Deuteronomy 6:5-8
* Prince T - Class of 2013 * Princess C - Class of 2015 * Sir C - Class of 2020 * Lady M - Class of 2021*
Aug. 3, 2008 - 2008-2009 Curriculum
Schooling Adventures
Things might look a bit different this year as we are stepping away from Sonlight and moving to Ambleside Online. I have been considering it off and on for a couple of years but never presented it to Mike for consideration. This year in Sonlight we did Core 5 and while I know that was a favorite core for many, not so much here in TX. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed several titles but there were others that we literally trudged through.
After going through that it wasn't near as hard to make the switch. We had already been taking a Charlotte Mason approach science and we really love this approach and phylosophy to education. Now I am doing lots of reading and trying to educate myself because Ambleside Online is so much more than a book list and schedule. The Charlotte Mason educational philosophy is more like a lifestyle than anything else. It is truly a way of life and especially now that we are in the country I love the whole idea of getting outdoors.
I have now made adjustments to our bookshelves (both physical and My Virtual Bookshelf). I am slowly going through and getting rid of the twaddle in our lives. The kids have taken it upon themselves to pursue handicrafts all on their own this summer so that is one less major adjustment we will have to make. I am still trying to get everything scheduled out so I can see when we will do what. But here is a run down of what each child will be doing for the year.
Ambleside Online Year 8
covering Bible, History, Geography, Literature, Government, Economics, Civics/Citizenship, grammar, composition, Logic, Art & Music Appreciation
Teaching Textbooks Algebra I for math
For science he told me he wanted to take both Biology and Chemistry. We will see how it goes. If he gets overwhelmed we can easily cut one out, but he really wants to give it a shot. So he will be using Apologia's Biology and Chemistry. He is going to listen in for extra helps to a virtual co-op but we will do all the labs here. .
For foreign language he will begin Prima Latina and move to Latina Christiana. He will also continue his Spanish studies with Rosetta Stone.
Princess "C"
Ambleside Online Year Pre-7
covering Bible, History, Geography, Literature, Citizenship, grammar, composition, Logic, Art & Music Appreciation
Teaching Textbooks Math 7 for math
For science she is continuing her study of Zoology with land animals of the 6th day. SHe will be using Apologia's Elementary Zoology 3. She is super excited about this and will go along perfect with her love of Animal Planet.
For foreign language she will also begin Prima Latina and move to Latina Christiana. Plus she will also continue her Spanish studies with Rosetta Stone.
The older two will read the terms Shakespeare and Plutarch together.
He will be heading back to school at the end of August and is already getting very excited. He will continue to remain in teh special ed classroom for the majority of the day and make attempts to join the rest of the kindergarten class during extra curricular activities.
Lady "M"
She is so excited about school. Last week she asked us to show her how to write her name and now she has that down pat! Today she came home from church and on one of her papers she had written her name. We are SO very proud of her.
We will be using Ambleside Online Year 0 with her which is just taking the time to sit down with her and introduce some rich literature.
For Bible we will cover different proverbs, memorize the "ABC Scriptures" and work on the Just Mom and Me Having Tea Devotional
I will continue to use Handwriting Without Tears for my little lefty- no sense in changing what ain't broke!
I will be using Making Math Meaningful Level K with her as I think this is going to be the best approach for this little learner. It is a much gentler approach and falls more in line with the Charlotte Mason philosophy for lower level math.
While she won't be formally studying a foreign language we will probably talk about different objects as the older kids label them around the house.
They will of course all take time out in nature together for their Nature Study. We will also likely do the Composer & Artist studies together and everyone will just take it in on their own levels. We will also do the Hymns and Folk songs together as well as a family.
So there ya have it. There is the great rundown on goals for this upcoming school year. I am excited and in prayer for the success of another school year.
Comments
Aug. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeskoolmom
we love AO, this is year 3, but we have always had the CM approach without knowing it :)
Enjoy your year!
Christine
Aug. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by christlike
Howdy!
From a former Texan (Brownfield,Texas)until 1985. We use CM method also and love it!
We use Ambleside & Old Fashion Education, there both great! Our DC love it too. They read several books a day & can't get enough. They actually beg for read alouds! Great!
Hope your school days start off smooth for you & your DC.
Blessings; Elton
Aug. 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
Isn't it nice to have it all written down and organized? I love it when a plan comes together!
We did SL for a couple of years and then made the switch last year to WinterPromise. It's similar to SL in that it is scheduled and literature rich, but it is more hands-on and leaves more wiggle room to add other things. Plus, the LA is great in that it incorporates lots of different resources that I like (like Wordly Wise, Explode the Code, Grammar Puzzles and Games, SpellWell) and the readers for all grades are tied in to the main subject/time period.
I hope you are staying cool and that your year starts off without a hitch!
Marsha
