Our Curriculum

So I am just about done planning our curriculum for this year. In addition to at home curriculum we have a ton of outside the home activities. I'll break it down by "Daily", "Weekly", "Monthly" and "Supplemental". We are aiming to teach our children to know, love, and serve God through a classical curriculum focusing on reading, writing, and math with a secondary focus on the fine arts.

Daily

Making Music, Praying Twice--The kids are already enjoying the CDs from this program which teaches music through the liturgical year as well as learning musical basics through fun songs/games.


Saint of the Day---After borrowing "Saints for Young Readers" from the library four times, I decided we apparently like it, and it was time to purchase the book. We'll read the saint of the day at breakfast and if there is a special saint of interest we'll focus more on that saint through another activity aka special meal, craft or even a movie.

Handwriting without Tears---A number of my friends use this for handwriting, but some claim its better for boys. Demand and I tend to butt heads over handwriting so we are giving this a try this year. I scored a great deal on the Catholic Swap so I ended up getting a preschool curriculum for Happy when it's time for him to start.

Harp and the Laurel Wreath- For those of you familiar with the Mother of Divine Grace curriculum we are using the basic outline for MODG but I have already substituted many of the subjects. This we plan on using though for poetry and it will be helpful with Demand's monthly presentation (see below).

MathUSee---We are half way through the kindergarten curriculum already so we'll just start into Alpha when we are finished. We only did this sparatically last year, but we'll be doing it daily this year.


2x a Week

Nancy Larson Science- This is a pricier curriculum but Demand loves Science so I thought it was worth it. Very hands on.

Child-size Materpieces-- This is also a part of the MODG curriculum. We have a number of other art books including some fantastic Baby Einstien art cards that my mother in law gave Demand when she was only 9 months old. Very helpful now though! Plus there is always a trip to the Art Museum.....or Europe. ;)

Good Shepard---We will be using this as her main faith formation for this year since it is so great. Next year we'll move on to Faith & Life.

Swimming/Ballet- self explanatory


2x a Month

Co-op--This is pretty exciting stuff around here. Most of my friends are already in it or started it last year but with Pax due last September I didn't want to be overwhelmed. I think I made the right choice. Two Fridays a month everyone meets for Mass in the morning and then Demand will be in the kindergarten class . She'll be learning about the body and doing "Making Music, Praying Twice" then there is a free-gym time and lunch. Meanwhile Happy, Pax, and I will be in the nursery. I will have "Mom's Discussion time" there as well. I've been told I'm going to love Co-op.


Monthly

Little Flowers- This is like a Catholic Girl scouts (ironic since Catholics started boy/girl scouts). Once a months moms and daughters meet to focus on a saint and a specific virtue. There is also crafts and some service work involved.

Orchestra- We have around five trips to the state orchestra planned throughout the year. (Might be all I can take with the boys)

Children's Theatre-Nothing booked yet but we went at least three times last year and plan to go more this year

Dodge Nature Center- One Friday a month we meet for a class at a local Nature center just for our homeschool group.

Oral Presentation-- Starting in October we meet once a month so the children in our HS group can practice oral presentations. Last year we had Demand practice songs or prayers this year she will be doing poetry or short stories. We are having a homeschool effect as Happy gets in on the action too and he has fantastic form. He stands up straight with his hands behind his back and then presents some incoherent song or poem.


Supplemental Activities

Book IT- Pizza Hut allows homeschooling families to participate in Book-it. Demand is very interested in this and can't wait to get started.

Pool- During the winter months our group meets at an indoor gradual entry pool once a month

Science Museum- When Mr. Sloth "had" to go with his brother and nieces/nephews to the science museum a few months ago I suggested he just get a membership, especially since we get an educator discount. It has already paid for itself and Mr. Sloth and I are heading there on a date tomorrow to see the King Tut exhibit. There are so many exhibits that pair up with chapters in Demands Science curriculum it will be great to go there and have some hands on learning as well.

I'm considering adding All About Spelling and Explode the Code (possibly the online version) as supplements but lets see how the first month of 'school ' goes.

I'm also working on a binder and a bin of stuff for Happy to do. I got the idea from one of the workshops as a way to keep younger siblings both entertained and involved. Happy is a part of the Saint of the Day and Music time but this will help him be involved in the other subjects when he wants to be. Most of what I have gathered is stuff we already had around the house. coloring pages, left over pages from those preschool books you buy at Wal-Mart, blank paper for scribbling, etc.... I bought some familiar character stickers from Dollar Tree to stick to the front of the binder to make it his own. Hopefully he likes it. I'll give it to him on the first day of school.

While shopping at Barnes and Noble this weekend I remembered that I get 20% off for being an educator. Score! I picked up a couple of workbooks while I was there. One is a dot-to-dot book that goes from 1-150 and the other is a book to practice tracing lines in preparation for making letters.

Ok, I think that is it as far as I know.