Calendar Year Schoolers Finishing 2016 & Planning 2017?

[IsabelC]

We have still got a fair bit of stuff to finish off this month, even though our local school finishes at the end of next week. However, the kids will be on summer break from music lessons, Guides, Youth Orchestra, Drama, and gymnastics, so that means we will have extra time to get things done at home.

 

January we will be doing something different each week, including some workshop type days focusing on one thing for the day, and some summer activities such as camping and kayaking. Also, Ms. 8 and I will be off to String Camp for a week while the elders manage the house and get some lessons with their dad.

 

February will see the start of our Term 1 routine as the kids are officially promoted to 8th, 6th and 4th grades. This is what I have so far...
 

Daily Subjects:

*Language & Writing - Alternating between IEW (all kids doing SWI-B) one week and Fitzroy Language Skills + spelling the alternate week

*Math - ICE-EM8 for Mr. 13, MM5 for the girls, and Kahn if they finish their week's work early

*Music - Theory, practice (Mr. 13 trombone+composition, Ms. 11 clarinet+piano, Ms. 8 alternating with one day violin+oboe and one violin+piano [she has a big violin exam and has to increase practice on that]) 

*Memory Work (literature and other odd bits and pieces)

Non Daily Subjects:

*History - Continue loosely following SOTW, supplementing and extending as required. We did a unit on Ancient Australia this year, so next year I am thinking of either Family or Local History (or both) as our extra unit before we get to colonial Australia in 2018

*Geography, Science, Art - Probably keep following our own program of various resources I have pulled together, together with a lot of interest led learning

 

Extra curriculars will most likely be the same as this year. I would really like to cut down a little, but everything they're doing seems important for one reason or another.  Also, our state regulations require us to prove that the kids are getting adequate socialising time, so we need those outside activities on our report.

 

Things I'm still considering:
*Sports - I really would like them to try more sporting activities, but it's difficult with the time and money required, and also because dh and I aren't sporty. We might do some more 'taster' sessions as well as trying to get ds involved in something regular if possible.

*LOTE - I feel bad that we haven't really done this seriously. I would love for us all to learn Latin together, but there is zero enthusiasm from anybody else, including dh. Ms. 11 is keen on learning Spanish, Ms. 8 is thinking about German, and Mr. 13 is uninterested (he considers it a serious affront that I ask him to read and write in English, let alone any other language).

*Literature - I am not really satisfied with the reading choices my kids make, so I'm thinking about giving them each assigned reading, but I'm a bit overwhelmed with possibilities for what to put on their lists.

*Research - I would love to do some structured teaching around finding and evaluating information online. Not yet sure how to do this.  

 

 

If anybody would like to offer any suggestions or feedback, I would be eternally grateful!

Edited December 10, 2016 by IsabelC

[IsabelC]

Anybody else at the finishing up / planning stage of their year?

[Pegs]

Hi! I'll join you. I'm educating a 2E newly 7yo. :)

 

 

I haven't been around much this past year - we've had some really serious illness and multiple hospitalisations, plus I've been studying, so a fair bit of HS stuff just hasn't got done. We'll keep working on the catch-up plan over summer.

 

 

Currently catching up with:

 

* Compressed OPG daily, just to make sure we haven't missed any important rules

* Likewise WWE 1&2

* Copywork daily

* (Ditched FLL)

* Daily math with Khan and Beast Academy 3B

* Using Ellen McHenry's Elements plus supplemental reading for science, and I am scribing narrations/outlining.

* Nearly finished gymnastics for the term

 

History got sidetracked to a fascination with Ancient Greek mythology, so I just let that one go.

 

DS is also doing a few MOOCS which interest him.

 

 

Plans for 2017:

 

* Continue copy work

* Continue Khan and Beast Academy

* Begin formal spelling instruction

* Begin MCT's Grammar Island and Practice Island, and then continue with the other Island materials if we like them

* SOTW1 as audiobook with some light notebooking

* Sit the mythology exam then move on with SOTW2

* Possibly participate in other competitions

* Moving up in gymnastics

* Begin increasing independent work - DS is now reading for information, so I'll probably assign reading and perhaps have some mini assignments ready for him for when I don't have quite so much time to spend at his elbow. He's doing copywork and MOOCS independently already. MCT and BA will be me-intensive and that's okay.

* Might begin Lively Latin

* Might start recorder lessons

 

 

Please feel free to critique my plans! I'm trying to find a balance between feeding DS' hungry brain and not driving myself into the ground. Any input is appreciated.

[IsabelC]

That's fantastic that he is ready to do some independent work at age 7.  It sounds like you have done really well keeping up the basics even with such a difficult year.  

ETA: Yes! Do recorder! Recorder is wonderful! (Not that I'm biased or anything ;) )

Edited December 10, 2016 by IsabelC

[Pegs]

Thank you! That's really encouraging. :)

[sewingmama]

1 more week and we are done for the year.

