Tuesday, May 13, 2008

2008-2009 School Plans


Next year is going to be a very heavy school year, in many ways.

First, we will have six "official" students --- one “official” Kindergartener, (said with tears in my eyes), two elementary level students (one Lower Grammar in grade level 2-3, and one Upper Grammar in grade 4), two middle school level students (Dialectic - both are grade range 6-7 but are advanced students), and our first high school student (Rhetoric - 9th grade - Freshman).

Second, at first view our list of “to-do’s” is quite extensive which makes it seem rather intimidating. Our TENTATIVE list for our next school year (2008-2009) is below. I do not believe it is as daunting as it appears. Clearly we have a lot planned that we feel we HAVE to do, and there are also more than a few studies which are things we WANT to do. (please leave any suggestions for the undecided items in the comments --- they are still VERY undecided, and I would love suggestions !!)

One major detail that we are missing: We like to begin every school day with a time of Prayer, Bible Study, Devotion, and Scripture Memory together as a family. And so far our "courses" or materials or plans for this time are yet undecided. We also use this time together to focus a bit of attention on Habit Training and Character Development, and this area is yet undecided as well. (Recommendations and suggestions are very welcome !)

Cherub 6: Kindergarten (Lower Grammar Level)
Beginning Reading: Abeka's Handbook For Reading, McGuffey's Readers.
Penmanship: Begin Handwriting Without Tears printing workbooks.
Math: Saxon Math 1.
Literature: AO Year 1 selections; some TOG Year 1 Lower Grammar selections.
Science: some Apologia Zoology 1 (done with Cherub 4 and Cherub 5)
History: some TOG - Year 1 - Lower Grammar level (done with Cherub 4)
Art Technique: Drawing and sketching from Nature (done with family)
Art Appreciation: Coordinating artist studies within TOG Year 1.
Nature Study: Nature Journals.
Poetry: AO Year 1 selections.
Music Study: AO rotation.
P.E.: Continue Swimming Instruction (Winter Swim Team - Aug to May - practice only); Cross Country Running (training and conditioning only !). Tennis (instruction summer 2008; playing as able).

Cherub 5: Grade 2/3 (Lower Grammar Level)
Reading: continue with Abeka Handbook for Reading and McGuffey's Readers.
Penmanship: continue Handwriting Without Tears printing program.
Spelling: (begin in January) Spelling Wisdom 1
Math: Saxon Math 3
Literature: AO Year 3 selections; TOG Year 1 Lower Grammar selections.
Science: Apologia Zoology 1 (done with Cherub 4 and Cherub 6).
History: TOG Year 1 Lower Grammar Level (with Cherub 6).
Art Technique: Drawing and watercolor painting (done with family).
Art Appreciation: Coordinating Artists within TOG Year 1.
Nature Study: Nature Journal.
Poetry: AO Year 3 poetry rotation.
Music Appreciation: AO rotation.
P.E.: Fall U-10 soccer (?), Winter Swim Team (competitive - August to May), training and conditioning for Cross Country running (Goals: 1 mile children’s race March 2009, 3-mile children’s race April 2009); Tennis (lessons summer 2008; playing weekly or biweekly.)

Cherub 4: Grade 4 (Upper Grammar Level)
Reading: continue with McGuffey's readers; practice Handbook for Reading charts.
Penmanship: begin Handwriting Without Tears Cursive program.
Spelling: Complete Spelling Wisdom 1, and begin Spelling Wisdom 2.
Grammar & Composition: First Language Lessons (Wise) OR Serl's Primary Language Lessons. Story Starters (beginning composition)
Math: Saxon 5/4 (may change to Teaching Textbooks 5 ?).
Literature: some AO selections Yr 3/4. TOG Year 1 Lower and/or Upper Grammar selections.
Science: Apologia Zoology 1 (with Cherub 5 and 6).
History: TOG Year 1 Lower and/or Upper Grammar.
Art Technique: sketching nature and beginning watercolor (with family).
Art Appreciation: Coordinating Artists within TOG Year 1.
Nature Study: Nature Journal; AO Nat. Sci. Yr. 3 - 4 books ?; Kamana Naturalist Course 1.
Poetry: AO Yr. 4 poetry rotation.
Music Appreciation: AO Rotation
P.E.: Winter Swim Team (competitive - Aug to May); training and conditioning for Cross Country running (goal: 3 mile Children's race spring 2009); Tennis (lessons summer 2008; play weekly or biweekly).

