Our curriculum

     Just the other day, someone in the laundry room of the campground asked me what curriculum I used. Perhaps they think there is a short answer to this question. I tried to be short and vague... but we use a wide variety of curriculum so it's not easy to give a short answer. I thought I would tell all here. I'm definitely an eclectic homeschooler.

    
Haley (7th grade)
   History and Reading: Sonlight's World History Part 1 Level G. We love Sonlight! It is a curriculum that uses tons of books. I first came across Sonlight when Haley was a book devouring 4 year old. I ordered the pre-school program just so I could have great books to read to her. She went on to regular school for K but when we started thinking about homeschooling a few years ago I immediately ran back to Sonlight. I've looked at some other curriculums but nothing has tempted me away. I love the many cultures we are exposed to and I love all the missionary books. I love that the kids learn World History at a young age. History was never my thing in school but I enjoy reading Sonlight's books (a big perk to homeschooling). The resale value is excellent but we all can't bear the thought of parting with the books. (Haley has done levels D-F, but she has read many of her sisters books in levels A-C)
   English Language: Sonlight's Language Arts G. This was included with our History package so we thought we would try it again (we didn't care for it in 5th grade). It's gone fine but Haley and I prefer a logical, linear, step by step program. Sonlight's LA is a "natural" approach which is like learning as you struggle to do.
  The Institute for Excellence in Writing's Student Writing Intensive Level B. Haley did level A in 5th grade and it was wonderful. This program teaches writing in a step by step manner. This is an engaging dvd program. She started level B with some friends and we will finish it up this year.
  The Institute for Excellence in Writing's Fix-it for grammar practice. Grammar is my least favorite subject. Haley and I struggled through several grammar programs (Winston Basic was our favorite). This program lets the student practice grammar through editing. It does not take much time and seems to teach a very practical skill. There is 5 years worth in one inexpensive book.
  Vocabulary Vine teaches Greek and Latin roots and thus helping to decipher thousands of words.
  Science: Apologia General Science. Haley is enjoying this book. It is written to the student. She started the year doing all the experiments with 2 friends of hers. That has really helped because she tells me she doesn't like science experiments (GASP). We are on our own in FL but she looks forward to returning to NY and finishing the year doing experiments with her friends. I am a "collector" of science books and I personally prefer to read BJU Press science books but Apologia is very solid science and more homeschool friendly (and Haley friendly).
  Arithmetic: VideoText Algebra Module A (so far). Haley started the year with a the Keys to Percents, Fractions, and Decimals series. I wanted to make sure her understanding of the basics was very solid before proceeding into Algebra. I really liked how VideoText emphasizes learning the why and not just the how. Haley likes is so far so we will see how it goes.
  Haley uses Rosetta Stone French. We also supplement with lots of extras: HLACNY classes (like digital photography, claymation, french, and art),  library art classes, card making classes, instrument lessons, gymnastics, karate, horses, etc

Macy (3rd grade)
  History and Reading: Sonlight's Into to World History part 2 Level C. We just can't get enough of these Sonlight books! (Macy has done levels A & B). We also read other US History books.
  Language Arts: Shurley English Level 3 This is a great program but I find it to be advanced. We have done level 1 & 2 but I've slowed down with this level. I think even a 5th grader would benefit from level 3. I hate grammar but I'm so glad Macy knows so much grammar that she won't have to struggle learning it when she is older. It teaches parts of speech using silly jingles. It includes vocabulary and writing. We pick and choose on the writing assignments because I plan to start Macy on IEW's SWI level A next year (see above).
  All About Spelling Level 4. Wow! Love this spelling. Both of my girls seem to be naturally good spellers but I am not. I'm a horrible speller. This program is the best I've ever seen in teaching spelling. It is multi-sensory and logical. I have learned so much and Macy is wonderful at it.
  Science: Apologia Zoology 3. Macy and I have tried a few science programs (Sonlight & BJU). This year we have been working through this Apologia mammal book. Macy is enjoying it. It is well written and has good activities that are integrated throughout the text. I am struggling with it. I find myself not enjoying studying mammals ALL year. I prefer touching on a wider variety of topics. Because Macy is enjoying it I am staying the course this year... We also supplement with selected Sonlight science books (no schedule).
  Arithmetic: We started the year with Horizons 3. I love Horizons (through 6th grade). I love the brightly colored workbooks. I love the spiral approach. I find it presents difficult concepts early in easy bite sized steps. Love it. Macy HATES Horizons. HATES it. After much weeping & gnashing of teeth... I caved and got Teaching Textbooks level 4. Macy LOVES Teaching Textbooks. She likes the audio-visual computer graphics and fun little characters. She seems to be doing well. I think it appears too easy... but I hope that staying one grade ahead will compensate for that.
  Macy does Rosetta Stone (but at a slower pace than Haley) and she has all the same activities...

I think that is all the curriculum we use... of course we dabble with other fun educational stuff...

Regret?

