2013-2014 Curriculum

We are starting school next week!  I am so excited about this school year.  If you are interested in why we are homeschooling click here and to see my homeschool room click here.  When I first decided to homeschool, I was overwhelmed with all the choices with curriculum.   I read about the different homeschooling options and really like the Charlotte Mason method.  However, this method is definitely less “structured” then I would like.  I feel with it being my first year, I was wanting to develop a planned, yet loosely structured day.  I wanted to be able to go with the flow, yet also have everything thought out, so I wasn’t scrambling around gathering materials.  

My main curriculum Hearts Of Dakota: Bigger Hearts for his Glory , Drawn Into the Heart Of Reading and for extra science, Earth Science.

I came across this website, Monarch Room and immediately knew this was what I was looking for.  She used a curriculum called Hearts of Dakota.  It is a planned, boxed curriculum, but using many of Charlotte Mason’s principals.  I liked the idea of having a plan and checklist my first year, to keep me on my toes.  Tara did an excellent job preparing and organizing her curriculum and I will just say I basically followed her method to a T.  I found so many resources on the HOD:BiggerHearts For His Glory Facebook page.  Science notebooking pages, poetry books, timeline sheets, supply lists, everything you need to start your year off smoothly with HOD. 

Bigger Hearts for his Glory, provides guided instruction for history, geography, language arts, storytime, bible, science, poetry and lite activities in art, music and math.  Math, English and reading suggestions are offered, or you can choose your own.  We will be doing Hearts of Dakota, Drawn Into The Heart Of Reading  program and I went ahead and purchased all the books we will be aiming to read for the year.  I organized them by unit and who would be reading them and what genre they cover.  

 All of the history and science books needed for BHFHG are gathered and placed together too.  I have filled this little Ikea cart, with all these books so they stay in one place and I have the ability to move them around the house if needed.  I also placed all the books the boys will be reading in here along with my teaching guides.  

For math we will be using Teaching Textbooks 5 for my 9 year old and supplementing with IXL for both boys.  My younger son will be using a variety of books in the photo below. 

Instead of using the Rod and Staff English books HOD recommends I will be using the below books for grammar, writing, vocabulary and spelling for the boys.   I also purchased composition books, for dictation, spelling (not shown) and poetry.  I do not plan on pushing my 7 year old hard on the writing, spelling or cursive, those are for my 9 year old. 

Along with a weekly co-op (for earth science, astronomy and art), swim /PE class and karate, the boys will be taking Suzuki piano lessons and be involved in Awanas and scouting.  We will also be working on social and life skills each week along with health.  

I have also set aside time each week for a Nature study or field-trip of some sort.  I have packed bags with trail guides, magnify glasses, bug catchers, notebooks, sketch pads and field guides for fun outdoor adventures.  

I found many of these How To Draw books at Goodwill and have time set aside for my oldest to work his way through these.  

For myself I have prepped by reading lots of books and really getting some routines and home organization systems in place.  These are a few of my favorite reads.  

And of course, what homeschool mother doesn't have a good binder, keeping track of lessons plans, calenders and planning tools and the proper documents for a successful school year.  I purchased the teaching planner from Tsh at Simple Mom, it was only $4.00!! I have a link on my side panel to purchase.  My HOD: Bigger Hearts for his Glory Planner, is very much like Tara's at the Monarch Room.....seriously, Tara was the biggest lifesaver for me in regards to planning.  Girl, I need to take you out to dinner as a thank you!!

So that is it.  I am sure I over planned and purchased more curriculum then we can sanely get through in a year, but I feel very prepared and organized for the year ahead and in my book that is a way better feeling then confused and overwhelmed to start. 

We are off to have some last few days of summer fun!  Each kid gets to plan all the activities for a day, where we go, what we eat, the whole bit.  We also have a fun and exciting "field-trip" coming up in the next few weeks, so stay tuned for that!   Enjoy the rest of your summer.  

My Homeschool Room

I have had the most fun preparing for the school year.  This will be our first year homeschooling and if you are interested in why, then read this post.  In the next week, I will be sharing our curriculum choices and more on how I over prepared for the up coming year. I was fortunate to have an office we could easily turn into our main learning space.  I really anticipate schoolwork happening all over the house, but at least everything is organized and all in one place.  If you want to see my office space before, you can check it out here. 

The timeline, I purchased here.  The lined up pictures under it are my American history figures that  correspond with my  history curriculum  (Hearts of Dakota, Bigger Hearts for His Glory) which I found on, The Monarch Room.  The rolling file cart, is solely dedicated to homeschool papers. 

 I put all my teachers manuals and everyday books we will be using in this blue caddy from IKEA.  I had it shipped, so I didn't have to drive 3 hours to my nearest store.  I can easily move it from room to room and all the books the boys will be reading this year are organized by week and all together!  Yay, no searching for items last minute or worrying about late fees at the library. 

 

 The canvas wrapped map I found at Hobby Lobby.  The bunting I made with vintage flashcards, I found at Goodwill.

The colorful scrappy bunting is from The Pleated Poppy. And my sweet little embroidered sampler can be purchased at the most adorable shop, The Hope Homemade, they have the cutest stamped necklaces too.  

 

 On the wall, lined up, is a new chore management system I am trying.  I am doing things a little different, then the book suggests, but the main idea comes from the book, Managers Of Their Chores.  The striped bins I purchased from Pottery Barn, many years ago.  I found the printables at random places online.



 

Well, that's it!  We are starting school in a couple weeks.  I hope all my planning helps things get off to a smooth start. If you are interested in seeing our curriculum click here. If you are interested in reading how our first year of schooling went click here.