 

No planning for next year needed as I'm happy with what we are using so will just keep going with it. Kids will be Grades 5,4 and 2. Not doing any school type thing over the 6 week break.

 

We use

CLE Math

Build Your Library

Moving Beyond the Page

Sequential Spelling.

[IsabelC]

That is great that you have discovered what works and don't need to tweak anything.

[Ausmumof3]

We have still got a fair bit of stuff to finish off this month, even though our local school finishes at the end of next week. However, the kids will be on summer break from music lessons, Guides, Youth Orchestra, Drama, and gymnastics, so that means we will have extra time to get things done at home.

 

January we will be doing something different each week, including some workshop type days focusing on one thing for the day, and some summer activities such as camping and kayaking. Also, Ms. 8 and I will be off to String Camp for a week while the elders manage the house and get some lessons with their dad.

 

February will see the start of our Term 1 routine as the kids are officially promoted to 8th, 6th and 4th grades. This is what I have so far...

 

Daily Subjects:

*Language & Writing - Alternating between IEW (all kids doing SWI-B) one week and Fitzroy Language Skills + spelling the alternate week

*Math - ICE-EM8 for Mr. 13, MM5 for the girls, and Kahn if they finish their week's work early

*Music - Theory, practice (Mr. 13 trombone+composition, Ms. 11 clarinet+piano, Ms. 8 alternating with one day violin+oboe and one violin+piano [she has a big violin exam and has to increase practice on that])

*Memory Work (literature and other odd bits and pieces)

 

Non Daily Subjects:

*History - Continue loosely following SOTW, supplementing and extending as required. We did a unit on Ancient Australia this year, so next year I am thinking of either Family or Local History (or both) as our extra unit before we get to colonial Australia in 2018

*Geography, Science, Art - Probably keep following our own program of various resources I have pulled together, together with a lot of interest led learning

 

Extra curriculars will most likely be the same as this year. I would really like to cut down a little, but everything they're doing seems important for one reason or another. Also, our state regulations require us to prove that the kids are getting adequate socialising time, so we need those outside activities on our report.

 

Things I'm still considering:

*Sports - I really would like them to try more sporting activities, but it's difficult with the time and money required, and also because dh and I aren't sporty. We might do some more 'taster' sessions as well as trying to get ds involved in something regular if possible.

*LOTE - I feel bad that we haven't really done this seriously. I would love for us all to learn Latin together, but there is zero enthusiasm from anybody else, including dh. Ms. 11 is keen on learning Spanish, Ms. 8 is thinking about German, and Mr. 13 is uninterested (he considers it a serious affront that I ask him to read and write in English, let alone any other language).

*Literature - I am not really satisfied with the reading choices my kids make, so I'm thinking about giving them each assigned reading, but I'm a bit overwhelmed with possibilities for what to put on their lists.

*Research - I would love to do some structured teaching around finding and evaluating information online. Not yet sure how to do this.

 

 

 

If anybody would like to offer any suggestions or feedback, I would be eternally grateful!

Are you in Aus? I've found the Auskick, Aussie hoops and t20 blast programs pretty good. We have just done one per term. They aren't crazy expensive, some accept the gov sports vouchers and they get the kids to the point of being able to play socially at least. Then if your kids have a love for anything you can look into a club type thing.

[Ausmumof3]

We are trying to finish up for Christmas, we had a two week holiday at the start of this term so we are a bit behind. Ds should be done with math next week but I'm struggling to get dd through hers from now although from memory we are up to the bit where Singapore starts to be a bit easier to get through again.

[Ausmumof3]

For next years plans I am all over the place.

 

I had originally planned to break from Sonlight for American History and come back with ds this year for world history for grade 5. Part of me still wants to do that. We are not really overly financial to spend the money required for sonlight and definitely not for two separate cores. That said, I will probably end up spending just as much (I did this year) but spread over the year even if we don't use sonlight. So then there's the other stuff that goes with sonlight that I'm not crazy about like - a little too much reading aloud, the bitsiness of reading so many different books at once.

 

The other option is to keep doing a somewhat well trained mind plan. This year we started story of the world and I would just keep going with that. I really would like to find a science program that works as I'm not crazy about the cobbled together stuff we had this year. For math it will be Singapore or maybe math mammoth. Then continuing apples and pears or spelling power, getting the next levels of HWOT. For a writing program I don't really know - we used a few different resources this year and switched when the kids got bored. They've made progress but maybe not enough. I need to do more work with dd on her reading - she is reading some chapter books independently but when she reads aloud I realise she's missing quite a lot of words still.

 

my youngest is starting his k year and I might use the Sonlight K I have stashed away and just keep working through Singapore 1a but I'm not sure. To be honest the thought of schooling three kids is a bit daunting.

