I’ve shared about my curriculum choices for KD and now I’ll share Buddy’s.
- Spelling: All About Spelling Level 4-6.-I am so happy with the progress he’s made with All About Spelling. We completed Levels 1-3 this past year. This upcoming year we will complete Level 4, 5 and hopefully 6. I know these levels will take more time than the first three, so I am optimistically hoping for three levels but in reality I will be happy with Level 4 and 5.
- Writing: Writeshop Level D-This year we are trying Writeshop. We have tried IEW and Write Strand. Both programs did not seem to help him. I ended up feeling frustrated as did he. Our co-op is doing a class using Writeshop so we are going to give it a try. I wrote about Writeshop in my page about Dysgraphia. The writer’s son suffered from dysgraphia. This particular level is not written by the same person, but it based on her Writeshop I and II.
- Math: Teaching Textbook 5 (and 1/2 of 6)- I feel that the first 30 lessons in Level 5 are mostly review of Math 4 so I am having him do two lessons a day until we get to disc 2. I am hoping that he will finish Level 5 by March and we’ll just start up in Level 6.
- History: My Father’s World Exploration to 1850– We have used MFW now for three years. We are in the 4th year of the 5 year Learning Cycle (we skipped the first one) This is the first part of US History. I am excited about working through this with him. I am hoping that we can move quickly since it will be one-on-one.
- Bible: He will be doing Community Bible Study with his sister and also AWANAS Book.
- Science: Apologia’s Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day– We are doing a co-op class using this books.This will be Buddy’s 4th Apologia science book.
- Grammar- Here is where I struggle. I have considered many programs, I can’t just pick one. I know that he struggles with writing. It’s not just the thinking of writing, but the physical part of writing. So I don’t want to pick another workbook to frustrate him. Writeshop Level D has grammar integrated into it, but it’s very basic. I have decided to try The Grammar Ace with him. KD did it in 5th grade. It’s very low key and fun because it incorporates the Schoolhouse Rock videos. I also purchased a membership for Grammaropolis through the Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op that we’ll try once a week. It is available right now through Educents see here.
- Reading/Vocabulary- I decided that we are going to read 9 novels this year together. Two of these we will do a Total Language Plus Study. Here are the book choices:
- Squanto, Friend Of The Pilgrims (Scholastic Biography)
- Shiloh
(TLP study) - The Revolutionary War: An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose Books)
- Thomas Jefferson: Third President of the United States (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- Thomas Edison: Young Inventor (Childhood of Famous Americans)
- The Stowaway: A Tale Of California Pirates
- The Great Turkey Walk
- The Sign of the Beaver
(TLP study) - No Talking
Music- He will continue his Harmonica lessons and do the Composer study with KD
Art-He will also be doing an art class in the co-op.
Spanish-Continue with lessons on Rosetta Stone, possibly move him to Level 2 since we will be going to Guatemala in a few days to study Spanish in Antigua.
Miscellaneous- He will continue doing Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum, Timez Attack (available now through Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op, and Building Thinking Skills. We will alternate days with these 3 computer games.
I’m also considering buying the Beginner Web Design Program from Educents which is 30% this week. I have to decide pretty quickly…..
There it is 2013-14. It will be an interesting year….
Ligia