Our new school year begins next week! This coming year our oldest boys will be going into 7th and 6th grade, the older girls will be 4th and 3rd, and Snuggles will be in 1st grade. Rose (3) and Bud (1) will have lots of fun with all sorts of "school time toys" and perhaps some of the Little Saints Pre-School themes. The following is a list of our curriculum plans for 2013-2014:
Captain :: 7th Grade
Math:
Saxon Math 7/6
Various Math Games for Reinforcement including: Math-It, Equate, and Speed!
Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: A
Supplementing with: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Phonetic Zoo, continue Level B
Fix It! (applied grammar - finish Tom Sawyer)
Editor in Chief B-1 (applied grammar)
The Book of Roots
Novel Inquiries: Ancient Civilizations (The Golden Goblet, Tirzah, Hittite Warrior and The Children's Homer)
History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures
- Bible History with Workbook (Core Text)
- Encyclopedia of Ancient History (Core Text)
- Old World and America (Core Text)
- Additional Literature, Family Read-Alouds and Independent Reading
Continue/Complete State-by-State Scrapbook
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)
Science:
Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 1 (Physics & Earth Science)
and Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 2 (Metric System, Biology & Chemistry)
TOPS Learning Systems: Electricity 32 and Perfect Balance 31
Snap Circuits
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)
Latin:
Latina Christiana 1
Ludere Latin 1
Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A
Memory Work:
Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha
Physical Education & Other Activities:
Scouts of St. George
Physical Education & Other Activities:
Scouts of St. George
Download Captain's Color-Coded Checklist
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Some of our Core Texts for the year Including: Bible for Young Catholics, Ancient World, Bible History Workbook, Bible History, New Catholic Picture Bible, Encyclopedia of Ancient History, The Old World and America and Founders of Freedom |
Rascal :: 6th Grade
Math:
Saxon Math 7/6
Various Math Games for Reinforcement including: Math-It, Equate, and Speed!
Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: A
Supplementing with: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Phonetic Zoo, continue Level B
Fix It! (applied grammar - Finish Tom Sawyer)
Editor in Chief B-1 (applied grammar)
The Book of Roots
Novel Inquiries: Ancient Civilizations (The Golden Goblet, Tirzah, Hittite Warrior and The Children's Homer)
History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures
- Bible for Young Catholics (Core Text)
- Ancient World (Core Text)
- Old World's Gifts to the New (Core Text)
- Additional Literature, Family Read-Alouds and Independent Reading
Continue/Complete State-by-State Scrapbook
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)
Science:
Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 1 (Physics & Earth Science)
and Concepts and Challenges in Science Book 2 (Metric System, Biology & Chemistry)
TOPS Learning Systems: Electricity 32 and Perfect Balance 31
Snap Circuits
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)
Latin:
Latina Christiana 1
Ludere Latin 1
Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A
Memory Work:
Download Rascal's Color-Coded Checklist
Twinkle Toes :: 4th Grade
Math:
Saxon Math 5/4
Various Math Games for Reinforcement including: Math-It, Equate, and Speed!
Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: A
Supplementing with: Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons
Phonetic Zoo Level A
Fix It! (applied grammar - continue Tom Sawyer)
Handwriting
Roots of English
Additional Literature:
- Olivia and the Little Way (with discussion guide)
- Eight Cousins (One of my childhood favorites, given to me by my grandmother on my 10th birthday in 1988, which had also been given to her when she was 11 by my Great-Great-Aunt Viv on Christmas in 1940! It's falling apart so I've ordered a new paperback copy for the girls to read.)
- All-of-a-Kind Family
- The Secret Garden (I have the 1987 version illustrated by Graham Rust which my parents gave me for Christmas, also in '88 when I was 10, and the girls will be given copies illustrated by Tasha Tudor and Inga Moore this year.)
- Various other books as time allows...
History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures
- Bible for Young Catholics (Core Text)
- Ancient World (Core Text)
- Old World's Gifts to the New (Core Text)
- Additional Literature, Family Read-Alouds and Independent Reading
Continue 50 State-by-State Study with Baking and Notebook Pages
Continue American Girl Unit Studies (as time allows)
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)
Science:
Focus on Middle School Chemistry with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher's Manual
Focus on Middle School Biology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher's Manual
Behold and See 4: Human Anatomy and Health
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)
Latin:
Latina Christiana 1
Ludere Latin 1
Religion:
The New Baltimore Catechism No. 1
Faith & Life 4 - Jesus Our Guide
Rare Catholic Stories
Saint Stories
The New Baltimore Catechism No. 1
Faith & Life 4 - Jesus Our Guide
Rare Catholic Stories
Saint Stories
Music & Art:
Lingua Angelica 1
Continue Composer Study
Meet the Masters Track A
Memory Work:
Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha
Physical Education & Other Activities:
Piano Lessons
Irish Dancing
Sewing Classes and Sewing With Saint Anne
Physical Education & Other Activities:
Piano Lessons
Irish Dancing
Sewing Classes and Sewing With Saint Anne
Little Women Hospitality Program - Year 1 with Student Companion (we didn't have time for this last year, hoping to have the time this year... but not making any promises!)