[IsabelC]

Are you in Aus? I've found the Auskick, Aussie hoops and t20 blast programs pretty good. We have just done one per term. They aren't crazy expensive, some accept the gov sports vouchers and they get the kids to the point of being able to play socially at least. Then if your kids have a love for anything you can look into a club type thing.

 

Thanks, I will check out whether those are available near us.  I'm not going to spend huge amounts of time and money trying to make my kids sporty, because honestly I think there's nothing wrong with being a musical kid rather than a sporty kid as long as they get enough exercise (which they do, with biking, walking and swimming). But our kids are so clueless that they need more sport for cultural literacy, eg one of them didn't know the difference between volleyball and hockey! Although they did learn a bit with watching the Olympics, so maybe seeing more sport will help as well.

 

 

For next years plans I am all over the place.

 

I had originally planned to break from Sonlight for American History and come back with ds this year for world history for grade 5. Part of me still wants to do that. We are not really overly financial to spend the money required for sonlight and definitely not for two separate cores. That said, I will probably end up spending just as much (I did this year) but spread over the year even if we don't use sonlight. So then there's the other stuff that goes with sonlight that I'm not crazy about like - a little too much reading aloud, the bitsiness of reading so many different books at once.

 

The other option is to keep doing a somewhat well trained mind plan. This year we started story of the world and I would just keep going with that. I really would like to find a science program that works as I'm not crazy about the cobbled together stuff we had this year. For math it will be Singapore or maybe math mammoth. Then continuing apples and pears or spelling power, getting the next levels of HWOT. For a writing program I don't really know - we used a few different resources this year and switched when the kids got bored. They've made progress but maybe not enough. I need to do more work with dd on her reading - she is reading some chapter books independently but when she reads aloud I realise she's missing quite a lot of words still.

 

my youngest is starting his k year and I might use the Sonlight K I have stashed away and just keep working through Singapore 1a but I'm not sure. To be honest the thought of schooling three kids is a bit daunting.

 

I have been educating three kids for a while and I still sometimes find it daunting! I am in awe of those home educators with large families...  But one thing that is cool about several kids learning at home is that they will start helping each other learn things. In our families, everybody helps other people with certain things (and it's not always the older people helping the younger people) and I really enjoy the family culture of valuing learning and supporting each other.

[Rosie_0801]

PEGS! Glad to see you, Honey! I've been thinking of you lately.

 

 

We're doing the assessments for WWE1 this week and trying to finish CSMP2 before Christmas. I don't suppose it really matters if we don't, but that bit of finished up tidiness would be a nice bit of Merry Christmas to Me. She's going for her yellow belt in karate tomorrow too. We live in a povvy town so the teacher allows us all to pay week by week instead of a term upfront. That is rather wonderful.

 

I *think* I'll still be allowed to homeschool next year, but I'd rather know for sure before I spent too much. I want us to read a bit about Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism this holidays. Next year I'm hoping for philosophy and psychology. Not sure there's much age appropriate for psychology for a grade 4 kid, but I expect we'll find a few things worth poking a stick at, at least. We're hoping, after court, we'll be able to stay home a little more and do more art. I'd like to work through those old fashioned Augsburg books Hunter recommends so highly and I'm doing a class at the artist co-op two towns away in January, so that might help me feel like I've some idea what I'm doing.

 

We've just started a little Arabic study group with a new friend in the city and I hope we'll continue with that next year too. We can sound out most words now, but vocab won't stick if we don't have someone to use it with.

[Rosie_0801]

I need to do more work with dd on her reading - she is reading some chapter books independently but when she reads aloud I realise she's missing quite a lot of words still.

 

Have you looked at ElizabethB's phonics vids on her website? We spent two months on them earlier in the year and dd jumped about two years ahead. 

[Pegs]

PEGS! Glad to see you, Honey! I've been thinking of you lately.

 

Heyyyy there! Ive been thinking of you too. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch. I'm looking forward to settling in again here at WTM and hanging out for a bit. :)

 

Also, I sympathise and empathise with regard to the court-induced precarity of homeschooling. I'm glad to learn that you and your DD are still at it, though, and I hope you can continue.

 

I passed renewal of our registration recently (with flying colours thankyouverymuch), but it may not be enough if we go to family court. My DS is thriving at home, but would really struggle with school. The possibility of it is a little sickening to me.

 

Anyhow. Back to planning. Anyone want to throw some science suggestions at me? We are enjoying Ellen McHenry's elements, and will probably take her botany course also.

 

Independent activity suggestions would be much appreciated also, as I'll be studying some more in 2017, so I'd like to have some more Pegs-lite options up my sleeve for when uni deadlines loom.

