Our 2013-2014 Homeschool Curriculum Plans!
Today I’m sharing one of the most important posts I write each year:
Our 2013-2014 Homeschool Curriculum Plans!
Below you’ll see each of my children and the curriculum I’ve chosen for them this year. I try to combine as many grades together as possible (easiest with science, history/geography, and read-alouds). My next challenge is to come up with a schedule where we can get all this done! I’ll work on that and share it next week. 🙂
2013-2014 Homeschool Curriculum
B (7th grade):
Following “The Grammar Level: Ten Things to Do From Ages 10-12”
Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing, Group B Student Writing Intensive
Math: Teaching Textbooks 7th Grade
Literature: Shakespeare plays and classic novels
Bible Study: New Testament Survey with Grapevine Studies *
Logic: Building Thinking Skills, Level 3 Figural
Grammar: Finish 6th grade Daily Grams and start 7th grade
Latin: First Form Latin
History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days*
Science: Christian Kids Explore Physics*
Institute for Cultural Communications (ICC) Speech class
Band at Christian school- saxophone
Violin
Football and Onward Basketball
Spotlight drama class and productions
J (6th grade):
Following “The Grammar Level: Ten Things to Do From Ages 10-12”
Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing*, Group A Student Writing Intensive
Math: Finish Math-U-See Zeta and start Teaching Textbooks 7th Grade
Bible Study: New Testament Survey with Grapevine Studies
Logic: Building Thinking Skills, Level 2 and start Level 3 Figural
Grammar: 6th grade Daily Grams
Spelling: Spelling Power
Latin: Finish First Form Latin
History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days*
Science: Christian Kids Explore Physics*
ICC (Institiute for Cultural Communications) Speech class
Band at Christian School- percussion
Violin
Piano
Spotlight drama class and productions
M (4th grade):
Following “The Grammar Level: Ten Things to Do From Ages 10-12”
Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing, Group A Student Writing Intensive
Math: Finish Math-U-See Gamma and start Delta
Bible Study: Explorers Bible Study (Jesus, My Shepherd), Grapevine Studies Old Testament Traceable study
Logic: Building Thinking Skills, Level 2
Grammar: Find e-book or online materials
Spelling: Spelling Power
Spanish: El Espanol Facil– The Easy Spanish * 
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History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days*
Science: Apologia Zoology 3 Land Animals*
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ICC (Institiute for Cultural Communications) Speech class
Violin
Piano
Spotlight drama class and productions
R (3rd grade):
Following “The Ten Things to do Before Age 10”
Handwriting: Cursive Handwriting Without Tears
Phonics: Explode the Code workbooks
Reading: All About Reading, Level 2 *
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Math: Math-U-See Alpha in the spring
Bible Study: Grapevine Studies Old Testament Traceable study *
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History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days*
Science: Apologia Zoology 3 Land Animals*
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ICC (Institiute for Cultural Communications) Speech class
Piano
Spotlight drama class and productions
T (1st grade):
Following “The Ten Things to do Before Age 10”
Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears
Phonics: Explode the Code workbooks
Reading: Alpha-Phonics, read Rod and Staff books: Bible Nurture and Reader Series
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Bible Study: Answers in Genesis Bible Study:* Answers for Kids
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History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days
Science: Apologia Zoology 3 Land Animals
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ICC (Institiute for Cultural Communications) Speech class
Violin
L (Kindergarten):
Following “The Ten Things to do Before Age 10”
Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears
Phonics: Explode the Code workbooks
Reading: Alpha-Phonics, read Rod and Staff books: Bible Nurture and Reader Series
Bible Study: Answers in Genesis Bible Study:* Answers for Kids
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History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days
Science: Apologia Zoology 3 Land Animals
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Early Childhood music and movement (I’ll teach this at a co-op)
Z (3 years old): preschool
Following “The Ten Things to do Before Age 10”
History/Geography: Around the World in 180 Days
Science: Apologia Zoology 3 Land Animals
Early Childhood music and movement (I’ll teach this at a co-op)
E (1 year old)
Following “The Ten Things to do Before Age 10”
Read board books to her
Early Childhood music and movement (I’ll teach this at a co-op)
Other Enrichment activities for the kids:
Art: See the Light * Bible Story DVDs (Christmas and Easter), drawing/crafts for science animals, Global Art book for geography art projects
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Historical fiction: A Benge biography from each continent—David Livingstone (Africa), Gladys Aylward (Asia), D.L. Moody (North America), Nate Saint (South America), George Muller (Europe). Any recommendations for Australia and Antarctica?
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Notebooking/Journaling/Lapbooking for history/geography and science: maps, animals, people, cultural elements
Read-Aloud novels:
Dr. Doolittle, Old Yeller, Gentle Ben (Walt Morey),The Wind in the Willows, Black Beauty, Rascal (Sterling North), Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White), James and the Giant Peach (Roald Dahl)
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Music:
Singing, worship team at church
SQUILT (Listening activities)*–Super Quiet Uninterrupted Listening Time, volume 1 Baroque Composers
and Enrichment Studies* for Art and Music Appreciation
Swim lessons
*Affiliate Links
Hi Gena!
Thanks for posting this…I LOVE planning a new school year! And you have some great things on there!
