Home-schoolers: Are you thinking about the fall?

[Cait]

I'm not yet, really, but I did just order all the materials I want to use next fall so that I have the month of August to go through them, create some benchmarks, goals, etc.

So, have you started thinking about the fall yet? If so, have have ordered materials? Which ones? Are you doing anything different this year than last? Or have you schooled all summer?

[KD]

We are going to do FIAR this coming year- lots of the crafts that go with it, and add on science and math fun stuff. I'm also going to try to start Sing Spell Read and Write and see how they do, they are technically still preschool age - so we aren't going to do anything significant- just get into a rountine and do fun stuff.

This summer we are doing lots of science fun. I also have BFIAR that I intended to use this summer if we got *bored* but we haven't gotten there yet.

[SusanH]

I'm not thinking any further ahead than the next two weeks. I'm just hoping to survive this trimester before planning anything at all. Honestly, I've been having a lot of, "Maybe they should just go to school next year" fantasies lately. I know it's just trading one set of issues for another, and that in our case, we're better off with the issues we have. But I'm feeling a lot of guilt over how little we've done lately. First there was the move, then there was week after week of morning sickness. Hopefully things will get better soon and I'll be feeling more positive.

[ebmomma]

Due to a lot of extra studies, we didn't finish the cirriculum that we purchased last year (Sonlight), so we'll be picking that up again and finishing it. I do need to purchase new math (MathUSee) to start this fall.

Other than that, I'm pretty brain dead about school right now! :rolleyes:

[Cait]

I finally received all the stuff we're using next year. Here's my list:

Madeleine (3rd grade)

math- Singapore math 2B and 3A

history- Story of the World Vol. 2 (The Middle Ages). I also have Mystery of History for some supplementing and I loooove how Hobar (its author) organizes the kids' binders, maps, etc., so we're going to use SOTW primarily but use MOH's organizational recommendations and supplement it in as desired.

spelling- Spelling Workout C

Latin- Prima Latina

grammar- First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, level 3.

writing- Writing Strands, level 3 (we've never used this before and just looking through it I think DD1 is going to have soooo much fun with it!).

reading- we don't do a formalized curriculum because usually my problem is extracting Madeleine from books, not getting her to read them. I do, however, always have books on hand that I require (either b/c they challenge her reading level or b/c they correspond to what we're doing in history) but she helps select those books too.

We'll also be working out of a Small Catechism workbook published by Concordia (mostly comprehension and memorization of commandments, creeds, etc.).

Hank (kindergarten)

history- same as his sister (they'll be working together)

math- Singapore math Kindergarten B and primary math 1A

reading- An Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

handwriting- Zaner-Bloser's kindy handwriting workbook

I am actually so happy b/c for all subject but Latin I have broken down the school year and figured out how many chapters/lessons I need to get through each month to stay on track and it all looks pretty do-able. I'm not psychologically ready for school to start yet, but I'm getting there! :)

[Cait]

I'm not thinking any further ahead than the next two weeks. I'm just hoping to survive this trimester before planning anything at all. Honestly, I've been having a lot of, "Maybe they should just go to school next year" fantasies lately. I know it's just trading one set of issues for another, and that in our case, we're better off with the issues we have. But I'm feeling a lot of guilt over how little we've done lately. First there was the move, then there was week after week of morning sickness. Hopefully things will get better soon and I'll be feeling more positive.

I know you've heard this a million times before, but even if you were to take an entire year off (which, really, would your inquisitive Susy even let you do?) they'd be fine. They've got smart, curious parents and formalized "school" or not, they're going to learn and be smart, productive members of society.

[JanB]

I know you've heard this a million times before, but even if you were to take an entire year off (which, really, would your inquisitive Susy even let you do?) they'd be fine. They've got smart, curious parents and formalized "school" or not, they're going to learn and be smart, productive members of society.


If you don't mind me, a non-homeschooler, throwing in an anecdote... DH went to a private, exclusive Jesuit high school, and one of his classmates took an entire year off to go sailing around the world with his parents. DH and the guy are still friends, and he would definitely say he is better off for the experience. A year of school missed didn't hurt him a bit. (And DUDE - he SAILED AROUND THE WORLD!! Jealous.)

Anyway. Don't mind me. :D