New School Year Begins

Because of traveling, I didn't quite get to start the school year as early as planned. But, as my DH keeps reminding me - we homeschool for lots of reasons and flexibility being one of them. J will be in Second Grade and Kaleb will be continuing preschool activities. Here is a break down of the curriculum we will be using for the new school year.

J - Second Grade

Bible:

Telling God's Story Year One - Meeting Jesus. This is a hands-on bible curriculum that comes with coloring sheets, art projects, and games. I am hoping that we will be able to do it together with Kaleb, after some adjustments for the preschool age.

Core: (History, Science)

Sonlight B + C - Intro to World History Combined Year. Because we worked with Winter Promise last year, I decided to use the Combine B + C to keep J on track with the Sonlight schedule. It is definitely more intense than Winter Promise as I hoped to be in a permanent environment by now so I am praying that we can keep up with all the work involved.

Math:

Horizons Math Grade 2 Book Set.  We are continuing with Horizons Math, it seems to fit J. She tested well in Math last school year so why change something that isn't broke? I know many parents who don't like Horizons but J likes it and it works for her.

Language Arts:

Learning Language Arts Through Literature: Red Book.  Even though I love Sonlight, I always feel that their language arts program needs some amping up. This year, I decided to supplement with LLATL. 

All About Spelling Levels 1 and 2.  I decided to add a spelling curriculum this year. I probably could have left it with LLATL but we will give All About Spelling a try. If it proves to be too much, I will eliminate this. I bought both levels because the first 8 to 10 lessons are alphabet sounds and such which she already knows. We will review the first lessons at a quicker pace and then slow down to a lesson per week when the actual spelling lists come in play.

All About Reading Level 3. We will also continue with All About Reading Level 3 and possibly Level 4 (since I heard that it is coming out in September). 

Explode the Code Books 4, 4 1/2, and 5.  We are still working through these books and have been since Kindergarten. 

Handwriting Without Tears 2nd Grade. This book also came with a pre-cursive workbook. 

Art and Music: I have plenty of ideas but I haven't finalized this one yet. I may just continue where I left off last year.

Kaleb - preschool

Kaleb's curriculum will be a mixture of Before Five in A Row books, Wheel School Alphabet packs, and my own literature studies that I have created. I will be focusing on many preschool skills such as learning his name, the alphabet, numbers and counting, etc... He will participate in our bible time as well as art, music, and some science. I am still working out how I will schedule and work with two children but most likely, I will work with Kaleb first. I will have some work that J can do independently while I am working with Kaleb to make the day run smoother. We will see how it will work. If it doesn't, I will just have to adjust.

So, we are now ready to begin our first week of school. Wish me luck :)