- Intro and Rationale
- Spiritual Changes
- Philosophy Changes
- To Ambleside Online or Not To Ambleside Online
- Narration Changes
- Schedule Changes (Big Blocks of Time)
- Physical Changes
- Habits
- Schedule Changes (Small Blocks of Time)
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
2015 Academics
In 2015, we determined to follow the AmblesideOnline Curriculum.
We determined to continue to keep our children together for their
schooling and chose to embark upon Year 4. When we were considering the
changes it would take, I wrote a series of posts:
2014 Academics
Circle Time
Math (Daily): Mathematics Enhancement Programme M-girl will continue in Year 3, N-boy is almost ready to start Year 3, and R-girl is doing Year 2.
Logic (Independent, Daily during math): M-girl and N-boy will be working on Detective Club logic. R-girl has worked past her ability level, we're going to take a break.
History (Week A): Story of the World III. We use the Activity Guide. The Jim Weiss audiobooks are a great addition, too. (Week B): Independent Assigned Reading based on books suggested in the Activity Guide or other books for the time period.
Science (Week A): Independent Assigned Reading relating to Chemistry. (Week B): Still up in the air, either R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Chemistry or Ellen McHenry's Elements or a combination of the two. We're starting with the sample chapters.
Geography (Independent): Memoria Press' States and Capitals and Geography Blobbing.
Writing (Daily): Copywork, Narration, and Dictation across History, Science, and Literature. Writing and Rhetoric: Fable from Classical Academic Press for M-girl.
Latin (Daily): R-girl is almost done with Prima Latina. M-girl and N-boy (and in a few weeks R-girl) will all work on Latin For Children A. Hoping to work this more consistently in 2014.
Grammar (Daily-ish): We use Peace Hill Press' First Language Lessons. R-girl is in Year 2, N-boy is finishing Year 3 and M-girl well into Year 4.. We work on this about 3 days in a week. Every other Friday, we'll also use Michael Clay Thompson's Music of the Hemispheres and Memoria Press' Poetry for 3rd-6th. We also use Sentence Composing for Elementary School on occasion. A big task to to figure out what we'll use after FLL4. Ack!
Penmanship: R-girl has Cursive First to complete. In the summer, I expect she'll work on typing via Dance Mat Typing and practice as the others do with NitroType.com. I am adding copywork back to everyone's lessons this year. M-girl and N-boy have it 2-3 days per week via C. S. Lewis Quotes for Copywork for the time being.
Art and Music: We continue using Artistic Pursuits, which I love. Our Art with Friends group is still going strong and one of the other moms is teaching Drawing For Children. She's actually artistic, so that's awesome. We're also taking art classes at the Columbus Museum of Art through May. The children take Piano Lessons. On Tuesdays, we try to do Art Study and Composer Study after lunch. We're working on Monet and Bach at the moment.
Gymnasium: We participate in community soccer, basketball, and baseball/softball. We plan to continue with swim lessons. We play. They occasionally do some Pilates and I hope to add some running. They hike with their Daddy for geocaching.
Math (Daily): Mathematics Enhancement Programme M-girl will continue in Year 3, N-boy is almost ready to start Year 3, and R-girl is doing Year 2.
Logic (Independent, Daily during math): M-girl and N-boy will be working on Detective Club logic. R-girl has worked past her ability level, we're going to take a break.
History (Week A): Story of the World III. We use the Activity Guide. The Jim Weiss audiobooks are a great addition, too. (Week B): Independent Assigned Reading based on books suggested in the Activity Guide or other books for the time period.
Science (Week A): Independent Assigned Reading relating to Chemistry. (Week B): Still up in the air, either R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Chemistry or Ellen McHenry's Elements or a combination of the two. We're starting with the sample chapters.
Geography (Independent): Memoria Press' States and Capitals and Geography Blobbing.