[Pegs]

Are you in Aus? I've found the Auskick, Aussie hoops and t20 blast programs pretty good. We have just done one per term. They aren't crazy expensive, some accept the gov sports vouchers and they get the kids to the point of being able to play socially at least. Then if your kids have a love for anything you can look into a club type thing.

Please tell me more about sports vouchers!

[Ausmumof3]

http://www.sportsvouchers.sa.gov.au

 

It's a government initiative if you have a Medicare no you get $50 toward membership for sports clubs for any primary aged kid in SA. Not sure if the other states have an equivalent program. We have used it for TKD one year and Auskick another. Auskick ended up only costing us $15 for a term with the voucher. You just print the paperwork from the website or the homeschool inspector will give it to you and fill it out and give it to the club. The clubs that accept it are listed on the website as well.

[Rosie_0801]

Also, I sympathise and empathise with regard to the court-induced precarity of homeschooling. I'm glad to learn that you and your DD are still at it, though, and I hope you can continue.

 

I passed renewal of our registration recently (with flying colours thankyouverymuch), but it may not be enough if we go to family court. My DS is thriving at home, but would really struggle with school. The possibility of it is a little sickening to me.

 

Oh <lots of bad words>

School would be even worse for your ds than my dd.

 

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[Ausmumof3]

Have you looked at ElizabethB's phonics vids on her website? We spent two months on them earlier in the year and dd jumped about two years ahead.

Awesome, I will check it out.

[Rosie_0801]

Awesome, I will check it out.

 

American accent, of course, but shouting at it for being "wrong" helped it all stick. :p

[Ausmumof3]

Thanks, I will check out whether those are available near us. I'm not going to spend huge amounts of time and money trying to make my kids sporty, because honestly I think there's nothing wrong with being a musical kid rather than a sporty kid as long as they get enough exercise (which they do, with biking, walking and swimming). But our kids are so clueless that they need more sport for cultural literacy, eg one of them didn't know the difference between volleyball and hockey! Although they did learn a bit with watching the Olympics, so maybe seeing more sport will help as well.

 

 

 

I have been educating three kids for a while and I still sometimes find it daunting! I am in awe of those home educators with large families... But one thing that is cool about several kids learning at home is that they will start helping each other learn things. In our families, everybody helps other people with certain things (and it's not always the older people helping the younger people) and I really enjoy the family culture of valuing learning and supporting each other.

We are very much like you with sports - it's why I've found these programs awesome because they are short, affordable and give the kids the basic skills that I absolutely have no idea about so they can play sport with their friends if that's the activity of the moment.

 

I do like the multi age learning that happens. Hopefully that will only get better.

[Ausmumof3]

PEGS! Glad to see you, Honey! I've been thinking of you lately.

 

 

We're doing the assessments for WWE1 this week and trying to finish CSMP2 before Christmas. I don't suppose it really matters if we don't, but that bit of finished up tidiness would be a nice bit of Merry Christmas to Me. She's going for her yellow belt in karate tomorrow too. We live in a povvy town so the teacher allows us all to pay week by week instead of a term upfront. That is rather wonderful.

 

I *think* I'll still be allowed to homeschool next year, but I'd rather know for sure before I spent too much. I want us to read a bit about Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism this holidays. Next year I'm hoping for philosophy and psychology. Not sure there's much age appropriate for psychology for a grade 4 kid, but I expect we'll find a few things worth poking a stick at, at least. We're hoping, after court, we'll be able to stay home a little more and do more art. I'd like to work through those old fashioned Augsburg books Hunter recommends so highly and I'm doing a class at the artist co-op two towns away in January, so that might help me feel like I've some idea what I'm doing.

 

We've just started a little Arabic study group with a new friend in the city and I hope we'll continue with that next year too. We can sound out most words now, but vocab won't stick if we don't have someone to use it with.

Good luck with the belt! Love the martial arts but boy do those fees add up! Paying by week would help. also the uniform costs at ours... I nearly died! Dd went for her TKD yellow belt this weekend so hopefully she passed.

[Rosie_0801]

The karate has really helped dd's swimming. She's still not an elegant swimmer, but it's got her top half and bottom half working together almost properly.

 

Best of luck to your dd too. :)

 

[Ausmumof3]

The karate has really helped dd's swimming. She's still not an elegant swimmer, but it's got her top half and bottom half working together almost properly.

 

Best of luck to your dd too. :)

It did wonders for my oldest core strength too. I must admit if I wasn't way to embarrassed and short on babysitters I wouldn't mind doing it myself...

[Pegs]

Oh ack I really should get on to swimming at some point too, hey.

[Melissa in Australia]

really hoping that I can get one more half day form ds13 today, but with all the upheaval in our hoiusehold this week I don't think I will

 

 

our plans for next year so far We are back to the ancients 

 

I will be homeschooling 3 1/2

 

next year DD - Open University as means to get into her chosen degree the following year

 

ds13

 finish off Saxon 76 then move on to Algebra 1/2

WWS1 - we have started it a month ago- seems to be going well with him doing  writing on laptop.

