It is time for the annual “Not-Back-to-School Blog Hop! I participated in this last year, and it was much fun. The link-up has a new home this year at iHomeschool Network.
Up this week: CURRICULUM! Most homeschool moms are curious about what other families are using, and it’s nice to get some ideas as well if you’re still struggling with choosing curriculum for the year. Here’s what we’ll be venturing into this school year:
Our core will revolve around Tapestry of Grace’s Year 1–Ancient History (Creation to the fall of Rome). This is going to allow us all to study the same topics together. It includes History, English, Writing, Literature, Fine Arts, Bible History, plus a little Government and Philosophy. It is quite classical in its approach, but I’ve been leaning that direction for a couple of years now, so it fits where I was heading! I’m immersing myself in the teacher’s guide right now, and let me tell you–I’m going to be learning a lot along with my kids!
Along with Tapestry, for my high schoolers we’ll be using Math-U-See Geometry
This will be the 2nd year for Math-U-See. Last year I did just fine helping with Algebra–I was good at Algebra in high school. This year, not so confident. I would never have made it through Geometry without my dad’s help. I just cannot reason my way through those stupid proofs and theorems. That’s why I’m really grateful for the video teachings of this curriculum–and you can bet that I’ll be sitting down with them and watching!
We’ll also be using Apologia’s high school Biology.
Fortunately, our homeschool co-op is having a dissection class for high schoolers to go along with their Biology requirements. Yay! No gross dissections in my house!
And, I’m adding in a separate inductive Bible study this year, which I am super excited about! I’ll be reviewing this one throughout the year as we use it. From Precept Ministries, we’ll be studying Joseph, which fits perfectly with our Tapestry focus for the year!
Now, on to my 6th grader!
Besides the Tapestry core, we’ll be using Apologia’s Who is God? from their “What We Believe” worldview series. I picked this up at the 2:1 Conference last spring, and I’m really looking forward to walking with my youngest through this amazing curriculum.
For math, we’ll continue with Horizons. We have last year’s book to finish up and then we’ll be moving on to 6th grade math.
I’m still debating on what to do for her for science. She is so interested in marine animals, so I might pick up this one from Apologia:
We shall see.
And that’s what we’ll be doing this year! I’m looking forward to reading about others’ plans for the year.
(Just so you know, none of these links are affiliate links. I did receive a set of the Joseph curriculum free, for review purposes.)
Just realized I forgot one! For language studies this year for high school, we’ll be using Visual Latin. Latin was actually my daughter’s choice, not mine!
I highly recommend VL!! I think your daughter will enjoy it!!
Looks like a great year you’re gonna have! 🙂
It really looks like a great program–and I’m thrilled that my daughter was so interested in Latin!
I hope your year is a great one as well!
Oh, my little guy is going to use Swimming Creatures – so excited about that book! I’m considering Precept…..hmmmm………love your list!
I’m thinking my youngest will really enjoy it. Ever since we got to see Winter the dolphin last December, her interest in marine animals has been really high!
Blessings on your upcoming school year. I’m excited to hear how things go for you throughout the year!
Looks like a great year Lisa! Keilee loves animals so much so she loved all the Apologia “Animals” books. I am trying to find something ‘Animal’ related for 7th grade. I love that you have a theater girl too. It is a great thing for the girls to be involved in don’t you think? Keilee has loved it since she was 6! I have always wanted to use Tapestry of Grace but it is a little pricey for this single Mom. Hope you and your girls have a great year!
TOG is a bit pricey–you’re right. We were able to get it through a grant, otherwise we probably couldn’t have afforded it either!
Theater has been really fun for my oldest. She’s learned a lot about herself and how to interact with others. My youngest has actually done a couple of shows now too! Her interest level is not quite as high though.
I hope your year is a good one as well!
I love keeping the family together for history, it is a wonderful way to learn. You can check out how we’re doing that with our 7 children here: http://ourbusyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2012/08/curriculum-for-seven-kids-2012-2013.html
Have a lovely year!
My 3rd grader is doing Swimming Creatures and loves it so far!
It really does look like a lot of fun! Are you using the notebooking journal as well? I think we’ll use it along with the book. Thanks for stopping by!
She’s doing the Junior notebook. We are starting the ocean box tomorrow.
We just finished swimming creatures and my kids all loved it. So, I’d say go for it. We liked it much better than Flying Creatures, and we’re happily covering Land Animals now.
Thanks so much for linking up with the Apologia Blog Roll!
Looks like you have a great year planned!!
Blessings!!
Loving TOG!
Happy Schooling!!!
Kelly
Have you used TOG?! I’d love to hear your thoughts about it! Blessings on your school year!
The Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day looks like a neat resource!
TOG looks nice too!
thanks for mentioning it!
Popped by from the “Not-Back-to-School” Blog Hop: Curriculum
Week!
Hope that you have a happy homeschool year! Happy planning
for 2012-2013!
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my Pinterest boards too!
Colleen a.k.a. Pinterest Mama
http://pinterest.com/f5th/
Sunrise Learning Lab
http://sunriselearninglab.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-school-year-right-around-corner.html