In The Groove?

I thought it would never happen, as we have been back to school since JULY, but I think it may be safe to say we are finally in a good groove. We have had 3 schedule changes, numerous curriculum changes and a fretting mother. Perhaps a few cranky kids as a result too :)

So here we are in our 4th month, watching the leaves fall and I feel some peace falling over me as well. Our routine, you know, the fourth one, is becoming a habit, curriculum changes are working, FINALLY!! And I think I am starting to get the hang of my school routine, Bible reading routine, running routine and lifting routine all together with doing things around the house. Last week I even made a menu and shopping list! Impressive I know. I just have had so much on my plate that I have been dropping half of it on the floor.

Even today, with a few kids feeling the allergies of this lovely time, we will start our day on time, with a devotional. What a wonderful way to start the school day!

Our newest, final (at least this year) curriculum by grade:

8th: Bible, which is led by Rick, since he is a preacher we don’t use a “curriculum” :) History, a new change, TruthQuest History Ancient Rome, which we just got last week, but love already! We switched from Mystery of History and elected this over Tapestry of Grace. We also have several books on Rome already, and we will be picking up oodles from the library as we go.

Everyone is using Apologia Science, Astronomy. We have not changed that, but have added the Notebook that you can purchase separately and wish we ad it before lesson 5!! There are lesson plans included, on top of all of the notebooking and journal pages.

We switched from Easy Grammar back to Language Lessons, which we all like better.

Teaching Textbooks is still working well, and we have barely used the book. Usually the CD is all that is needed.

We also added The McGuffey Reader for all ages.

Christian also does typing on handwriting days.

 

5th: Hannah uses Apples, Daily Spelling Drills, which is a new addition. The younger ones are also using TruthQuest History, but they are in American History For Young Students 1. They also have a few spines for that and we pick up library books each week 

to read from that section/person as well.

Hannah is on her last needed handwriting book. She will probably move on to typing only this year at some point.

I included her Bible, but no one else’s…?

 

2nd: Noah has the same history as above, and the only change is Spelling Workout, which I don’t know if I like or not..we’ll see, it is new as well.

1st: Emma is back to Language Lessons as well. We were using First Language Lessons 1 and 2 for Emma and Noah. We like Sandi Queen’s curriculum better. Emma is also using the same TQ History, but her books are going to generally be a little easier. Noah is reading at a 3rd or 4th grade level, so he and Hannah use the same books, and I have Emma’s geared more toward 1st and 2nd.

Emma is soaring through Explode the Code. I will need a few more than these two for the rest of the year.

 

This is not an exhaustive list and many of our “extras” from this previous post are still being used, just not everyday. We also use the Download N Go unit studies I review frequently.

I really hope that we do not go through this next year. I really get burnt out on all of the information. Everyone is selling the “best curriculum”, and has a sale every month it seems! This year, we are taking time off. Since we jumped right back in at the end of last year, we will have 4 glorious months off. I will need that to get ready for high school I am sure!!! Where has the time gone??