Start All About Spelling

Ancients reading list WTM ( modified for his reading ability)

ABeka grammar ( looking for a workbook approach , was doing Rod and Staff)

Logic

Readers Digest Physics books as in WTM 2nd ed   bought a few science kits as extras

Kingfisher history as spine for ancients

there is something else that I cannot remember right at the moment

 

 

ds8  new arrival to our family, will be attending school 4 days a week and homeschooled one day a week ( I Am so amazed that DHHS actually suggested this)

All About Spelling

WWE book 1

Fist language lessons 2

Saxon Math 3

Story of the World Ancients

Science still undecided yet. possibly doing Adventures with atoms and Molecules

Fitzroy readers and workbooks

 

Twins 5 ( global Development Delays ) I have only planned first term as I am not sure how slow /fast they will get thought these tasks

Will be attending Preschool 2 days a week ( repeating) mostly so I can have some respite 

Rod and staff Preschool series ( half was through atm)

Spiegaban

counting math

Reading eggs

many manipulative type activities ( fine motor development)

Story of the World Ancients

 

Edited to add a phonics program, probably OPGTR with Bob Books an d Fitzroy readers 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 12, 2016 by Melissa in Australia

[Rosie_0801]

What's dd intending to study at uni, Melissa?

[Melissa in Australia]

What's dd intending to study at uni, Melissa?

Occupational Therapy 

[Melissa in Australia]

double post 

 

Edited December 12, 2016 by Melissa in Australia

[Guest]

We also go Jan-Dec. Mine finished what I had planned in early November. I generally plan math and Lang Arts first and add the gravy as time permits. Here is what my crew will be up to in 2017.

 

Boys- 6th

TT 6

GWG 6

SSV 6

WriteShop Junior D and E (possibly F, if it is released)

Logos School Reading List and maybe a few Lit guides (titles TBD)

Read scriptures daily

 

Miss Priss- 2nd/3rd

TT 3

K12 Lang Arts Orange - not online portion

Logos School reading list

 

ALL-

Possibly K12 History/Science

Home Art Studio

Co op classes per interests

 

I find if I try to be too ambitious while planning, I just end up disappointed.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited December 12, 2016 by Paradox5

[....]

We generally do semesters, so January is our start of new classes.

 

9th grader and 8th grader:

 

Math - continue with Saxon high school series

Latin - continue with Visual Latin

German - continue with our very dysfunctional homemade German program  *sigh*

British Literature & Composition - Prentice Hall British Literature textbook + interest-led booklist + Latin cards + writing topics from Writers, Inc

British History - History of Britain and Ireland, Great Tales from English History, Joan of Arc (Mark Twain), Daughter of Time, narrations/dictation

Introduction to Fine Arts - Gardner's Art Through the Ages, composer studies, timeline/notebooking

Bible - finish survey of each book in the Bible 

 

 

6th Grader

 

Math - living math

LA - continue R&S English, All About Spelling, Rip the Page, The Creative Writer Book 1

French - continue Ecoutez, Parlez

Science - continue Apologia Anatomy & Physiology

History - Story of the World 4

Art - Artistic Pursuits High School Book 1

Bible - continue The Action Bible

 

 

3rd Grader (biggest change)

 

Math - living math

LA - continue R&S English, All About Spelling, cursive

Science - Developing Critical Thinking through Science, Book 2

History - A Child's History of the World

Bible - 100 Bible Stories

Edited December 12, 2016 by Evanthe

[....]

I find if I try to be too ambitious while planning, I just end up disappointed.

 

 

 

Yeah, we usually go off the deep end after about a month.  We plan to study biology and end up studying astronomy (that actually happened to us last semester   :001_unsure:  ).  

[IsabelC]

We're doing the assessments for WWE1 this week and trying to finish CSMP2 before Christmas. I don't suppose it really matters if we don't, but that bit of finished up tidiness would be a nice bit of Merry Christmas to Me. She's going for her yellow belt in karate tomorrow too. We live in a povvy town so the teacher allows us all to pay week by week instead of a term upfront. That is rather wonderful.

 

I *think* I'll still be allowed to homeschool next year, but I'd rather know for sure before I spent too much. I want us to read a bit about Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism this holidays. Next year I'm hoping for philosophy and psychology. Not sure there's much age appropriate for psychology for a grade 4 kid, but I expect we'll find a few things worth poking a stick at, at least. We're hoping, after court, we'll be able to stay home a little more and do more art. I'd like to work through those old fashioned Augsburg books Hunter recommends so highly and I'm doing a class at the artist co-op two towns away in January, so that might help me feel like I've some idea what I'm doing.