Figured I’d just put my plan right here, since I haven’t been good about updating my blog…
Josh — 11th Grade:
Starting Points–a group class taught by a Trinity Seminary student (a Bible, a History, and an English credit)
Algebra–a class at College of Lake County
P.E.–at Home Run Kids
Typing–computer program
Bible–Memorization of passages (his Bible study is part of Starting Points)
Writing–bi-weekly tutoring with his tutor from last year (to assist with grammar and paper formation and organization and paper writing for Starting Points)
Youth Group
Tech Team at Church
Co-leader of Jr High small group
Matthew — 3rd Grade
Bible–Kay Arthur inductive Bible studies for kids
History–Story of the World Book 3
Spelling–Spelling Power
Vocabulary–Wordly Wise
Math–Math U See Zeta and Saxon 65
Reading–Sonlight and Veritas Press lists
Grammar–First Language Lessons
Typing–Mavis Beacon
Science–Home Run Kids
P.E.–Home Run Kids
Art–Home Run Kids
For Writing and Geography I haven’t settled on anything…
I really need to do read alouds…my favorite thing to do, but also the first thing to get cut when time is short.
We are thinking about piano lessons.
We are planning on Upward Soccer and Basketball.
I hope you have a great year! Would love to get together some time… 🙂
Blessings,
Jennifer
You will be busy 🙂 I remember having six at home. I only have two this year. We are still not exactly sure what we are doing. I have two going in 7th grade. They grow up so fast 🙂
What wonderful ideas.
Blessings, Dawn
That looks like a great year! Beautiful family!
Looks like you’ve got a great plan in place! I’m sure it feels like a lot to juggle especially now that their ability levels are so varied. You’re doing a great job, mama!
Thank you for sharing at the HomeAcre Hop. I hope you’ll join us again this Thursday.
You go, girl! Looks like you have a great line-up! I used to home-school alongside another mom that made schedules and curriculum decisions, and organized our year in such an incredible way. I’m sure you are a blessing to your beautiful children and other home-schooling mommies!
Stopping by from The Better Mom today 🙂
I have a question- I teach a 3rd-5th grade classroom and am looking for a different spelling curriculum. I saw that you have Spelling Power listed for your 6th grader. Have you used it before? If so, would this be something I could use in a classroom setting with the three multiple grade levels? Is it separate workbooks or something entirely different? Last year we used Bob Jones Spelling and I’m just not happy with it. Any recommendations or feedback? Thanks 🙂
I have actually not used Spelling Power yet. When I do, I will post about how it works! I did read a review recently at smockityfrocks.com if you want to search for it there. It sounds like a great curriculum!
–Gena
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Stephanie!
–Gena
Wow, so neat to find another family with kids of similar ages! We have eight children age 12 (7th grade) down to 3 weeks old. This year I have 7th, 3rd, 2nd, K, and 4 little ones: http://ourbusyhomeschool.com/2013-2014-curriculum-large-family-style/
We’ve enjoyed Apologia’s science books before and Land Animals was probably our favorite. Looks like you have a fun year ahead!
Hi Tristan,
Yes–so fun to find a similar family! I am really excited about the Land Animals book. We have loved all four that we’ve done so far!
–Gena
Gena, you have such a beautiful family! Looks like some good things for your school year this year.
We’ve had great success with Daily Grams. And AlphaPhonics is my absolute #1 teaching reading tool. Have used with all 8 of our children.
With your plan in place, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful school year – enjoy!
and thank you for hosting this link-up. I enjoy seeing what others are using.
Thanks for linking up! It’s so helpful to hear what’s worked for others–especially for 8 kids!
–Gena
Love these curriculum lists! Just posted mine on my facebook page since I don’t blog.
So this is some of our intended curriculum for the upcoming year (for my 2nd grader). We’ll see what all we get to! There is too much good stuff out there!
Language Arts:
Reading Street Grade 2
LOTS of read-alouds (Mom reading to him)
Math:
Horizons Grade 2
Times Tales: Times Tables Made Easy
Ipad apps for math fact practice
History & Social Studies:
Tapestry of Grace, Year 4, Units 3&4 (tons of book reading to him)
Scholastic Weekly Readers (I am so excited about this. I loved these as a kid.)
Scott Foresman Social Studies Grade 2, People & Places (social studies and geography) (selections)
Welcome to Samantha’s World (and any other AG books like this one on issues and lifestyle of the time period that might fit into our timeline, possibly Kit?)
Geography:
Maps, Charts and Graphs (possibly)
Some great geography resources from the library including:
Blastoff! Readers: Exploring Countries (each book on a different country)
True Books by Dana Meachen Rau (on different regions of the US)
Science:
Daily Science Grade 2 (continued from last year)
Lots of random books from the library on topics of interest
Wild Kratts
Scholastic Weekly Readers
DK First Earth Encyclopedia
DK First Nature Encyclopedia
Art:
Tons of drawing books from the library
Home Art Studio (video with teacher — We all are so excited about this!)
Mike Venezia books on artists as they fit into our art program
Music:
Pianimals (beginning piano)
The Story of the Orchestra
A Child’s Introduction to Ballet (the stories of the ballets)
Ready to Read Music: Sequential Lessons in Music Reading Readiness (Jay Althouse)
Mike Venezia books on composers as they fit into our history program
Gym and Health:
Various home, homeschool, and other physical education activities
The First Aid Book
You sure are right about there being too many good choices out there. I never get to all I plan to. Looks like you have some great books!
–Gena
Great post! I’m not a huge stickler for grade levels (my boys are 9, 6, and 1), but here’s our plan for the school year:
http://craftsbywendy.wordpress.com/2013/08/07/homeschool-prep/
Love your blog 🙂