2019-2020 School Year/Curriculum choices

Yes, it's that time of year again.  Time for school.  The schools in our area start between next Monday and the day after Labor Day, depending on which district you live in.

We chose to start homeschooling August 1 (although not full-time...we still have some days that have other summer plans).  As we plan to take a trip to the Smoky Mountains later this fall, I want to start getting days in.

This year I have 4 kids in school.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that our kids are transitioning to adulthood...seems like they were just all here around me.  But it's good.  And necessary.  And right.

So...what are we using for curriculum this year?

Janae (10th grade) - Math - Teaching Textbooks (Algebra 1 and Geometry).  Science - Conceptual Chemistry (through our Co-op).  History - Notgrass American Voices.  English - Notgrass American Voices + Progeny Press Literature Studies + a co-op class on Creative Writing/Research Paper.  Health - PACES + supplemental materials.  Foreign Language - Rosetta Stone Spanish.  Phys Ed.

Zachary (6th grade) - Math - Math U See Epsilon.  History/Social Studies - Study the Constitution (1 Semester Co-op Class).  Second Semester to be determined.  English - PACES Word Building, Literature & Creative Writing, English*  Science - Apologia Astronomy (Co-Op).  Other:  Typing (Co-op), Phys Ed, Art Music

Mark (5th grade/Life Skills) - Continue working with tutors and therapists, Five in a Row Curriculum (a curriculum that uses literature/stories and addresses all subject areas), Continue working on building basic reading and math skills.  Life skills such as hygiene, cooking, etc.  Co-op classes include a Spanish class, Art class, and Science class.

Micah (4th grade) - Language Arts - PACES English, Literature & Creative Writing, Word Building*, Math - Teaching Textbooks, Social Studies - PACES*, Science - Answers in Genesis Life Science.  Co-op classes:  Literature/History, Math, History.  Other:  Phys Ed, Art Music

*In regards to PACES, I find them very fundamental so I do edit and subtract/add information as appropriate for our church/family value system.  My boys do well with them as they have learning challenges.  The system of having material broken into 12 thin booklets (instead of larger textbooks) works well as it is less overwhelming.

And that's our plan for this year.  As always, things are subject to change as needed.
~Karen

Still here!

Wow!  I can't believe I haven't blogged all summer long...totally missed June, July and nearly half of August.

So...randomness from June & July:

• TFC Truck Rally in June.  It went well and we had fun as always.  Transport For Christ International has changed their name to TFC Global.  We spent much of June preparing for this event.
• June - We went camping at Spruce Lake Retreat for a weekend with our church family.
• July - We enjoyed a weekend at the cabin with my (Karen's) family.  The weather was beautiful and we spent hours in the river.
• Also in July - August, Randy, Josiah, Autumn & a bunch of others went to Alaska with LightShine Ministries to Globe Creek Camp to work.  They built a log cabin and did other maintenance work.
• July - Backyard Kids Club (VBS)
• In between we had the normal appointments:  OT, ST, Tutoring, Dentists.  We went to the pool.  We did laundry and cooking and occasionally cleaning.

Summer's been good.  August 1 we started schooling again...but I think I'll make that another post!

Enjoy your day!

~Karen