 

We've just started a little Arabic study group with a new friend in the city and I hope we'll continue with that next year too. We can sound out most words now, but vocab won't stick if we don't have someone to use it with.

 

How did she go with Yellow Belt assessment?

Your religious learning sounds amazing.

For psychology, I have found that the kids are quite receptive to just discussing things and watching Ted Talks, etc. Because I'm studying psychology, I naturally share things I'm learning with the rest of the family, and they are surprisingly interested, so I figured we might as well keep on doing it that way rather than risk putting them off with a structured course of study!

 

 

Also, I sympathise and empathise with regard to the court-induced precarity of homeschooling. I'm glad to learn that you and your DD are still at it, though, and I hope you can continue.

 

I passed renewal of our registration recently (with flying colours thankyouverymuch), but it may not be enough if we go to family court. My DS is thriving at home, but would really struggle with school. The possibility of it is a little sickening to me.

 

Anyhow. Back to planning. Anyone want to throw some science suggestions at me? We are enjoying Ellen McHenry's elements, and will probably take her botany course also.

 

Independent activity suggestions would be much appreciated also, as I'll be studying some more in 2017, so I'd like to have some more Pegs-lite options up my sleeve for when uni deadlines loom.

 

I really hope you can continue with home ed. It must be a horrible prospect that you could theoretically be forced to put him in school. Crossing my fingers it doesn't come to that.

Please let me know if you find the holy grail for getting kids to work independently. My kids sometimes will, but as often as not they will get distracted and side tracked if I'm not keeping an eye on them!

 

 

 

We're done for the year. 

 

Next year is pretty much sorted.  Year 8! Ds' pathway is becoming clearer - let's just say it's not humanities heavy.

Maths, science, PDHPE, German...they'll be our core subjects. 

 

But right now we are having a nice long break.  I deserve it, ds deserves it - this year was a nightmare and we both deserve a medal for the way we ploughed on regardless. 

 

Oh, dd19 and I did recorder for a number of years - it was actually a great instrument to learn. We had nice recorders (not plastic!) and used Penny Gardners 9 Note Recorder Method. I have sweet memories of playing lots of duets with dd. So, another vote for recorder!

 

Yay for being done and having a well-deserved break.

I have realised that we have more recorders than people in the house at the moment (tenor, 2 altos, 4 descants and sopranino) but we are not doing a lot with them right now as Ms. 11 is taking a break from recorder while she gets her clarinet fingerings solidly learnt (and Ms. 8 will soon be taking a break while she starts on oboe).

 

 

 

next year DD - Open University as means to get into her chosen degree the following year

 

ds13

 finish off Saxon 76 then move on to Algebra 1/2

WWS1 - we have started it a month ago- seems to be going well with him doing  writing on laptop.

Start All About Spelling

Ancients reading list WTM ( modified for his reading ability)

ABeka grammar ( looking for a workbook approach , was doing Rod and Staff)

Logic

Readers Digest Physics books as in WTM 2nd ed   bought a few science kits as extras

Kingfisher history as spine for ancients

there is something else that I cannot remember right at the moment

 

 

ds8  new arrival to our family, will be attending school 4 days a week and homeschooled one day a week ( I Am so amazed that DHHS actually suggested this)

All About Spelling

WWE book 1

Fist language lessons 2

Saxon Math 3

Story of the World Ancients

Science still undecided yet. possibly doing Adventures with atoms and Molecules

Fitzroy readers and workbooks

 

Twins 5 ( global Development Delays ) I have only planned first term as I am not sure how slow /fast they will get thought these tasks

Will be attending Preschool 2 days a week ( repeating) mostly so I can have some respite 

Rod and staff Preschool series ( half was through atm)

Spiegaban

counting math

Reading eggs

many manipulative type activities ( fine motor development)

Story of the World Ancients

 

Edited to add a phonics program, probably OPGTR with Bob Books an d Fitzroy readers 

 

You sound very organised.

And how good is that, you are actually being encouraged to home educate.

 

 

 

We also go Jan-Dec. Mine finished what I had planned in early November. I generally plan math and Lang Arts first and add the gravy as time permits. Here is what my crew will be up to in 2017.

 

Boys- 6th

TT 6

GWG 6

SSV 6

WriteShop Junior D and E (possibly F, if it is released)

Logos School Reading List and maybe a few Lit guides (titles TBD)

Read scriptures daily

 

Miss Priss- 2nd/3rd

TT 3

K12 Lang Arts Orange - not online portion

SSV 2

Logos School reading list

 

ALL-

Possibly K12 History/Science

Home Art Studio

Co op classes per interests

 

I find if I try to be too ambitious while planning, I just end up disappointed.

 

 

Yes! I am trying to fight the temptation to plan too many things, because that if I do that, it just won't happen.

