Here, in Florida, school has already started. Typically, we didn't start until September due to DH school calendar. But I decided that it would be nice to finish earlier than normal, so we will follow the Florida school calendar (as much as I can with traveling and such). I would like to share with you what I have planned for the school year while we are in the states. J is in first grade and all most 7 years old. She has asked for a year of learning about animals so, after much research, I found a program that I thought we could try. Here's what we will be doing this year...
Bible:
The Core program that we will be using has a devotional book with it but it was only scheduled once a week. So, we will be using this book as well. I struggled with finding a good Bible program for the year and decided to follow the animal theme. This is not a Bible program per se but it has enough devotions to last an entire year. Bear in mind, when I chose this year's curriculum, I was looking for easy to use. We will be traveling so much in the upcoming months and I needed low prep. Each devotion we read, we look up the animals named and learn more about them.
Glow in the Dark Fish was the bible program included in our Core program. But it was only scheduled once a week and I wanted more so I added the book above.
Math:
J finished Horizons Math K last year, so I decided to follow through with the same program. She is familiar with it and has done quite well. That being said, I still feel that I have to supplement activities so she can master the concepts.
Language Arts:
J finished her reading program from last year and I wanted to continue reading instruction. I had read so much about All About Reading and thought I would give it a try. We have finished the first few lessons and I fear that I bought the wrong level. Perhaps, I should have bought level 2. Instead of purchasing level 2, we will work through this book as a review and then, move on to level 2. I just want to make sure her reading skills are solid.
J finished 3 Explode the Code books last year and these are a continuation of the series. These are phonics based and I use them to review as well enforce skills not quite mastered.
J used the Kindergarten version of this book last year. I wasn't going to continue with handwriting but I changed my mind last minute. I want J to practice and improve her handwriting skills so we will continue with this series.
We will also be working more with Bob Readers and literature units that I will develop for her.
Music:
By accident, I can across this book complete with the CD at a thrift store for less than 2 dollars. It goes through different composers through history as well as the instruments for the orchestra. There is a song for each composer. I thought this would be a great addition to our homeschool week as I have always felt that we didn't do enough music. There is enough information to be used for the entire school year. I hope that I will be able to add some printables as well.
Art:
When I home schooled my older set of children, they were lucky enough to attend a weekend art class by Barry Stebbing. Since then, they went through two of his art books. J is now at the age to have some formal practice of art. We worked through different artists last year but now she is ready to learn the fundamentals. This book is great for that.
This was a book that was recommended by Winter Promise for the younger set (Kindergarten). But since we are working through the animal theme and J loves to draw, I thought we should use this book as well. Ed Emberley uses simple shapes to teach young ones how to draw different animals. J has already used this book several times on her own. She was super excited that this was officially a "school book."
Core: (Science/Social Studies based)
J specifically asked for a year of learning about animals. How could I say no? We will be in 'Merica for the school year with access to libraries, thrift stores, and book sales. Now, would be the time to utilize all resources available to complete this Core program. We have zoos, aquariums, duck ponds, walking trails, camping....all available where we did not before. I am hoping to provide for her an extensive experience of learning about animals. Winter Promise is a program like Sonlight in their use of literature for learning. I purchased the part digital-part paper version of the program so I am hoping it will travel well. I will supplement when possible as I can see some areas that need improvement. I will truly miss Sonlight this year but I am excited to try this new program that sparks my daughter's interest. That's the beauty of homeschooling, right? To follow your child's lead. That's what I will be trying to do. Please join us in our new school adventure. See you there!
This post has non-affliate links. I get no compensation for anything discussed on my blog. I just include the links so you can have a look for yourself about the books/school items we are using.