Writing (Daily): Copywork, Narration, and Dictation across History, Science, and Literature. Writing and Rhetoric: Fable from Classical Academic Press for M-girl.
Latin (Daily): R-girl is almost done with Prima Latina. M-girl and N-boy (and in a few weeks R-girl) will all work on Latin For Children A. Hoping to work this more consistently in 2014.
Grammar (Daily-ish): We use Peace Hill Press' First Language Lessons. R-girl is in Year 2, N-boy is finishing Year 3 and M-girl well into Year 4.. We work on this about 3 days in a week. Every other Friday, we'll also use Michael Clay Thompson's Music of the Hemispheres and Memoria Press' Poetry for 3rd-6th. We also use Sentence Composing for Elementary School on occasion. A big task to to figure out what we'll use after FLL4. Ack!
Penmanship: R-girl has Cursive First to complete. In the summer, I expect she'll work on typing via Dance Mat Typing and practice as the others do with NitroType.com. I am adding copywork back to everyone's lessons this year. M-girl and N-boy have it 2-3 days per week via C. S. Lewis Quotes for Copywork for the time being.
Art and Music: We continue using Artistic Pursuits, which I love. Our Art with Friends group is still going strong and one of the other moms is teaching Drawing For Children. She's actually artistic, so that's awesome. We're also taking art classes at the Columbus Museum of Art through May. The children take Piano Lessons. On Tuesdays, we try to do Art Study and Composer Study after lunch. We're working on Monet and Bach at the moment.
Gymnasium: We participate in community soccer, basketball, and baseball/softball. We plan to continue with swim lessons. We play. They occasionally do some Pilates and I hope to add some running. They hike with their Daddy for geocaching.
2013 Academics
Circle Time: I'm trying to post our weekly Circle Time plans on Mondays. Follow the link for information about the resources we use.
Math (Daily): Mathematics Enhancement Programme M-girl is halfway through Year 2 and should work well into Year 3 this year. N-boy is about 40 days behind her, so I expect will also get into Year 3 in 2013. R-girl is a good way through Year 1 and might be able to get significantly into Year 2 during 2013. We love this program.
Logic (Independent, Daily during math): Mindbenders, Critical Thinking Activities K-2, Prufrock Press Logic programs.
History (Monday & Wednesday): Story of the World II and hopefully a good portion of III. We use the Activity Guide and supplemental books. The Jim Weiss audiobooks are a great addition, too.
Science (Tuesday & Friday): God's Design for Science Heaven & Earth. We might get into Chemistry & Ecology too. We'll probably continue reading, slowly, through Signs & Seasons as well.
Geography (2nd Thursdays): We finished A Child's Geography last week. We're going to work on drawing the world a la Leigh Bortins' The Core. We're also going to work on Memoria Press' new States and Capitals curriculum (might add Logos School's State Facts Geography). R-girl is working on Evan-Moor's Beginning Geography K-2, which I think is excellent as workbooks go. The others asked to try Evan-Moor's The World Reference & Map Forms 3-6.
Writing (Daily): We're working to integrate Writing With Ease: Strong Fundamentals into our content areas at the appropriate level for each child. I've used the workbooks the past couple of years and am excited by this new challenge.
Latin (Daily): R-girl is using Prima Latina. N-boy is also using Prima Latina, he got about half-way done last year. M-girl is on lesson 5 of Latin For Children A. Hoping to work this more consistently in 2013.
Grammar (Daily-ish): We use Peace Hill Press' First Language Lessons. R-girl is in Year 1, the others are in Year 3. We'll work on this 3 days in a week. On any extra "fourth day," we'll also use Michael Clay Thompson's Music of the Hemispheres; Memoria Press' Poetry for 3rd-6th; and possibly going to pull in some of Sentence Composing for Elementary School.
Penmanship: Both R-girl and N-boy have Cursive First to complete.
