dry-try...

Like I said, I'm learning a lot as I read through the teachers manual!  I didn't realize journal writing, "free" writing, dot-to-dot letter formation and other "innocent" methods were maybe doing more harm than good.

So, I'm excited to try their methods...and excited to see how the "Mat Man" approach enhances my boys ability to recognize where letters start, touch, and end.

Plus, it will be fun to make letters with the wooden pieces, play-dough, string, spaghetti...and anything else we can think up!

Kindergarten
My Fathers World
I'll be taking Trusten through this in the first semester (and originally, I was going to have my Preschooler sit in on this and just tweak it a little for him, but MFW and HWT have different letters they emphasize each week, etc...plus I'll enjoy my one-on-one time with each of them and enjoy the benefit of having a brother to keep the little ones occupied while the other brother does school with me!). 

I'm excited at the Biblical world-view this curriculum offers, as well as the emphasis on phonics and the introduction to quality literature.  It's also nice that My Fathers World covers math and science too!

Since Trusten already has a strong foundation of phonics, and is already beginning to read, we'll "double-time" this curriculum and do 2 letters/lessons a week.  We'll also be incorporating some of the concepts from Handwriting Without Tears.

I also feel so blessed to be apart of the My Fathers World Kindergarten Yahoo Group, which has tons of ready-to-use spread sheets and project ideas at my fingertips!

Thanks to my Yahoo Group, my year-long lesson plan for Trusten was completed in less than an hour!

Singapore Math
Math is included in the My Fathers World curriculum, but since Trusten will complete it in the first semester, I'll move him onto a separate math curriculum we'll do all by itself in the second semester.  

We'll probably be using Singapore Math's "Early Bird Kindergarten book B".  Trusten is already so good at math that I know he'll enjoy this emphasis on building up his foundational math concepts.

Spanish/Latin
We haven't picked out the curriculum yet, but during the second semester we'll also start a Spanish or Latin curriculum with Trusten!  Hey veteran homeschool moms...any ideas on a good curriculum for this???

~~This post is linked to the "Not Back To School Blog Hop" over at "Heart Of The Matter"

28 comments:

Lora @ my blessed life said...

You sound like me when it comes to planning:) I love it! You've got a great year planned out, too. Happy schooling!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Looks great. You are very organized. Come over anytime!

Heather Hart said...

You sound so much like me!!! This is our first year homeschooling, and we are so excited!! We can't wait to get started! I love how organized you are! It looks awesome!

Jenilee said...

I'm a second year homeschooling momma and I'm that excited again too! I think even more excited than last year. I LOVE MFW and used it last year and i'm using it again this year. :)

Gwen T said...

Your enthusiasm will be such a great motivation for your sweet kids! May God bless you abundantly as you train them and teach them for His glory.

Btw, Rosetta Stone is always the highest recommendation for homeschoolers for foreign languages. I've heard lots of good things about My Father's World.

Sugarplum Creations Blog said...

How exciting, Grace! You're all prepared!! This is our third year homeschooling, but first with two homeschoolers ;) We are so excited!

Trina said...

As one OCD organized mom to another, well done on you planning!!! Love it!!! Wishing you a blessed school year.

Stef said...

you are definitely far more prepared for your 1st day than I was 3 years ago! Best of luck - so exciting to see new homeschoolers excited!!

Stef
http://laytonfamilyjoy.com

Kathryn said...

You are so ORGANIZED!! I only dream of being half as organized...:) I can't wait to hear all about your homeschooling adventure this year!

Amber said...

I'm loving your curriculum choices!! I'm thinking we have similar taste. I hadn't heard of the yahoo group so I am now waiting on approval to be a part of that group! Thanks for passing it on. Have you been to the MFW Message Board, I have found lots of great ideas on there as well - just another resource :)

I would love to hear more about your lesson plans, how you did it, what you did, etc. When you have time.... ;) and if you don't mind sharing. I am working on getting as organized for the year.

Robin E. said...

