2013: Change Of Plans (August)

The kids going to spend all of August working on the following:

The Complete Curriculum grade 4 and 5

Daily Warm Ups: Problem Solving Math grade 4
Kumon Math Workbooks Geometry & Measurement grade 3

Family Math
Teaching The Fun Of Math

IQ Challenge

Games:
Get a new games each week. Picked up a few strategy games in the meantime.

LOE
Book List - reading schedule

Spectrum Reading work book grade 4

2013: Objectives List

Required by pa state law - I have to yearly hand in an objectives list... our list of materials we plan on using as well as objectives for the required courses. This is what I handed in for BOTH of my kids this year (4th and 5th grade). I kept it minimum - a needs to know basis. 

English

1. Read often and read increasingly difficult texts

2. Improve fluency in reading aloud.

3. Improve spelling and vocabulary.

4. Increase knowledge of English grammar.

 5. Develop creative, narrative, and descriptive writing skills.

MATERIALS: MCT, LOE, and misc resources on hand.  

Math

1. Improve understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and money. 

2. Improve real life applications of math through a variety of explorations. 

MATERIALS: Singapore, manipulatives, journaling, and misc resources on hand.

History

1. In-depth look into genealogy

2. Introduction to mythology 

3. Ancient history, geography, and timelines

4. Increase knowledge of US and Pennsylvania history

MATERIALS: History Odyssey, journaling, videos, and misc resources on hand.

Science

1. Observe nature (to include: the night sky, the daytime sky, zoo animals, farm animals, birds and bird migration, insects, caterpillars, butterflies, fungi, trees, flowers etc.)

2. Participate in a variety of scientific experiments, activities, and explorations, and record results and findings

MATERIALS: Apologia - Botany, Life Science by Pandia Press, videos, and misc resources on hand.

Art:

1) Creative and fun expression of self

2) Learn about artists and art styles that relate to the time period in our ancient history studies.

Music:

1) Piano Lessons

2) Learn about the musicians and musical styles that relate to the time period in our ancient history studies. 

Health, phys ed, safety, and the misc.

1) nutrition

2) Continued exercise through play, bike rides, nature walks, and yoga

3) Continued discussions of fire prevention and other safety issues

**We have not yet completed the list of materials for these classes. A completed list will be included in our yearly portfolio.**

2013: Our Curriculum

English:

MCT Grammar Island

Logic Of English
The Reading Teachers Complete Book Of Lists

English 4 (by american education publishing)
Real Life Writing (scholastic)

Grammar Manipulatives Kids Love (scholastic)

How To Teach Non Fiction Writing (evan moor)
Expository Writing (scholastic)
Daily 6 Trait Writing (evan moor)
Creative Writing Ideas (evan moor)
Live Writing (by ralph fletcher)

Spectrum Writing 4 (spectrum)
The Most Wonderful Writing Lessons Ever (scholastic)

Paragraph Writing Made Easy (scholastic)
Paragraph Writing (evan moor)

Use A Better Word (teacher created resources)

How To Report On Books (evan moor)

Easy Steps To Writing Fantastic Research Reports (scholastic)
The Best Research Reports Ever (scholastic)

Teaching Literary Elements with favorite chapter books (scholastic)

Madlibs

Ancient History

Pandia Press - Ancient History - level 1
           required resources used:
                  Story Of The World (I am using the book and guide)
                  A Childs History Of The World
                  Usbourne Internet Linked Encyclopedia Of World History
                  History Pockets - Ancient Civilizations
                  Ancient Egyptians and Their Neighbors
                  Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors
                  Life In Ancient Greece Coloring Book (dover publishing)
                  Life In Ancient Rome Coloring Book (dover publishing)
                  Modern Rhymes about Ancient Times: Ancient Egypt
                  Ancient China Treasure Chest

          additional resources that I am adding:
                  DK Timelines Of History
                  The Kingfisher Illustrated History Of The World
                  The Kingfisher Atlas Of The World
                   Mankind: The Story Of Us All
                  The Complete Book Of World History
                   IEW - Ancient History - based writing lessons (english and history)
                  The Kids Family Tree Book (by caroline leavitt)
                  Take A Stand - Ancient History Games

Mythology

Mythology
D'auiaires Book Of Greek Myths
World Mythology (minipedia)
Ancient Greece (teacher created resources)
Greek Myth Mini Books (scholastic)

Geography

DK Geography Of The World
The Complete Book Of Maps and Geography
Geography Wizardry For Kids
Everything You Need To Know About Geography Homework

Science

Pandia Press - Life Science - level 1
Apologia Botany w/ jr notebook

Peterson Field Guide Coloring Books (butterflies, birds, wildflowers)
State field guides (trees & wildflowers, birds, butterflies)

Abeka 74 field and study study cards - Botany

Nature Smart
Nifty Nature

Science Near and Far 1954

Weather (teacher created resources)

Math

Keys To Fractions
Family Math
Teaching The Fun Of Math
Fraction Jugglers
Success With Math (scholastic)

MISC

Exploring Planet Earth (john hudson tiner)

membership to Evan Moor Teacher Toolbox

YOGA and Nature Walks

Things Still Not Decided On...

MATH!!
Logic
Latin
Composer, Artist, and Scientist studies

2013: homeschool room pics

                                      ...and so the homeschooling journey begins again...

2013: My h.s. work space

2013: Homemade Charts

workbook turned into interactive posterboard

some parts (the words) are removable 

I used a poster frame from the dollar store

I used this book as my source: Use A Better Word.

flashcard pockets

There some other activities that we use this for. 

Weather Chart  (still needs some velcro dots put on)

The month, day, and weather symbols - all velco attached.

The kids do graphing and probability projects with this. 

faux butterfly shadowbox 

the kids used their local butterfly guide to draw n' color butterflies from Pa.

...more to come...