Cherub 3: Grade 6++++ (Dialectic Level)
Spelling: Spelling Wisdom 3
Vocabulary: undecided (to focus on root, prefix, suffix "words" in Latin / Greek).
Grammar: undecided.
Composition: TOG Year 1 - Dialectic level. IEW-SWI Level B.
Math: Teaching Textbooks - finish grade 6 and begin grade 7.
Literature: HEO 9 selections (free reading); TOG Dialectic level selections. (Supplementing with advanced Ancient History and Literature titles from SL, WP, BF prn).
Science: Apologia General Science (with Cherub 2).
History: TOG Year 1, Dialectic level (including all additional "optional" History and Literature readings prn; also SL and other selections prn).
Art Technique: sketching nature; continue with watercolor; begin oil painting ?
Art Appreciation: Coordinating artists with TOG Year 1.
Natural Science: Nature Journal; Kamana Naturalist Program 1; AO & HEO Natural Science readings ?
Poetry: AO Year 8 poetry rotation.
Music Appreciation: AO rotation.
P.E.: Winter Swim Team (competitive - August to May); training and conditioning for Cross Country Running (goals: 3K and 5K children’s races - Spring 2009); Tennis (lessons Summer 2008; play weekly or more).
Elective: learning to sew (materials undecided); beginning woodworking (materials undecided).

Cherub 2: Grade 7+ (Dialectic Level)
Spelling: Spelling Wisdom 3.
Vocabulary: undecided (focus on root, prefix, suffix "words" in Latin / Greek)
Grammar: undecided.
Composition: TOG Year 1 - Dialectic level. IEW-SWI Level B.
Math: Teaching Textbooks Grade 7 (will possibly begin TT 8 mid-year).
Literature: some HEO Year 8/9 selections; TOG Dialectic selections (including "optional" Dialectic readings prn; supplement extra Free Reading from advanced SL Ancient History and Literature titles prn.
Science: Apologia General Science (with Cherub 3).
History: TOG Year 1 - Dialectic level.
Art Technique: sketching from nature; possibly begin oil painting mid-year ? (with family)
Art Appreciation: Coordinating Artists from TOG Year 1.
Nature Study: Nature Journal; Kamana Naturalist Course 1.
Poetry: AO Year 8 poetry rotation.
Music: AO rotation.
P.E.: Winter Swim Team (competitive - Aug to May); training and conditioning for Cross Country running (goal: children’s 5K race - Spring 2009); Tennis (lessons summer 2008; play weekly or bi-weekly).
Health: undecided.
Electives: INTENSE learning to sew (materials undecided); The Joy Of Photography 1 & 2 (with Cherub 1); study of Organic Gardening.

Cherub 1: Grade 9 (Rhetoric Level)
Grammar: undecided
Composition: TOG - Rhetoric level. IEW-SWI - Level B.
Vocabulary: undecided (focus on root, prefix, and suffix "words" in Latin / Greek).

SAT / ACT Preparation: undecided
Math: Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1; (possible - Math U See Stewardship program).
Literature: TOG Rhetoric level readings; "optional" TOG Rhetoric readings prn. Supplement as needed with HEO and SL history and literature selections.
Science: Apologia Biology 1 (possibly begin Chemistry in January or early in Term 3 if ready ?).
History / Geography : TOG Year 1 - Rhetoric level.
Church History / Theological Studies: TOG Year 1 - Rhetoric level.
Worldview Studies: TOG Year 1 - Rhetoric level.
Art Technique: Continue nature sketching; possibly begin oil painting ?
Art Appreciation: Coordinating artists with TOG Year 1.
Nature Study: Nature Journal; Kamana Naturalist 1 (and possibly 2).
Music Appreciation: AO rotation; continue "self-teaching" with keyboard; possible formal Guitar lessons.
P.E.: Winter Swim Team (competitive - Aug to May); training and conditioning for Cross Country running (goal: 5K race Spring 2009); Tennis (lessons Summer 2008; play weekly or biweekly).
Health: Red Cross First Aid & CPR course (as offered though Fire Department / EMS program).
Electives: Computer Use (word, internet, excel, power-point, etc); The Joy of Photography 1 & 2 (with Cherub 2); VERY basic sewing skills (life-skills); begin woodworking (materials undecided); study of Organic Gardening (consider Master Gardener Certification program at UT for next summer ?); Swimmers LifeGuard Certification (begin self-studies this winter; take formal course when available late winter - early spring for Lifeguard Certification).


ABBREVIATIONS & LINKS:


** Our ESSENTIAL Homeschool Organizer **

(how we manage to keep track of everything and move along smoothly in all of our studies !)

The Simply Charlotte Mason Organizer



TOG
= Tapestry of Grace Year 1 (Ancient)



AO = Ambleside Online



SL = Sonlight



WP = Winter Promise



BF = Beautiful Feet




IEW = Institute for Excellence In Writing

SWI = Student Writing Intensive (offered by IEW)
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/index.php?q=catalog/1/writing



Apologia Sciences:

(Highschool) Biology 1:


(Elem.) General Science & Zoology 1:




Kamana Naturalist Studies:




Teaching Textbooks Math:




Saxon Math:




Spelling Wisdom:

3 comments:

Merry Christmas said...

I love seeing other peoples plans
Thank you for sharing it with us.

Blessings,
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/testimony

Anonymous said...

That is an extensive list...
YOU are a busy mom!!
I am adding one kindergartener this year. I will have him join in on some of the 'big kids' studies (as you do) to make it easier on myself.

Kris said...

Where do you fit into the mix? When I see the same thing listed for two or mire kids, does that mean they are doing the same thing together? You've done a wonderful job organizing and planning!

Blessings!