Art and Music: We continue using Artistic Pursuits which I love. The children take Piano Lessons. I'm hoping to add more Artist Study and Composer Study a la SCM and/or Ambleside.
Gymnasium: We participate in community soccer and baseball/softball. I'd like to do swim lessons. We play.
Math (Daily): Mathematics Enhancement Programme M-girl is halfway through Year 2 and should work well into Year 3 this year. N-boy is about 40 days behind her, so I expect will also get into Year 3 in 2013. R-girl is a good way through Year 1 and might be able to get significantly into Year 2 during 2013. We love this program.
Logic (Independent, Daily during math): Mindbenders, Critical Thinking Activities K-2, Prufrock Press Logic programs.
History (Monday & Wednesday): Story of the World II and hopefully a good portion of III. We use the Activity Guide and supplemental books. The Jim Weiss audiobooks are a great addition, too.
Science (Tuesday & Friday): God's Design for Science Heaven & Earth. We might get into Chemistry & Ecology too. We'll probably continue reading, slowly, through Signs & Seasons as well.
Geography (2nd Thursdays): We finished A Child's Geography last week. We're going to work on drawing the world a la Leigh Bortins' The Core. We're also going to work on Memoria Press' new States and Capitals curriculum (might add Logos School's State Facts Geography). R-girl is working on Evan-Moor's Beginning Geography K-2, which I think is excellent as workbooks go. The others asked to try Evan-Moor's The World Reference & Map Forms 3-6.
Writing (Daily): We're working to integrate Writing With Ease: Strong Fundamentals into our content areas at the appropriate level for each child. I've used the workbooks the past couple of years and am excited by this new challenge.
Latin (Daily): R-girl is using Prima Latina. N-boy is also using Prima Latina, he got about half-way done last year. M-girl is on lesson 5 of Latin For Children A. Hoping to work this more consistently in 2013.
Grammar (Daily-ish): We use Peace Hill Press' First Language Lessons. R-girl is in Year 1, the others are in Year 3. We'll work on this 3 days in a week. On any extra "fourth day," we'll also use Michael Clay Thompson's Music of the Hemispheres; Memoria Press' Poetry for 3rd-6th; and possibly going to pull in some of Sentence Composing for Elementary School.
Penmanship: Both R-girl and N-boy have Cursive First to complete.
Art and Music: We continue using Artistic Pursuits which I love. The children take Piano Lessons. I'm hoping to add more Artist Study and Composer Study a la SCM and/or Ambleside.
Gymnasium: We participate in community soccer and baseball/softball. I'd like to do swim lessons. We play.
2012 Academics
Generally,
we do "Content" together during Circle Time or other specified gathering times and "Skills" on an
individual basis. Obviously those categories are not hard and fast, but
it is as good a division as any. I also want to have some individual
work for the children to give them something to do when I'm focusing
with their other sibling; I'll mark those with (*).
This will be a permanent tab under 2012 Academics (I probably use it as much as anyone!)
Content:
Memory Work: Hymns; Bible Verses (To Be Determined); Nicene Creed and Apostle's Creed; IEW Poetry - Level 2 for M-girl and N-boy, Level 1 for R-girl; Catechism for Young Children (mostly, but not exactly the same as this one); we do skip counting, science, history, and geography memory work, too.
Memory Work: Hymns; Bible Verses (To Be Determined); Nicene Creed and Apostle's Creed; IEW Poetry - Level 2 for M-girl and N-boy, Level 1 for R-girl; Catechism for Young Children (mostly, but not exactly the same as this one); we do skip counting, science, history, and geography memory work, too.
Morning Reading:
Continue reading through Poetry books (finish A Child's Garden of Verses, start one of the Poetry for Young People books) We're
also going to finish the Family Book of Manners and Fifty Famous Stories Retold. I'd like to read some of Lamb's Shakespeare and other literature selections from Ambleside Year 1.