    
     Recently, while the whole family was having fun in the pool, a woman from Canada asked me "Does your daughter regret not going to public school?" Now I'm used to the socialization question but this was a new one for me. What a strange question. Since Haley was at the other end of the pool I answered for her "She enjoys all the great books she is reading and she loves how quickly she can get all her work done. She has more time for riding her horse and other activities."
     When you homeschool you get a lot of strange questions and comments. A very sweet older family member once said they were sad my kids would not have any friends. I said "Have you met my kids?" The truth is they have gobs of friends. They have more free time now to spend with friends than they did when they went to school. When we are home in NY, Macy sees her best friend 4 times per week. In fact, her friend spends enough time at our house that her parents affectionately replace her last name with our last name. Haley sees her closest friends on Tuesdays when we go to Community Bible Study. This year she started doing all of her science labs with 2 of her friends who are going through the same book. (We are missing those sweet girls while we are in FL but with texting and facetime we are somehow muddling through). Honestly, when we are home in NY, my girls are in too many activities (something I want to re-evaluate when we get back)...swim lessons, gymnastics, karate, Friday co-op (HLACNY shown in picture), plus instrument lessons, horse lessons, and church activities. Unsocialized these kids are not.
    Once someone told me that my kids needed to go to school so they could learn how to handle bullying. Wow! I'm all for learning conflict resolution. My kids get loads of conflict resolution practice (we are spending 3 months in a camper after all). We have even had some small scale bullish behavior from kids for friends and kids in the campground... These are excellent opportunities to teach the girls to not take offense too quickly and to forgive... But bullying is a whole different animal in my mind. Bullying destroys self-esteem. It doesn't "teach."
     Back to Regret... Will Haley regret being homeschooled? I hope not. I hope she views her parents through the lens of mercy. We truly feel homeschooling is giving both girls the best education we can give them (academically and emotionally).  I hope she realizes that regret for the past is just a waste of spirit.  I hope she knows that God will not waste one little experience but will use it all to make her into his child.
     I did talk to Haley about it. She said she likes homeschooling. She remembers going to school and how long everything took. She loves to read her history books and readers. She does miss a few of her school friends but she has wonderful homeschooling friends. She also gets to come to FL and spend time with Grandpa, Great gram, Aunt Kerry, and Uncle Ken. You know, now I'm glad this Canadian lady asked me this question. I'm glad I had a chance to talk it all over with Haley. What an amazing young lady she is.

Encouragement?

     I'm not a good blogger. I think of a lot to say but... then I procrastinate forever on actually typing out my ideas... until it seems that the news is so old. I think it makes me feel vunerable to have my thoughts and ideas "out there" for the whole world to see. I much prefer math (it's so objective). BUT, I'm going to keep trying...
     Last month I took a trip to Denver. I flew out of Orlando on a Monday. Now, Monday is the best day of the week to do anything difficult. (Why? you ask.) Monday is the day that my dear CBS ladies are together praying. I know they were praying for me and my trip. I also prayed. I prayed that everything would go smoothly and that I would be a blessing to my seat mates... Well, that is not what happened. Instead, my seat mates were a blessing to me.
     On the first flight from Orlando to Atlanta I sat next to a young college student. He was a very enthusiastic Christian with many thought provoking questions and comments. He was very interested in homeschooling. His comments were SO encouraging. We also talked about my mom and her upcoming surgery. The last comment he said to me as we parted ways was "I'll be praying for you and your mom."
     As I walked through the Atlanta airport I asked God "Did I need encouragement Lord?" The truth is yes, I did need encouragement. I still do. Homeschooling is hard. Choosing the curriculum is the easy part. Scheduling the work is not too bad. The hard part is weathering the storms. I struggle with keeping my temper through the whining and complaining. I struggle with self-doubt. Am I doing what is best for my kids? It was refreshing to hear a young college student enthusiastic about homeschooling. And once I think on it more... I can't picture doing anything else. I get the huge blessing of being intimately involved in my kids lives. I know them better than anyone else on the planet. I'm trusting God to use all the hard work for the benefit of my kids. I believe that this is the best education we can offer them. I think I just need to be reminded of all that from time to time.
     On the second flight from Atlanta I sat next to another young college student. This time a girl from Georgia on her way to Colorado for a skiing trip. This girl was in a pre-vet program and was earning money for college by training horses. I told God "you're very funny." If you know my Haley then you know horse training is her dream. God is good to me. He gave me two examples of amazing young people because he want to fan the flame of my hope in the future. "OK God. I get it. I need to stay the course and believe you have good plans for my kids. Thanks God."

Work-files?

     I have read about work-boxes here and there but I never thought we would use them. I write out a week's worth of work in a planner and then we check it off as we do it. If something doesn't get done then I circle it and put an arrow to the next day... or I cross it off if we never get around to it. The non-negotiable stuff is at the top of the list and the more expendable stuff is at the bottom.

     I love a good list. My oldest daughter, Haley, is a lot like me. She loves a list. She also loves a stack. She will get out all of her books for the day and stack them to the left of her. When she finishes with something then she stacks it to the right. When she finishes the last thing on her list she shuts the book and says "Done!"
     My second daughter, Macy, does not care about lists. She won't look at it. When she finished something she would play until I stopped her. I would say "What is next on the list?" and she would say "I don't know." It was right next to her. This lead to frustration (on my part) and lots of wasted time (on her part). I started praying for some more visual solution for her.
    I decided I would relook at those work-boxes. I never bought the work-box e-book. I read some blogs about it but it seemed to take up too much space. I thought I may try magazine holders. I ordered 12 magazine holders in primary colors from amazon. I put all the day's work in these with numbers attached with velcro.

In some of the file boxes I put fun things like "do jumping jacks" or "march around the room." I bought a small tri-fold board at wal-mart. I decorated it with stickers and put velcro spots on it. I also gave her a snack tag and lunch tag. She can use the snack tag anytime after math and she can use the lunch tag anytime after 11:30am.

What a difference the work-files have made. She loves them. After several weeks she told me I should blog about them. She will say "I'm on number 5!"

We still have occasional bumps in the road but things go alot smoother than before we used work-files.