 

 

 

We generally do semesters, so January is our start of new classes.

 

9th grader and 8th grader:

 

Math - continue with Saxon high school series

Latin - continue with Visual Latin

German - continue with our very dysfunctional homemade German program  *sigh*

British Literature & Composition - Prentice Hall British Literature textbook + interest-led booklist + Latin cards + writing topics from Writers, Inc

British History - History of Britain and Ireland, Great Tales from English History, Joan of Arc (Mark Twain), Daughter of Time, narrations/dictation

Introduction to Fine Arts - Gardner's Art Through the Ages, composer studies, timeline/notebooking

Bible - finish survey of each book in the Bible 

 

 

6th Grader

 

Math - living math

LA - continue R&S English, All About Spelling, Rip the Page, The Creative Writer Book 1

French - continue Ecoutez, Parlez

Science - continue Apologia Anatomy & Physiology

History - Story of the World 4

Art - Artistic Pursuits High School Book 1

Bible - continue The Action Bible

 

 

3rd Grader (biggest change)

 

Math - living math

LA - continue R&S English, All About Spelling, cursive

Science - Developing Critical Thinking through Science, Book 2

History - A Child's History of the World

Bible - 100 Bible Stories

 

 

Could you share what you are doing for German? And why it's dysfunctional? I'm trying to figure out the least painful way I can start some languages with my girls, and one is interested in German. I used to speak a bit of German but it would be extremely rusty by now...

 

 

Yeah, we usually go off the deep end after about a month.  We plan to study biology and end up studying astronomy (that actually happened to us last semester   :001_unsure:  ).  

 

That is sort of cool and sort of hilarious!

[Rosie_0801]

How did she go with Yellow Belt assessment?

Your religious learning sounds amazing.

For psychology, I have found that the kids are quite receptive to just discussing things and watching Ted Talks, etc. Because I'm studying psychology, I naturally share things I'm learning with the rest of the family, and they are surprisingly interested, so I figured we might as well keep on doing it that way rather than risk putting them off with a structured course of study!

 

I don't know how she went with her yellow belt assessment. We have to wait a whole week to find out! :svengo:

 

I don't think there is a structured course of study aimed at grade 4 kids with lower than average language abilities, so I expect we'll read a few biographies and talk about theories that have handy diagrams. Edward de Bono's Thinking Hats might be good too, especially if I can find some coloured hat beads or buttons to make a bracelet.  :laugh: I might just talk to the woman at the bead shop down the street. She'd make some up for me.

[mama25angels]

We're using Duolingo for an intro to German. We'll progress to actual classes next year though. But Duolingo has been a good start. I've noticed that over the time we've been using it, ds' ear has improved a lot.

 

This is what we're doing too, my Ds is loving it.

[Petrichor]

We school Jan-Dec too. 

 

Theres the second grader and the baby. 

 

Due to baby being born last Jan, we've had quite an interesting year. BUT, happily, we are on track to finish English and Math on schedule :D We finished some subjects early, and light-schooled others.

 

In Jan, he is going to have:

 

Math:  Singapore 2a

English: FLL 2

              WWE 2

              WRTR (continuing, with an emphasis on cursive learning)

History: SOTW2

Arabic: writing/vocab

Islamic Studies (various)

Science: BFSU

Art: Artist study and practical

 

Wow, that looks like a lot for 2nd grade, but we don't plan to do everything every day. 

Some of those went a bit to the wayside after baby arrived. They need to return.

 

DS already has karate thrice weekly and an Islamic class thrice weekly, but I'd like to look into putting him into a few school break camps this year or other programs. He likes to be out and on his own. 

 

I'd like to put him in a foreign language class or get him a tutor. I was considering Chinese. I could teach him Spanish or we could learn French together, but, again, he likes doing things on his own. Does anyone have online tutor recs to share? Or suggestions on how to find local tutors?

 

[....]

 

Could you share what you are doing for German? And why it's dysfunctional? I'm trying to figure out the least painful way I can start some languages with my girls, and one is interested in German. I used to speak a bit of German but it would be extremely rusty by now...

 

 

 

So, our German feels like a disaster...  

 

I also have to mention that I have a Minor in German, so initially thought that I could use a textbook - like they use in high school (ha ha ha *laughing hysterically*).  Anyway, we worked through about half of Komm Mit 1, which (I think) is a Holt high school textbook.  Halfway through, I'm thinking, "They're not retaining any of this!!??"  So, I had the bright idea that I would teach a list of things each week.  I was going to teach 10 new nouns, 1 new verb + its conjugation, translate 1 passage into English, teach 1 grammar rule, etc.   :glare:   After 8 weeks of doing that, I was running out of ideas.  

 

I should've just *bought* something.   :svengo:  I will probably go back to the Komm Mit textbook and combine my textbook idea with my "go over a list of things each week" idea.  

