Lux Et Veritas Academy Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 This weekend has been complete curriculum mayhem. All of a sudden, (and let’s just say I have been restraining all year long), went into a curriculum attack, a fit. You homeschoolers reading this know exactly what I am talking about. Picture this, my school is out in 4 weeks, (due to the fact that my kids will be traveling and attending a couple of camps for church and sports) it is reality check time and I am the only one to blame if things didn’t get done. All of a sudden, I was just panic stricken about the school year- what I had finished, what we didn’t finish, which courses were strong, which were weak- should I hire a writing tutor, should we go the AP route for high school? How do you classically study, but fit in all of the required classes and exams. It has been mental mayhem, but I think I have decided- but don’t hold me too it, because I think I could wake up tomorrow and start all over. At some point, you just have to decide and go with it. But every home-schooling parent probably feels like I do- questioning whether or not they have made the right decision, feelings of self-doubt of whether or not you have “doomed your child’s future” lingers on one of your shoulders, “will they pass the exam’s” lingers on the other shoulder, the fact that “none of it should matter and we should enjoy our children”, but the reality check is out there, the accountability buck stops here. I have been going back and forth on whether breadth vs. depth is better. I say depth! My husband says breadth! We have been battling it out all weekend. I was the breadth student for the first 25 years of my life, I am the depth student now and so much more appreciative of the deep knowledge I have acquired in some areas of my life.....(I think I will write more on this later in my blog- this just opens up a new arena to discuss.) So here is what I have narrowed down to date- I have decided to teach in semesters, since I love the college method- Here is where I am at with Hillary and Chase will do a modified list for 5th grade. As you can see, I love the teaching company courses and will use them as much as possible, when they are on sale and affordable. This is a first semester summer/fall program- do I need more or less? 8th Grade- Hillary Literature- (I am still compiling the list based on Hill’s preferences, but this is a start) This is her audio list Continue with Jane Austin (She would like to listen to all of her books throughout the summer *Sense and Sensibility (finished) *Pride and Prejudice (finished) *Don Quixote -is this too old? *Shakespeare (Select Plays) *Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) *Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte) *The English Novel (Teaching Company) 1/2 off the course *Life and Writings of Geoffrey Chaucer (Teaching Company) (Part of the Course) (I have yet to put together Chase’s list) Spelling Sequential Spelling Writing & Grammar Probably Write Source again! But I think maybe I should use R & S- our grammar is weak. How about iew History- European (From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution) These are some of the spines to work from... Using a bundle of resources from United Streaming, Netflix, and a text undecided still - an recommendations? Italian Renaissance- (Teaching Company) Summer/Sept History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts (Teaching Company) Fall Fine Arts Genius of Michealangelo (Teaching Company) - Summer Art of the Northern Renaissance (Teaching Company)- Fall Pottery Studio (Museum of Art Course)- Fall Music Harp Lessons Practice 1-1.5 hours a day Understanding the Fundamentals of Music (Teaching Company) Guitar- Chase) Math Saxon (Finishing 8/7 about 20 chapters to go) Algebra 1/2 Saxon (6/5- Chase) Science Prentice Hall Science Explorer Physical Science Scott Foresman (Chase) Foreign Language- Japanese MIT Open course ware as a guide- (I taught at a CC level and both parents speak, Hillary is highly visual and so Japanese should be a perfect fit for language for her, as it was for me) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zootle Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 This looks pretty good to me. If you feel like you are not up to speed on grammar then go ahead and add something. I am at the same point you are with writing. I haven't decided whether to go it alone again or to do an online course. I like depth, but sometime I think are kids aren't ready for the depth because they don't have life expience behind them for alot of it to make sense-therefore it doesn't sink in like I would like it to do. At least, that is the way it seem to be with my 16yo son. I know that I didn't learn very deeply in highschool,although I made a's, but I am not sure most of the deep material would have been appreciated like it is now. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zootle Posted May 21, 2008 Share Posted May 21, 2008 This looks pretty good to me. If you feel like you are not up to speed on grammar then go ahead and add something. I am at the same point you are with writing. I haven't decided whether to go it alone again or to do an online course. I like depth, but sometime I think are kids aren't ready for the depth because they don't have life expience behind them for alot of it to make sense-therefore it doesn't sink in like I would like it to do. At least, that is the way it seem to be with my 16yo son. I know that I didn't learn very deeply in highschool,although I made a's, but I am not sure most of the deep material would have been appreciated like it is now. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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