We use a 36-week curriculum. We learn year-round, but we're using our co-op's classical enrichment program and that's broken down into 36 weeks.

My son exhibited a lot of push-back with writing. We tried lots of things, but what finally worked was breaking down the task into two separate parts. 1) Composition: He dictates to me what he wants to say. I jot it down on a piece of paper while he watches so he sees it's easy and no big deal. We review his grammar and composition and then (sometimes the next day) 2) Handwriting: He copies his dictation from my sheet of paper. This is a different task than composition (1 above). My experience with my son and a bunch of other kids from our co-op is that most kids will compose and most kids will do the physical act of writing. For many kids, doing both at the same time is too much. Using this method, I've gotten my son from "I will not pick up a pencil," to "Oh, that's easy -- gimme that pencil." Hope this helps.

Math - Singapore Math - mom-made worksheets for reinforcement Language - Literature based. I teach reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation from hand-picked books we read throughout the year. Latin - Minimus: Starting Out in Latin - Student Book and CD. I don't find the teacher's manual helpful. Biology: Real Science-4-Kids Biology I - Lab work with our co-op. Art Apprecition and Music Appreciation: from my co-op's enrichment curriculum (see below) World History: History of the World Vol III: using co-op's enrichment curriculum and worksheets American History: Using several hand-picked books - also frrom my co-op's enrichment curriculum. Other: Piano, Swimming, Cooking, Computer Programming (dad teaches the latter.)

Take a look at our Classical enrichment curriculum. You can download a copy here along with the first few worksheets. http://TheExaminedLife.org/enrichment/downloads.html'>http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment/downloads.html'>http://TheExaminedLife.org/enrichment/downloads.html'>http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment/downloads.html We develop this for our local co-op every year. This year we put so much work into it that it seemed a shame to teach it to 18-20 kids and throw it away. It's an enrichment curriculum. That means you teach your own reading, writing and math. The curriculum covers everything else. It's pitched primarily at 4th-6th graders, but can be adapted up or down, and covers the following topics: American History, World History, Latin, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation and Biology. It is divided into 36 weekly lessons and assignments. You can get most of the books at your public library. It works well for individual families and of course it works well for a co-op. Hope this is useful. Regards, Toni Deveson The Examined Life Homeschool Support and Enrichment Group http://TheExaminedLife.org

You're welcome to use the other five topics. This year we've applied Burke's "Pentad" to study history. You may find that useful in your own history studies. You can download a PDF with information on how to do that at http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment/downloads'>http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment/downloads'>http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment/downloads'>http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment/downloads Regards, Toni Deveson The Examined Life Homeschool Enrichment and Support Group http://theexaminedlife.org

Our definition of Enrichment is everything except the Three R's which are considered basic skills. This year our enrichment curriculum includes World History, American History, Latin, Biology, Art Appreciation and Music Appreciation broken down into 36 weekly lessons and assignments. Sorry if that was confusing. Toni

Hi, Everyone, Each year, our local homeschool enrichment co-op (The Examined Life) develops an enrichment curriculum for our own kids. This year we're offering it free to all homeschool families everywhere. We've put so much work into it that it seems a shame to do it with 10 or 12 kids then throw it away. The curriculum is written for kids 4th to 6th grade, but it can be modified up and down. This year it includes American History, World History, Latin, Biology, Art Appreciation and Music Appreciation. Details on our curriculum are at http://theexaminedlife.org/enrichment The discussion board for the curriculum is at http://groups.google.com/group/tel-enrichment-2009-2010 . You can download the free curriculum and weekly assignments from the discussion board. Moreover, we will post weekly worksheets and other resources as the academic year progresses. I hope this is helpful to some of you. Toni Deveson The Examined Life http://TheExaminedLife.org