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Every year I start with the same thing, a list of "likes". All the curricula that I am interested in. I hem and haw until I really have no direction and I end up with 10 different ideas and none really work together.
This year will be different! I have made decisions, when translated it means I have a PLAN! Plans are good and since I wrote down my plan, I will stick to it! I thought through this year: what worked, what we struggled with, what the future holds (a new baby) and I have simplified!
So are you ready? I will go by subject because in my simplicity this year, that will be how we roll!
Math:
DD in 4th grade will be using Teaching Textbooks again, This is her "thang" she has a math friendly mind and I hope that TT will work again. I am considering fast tracking her through TT4 and moving into TT5 asap. As I went through reviews, I have seen that it may be a little behind. That is the last place I want her to be in math, I want to encourage this natural bent.
DD2 in 2nd grade will be using Rod and Staff Math 2. She struggles in math, seriously struggles. We have tried Math U See and it just doesn't stick. So instead of mastering a skill we will be spiraling with R&S Math. She seems to do better with hitting on something over and over vs. hammering same thing over and over. She can do a worksheet and barely notice that the same problem is written 4 times on the page. I will say we are doing speed drills "this summer" and that is helping!
Language Arts:
I am very excited about this one. It will be a complete LA program and did I say I am excited? Drum roll please.... We are using Character Quality Language Arts. We will be using the 2nd-3rd grade level. The program has work for the 2nd grader and then an extended lesson for the 3rd grader, I am using it anyway because I am not happy with my past year's grammar curriculum (or lack there of) and it will be simpler~~~ remember I have simplified. It also is based around a Biblical character trait. I really need this right now. My children are missing the heart behind the "rules" and we need to think about the why we act this way, and not just to stay out of trouble.
Handwriting:
Both will have A Reason For Handwriting, just different levels. DD1 will be on level E and DD2 will be on level C. My reasons for cursive are simple, told I was going simple, I want them to have legible handwriting in the future and I want them to be able to READ the handwriting of their parents and grandparents. The art of handwriting is fleeting, but it is still necessary in my book.
Science:
God's Design for Life. Both girls will be doing the same curriculum here. Hey, it is all about simple~
History:
Mystery of History Volume 1. If you know me or read this here bloggy thing, you know I have been "using" this each year and never really get into it. Well this year I am planning and I found this post about her planning and I am going to follow her lead, dig out the book and prepare, like now :)
Latin:
Prima Latina. We started this last year, loved the prayers and lost sight of the vocabulary so we are off to start again and I am going to prepare!
Hebrew:
This is their "out of house" curriculum. My mom is teaching this and I am so very thankful! It gets them out of the house a few days/hours a week, they are still learning and their little minds soak it up! If we ever minister in Israel, my children will be my interpreters. How cool would that be?
btw, These links are to help you see what I am using, not to promote a certain vendor. I make nothing from this post :)