Download Twinkle Toes' Color-Coded Checklist
Chiquita :: 3rd Grade
Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive, Level A
All About Spelling - Level 3 and Level 4
Wordly Wise Book C
Handwriting
Additional Literature Including:
Latin:
History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures
Continue 50 State-by-State Study with Baking and Notebook Pages
Continue American Girl Unit Studies (as time allows)
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)
All About Spelling - Level 3 and Level 4
Wordly Wise Book C
Handwriting
Additional Literature Including:
Latin:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures
- New Catholic Picture Bible (Core Text)
- Usborne Time Travelers Core Text)
- Founders of Freedom (Core Text)
- Additional Literature, Family Read-Alouds and Independent Reading (including some of these)
Continue 50 State-by-State Study with Baking and Notebook Pages
Continue American Girl Unit Studies (as time allows)
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)
Science:
Focus on Elementary Chemistry with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher's Manual
Focus on Elementary Biology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher's Manual
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)
Religion:
The New Baltimore Catechism No. 1
Faith & Life 3 - Our Life With Jesus
Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
More Catholic Tales for Boys and Girls
Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha
Physical Education & Other Activities:
Irish Dancing
Sewing Classes and Sewing With Saint Anne
Physical Education & Other Activities:
Irish Dancing
Sewing Classes and Sewing With Saint Anne
Little Women Hospitality Program - Year 1 with Student Companion (we didn't have time for this last year, hoping to have the time this year...)
Download Chiquita's Color-Coded Checklist
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Our Historical American Girl Lap Books - many are still in progress |
Math:
Saxon 1
Language Arts:
Primary Arts of Language: Writing and Reading
All About Spelling Level 1 and Reading Level 1
Supplementing with Explode the Code
History & Geography:
Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
Old Testament and Ancient Cultures
- New Catholic Picture Bible (Core Text)
- Usborne Time Travelers Core Text)
- Founders of Freedom (Core Text)
- Additional Literature, Family Read-Alouds and Independent Reading (including some of these)
Asia and Australia Continent Study (CCM Alpha)
Science:
Focus on Elementary Chemistry with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher's Manual
Focus on Elementary Biology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher's Manual
Science Activities and Nature Sketching (CCM Alpha)
Apples, Bubbles and Crystals: Your Science ABCs (with our Alphabet Path)
Religion:
First Communion Preparation
St. Joseph First Communion Catechism
Memory Work:
Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha
Arts & Crafts and other Fun Activities:
Meet the Masters Track A
Continue Along the Alphabet Path *If time allows - We only completed Aa, Bb, Cc and part of Dd last year. As the other children get older, and their school work is more demanding, it is definitely more challenging for me to find the time for all the fun activities for my younger ones! Apparently there is just only so many things I can add before some things have to go... ;) I am really hoping we can at least continue this year. We'll see! In the meantime, Snuggles loves loves LOVES PAL (Primary Arts of Language). It is such an excellent program, very solid and yet complete with lots of fun and games too!
Continue Along the Alphabet Path *If time allows - We only completed Aa, Bb, Cc and part of Dd last year. As the other children get older, and their school work is more demanding, it is definitely more challenging for me to find the time for all the fun activities for my younger ones! Apparently there is just only so many things I can add before some things have to go... ;) I am really hoping we can at least continue this year. We'll see! In the meantime, Snuggles loves loves LOVES PAL (Primary Arts of Language). It is such an excellent program, very solid and yet complete with lots of fun and games too!
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My crate of file folder games for with PAL - Yes, I used black file folders. I think they look so much prettier than regular manilla file folders, plus I have a whole case of them! ;) |
Family Work
- Celebrating the Liturgical Year (as always)
- Connecting with History Volume 1: A Guide to Salvation History
- Classically Catholic Memory: Alpha
- Continue Linguistic Development through Poetry Memorization
- Meet the Masters Track A
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Z is for Zeus: A Greek Mythology Alphabet and Greek Blocks |
As you can see from our plans, I do try and combine as many children for various subjects as possible. We will all be studying Ancient History this year, using Connecting with History, and Chemistry and Biology using the materials from Real Science for Kids. I've also decided to try out Meet the Masters Track A (also available for a discount from Rainbow Resource and Home-School Buyers Co-Op). Another new addition to our plans is Classically Catholic Memory! I purchased my set from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts and have been so impressed with the organization and quality of the material. I'm so excited to begin this program!
You can download just my Classically Catholic Memory Checklist here.
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For those who don't want to spend the money on the complete set (though I do think it is worth the cost!), the Teacher Text would be a great place to start and a large portion of the program (minus the Geography and Timeline - though I suppose one could make their own set of timeline cards) can be completed with just this text. |
I have my Catholic Daily Planners all ready to go as well as my current Saints Calendar and Planner (you can purchase the new 2013-2014 version here). I also have a few binders filled with all my lesson plans and checklists. I use the actual lessons plans that come along with the Student Writing Intensive and Continuation Courses. (I keep all the handouts with the lesson plans and give them to the children as they need them.) Another binder has all the new daily lesson plans for Connecting with History! (I am so excited about these! The hardest part when we last used this program was trying to figure out what to do each day. These will be so helpful to use as a guide.) And my third binder (my pretty Black Damask Martha Stewart binder) contains all the color-coded checklists!

Now I just need to assemble this year's Back-to-School Schultütes and we'll be ready to get started!