2011-2012 Curriculum

Here I am posting a revised edition of our upcoming curriculum for the fall. I have learned so much and continue to learn even more about the goals I have for the little ones. One thing that I am really beginning to realize is that I need to relax. That is the story of my life :). I really love to learn so I sometimes feel like I need to teach the little ones everything. WRONG! I now realize at this beginning stage I need to just introduce them to "God's World" through great books, life, people and whatever other tangible way I can. I need to try and back off of the details a bit and start with the big picture. I have already been seeing that Lucas will pursue on his own things that he is interested in after being introduced to/ taught something about. I hope to apply this to their view of Math as well. I realize that math is finite, BUT I love the living/living books approach to math also. I want them to be able to think mathematically and understand that math is all around us and to not be intimidated by it as just a problem to solve and move on to the next. I could go on and on here but I will save anyone reading this from my babbling. So here is what I plan to do this fall (August- technically not fall) I am sure I will change things as we go depending on what is working and what is not to meet the learning styles of the kids. I can already see the difference which will make things challenging but yet fun. My plan is to teach most things together except math and LA (handwriting, phonics, spelling, etc.).

Bible- Family Time Bible in Pictures   2 chapters per week and a weekly verse for memorization

Five in a Row (FIAR) - I want to start using BFIAR this summer and work through those and then start FIAR or just mix them up a bit once we get the hang of the routine. I am really excited to get started with this. I think this will add a lot more to all of these great stories, that would probably be reading anyway, in a much more logical and structured approach than I could come up with on my own. This will cover areas of history, geography, LA, math, and science but not in full. This seems to fit in with my goal of introduction to the world and digging a little deeper as there interest is peaked. I really just want to instill in them a love for learning, self-confidence, and to be in AWE of  GOD and all of his creations.

Storybooks outside of FIAR- 20th Century Children's Book Treasury, A Treasury of Mother Goose Rhymes, 100 Classic Stories, Aesop's Fables, The Random House Book of Poetry for Children and what ever else I find along the way.

History/Geography- Galloping the Globe (GTG) this has not changed but it will not be as detailed as I had originally planned. I am going to take a broader approach to this. I will also add in Scholastic Success with maps Gr 1 workbook and It's Our World geography A.

Handwriting- Handwriting Without Tears (HWOT) pre-k for Sophie and K for Lucas

Phonics- I am a bit stumped on this one. Lucas is going to need a real creative approach to this because I have attempted Pathways Phonics and this worked in a way but required a lot of me tweaking things for him. So I am going to attempt All About Spelling (AAS) taking it at his pace hoping a more multi sensory approach will work. We have successfully been doing Get Ready, Set, Go for the Code and will be starting ETC 1 when we start K. He knows all of his letters and letter sounds but blending is just not his strong area (to say the least) so I just keep plugging along on ways to make it fun. He is learning sight words and able to read some CVC words but more from memory from reading them over and over I think than actually sounding them out. I am not worried though he is still little and when he is ready he will do it. That is just how he is :). I am also waiting to see what the new All About Reading program will look like when it comes out next month. I may get the AAR pre-1 for Sophie and if the AAR 1 is not too advanced I may get that for Luke or just do pre-1 with both. Also using starfall readers and BOB Books.

Science- Living Learning Books Level 1  I made up unit studies around each of the areas covered in the book and will try to relate to our GTG studies as much as possible. Also the FIAR books will spark science studies for us. We also incorporate Nature Study, which I love and so do the kids, using the Handbook of Nature Study and Burgess Bird Book for Children.

Math- I still plan on using MEP and Miquon. I just found the Mathstart books which I think I will love. This will be a great way for me to include the living math approach to their studies. I have this beautiful vision of a math book basket in my head-- Now I just need those books :).

Art/ Picture Study- I am hoping to get Come Look with Me books and an art book, besides what we do with FIAR.

We will also be using some Kumon activity books varying ones for Sophie and Luke. And I am still researching the Developing the Early Learner books. I have seen mixed reviews of them so I need to dig a bit deeper.

There is my plan of attack for the upcoming year. I hope we have fun, introduce lots, retain some and enjoy our togetherness!

Julie