 

The Komm Mit textbook was introducing too many new words too quickly...with too much conversational slang (it seemed like)...and not adequately explaining the grammar rules behind everything.  

 

On a brighter note, they know a lot of words....and they are able to string really simple sentences together.  Maybe I should not get discouraged so easily.    

[Desert Strawberry]

Gem is doing a double year. He's finishing up first (August-dec) and starting second (January-May). The other kids are traditional.

We did a fairly cursory first grade. lots of worksheets. LOTS of worksheets.

I've got a rough plan for second.

 

Sight word flash cards

Progressive Phonics Intermediate

Multiplication flash cards

Spectrum Math

handwriting, spelling? Not sure. Possibly just the worksheets from PP. 

Usborne Science

History? Read alouds, probably. 

I went to an Usborne sale last week. The consultant recommended I become one, too. I need to do that in January, and I'll likely use a bunch of Usborne materials. I do love them. 

Extra curriculars: Same as now. 
Tween Gaming

Lego Club

Library Story time with craft
Day camp once a week
Possibly baseball in the spring

ETA: I forgot we have other things waiting. Art, crafts, I'm setting up a paint station for him for Christmas so that he can paint anytime. Junior Rangers at the national parks. Hiking. Any interest led topic that comes up. Literature list. 

 

Edited December 14, 2016 by Desert Strawberry

[IsabelC]

So, our German feels like a disaster...  

 

I also have to mention that I have a Minor in German, so initially thought that I could use a textbook - like they use in high school (ha ha ha *laughing hysterically*).  Anyway, we worked through about half of Komm Mit 1, which (I think) is a Holt high school textbook.  Halfway through, I'm thinking, "They're not retaining any of this!!??"  So, I had the bright idea that I would teach a list of things each week.  I was going to teach 10 new nouns, 1 new verb + its conjugation, translate 1 passage into English, teach 1 grammar rule, etc.   :glare:   After 8 weeks of doing that, I was running out of ideas.  

 

I should've just *bought* something.   :svengo:  I will probably go back to the Komm Mit textbook and combine my textbook idea with my "go over a list of things each week" idea.  

 

The Komm Mit textbook was introducing too many new words too quickly...with too much conversational slang (it seemed like)...and not adequately explaining the grammar rules behind everything.  

 

On a brighter note, they know a lot of words....and they are able to string really simple sentences together.  Maybe I should not get discouraged so easily.    

 

Doesn't sound like that much of a disaster. They have retained some vocab, and are OK with continuing, so obviously you have done something right!

I am thinking I'll start by just popping them on Duolingo for a short period each day, and worry about curriculum later on. I know Duolingo has some shortcomings (I had a go at their German course myself to see what it was like), but at this point, doing something seems a better option than doing nothing lol

 

 

 

Gem is doing a double year. He's finishing up first (August-dec) and starting second (January-May). The other kids are traditional.

 

We did a fairly cursory first grade. lots of worksheets. LOTS of worksheets.

 

I've got a rough plan for second.

 

Sight word flash cards

 

Progressive Phonics Intermediate

 

Multiplication flash cards

 

Spectrum Math

 

handwriting, spelling? Not sure. Possibly just the worksheets from PP. 

 

Usborne Science

 

History? Read alouds, probably. 

 

I went to an Usborne sale last week. The consultant recommended I become one, too. I need to do that in January, and I'll likely use a bunch of Usborne materials. I do love them. 

 

Extra curriculars: Same as now. 

Tween Gaming

Lego Club

Library Story time with craft

Day camp once a week

Possibly baseball in the spring

ETA: I forgot we have other things waiting. Art, crafts, I'm setting up a paint station for him for Christmas so that he can paint anytime. Junior Rangers at the national parks. Hiking. Any interest led topic that comes up. Literature list. 

 

A double year seems quite ambitious. I was thinking you're a little crazy, until I remembered that when I pulled Ms. 8 out of school at the end of her Prep (5yo kinder) year, we actually covered grade 1 over the summer break and started her in grade two that February! She still thinks it's wrong that she is about to go into 4th grade, while her friend from school starts 3rd, but she really needed that much acceleration just to get her to the point where she was going to start learning, so I'm guessing it's a similar situation with Gemini?

[Desert Strawberry]

Gem is 7 and a half. He had a delayed start due to immaturity and personality issues. Now that he's older, he's ready to advance. 

[LMD]

Me too!

 

We finished just over a week ago. There were a couple of things left undone but we needed a break. We've had 4 back to back colds the last 6 weeks so I've pretty much done nothing at all this past week...

 

I do have a lot of thoughts for next year and am starting to jot down ideas in my bullet journal, but I'm trying to concentrate on Christmas stuff this week and school planning afterwards!

 

However, I am taking the kids to see Macbeth 2 days after Christmas!