Bible: Covenantal Catechism supplemented with Bible Lessons for Juniors
from Reformation Heritage books. We should finish Book 1 and I need to
purchase Book 2. For Family Devotions, we're starting the year with
Starr Meade's Mighty Acts of God.
History: Story of the World I moving into Story of the World II
Science: God's Design for Life and start God's Design for Heaven & Earth
Science: God's Design for Life and start God's Design for Heaven & Earth
Geography: A Child's Geography
Art: Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 1 and Book 2
Music: Piano Lessons, Choir (but not this spring)
Phys Ed: Soccer, Baseball, swimming
Art: Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 1 and Book 2
Music: Piano Lessons, Choir (but not this spring)
Phys Ed: Soccer, Baseball, swimming
Skills: M-girl (Second Grade)
English:
- First Language Lessons 3 (we have a little bit of FLL2 to finish)
- Writing With Ease 1 and start 2
- Spelling Power
- McGuffey Readers and CLP Nature Readers (reading practice)
- Music of the Hemispheres and Memoria Press' Poetry for the Grammar Stage (occasional she loves this)
Penmanship: Cursive First
Math: Mathematics Enhancement Programme (finish Year 1 and Year 2), Primary Challenge Math and Kitchen Table Math
Latin*: Finish Prima Latina, then Song School Latin, then start Latin for Children A
Logic*: Critical Thinking Activities
Geography*: Evan-Moore Beginning Geography
Reading*: Assigned Literature, related Science, and related History with narrations
Math: Mathematics Enhancement Programme (finish Year 1 and Year 2), Primary Challenge Math and Kitchen Table Math
Latin*: Finish Prima Latina, then Song School Latin, then start Latin for Children A
Logic*: Critical Thinking Activities
Geography*: Evan-Moore Beginning Geography
Reading*: Assigned Literature, related Science, and related History with narrations
Skills: N-boy (First Grade)
English:
- First Language Lessons 2 (we have a little bit of Level 1 to finish)
- Writing with Ease 1
- Spelling Power
- McGuffey Readers and CLP Nature Readers (reading practice)
Penmanship: Cursive First
Math: Mathematics Enhancement Programme (Finish Year 1 and Year 2) and Kitchen Table Math
Latin*: Prima Latina, then Song School Latin
Logic*: Critical Thinking Activities
Geography*: Evan-Moore Beginning Geography
Time*: Ready-Set-Learn Time
Reading*: Assigned Literature, related Science, and related History with narrations
Skills: R-girl (Preschool)
Math: Mathematics Enhancement Programme (Finish Year 1 and Year 2) and Kitchen Table Math
Latin*: Prima Latina, then Song School Latin
Logic*: Critical Thinking Activities
Geography*: Evan-Moore Beginning Geography
Time*: Ready-Set-Learn Time
Reading*: Assigned Literature, related Science, and related History with narrations
Skills: R-girl (Preschool)
English:
- Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and Bob Books
- Get Ready for the Code, Get Set for the Code, and Go for the Code*, Explode the Code 1
- First Language Lessons 1 (although we have the book with 1 &2)
Penmanship: Cursive First
Math: Mathematics Enhancement Programme Year 1 and Kitchen Table Math
Logic*: Wedgits, Puzzles, etc and Mindbenders Warm-up, Lollipop Logic, Critical Thinking Activities
Read Alouds (I'll try to add links throughout the year on the 2012 Academics Page)
Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody
A House at Pooh Corner by A A Milne
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Detectives in Togas by
Dr. Doolittle by Hugh Lofting
Merry Adventures of of Robin Hood by Pyle (Abridged, Troll Illus Classic)
Pinnocchio by Carlo Collodi
Archimedes and the Door of Science
Audiobooks:
2 final Narnia books
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Lots of Jim Weiss CDs
A House at Pooh Corner by A A Milne
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Detectives in Togas by
Dr. Doolittle by Hugh Lofting
Merry Adventures of of Robin Hood by Pyle (Abridged, Troll Illus Classic)
Pinnocchio by Carlo Collodi
Archimedes and the Door of Science
Audiobooks:
2 final Narnia books
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Lots of Jim Weiss CDs
2011 Academics
Generally,
we do "Content" together during Circle Time and "Skills" on an
individual basis. Obviously those categories are not hard and fast, but
it is as good a division as any. I also want to have some individual
work for the children to give them something to do when I'm focusing
with their other sibling; I'll mark those with (*).
