Our school year is 1/4 of the way over as of last week. Yippee!!! At the very beginning of the school year, I was wondering how things would go. Trevor's at the point where he needs more and more of my time; and Holly's working much more independently. Convenient, sure, yet still an adjustment--but isn't every year, every month . . . even every day?
It's been a great year so far. I can't remember if this is the one I've called "the best year yet" or if that was last year. When asked, I usually say we loosely follow The Well Trained Mind, a popular "classical" homeschooling method. For those of you who aren't familiar with our homeschool, here's a basic run down of our days.
Literature. We have a read aloud going continually, and I read to the kids while they eat breakfast. This was a great idea that came about back in the beginning. It was the only way to keep then 3-year-old Trevor to sit still long enough for me to read to Holly. We read a classic of some sort or occasionally poetry. Our great new curriculum this year is Teaching the Classics (linked over there on the right). The kids are learning to analyze literature each at their own levels and are becoming familiar with terms like setting, conflict, protagonist, etc. I didn't know what "protagonist" was until I bought the curriculum last spring. I love that they are given the freedom to discuss and apply what they think about the books, instead of having to "fill in the blanks" or have me talk at them instead of with them.
Memorization. I don't knock rote memorization! Their pieces vary widely from week to week and in the past have included things like silly poems, the Preamble, the 13 colonies, animal classification system, Bible verses. We even have a great system for them to review weekly everything they've learned before so they don't forget. (We didn't have this "system" before, and in the past, pieces were learned and later forgotten.)
Bible. We've used different approaches over the last few years. Currently, we are reading through Proverbs "round robin" style, with each of us taking turns to read a verse. At the end of the reading, we talk about what we've read. I'm not sure exactly what appeals to them about this, but they really like it. When the time periods mesh, we read the Bible in conjunction with our history.
Math. In addition to their regular math curriculum (currently Singapore for both kids), they play various math games, use assorted puzzle type workbooks, read "living math" books and more. Here's an awesome link for you: www.livingmath.net.
Spelling. Spell to Write and Read is my favorite curriculum in any subject. Contrary to what most people are taught, or have come to believe, the English language DOES make sense. The problem is that most schools don't understand why. I just wish I could have learned this 35 years earlier. See the link on the right.
Writing/Language Arts. As usual, we continue to use a myriad of things for writing. Trevor's using a Spectrum workbook that's a great fit for him. He's also using Shurley grammar, sans the writing portion. Holly's taking a break from Shurley this year, instead alternating weeks with Writing Strands and Learn to Write the Novel Way. In addition, the kids often have writing assignments in other subjects.
Latin. Our big "new" curriculum this year is Latin. I've wanted to teach Latin for several years but was too intimidated. I finally took the plunge this year. Both kids are doing terrific with it (they are waaaay ahead of me, that's for sure). Even though it's very basic Latin (I chose this for my own benefit), it's been fun to see what words they kids already recognize, and I'm already looking forward to what we'll learn next year.
Reading. Both kids are assigned daily reading, Trevor for 30 mins., Holly for 60. Trevor's reading is usually pleasure reading, a chapter book that I've approved. Holly's reading is assigned, usually in line with history. This is in addition to bedtime reading, in which anything goes. (Someone recently joked that Calvin & Hobbes is the "homeschooler's dirty little secret. " Secret's out: this is Trevor's preferred bedtime reading to himself.)
History. We have been using Story of the World for several years and are back in Vol. 1. (See link on the right.) This is the first year we've focused history on Trevor. In the past, he's just tagged along. Holly works much more independently now, and even though they are following the same time period/events, her work is much different than his. When possible, we also tie in math and science history, music and art appreciation into the time we are studying. Since we're currently doing Ancient history, music and art are quite a bit more spread out.
Science. We are using Apologia's Elementary Science, Zoology 1. I'm hoping we get through it a little more quicky than we did Astronomy, but that's a whole 'nother post.
Logic. Holly's learning formal logic for the first time this year with Fallacy Detective. So far, it's been fun, low key, and very informative to me too!
Free time. I try to "assign" free time each day, ranging from 30-120 mins., depending on the child and on our schedule. It doesn't matter too much what they actually do, but the tv is off limits. It's a block of time they know they can pursue whatever they want.
Their extracurricular activities right now include dance (through our co-op) for Holly, plus she's taking horseback riding lessons 1-2 times per month. (Twice per month, since she's paying for the second lesson with birthday money!) Trevor's starting basketball this week.
Have you made it this far? My kids are amazing gifts, and it is such a privilege to spend this time with them. It goes by far too quickly, doesn't it? Of course, we'll have some regrets and wish we'd done some things differently. But having them at home like this--that's something we'll never regret.
Deu. 6:7; Acts 5:42
