Curriculum Choices 2012-2013

Here it is! Our choices for 2nd Grade (feel free to click on pic for link):

Core Curriculum - We're sticking with SONLIGHT.  I adore it.  I'm not going to lie - it can be overwhelming.  There's a lot of information and a ton of reading.  Honestly, I felt really guilty that we didn't finish reading all of our books in the first grade.  But, I finally realize that it is OK.  We have the books and can read them at leisure later!

Science - We're absolutely sticking with APOLOGIA.  I can't say enough about this program!  I love it!   I totally love that they get a full, in depth study of one concentrated area.  We did Astronomy last year and will be doing Botany this year.  My daughter takes this at a local homeschool program once a week and we review it through the week.  I did not get the Journal with it this year since she takes this elsewhere and they give her assignments from it anyway.

Handwriting - We're going to give HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS another go.  I really like it.  If it doesn't work with her this year, I'll use it with Maddie when the time comes.  She seemed to catch on well when I was working with Audrey some last year.

Math - This one is a bit complicated and don't freak out when I tell you what we chose.  Let me start by saying that we started first grade last year with Math U See.  We got about 19 lessons in and Audrey was bored.  I switched to Singapore, but I was only using their review books.  She really enjoyed them.  I did some research on several curricula, but decided to stick with the actual SINGAPORE set.  We'll be doing 1B and 2A.  Upon recommendation I also bought a couple of books of LIFE OF FRED as a fun supplement.  They're awesome books!    THEN... my Statistician husband, went to the conference Saturday and met a lovely man named Miles Jones.  He has an Accelerated Math program that we both agreed would be fantastic for Audrey who really is great in math!  The packaging is not as "fancy" as most other curricula, but you can't judge a book by its cover!  In fact, I'm not able to get a pic, but here is the link to Jones Geniuses.

 

Latin - This is a new one for us.  After recommendations and research, we both feel it is important to start Latin.  It will only help with other areas of learning.  We're starting out simple with SONG SCHOOL LATIN.  I'm excited about learning it with her!

Extra Curricular - Audrey enjoys learning about history and world cultures.  I thought it would be great fun to sign them both up for LITTLE PASSPORTS.   They get a package in the mail each month with info from a different country.  There are activities, a "goody", a sticker for their "passport", and a tag for their "suitcase".  Check out their site for more info!

We are also doing KEEPERS OF HOME through our homeschool group.  I'm looking forward to the monthly meetings and learning some new skills with her.  :)

And, there you have it!  That's the plan!  Keep in mind that we also participate in Awana, Children's Choir, and Competitive Cheerleading.  It's going to be a GREAT year!

2011-2012 Curriculum Choices - First Grade

Hi, everybody!  I'm excited to participate in my first Homeschool Blog Hop!  This is our first year journeying into the world of homeschooling and I can't wait!  I have a first grader and a preschooler.  We have actually made the decision to do part time preschool through a Christian Academy for my preschooler, so I don't have anything formally for her.  Though I do have a hodge podge of resources over the years to choose from.  As for my first grader, I have relied pretty heavily on the recommendations of friends. From all I have seen so far, I am incredibly excited about the choices we've made and am looking forward to jumping in next week!  Here's what we're going with:


Sonlight.  We're doing Core A - Intro to the World: Cultures with the First Grade Readers.  This fulfills Language Arts, Spelling, Reading, Bible, and the added bonus of World History. 

Apologia - We are using Apologia for both science (Astronomy) and Bible (Who Is God?).

Math-U-See - We're starting with Alpha. 

Handwriting Without Tears - First Grade

The Etiquette Factory - This was an unplanned "elective" that I fell in love with at the Southeast Homeschool Expo.  There's 11 lessons that both of my girls will be participating in. They can't wait!

We will also be doing some Sign Language informally with flashcards, books, and the internet.  She will be participating in our Children's Musical program at church.  And, she is on a competitive cheerleading team.  I think we'll have our hands full!

Just like Christmas morning when the FedEx man brought Sonlight!