I considered skipping my annual back-to-school books and curriculum post. In fact, I didn't give it much thought at all this year, but when I put out the question on my Facebook page, the overwhelming response was, "Yes, please write it!"
So here goes.
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As much as possible, I've tried to establish a group learning environment where we all learn alongside each other. The kids range in age from Gavin who is almost 12 and in 7th grade to Alaine who is 4 and not formally in school so it can be a challenge, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Bible (daily): Egermeier's Bible Story Book, Our 24 Family Ways: A Family Devotional Guide, scripture memory box
History (daily, starting in November): The World of Columbus and Sons, The World of Captain John Smith
Science (bi-weekly): The Burgess Bird Book for Children, National Wildlife Federation's World of Birds: A Beginner's Guide, notebooking
Art (daily through October): unit on architecture using Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas (with 21 Activities) as our main text and supplementing with books like this one
and this one
History (daily, starting in November): The World of Columbus and Sons, The World of Captain John Smith
Science (bi-weekly): The Burgess Bird Book for Children, National Wildlife Federation's World of Birds: A Beginner's Guide, notebooking
Art (daily through October): unit on architecture using Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas (with 21 Activities) as our main text and supplementing with books like this one
and this one Music (weekly): Alfred's Basic Piano Course Theory, Level 1A
The three oldest are also working independently through Typing Instructor for Kids Platinum 5
. Either before or after our together work, each child has a list of subjects to accomplish alone. For the first time this year, I gave each child a copy of their schedule so instead of me telling them what to do next, they can look at it and manage their own time. I did not expect them to like that approach so much and I'm more than pleased at how they are showing initiative to finish their work ahead of schedule!
Gavin (7th grade, almost 12 years old)
Math (daily): Saxon Math 8/7 with Pre-algebra
Health (weekly): Christian Liberty Nature Reader, Book 5
Maddie (5th grade, 10 years old)
Math (daily): Saxon Math 54
Health (weekly): Period.: A Girl's Guide
Art supplement (weekly, starting after winter break): Draw Me A House: A Book of Colouring In, Ideas and Architectural Inspiration
Owen (3rd grade, 8 years old)
Math (daily): Saxon Math 54
Health with Ben (summer): unit on the human body using various library books such as this one
and this one
and this oneBen (1st grade, almost 6 years old)
, 
English (daily): Explode the Code series
Health with Owen (summer): unit on the human body using various library books such as this oneand this one
Art (weekly): Usborne's I Can Draw Animals
Music (summer): unit on Mozart using various library books such as this one
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(I did not include a section for Alaine who is 4 years old and will not start kindergarten until next year. She comes to the table every day, though, with her pencils and crayons and asks to do several pages in her workbook. If anyone is interested in a list of workbooks, busy bags, books, and ideas of how I keep her engaged during school hours, I will be happy to write a post about that, too.)
