Chandler is in 7th grade. He has a pretty full plate of curriculum, and his days will be a bit longer. He will be doing Algebra, using Videotext Algebra. He uses his laptop to watch a short 10-15 minute lesson on DVD, then does the problems from a workbook. He had previously completed the first section of this curriculum, which is considered Pre-Algebra, so this is just a continuation of that. For History, he is covering the second half of American History from 1850-Modern, using All-American History Vol 2. He enjoys history and it's a fun subject to bring to life by watching movies and documentaries covering the topics, as well as reading historical fiction. He will continue with Latin, in his 2nd year, and using First Form Latin. For Language Arts, he will be using Vocabulary from Classical Roots, and Analytical Grammar. He will sharpen his composition skills using Write Shop I. In science, he will be using Elemental Chemistry. I am also adding in a North Carolina state history study. I thought that would be interesting for him, since we just moved here, and plan to see alot of the state historical areas. For this, he will use Switched On Schoolhouse, which is a computer-based program. This is his first semester line-up. Some things continue all year, while others will wind up in December and new things start in January.
Cooper starts 2nd grade this year. Hard to believe!! I am most excited to be using My Father's World Adventures with him. This will cover American History, Science and some Bible study. It's a very hands-on curriculum with lots of activities and lots of book suggestions to bring the studies to life. I think he will love it! He will also continue to work on his reading skills using Explode the Code phonics, and just practicing reading as many books as we can get our hands on. For math, he is using Christian Light Education. We had started this curriculum last year and he has done really well with it. He especially loves the Speed Drills, where he tries to get as many math facts correct in one minute as he can. He will also be using the Art from Christian Light Education. He enjoys art and we have a portable art wall we put his work up to display.
Max is 4 so that is "preschool age". He asks to do schoolwork, he likes to be like his big brothers. So I decided to use My Father's World Kindergarten with him. It basically focuses on phonics, some hands-on math activities, and simple science projects. It will be perfect for him. Although he already knows his letter and letter sounds, we'll spend this year just reviewing them while gently moving into reading. Max is a quick learner, and picks things up quickly. I predict he will be reading within the next year, with little effort on my part.
Of course along with all of this schoolwork, the boys will have plenty of opportunities to get out and about. My plan is to do something nature-oriented every Friday afternoon, to get out and enjoy our new state. This fall Chandler is playing tackle football, while Cooper and Max will be participating in soccer. Cooper will be in Cub Scouts again. Max and Cooper will both do Awanas, which is a children's program from the Baptist church. They play games, learn about the bible, and just have alot of fun. That is a weekly program. Chandler and Cooper will both do a weekly P.E. class. That is what we have planned so far that will be weekly scheduled activities. More things may get scheduled in, if we can squeeze it. Of course, there's also the field trips, park days and just hanging out with friends, too. There is SO much offered for Homeschoolers in our area, it's hard to find the time to participate in it all. So it's a pick-n-choose thing...have to pick the best choice for our time and $$, and the rest just doesn't happen for now.
I am posting some pictures of our "school room". This is where we do most of our schoolwork, although we usually end up somewhere soft for reading.
This is a picture of Chandler's desk, as well some supplies to the right. Everything has a place. I'm a little OCD with my organizing skills.
These are our workboxes. Each boy has his own set. Their work is put in a box, each subject has it's own box. Once that work is complete, they take the little label that is attached with velcro, and move it to the poster with their name that has a matching label. I created their labels to match their interests. Chandler has sports, Yankees/Gators/Broncos, while Cooper has Star Wars, and Max has Lego Batman. Once their boxes are all worked, the labels are all removed, their school day is done.
This is the large table that Cooper and Max sit at to do their work. I actually got this table free from Freecycle. It is a dining room table that I stripped and re-painted a fun green color. Currently on this table is the wireless printer, a math abacus that Cooper loves, a little turning thingy that holds markers, crayons, scissors, and pencils, as well as our book basket holding all of the library books we have checked out. You can also see our Calender center in the back. This is a favorite for Cooper and Max.
Another view of the room. The large bookcase has a shelf for each boy where their curriculum is stored. There is also a few shelves of my teacher's manuals and various resources. You can see a few bins of different supplies, and a smaller bookcase of reading books. If you look closely, you can see stacks of books on the floor. These books are history, science and math topics that currently do not have a home, as I am down a bookcase since we moved here (Cooper claimed it for his room.).
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