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

http://simplycharlottemason.com/home/

TOG = Tapestry of Grace Year 1 (Ancient)

http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php

AO = Ambleside Online

HEO = House of Education
http://www.amblesideonline.org/index2.shtml

SL = Sonlight

http://www.sonlight.com/

WP = Winter Promise

http://www.winterpromise.com/

BF = Beautiful Feet

http://www.bfbooks.com/

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:

http://www.highschoolscience.com/

(Elem.) General Science & Zoology 1:

http://www.jeanniefulbright.com/home.html

Kamana Naturalist Studies:

http://www.kamana.org/

Teaching Textbooks Math:

http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/

Saxon Math:

http://saxonpublishers.harcourtachieve.com/en-US/saxonmath_home

Spelling Wisdom:

http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/spellingwisdom/