2008-2009 Curriculum List and Plans:
SECOND GRADE
Math: Saxon Level 2
Language Arts:
Grammar: Finish Part 2 of First Language Lessons, and then move on to Level 3, both by Jessie Wise
Spelling: Spelling Workout B and C
Phonics: Explode the Code, books 5, 5.5, and 6
Writing: Writing With Ease, by Susan Wise Bauer
Reading: McGuffy’s Eclectic Readers, Book 3, plus selections from various library lists
History:
Story of the World, vol. 2: The Middle Ages
Plus whatever we can find at the library
Corresponding Literature, read aloud by Mom:
Beowulf, adaptation by Welwyn Wilton Katz
Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady, retold by Selina Hastings
The Canterbury Tales, retold by Selina Hastings
(I’ll add to this list as we go.)
Science:
Basic Astronomy and Earth Science, using
Usborne’s First Encyclopedia of Our World,
Usborne’s First Encyclopedia of Space,
and various other supporting books
Latin: Lively Latin, Big Book 1
Handwriting: Handwriting without Tears – Level 2 and Beginning Cursive
Extra Curricular Activities:
Girl Scouts (Brownies)
Karate and/or Swimming
Religious Education classes
KINDERGARTEN
Math: Saxon Level K
Language Arts:
Primer: Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading, by Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington
Phonics: Explode the Code, A, B, and C, and on to Level 1
Reading: McGuffy’s Eclectic Readers: Primer and Book 1, Bob Books, and Pup and Pop books
Handwriting: Handwriting without Tears - Letters and Numbers For Me
Extra Curricular Activities:
Girl Scouts (Daisies)
Karate and/or Swimming
In addition to all this, once a week, we’ll do art, geography, basic civics (in an election year like this, it’s too good to pass up), and whatever else strikes our fancy. We’ll also be going on library trips and museum trips (I hope), and hanging out with friends at indoor gyms and such. The Girl Scouts alone will bulk up the social schedule to the point of insanity, so I’m not too worried about the socialization factor.
This seems like a lot, doesn’t it? It feels like a lot. A lot more. But we don’t do all the subjects every day. If we do spelling one day, we don’t do phonics. We do either history or science, not both, in a day. And most of these subjects only take about 15 minutes to complete. We still make time to play. And we’re never really opposed to dropping everything to take a walk by the creek. We aim for flexibility.
But yeah… we’re busy.
Thank you for posting what you do with your 4yr. I have one which we call, “the Crazy-one.” Yeah, she’s off the chain, and I have another daughter who is turning 9 this Sat, who I call Mariposa–she’s got the attention span of one. Crazy-one wants “homework,” but holds no love for her own seat work yet, actually somewhat-following the directions is truer… thus lots of art projects, hours of singing and reading aloud. It’s working just fine for her, she’ll surprise us with spelling her name or picking out letters and very very basic sight words. She’s really into rhyming and ASL finger spelling. I don’t feel so bad-mommy anymore, for not getting Crazy-one on the workbook wagon, and I shall stop wasting money too, looking for that perfect book… she just ain’t ready! It feels good to finally have out with it. Yes, I CAN school a 4 & 9 year old at the same time, without promising to mail one or both off to there grandparents!
Impervious,
Thanks for posting your comment. It’s good to hear that there are more 4-year-old’s out there like mine.
This looks a lot like the Student Learning Plan we have to submit to get fundage from the state for homeschooling. I wonder if I should post mine?
Hmmmm…I’ve heard strange things about trying to get funding. Things like getting funding opens you up to having authorities dictate your curriculum. Of course, I don’t know if any of that is true, but that’s what I’ve heard. Maybe it changes from state to state?
We need a whole section of Snopes dedicated just to homeschooling myths, ya know? (sigh)
I’ve noticed in a few of your posts that you do some stuff within the Well-Trained Mind philosophy. I got the Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading for my kindergarten-aged daughter, and she and I both love it. We got The Story of the World books on CD from our library, and my daughter played it day and night! So I’m thinking about delving further into this and wonder where one finds out about curricula in the Well-Trained Mind philosophy? I just ordered their book from the library, too, so forgive me if I’m jumping the gun by asking you. Maybe the book will tell me where to start, too. But it’s nice to have someone sort of explain things when they’re not entirely obvious. Like, on a post you once mentioned you were looking through catalogs. Is there a Well-Trained Mind catalog of curricula or something wonderfully easy like that?
Many thanks in advance,
Hillary
Hi Hillary,
The book itself is an important reference, so I’m glad you’ve ordered it. Curriculum developed by the writers of WTM can be found at Peace Hill Press. I order some things there, and I also order from Rainbow Resource and Amazon.
Glad you’re enjoying the classical method!
Hi there,
Thinking about curriculum for next year’s 1st grade. Just wondering if you have any preferences for handwriting? I’m thinking of Handwriting Without Tears, but wondering if you’ve seen or have any thoughts on Zaner Bloser or any others? Also, what are the differences between First Language Lessons, Explode the Code and the Ordinary Parents’ Guide? Wondering if I need them all? We’re using the Ordinary Parents’ Guide and LOVE it! I think First Language Lessons is grammar? Can’t get my hands on a copy of the book without just going ahead and buying it. But for my wallet’s sake, any thoughts you have about them would be very much appreciated. If you don’t mind. Sorry for pestering.
Thanks!
-Hillary
Hey Hillary,
I’ve only used Handwriting Without Tears, and I really like it. I started with it because my eldest is a lefty, and struggled right off the bat with writing, so I wanted something as stress-free as possible.
As for Language Arts, I’d say yes, you need all 3: OPG, ETC, and FLL. OPG is the primer for reading you’d work with your child with intensely. ETC is a phonics workbook system that reinforces what’s happening with OPG. I think it makes a huge difference to also be reading and writing phonics along with going through the OPG. And Grammar is, in my opinion, essential. FLL is a nice gentle introduction to grammar, and it’s easy to tailor to your own needs. For the first year, we didn’t do any writing with Grammar. In the second year, we’ve done more writing.
Anyway… sorry I took so long to respond. Been busy teaching the kids… makes it hard to keep up with my blog this year.
Thank you so much! I joined the WTM message board, too, so I don’t have to bug you so much.
I hear you. I’m sure having two is more of a challenge to balance. I will be learning that this August when our second little girl is born. Good luck to you with the juggling, and I hope you keep writing. You’re so much fun to read. I’ll take sporadic over nothing!