This is the time of year many homeschooling moms are choosing books and building lesson plans. I’ll be honest, I love looking through curriculum catalogs and browsing websites to create what I’m sure will be a perfect school year.

Despite all the curricula choices out there, the experience of other homeschooling moms is the most encouraging to me. Seeing how others are planning the school year, and gleaning from their experience is incredibly helpful. Yes, I’m that mom reading the reviews you leave on websites, and stalking facebook groups for opinions. If that is you too, read on for my school year plan.

This year we are primarily using curriculum from Masterbooks. We have a number of resource books they offer and began using their math program a couple of years ago. I really like the biblical worldview foundation of this curriculum.

Core Curriculum Plan:

Little Bear – 5th grade

• Math – Math for a Living Education
• Language Arts – Language Lessons for a Living Education
• History – Elementary Geography & Cultures
• Science – God’s Design Physical World

I will be adding missionary biographies and chapter books to go along with the history studies.

Magoo – 8th grade

• Math – Teaching Textbooks
• Language Arts – Elementary Bible & English Grammar
• History – The World’s Story 2 – The Middle Ages
• Science – Apologia Science Exploring Creation with Chemistry & Physics

World’s History author Angela O’Dell offers a list of chapter book suggestions on her website that I will be utilizing.

Columbo – 10th grade

• Math – Teaching Textbooks
• Language Arts – Writing Strands
• Historical Science – Biblical Archaeology
• Science – Applied Engineering
• Science Elective – Geology

Columbo is not a history fan. I’ve selected a more interest-based choice to combine history and science. I am writing his worksheets for the geology science elective. He will be using the Wonders of Creations Mineral, Fossil, Geology, and Cave books. Although Masterbooks does offer these books in different set combinations, I felt my selection paired better with the crossover in the historical science study. I am also looking for a rock-hounding book of our area to plan field trips.

I usually like to combine my students when possible. Challenges last year have led me to keep major subjects individual. I have added a Morning Basket to our schedule for a group reading and discussion time.

I am amazed by how quickly my kids are growing up. As they become more independent and mature, I am increasingly aware of how important it is to lay a solid foundation of faith and learning. As I begin organizing books and lesson plans, I’m am confident it’s going to be a great year!

 

photo credit: Scott Sanford Photography Pioneer Schoolhouse via photopin (license)