We are in the middle of our school year since we follow the Australian school calendar, but here is our line-up for the fall/winter semester.
My oldest, Eden, will be 7 years old and is “technically” in 1st grade. I say technically because one of the gifts of homeschooling is that you are not locked into a box! She is very intelligent, and we have allowed her to move at her own (fast!) pace. You’ll see that reflected in some of the subject levels.
Knox is about to turn 5. We will enroll him when the new Aussie school year starts in January, but he joins in with big sis in almost everything!
My baby and toddler are at our side for it all, and I have been amazed at how much little ones soak up just from listening!
Hear about these resources on the NHC Podcast!
Bible
Children of Character Cards (Godly Character Study)
Great Hymns for Growing Hearts (Hymn Study)
Answers for Kids Set (Creation/Genesis Apologetics)
Indescribable (Devotionals centered on Sceince)
Our 24 Family Ways by Sally Clarkson (Godly Character within the Family)
Language Arts
Handwriting
Eden: The Good and the Beautiful Level 4 (She’s a bit advanced because we are doing cursive first)
Knox: I am using this sand tray for his writing practice as I introduce lower case cursive letters
Poetry
All Things Bright and Beautiful by Cecil Francis Alexander
My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson
Sea-Fever by John Masefield
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Spelling/Reading Instruction
The Reading Lamp
What is this method? The Reading Lamp program is an explicit phonics program, based on the science of reading, that simplifies the English language into 40 phonemes (the sounds we hear), 70 graphemes (the sounds we write), and 15 reliable spelling patterns. The Reading Lamp teaches students word by word while integrating reading, writing, and spelling. The words are taken directly from Scripture in order to give students a jump start into reading the Bible.
There is currently not a curriculum availabe for The Reading Lamp, and it is something that you have to be trained in. A beloved friend and mentor is working to make this more accessible for parents and teachers. If you are interested in curriculum that is similar, All About Reading and All About Spelling are silimar in methodolgy.
Grammar
We’re in a transition period with what we are doing for grammar. Currently, I am introducing parts of speech and having my daughter label sentences using the Shurley English question/answer method. We are incorporating some grammar work from the free download of LA2 from The Good and The Beautiful.
We will be implementing a more structed LA curriculum in 2024. I’m currently in the research stages of that, but I can’t wait to share more in the coming months!
Literature
Unit Studies
Dinosaurs (Science)*
Marine Biology (Science) available as a free download from The Good and The Beautiful
US History 2: Rise to Independence (History)*
The First Christmas (Bible)*
(*Gather Round Homeschool: Eden is currently doing the early elementary level. Knox is doing pre-reader.)
Math
The Good and The Beautiful Math
Eden: Math 2
Knox: Math K
Morning Basket
For Knox & Ivy: I am reading through the Teacher Guide’s for Gather Round Homeschool’s Ready to Read Program. First up is Burrows & Holes! These are suited for a lower level, and allows me focused time with the younger ones. Reading through the lesson, asking the questions, and going over the simple Bible lesson takes less than 10 minutes, so it fits in well with the other morning basket things we work through.
Story of the World Volume II by Susan Wise Bauer
Elementary Geography by Charlotte Mason
Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary by Jack Knowlton
Read Alouds
Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard
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