Content:
Memory Work: Hymns; Genesis 1-2:4 (we're almost done with it, then Psalm 1 I'd like to do Psalm 100 in November); Nicene Creed; IEW Poetry; Catechism for Young Children; we have some science and history and geography memory work, too.
Memory Work: Hymns; Genesis 1-2:4 (we're almost done with it, then Psalm 1 I'd like to do Psalm 100 in November); Nicene Creed; IEW Poetry; Catechism for Young Children; we have some science and history and geography memory work, too.
Morning Reading:
Continue reading through Poetry books (including Mother Goose), finish
The Burgess Bird Book. Maybe start the Burgess Animal Book. We're
also going to read through the Family Book of Manners.
Bible: Covenantal Catechism supplemented with Bible Lessons for Juniors from Reformation Heritage books.
Spanish: El Espanol Facil Jr (supposedly we did this last year ... it may get dropped again this year)
History: Story of the World I supplement with Mystery of History
Science: God's Design for Life supplement with Elemental Science
Art: Artistic Pursuits
Music: Piano, Choir
Phys Ed: Gymnastics, Soccer, Baseball, swimming
Skills: M-girl (First Grade)
English:
- First Language Lessons 2 (we have a little bit of FLL1 to finish)
- Writing With Ease 1
- McGuffey Readers & CLP Nature Readers (reading practice)
- Spelling Power
- Explode the Code*
Penmanship: Cursive First
Math: MEP with Math Mammoth* supplement (mostly for when we're stuck and need more practice)
Latin: Prima Latina
Logic: Critical Thinking Activities* then Lollipop Logic
Geography: Evan-Moore Beginning Geography*
Skills: N-boy (Kindergarten)
English:
- Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and Bob Books
- First Language Lessons 1
- McGuffey Readers & CLP Nature Readers (reading practice)
- Explode the Code*
Penmanship: Cursive First
Math: MEP with Math Mammoth* supplement
Logic: Mindbenders Warm-Up then Critical Thinking Activities
Skills: R-girl (Preschool)
English:
- Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and Bob Books
- Explode the Code
Logic*: Wedgits, Puzzles, etc
Other*: My First Book of Cutting (Kumon Books), read to by M-girl, etc.
Family Read Alouds
The Burgess Bird Book
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Bambi: A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten
Stuart Little by E B White
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Tales from the Odyssey 1 & 2 by Mary Pope Osborne
Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster
Trumpet of the Swan by E B White
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Winnie-the-Pooh by A A Milne
Mary Poppins by P L Travers
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Audio Books in the van:
5 Narnia Books
Because of Winn-Dixie
Cat of Bubastes (more to listen to)
started but unfinished: The Bronze Bow and The House at Pooh Corner
Family Read Alouds
The Burgess Bird Book
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Bambi: A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten
Stuart Little by E B White
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Tales from the Odyssey 1 & 2 by Mary Pope Osborne
Phantom Tollbooth by Norman Juster
Trumpet of the Swan by E B White
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Winnie-the-Pooh by A A Milne
Mary Poppins by P L Travers
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Audio Books in the van:
5 Narnia Books
Because of Winn-Dixie
Cat of Bubastes (more to listen to)
started but unfinished: The Bronze Bow and The House at Pooh Corner
Hymn Listing
Since 2010, we've been memorizing hymns. Here is the current list:
- Holy, Holy, Holy
- All Glory, Laud, and Honor
- Christ the Lord is Risen Today
- A Mighty Fortress is Our God
- Eternal Father, Strong to Save
- How Great Thou Art
- Be Thou My Vision
- Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
- Amazing Grace
- Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah
- O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
- Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
- Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
- All People That on Earth Do Dwell
- To God Be the Glory
- O Sacred Head Now Wounded
- Sing Choirs of New Jerusalem
- Like a River Glorious
- Praise, My Soul, The King of Heaven
- Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
- Come, Thou Almighty King
- O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
- Great is Thy Faithfulness
- For All the Saints
- Come, Ye Thankful People Come
- Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended
- Up From the Grave He Arose
- The Church’s One Foundation
- Exalt The Lord, His Praise Proclaim
- Now Unto Jehovah, Ye Sons of the Mighty
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
- O Worship the King
- And Can it Be?
