Why post our homeschool plan online? Well, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to get ideas for different subjects/grade levels and wished more homeschoolers would share what they are using and what they think about it. And, I’ve always found the best way to get others to share is to be transparent first. If you decide to share on your blog, please let me know in the comments so I can come check it out! Who knows who we might encourage in their homeschool journey!
First, I probably should take a few moments to clarify a few things….While my son’s are 14, 12 and 8 we do not worry about grade levels…or I should say we try not to worry about them. We consider where they are in their learning and proceed from there.  My sons started life with some big disadvantages and I feel that as long as I can stay home and work with them one-on-one – individualizing their learning experience – I will. I already see tremendous improvement. But the bottom line is that we use what works for us – not for the high-achievers across town or even the newest/coolest program out there.
So, here’s what we are using and some thoughts about it.
MATH
- My youngest is using Saxon – it was a gift from the school where he was attending last year when they upgraded to the newest addition. He enjoys it and I’m thankful for it’s provision!
- My two oldest use Teaching Textbooks. It’s working REALLY well for them…and I love that if they don’t understand something, there are solution CDs that walk them through every step of the problem. I feel very confident that we can continue with this math as high as they can go without requiring that I be a math whiz!
HISTORY
- I started this year with My Father’s World…but it just didn’t work for us. Anyone want to buy it? 😉
- I then tried Story of the World (with the activity guide) and love it! Next year we will do V2 – we are all looking forward to it!
- Next year my oldest will do a year of World History using a textbook we were given several years ago. I plan to supplement it with historical fiction periodically using “All Through the Ages”.
LANGUAGE ARTS
- I’ve been using Pathway Readers and workbooks for the younger two. I just ordered some Getty Dubay Italic workbooks. I had planned to use some software I purchased to make worksheets, but I come to realize I just need to be able to say “please do the next page”. For $7.75/each – this will be a huge blessing!
- Spelling Power- love it! I can use it for everyone – giving them each an individualized program.
- Writing Skills for Special Children – I bought this mainly for my son with learning disabilities but once I saw how it so wonderfully breaks down the writing experience, I started using it for my other sons too (at appropriate levels).
- Next year we’ll continue with Spelling Power, Pathway Readers, Handwriting practice and writing practice for the younger two. The older one will be doing English I from ACE. I personally am not a huge fan of ACE and really don’t want him to use it for all his subjects. But he really enjoys it for some subjects.
SCIENCE
- I’ve been using Apologia’s Elementary science – Exploring Creation with Astronomy – with the younger boys and we’ve really been enjoying it now that we’ve found our groove with it. The oldest one has been doing A Beka.
- Next year I’ll use one of the Zoology books from Apologia Elementary (not sure which one yet) and the oldest one will be doing Physical Science from Apologia’s older curriculum.
- And we’ll use the Sacramento Zoo as much as possible! Thanks to Grammy!!
EVERYTHING ELSE
- PE – continuing with backyard play, park day and doggy walks. But I keep meaning to call our friend who’s hubby teaches kick-boxing to find out if we can afford it. The boys really like him so they think it sounds like fun. We’ll see.
- Technology – Going to start teaching typing – even though they really don’t do a bad job they can use improvement. And I’m going to be looking for something to help them learn more about computer programs. Looking at something from Motherboard Books – but need more research.
- Health – the oldest will be getting his health requirement done early next year with ACE’s paces.
- Bible – I hesitate to add this to our ‘school’ plan as I really don’t like to think about it like a school subject. Lately we are reading “Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door”. Next year the oldest will be doing “Jesus Christ, The Greatest Life” with Daddy – it’s a book that puts the 4 Gospels into one timeframe to tell you about the ministry of Christ. I’m not sure what I’ll do on a daily basis. Either – read through the Bible in a year or maybe we’ll read the books “Know What You Believe” and “Know Why You Believe”.
So, did I forget anything? Do you have any questions about what we are doing, what we are using or why we are doing something this way? I’d love a chance to talk more about it! 🙂
I never have interesting things to say about homeschool curriculum, because we use all Bob Jones stuff, and dont’ mix and match. (That’s the OCD coming out in me. *lol*) … but we’ve found that it works really well with my style of teaching, and how the kids work, so we stick to it. 😀
As for P.E. , I found a kids’ version of walking video by Leslie Sansone… They used to take walks around our sub-division, but it’s gotten so cold and so many people don’t bother keeping track of their dogs (which is SO annoying), and they bother the kids. 🙁 … We have a leash law for a reason people! *sigh*
Sounds like you’ve got the basics covered. Are you giving any thought to “electives” or “enrichment, esp. for J-1? I have a few things if think you might want to try something.
Sounds like you’ve got it covered! :o) We’re looking at switching Beth to CLASS next year. They grade the papers, do the transcript, etc. Not sure yet though.
Have you thought about doing J1’s transcript? I purchased a book called Transcripts Made Easy by Janice Campbell. It tells you step by step how to do them, and gives you the forms.
You must feel so good to have the plan all planned out 🙂 I cannot tackle it until mid April and that is okay with me. Have you thought about a foreign language for your high schooler? Of course being your own school you don’t have to have it as a graduation requirement.
I am going to check that writing program out – my youngest really struggles with writing. Thanks for the tip.