Our School Year

I have had a couple of people ask me about what our school year will look like, so I will give you a glimpse.  Be forwarned--for the most part, we are pretty relaxed homeschoolers, so not everything we do comes in a nice, neat little package that is easy to explain.  We are not unschoolers, but relaxed.  I don't panic and make my kids do workbooks for extra hours so that we can "keep up" or "catch up".  No offense at all to those of you who do.  It's just not our style, or the way my kids really learn best.  We each have to do what the Lord has laid on our hearts for our family. 

Marissa's schedule especially is the one you will find hard to explain.  She is my challenge, because she rebels against a schedule.  She loves to learn things on her own and when she's interested, but not because it's something she is supposed to get up and do everyday.  We will be using the Prairie Primer this year.  This is not necessarily something I would have chosen, but she is really into Little House right now, and wants to read the books.  So, I'm praying that using that as a base will make her have a greater desire for "school time", but I don't like that it takes up so much time and leaves less room for reading biographies and other historical fiction that we enjoy together.  So here's the plan, although it may change.

Ashley-all graduated like, and doesn't need her mommy to tell her what to study.  Sniff, sniff.  She is studying writing-fiction and non-fiction through Writer's Digest, and may start studying Christian Counseling, but that is still in the air.  She is also beginning to study photography. 

Briana-- A SENIOR this year.  WOW!

French-ABeka and French for the Real World computer cd

Physical Science - ABeka   (science is not her thing, but we need one more credit,

       so we're taking the easy way this year.)

Economics-The Ultimate Book of Economics for the Ultimate Teenager, time with

       Dad studying Mutual funds, etc. 

English-she really doesn't need another credit, but she will be writing a couple of

       reports about world history events she has researched, along with reading of

       her choosing.

Bible-her quiet time, adding adult study guides of her choosing

Piano lessons-her 13th year

Ballet- her 14th year

She will also study for one or two CLEP tests for college, probably English Comp.

       and psychology to start.

Marissa-age 9

Bible-One Year Book of Family Devotions (taken from Keys for Kids), AWANA,Bible memorization and discussion, Bible stories with Dad

Prairie Primer-this will cover some reading, science, history, and a little writing, art, and cooking.  We will do this 4 days a week, relaxed (if all goes well, and if  I don't scrap it!).

Math-ABeka and Advantage 2007 computer math games, 4 days a week total

Copy Work-  3 days a week.  We will be working on writing getting easier and a little faster for her, plus spelling and grammar. 

Cursive handwriting-short lesson 4 days a week

Spanish-Rosetta Stone, 4 days a week

Geography- 3 or 4 days a week-learning states and capitals, countries and capitals and flags, no particular curriculum.  We will be using outline maps and short activities I have made up, along with geog. board games.  We also discuss geog. quite a bit in family discussions, etc.

Journal-one day a week, or more if she desires, she will write or dictate to me

Thinking Skills- 2 days a week at lunch time with Dad

Art and craft time- one day a week, formally, plus she enjoys this in her free time

We will not be doing a grammar/spelling curriculum.  This will happen during copy work, letters and emails to grandparents, and other writing she does.  She also writes plays on an American Girl program she has and has started her own spelling dictionary.  Marissa cannot hear phonetically, so we have to take a different approach to spelling.  She reads a lot on her own, so this won't be assigned.  She can read most anything you put in front of her.  I also plan to order this timeline in some fashion. 

This is an ambitious schedule for us, and it will be eased into and modified as needed.  We do a lot of learning through reading, discussions, and games.  At the moment, the dinner table conversation centers quite a bit on the presidents and learning their order using a President's place mat Marissa has.  We're all learning! 

Daniella- age 5

Bible- Bible stories, memorizing verses, AWANA

Reading- various children's books

Puzzles, games, and art and crafts

Other- we don't do formal school work at this age, but she has some preschool/ kindergarten activity books that she begs to work in, so we will do that a couple of days a week.  Those cover math, letters, etc.  She also learns things listening to family talks and from Marissa, such as presidents.