You go girl, super organizer mom. I'm soooo not that, but hey different strokes for different folks. Reading the book "If I'm Diapering the Watermelon, Where'd I Put the Baby?" has helped me to feel less guilty about not being a mom like you.

Anyway, I enjoyed reading what you are doing for this year. Thank you for sharing on the NOT Back-to-School blog hop.

jenny said...

this is really random, but i'm making your chicken parmesean dish for the second time so far, tonight! my husband (& me) LOVE it. he said it is 'restaurant quality'. thank you for the new dish!! fantastic!

gianna said...

as much as this sounds awesome and it really does, this makes me so glad I'm sending my kindergarten to school. I would get so stressed out trying to keep up!my idea of explaining something differently is to repeat the same words (exact same words) only louder! It doesn't help much! Let me tell you! You go,girl! You are amazing!

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Oh you are on it girlfriend. Keep your enthusiasm. Don't let anyone take that away!
Have a great day.
Kim

MamaGames - Alexa C. said...

Wow! Such organization! Such enthusiasm! Wonderful. :)

I'd love to hear what you come up with for a language curriculum for young learners - I'm trying to teach myself AND my kids Spanish and still haven't hit on one really good program that works for my daughter.

Have a marvelous, organized year!

Sheri said...

As for Latin/Spanish for that age-I would keep it rather simple. But that is just my opinion. There are a few programs just for that age, and Rainbow Resource is one of the best places to read up on all the options, cuz they have a ditty about each product for ya. HTH

I am having a hard time with that HW W/O T programs' statements in regard to it doing more harm than good-but not having seen the program-I won't be persnickety and claim it crazy talk-LOL.

Looks like you have a good set up and enjoy your year!

Heather Hart said...

For Spanish we aren't using a curriculum this year, but learning our Bible verses in both Spanish and English (Spanish NVI/ English NIV parallel Bible). We also got a copy of Steve Green's Hide em in your heart CD's in English and Spanish. Plus a Spanish to English Dictionary.

Basically after I took 2 years of Spanish in High school, I don't remember any of it. My mom not only took 4 years of it in college but married the Spanish professor, and still can't remember any Spanish. I figure if I am going to teach them something and have it stick it has to be something that we have a use or a passion for. We have a passion for Scripture. So that's what I am going with.

Theresa said...

I LOVE these blog hops! I am learning so much! This is our first year of homeschooling and I look forward to learning from some experienced homeschoolers!

Corrie said...

Hey, I love your exciting plans! I can just imagine your precious little ones' excitement. Someone gave us Muzzy Spanish, if you're interested we could share it with you. Check it out and tell me what you think.http://www.early-advantage.com/ We'll use it some this year, and supplement with other Spanish resources so I'm sure we could work out a way for us both to use it.

Beloved's Redheaded Bride said...

What an exciting post! I hope you have a great year.

Denise said...

Wow~ you ARE excited! :)
I enjoyed reading your post and am now following you (from the blog hop). I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!

Sherri said...

Hi Grace!

Thanks SO much for visiting our blog & for commenting! :-D (Sorry it's taken me so long to repay the visit...)

I *love* your blog! Seems like we are pretty much following along the same pathway in service to the Lord right now... I'll be "Following" you too!

Blessings for a GREAT homeschooling year!!!

~Sherri

Kathy said...

I Love how organized you are! This is my first year homeschooling - doing 4K with my oldest this year. It is great seeing so many other ideas from other moms. I have also heard great things about MFW from other moms locally. We may look into it for next year. Have a wonderful year!

Mom Guide said...

I love your organization and joy in homeschooling! Have a great year!

~Stephanie said...

I wish I could see your forms! I'm about to explain my method on my blog....

Catherine said...

I'm a planner, too. You have laid out a wonderful year for your family. God Bless.

Shonda said...

I need to join that Yahoo Group someday. Sounds great!

Annie Grace said...

can i get the link to the AWESOME schedule!!!!!
I just asked to become a member of the Yahoo group but I LOVE the idea of getting this done now!! We start next week!
Thanks! LOVE LOVE LOVE your BLOG!
Tara:)
rtsmith903@gmail.com

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