Thoughts of Next Year - The Updated Version

I'm still in the midst of researching curriculum options for next year. So please forgive my lengthy curriculum posts. It helps me to put my thoughts down in writing.

My friend, Gina let me borrow one of the unit studies of Learning Adventures. I've been reading through it and it looks really interesting. Unfortunately, as neat and as fun as it looks, I don't think it's something I could use successfully. Mainly because I tried combining a couple of my kids subjects last year and failed miserably at it. I like the idea of combining subjects, but with children 3 years apart and even further in grade levels, I find it difficult to adjust the work according to their personal skill levels. I need something to do it for me. Maybe that's just my laziness showing through.

However, I have made a few changes to my previous list:

My Girl - 7th Grade

Spelling - Sequential Spelling Book 2
Grammar - Easy Grammar 7th grade
Literature/Composition - Lightning Literature
Vocabulary - Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book A
Math - Math-U-See Pre Algebra
Science - Apologia General Science
History - Mystery of History Volume One
Art - Artistic Pursuits Junior High Kit One

My Little Guy - 4th Grade

Reading - BJU Reading 2-3
Math - Math-U-See Gamma
Science - Apologia Zoology 1 & 2
History - Abeka History of Our United States
Art - Artistic Pursuits Elementary Book 2
Typing - Typing Instructor for Kids Computer Software

Now let me explain my changes...

1. I really wanted to find a Literature curriculum for My Girl that focused only on literature. And I think I've found it in Lightning Literature. I like LLATL, but we have the whole grammar thing covered with Easy Grammar and I really hate skipping through huge parts of the curriculum when we don't do the grammar parts. So, hopefully this will fix that problem.

2. I've decided (unless I change my mind again, of course) that I will give Mystery of History another shot. The main reasons I didn't care for it before was  A.) I HATE World History and B.) I was trying to use it for both of my kids and was having trouble adjusting it to each of their skill levels. This time I will only be using it for My Girl and she really does need to learn some World History since she has only studied US History previously. Also, since the last time I tried it, they have come out with the author reading the lessons on audio CD, which I think would be convenient.

3. I've added in Artistic Pursuits. We really have liked using this curriculum this year and I love that you can buy the kits with everything you need! (yep, laziness!)

4. I have been looking for a curriculum that focuses on teaching reading without adding in language lessons. My Little Guy is a struggling reader and needs to master reading before confusing him with language skills. Again I hate skipping whole sections of curriculum. It makes me feel like we aren't doing enough. Hopefully using BJU Reading only for a while we can get him on track, then add in the Language lessons later. He's really getting close!!

5. My Little Guy loves using my computer so I thought I could kill two birds with one stone in adding in some typing lessons. He'll be getting to use the computer and the typing lessons will also help with his reading.

So, there you have it. I'm still looking for a foreign language curriculum, but I'm not having very much luck. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them!

Comments

[JoAnn]

1.

Thanks for stopping by! I've been in the midst of deciding curriculum for next year as well. Unfortunately, my son has finished his spelling, phonics, and reading comprehension work for this year already. I say unfortnately because we homeschool through a public program that requires that I teach a certain number of hours which is hard to do when your student doesn't have anything to do. So, I'm trying to nail things down so I can order new stuff NOW!