Wednesday, November 19, 2008

A homeschooling update

I have really been playing with curriculum this year and am trying to find a perfect fit. It is not as easy as I thought it would be! So far we are using Bob Jones for Reading, Science and History. We are using Bob Jones for Michael's English. We are using Rod and Staff for Annalee's English. We are using Keys for Kids for Bible. Singapore for Math and Houghton Mifflin for Spelling. We are adding some extra books for history and science as we go along. I don't feel like it's coming together exactly how I envisioned. Michael has finished 4th grade English and Math. He is doing 6th grade spelling and it's still not much of a challenge for him. Annalee is coming along great, but I think the Singapore doesn't explain things quite enough for her age. I am thinking about trying Learning Language Arts Through Literature for her and maybe a different math. I am unsure whether I want to try Saxon or Horizons. I really need something different for Grammar. She has done nouns, verbs and pronouns this year(almost 200 pages out of the text book) and that's it. I do not know if I should move Michael up to 5th grade English or find another company and do 4th grade for him to make sure he got everything he needed. I think I am going to stick with Singapore math for him. They both love doing school at home. I love learning with them. I love the freedom to take a breather during the day if needed. I love that even though my car is in the shop, it doesn't mean I have to find someone to get them from school. It is hard for us to stay focused with the holidays coming. I just want to play!

5 comments:

Tiffani said...

Yes! This is definitely a hard time of year to stay focused! I always like to take some time during this season though to do some arts and crafts stuff and some other activities...it gives us a little break from our regular "stuff" and helps get through some holiday doldrums!

Sounds like you've got lots of GREAT curriculum...we love Bob Jones Reading!

A friend of mine uses Learning Language Arts....and LOVES it!! She really sings its praises all the time!!

I too love the freedoms that come with homeschooling and what a gift it is to learn right along with them and see how they learn and watching them grow is SUCH a gift!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

Focus issues here FOR SURE!!
If you choose to do LLATL, I would suggest going up a year. It is a very relaxed approach and doesn't really dig into grammar much at all.IT would be great if you supplement that area if you go with it.
We do Saxon...just because that's what I have and why buy new for the other kids. :)
Home schooling a gift...even when I can't seem to find the time to span a day from my high schooler to my Kindergartner.

Julie said...

Hi! I found your blog from a link from my friend Tiffani's blog. I love reading the blogs of other homeschooling families. I have a 6 year old in first grade that I homeschool and it is not always easy with an 18 month old running around. I'm anxious to read how you do it with a 9 month old.

Can't wait to read more about your life! Good luck with the curriculum search. I have used Abeka for the past two years and I am ready for a change!

edie said...

Hello my new blog friend,
Of course you may print off whatever you'd like. I loved hearing your curriculum choices and struggles. I am using the Well Trained Mind and LOVE it...especially the history part called Story of the World. I also use Veritas Bible which usually correlates well with SOTW.....like today we studied the parting the Red Sea with Moses and The Exodus from Egypt and Egyptian culture in SOTW. It's a nice overlap. We are struggling with math....I think because I hate math. We are using Saxon but I'm not sure if I'll stick with it or not. And we have decorated one Christmas tree and made pretzel pilgrim hats today....among doing our schoolwork. I guess you could say we're a little 'distracted' too. Nice to 'chat'. Have a great day.

Kat said...

I would definitely have a hard time staying focused this time of year too. Well, any time of year, actually. I don't know if I could ever do homeschooling. I give you tons of credit!