- (Began AmblesideOnline Schedule) Lift High the Cross
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
- Jesus Paid it All
- Man of Sorrows! What a Name
- All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night
- Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder (Not AO)
- How Firm A Foundation AUGUST 2015
- It Is Well With My Soul (Not AO)
- Rejoice, the Lord is King (Not AO)
- When Morning Gilds the Skies
- He Who Would Valiant Be
- For the Beauty of the Earth (Not AO)
- My Song is Love Unknown (Not AO)
- This is My Father's World (Not AO)
- Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched
- Take My Life and Foundation
- The King of Love My Shepherd Is (August 2016)
- All Creatures of Our God and King (Not AO - Sept 2016)
- There is a Fountain Filled with Blood (October 2016)
- Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts (November 2016)
- Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart (February 2017)
- Nothing but the Blood of Jesus (March 2017)
- My Hope is Built on Nothing Less (April 2017)
- Jesus, Lover of My Soul (May 2017)
- Jesus Lives and So Shall I (June 2017)
- I Know Whom I Have Believed (July 2017)
- Loved With an Everlasting Love (August 2017)
- Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands (Sept 2017)
- My Jesus I Love Thee (Oct 2017)
- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Feb 2018)
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (March 2018)
- All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (April 2018)
- Not What My Hands Have Done (May 2018)
- Jesus, What A Friend for Sinners (June 2018)
- Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me (July 2018)
- My Faith Looks up to Thee (Aug 2018)
- Children of the Heavenly Father (Sept 2018)
- My Faith Looks Up to Thee (October 2018)
- That Man is Blest (Nov 2018)
- Crown Him with Many Crowns (Feb 2019)
- What Wondrous Love is this (March 2019)
- Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us (April 2019)
- The Sands of Time are Sinking (May 2019)
- I Need Thee Every Hour (June 2019)
- In the Sweet By and By (July 2019)
- How Blest is He Who's Trespass (August 2019) #32B
- The Lord's My Shepherd (September 2019) #23A
- October 201: 47B Clap Your Hands and Shout!
- November 2019: 135 O Praise the LORD! His Praise Proclaim!
- February 2020: 22B All You That Fear Jehovah's Name
- March 2020: 116A I Love the LORD, for He Has Heard My Voice
- April 2020: 2B Why Do Heathen Nations Rage?
- May 2020: 148B Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah
- June 2020: 72A O God, Your Judgments Give the King
- July-August 2020: 84B O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely
- September 2020 Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus! 285
- October 2020 Break Thou the Bread of Life 273
- November 2020 I Sing the Almighty Power of God 250
- February 2021 Let All Things Now Living 254
- March 2021 Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed 341
- April 2021 I Will Sing of My Redeemer 498
- May 2021 O Sons and Daughter Let us Sing 362
- June 2021 God Himself is With Us 164
- July - August 2021 Teach Me, O Lord, Your Way of Truth 119E
- I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer are 282 (for remembering ;) )
- All Things Bright and Beautiful 251
- Splendor of God's Glory Bright 209
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