Learning This Year: With and Without a Textbook

Curriculum...

I have a love hate relationship with this word.  Part of me loves it.  There are so many wonderful programs to choose from.  If you have thought of teaching it, someone has written a curriculum for it.

But, sometimes all of these choices can be overwhelming... kinda of like eating at a Chinese restaurant.  Thankfully, I have my husband.  He has a wonderful way of simplifying things for me.  After talking with him, I knew exactly what we were going to do this year! So here goes:


7th Grade

ACE - Math, Ohio History, Science, and the Constitution
Living Books - History, Literature, Spelling and Writing
The Mystery of History - History, Bible and Geography
Expedition Earth - Geography
ASL and Piano lessons

6th Grade

ACE - Math, Science
Living Books - History, Literature, Spelling and Writing
The Mystery of History - History, Bible and Geography
Expedition Earth - Geography
French and Guitar lessons

Kindergarten

McGuffey's Readers
Living Books
Rod and Staff

For our Circle Time we will be learning Art History and studying Classical Music and Composers.
Learning manners, appropriateness, and the importance of a Godly character is also high on the list.

So there you have it.  Nothing fancy, but doable.  I will be sharing the Living Books we will be using along the way. For those of you not sure what I mean by "Living Books," it just means a real book as opposed to a text book.  For instance when learning about Egyptian History my sons will be reading
The Cat of Bubastes by G.A. Henty.   Who needs a dry textbook when Egypt will come to life while reading a book like this.  The retention will be greater as well.



If you know our family at all, then it will not come at all as a surprise that U.S. History, the importance of being involved in what is going on in our nation, and what we can do about it will also be a huge part of their learning.  My husband goes to the State House and all of us have travel along at one time or another.  Real life is better than a text book any day!



Taken in the State House after a Heart Beat Bill Rally

A group of us getting ready to go visit the Senators.

Parker speaking at a press conference.

The Bigs being a "News Crew" during a huge fire in our town.

On the road with Dad.



Illinois

Vietnam Museum in Springfield

Watching the Legislative Process

Our Chinese Dinner Celebration

Attending a City Tree Planting Ceremony

Family Sing Along

Learning does not just take place at a desk with a textbook. The joy of homeschooling is that you don't have to be a slave to a book...one that someone picked out for your children.

I heard someone say the other day that it makes no sense to teach Bike 101, 102 and 103 if we never teach them to actually ride the bike.. 

Even if your children are going to school, don't miss the opportunities to experience and learn along with your children.  You will be learning and building life long memories!

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