Riverside Scholars 2010-11

As always I'm posting our curriculum choices for this year. We aren't changing too much, but we are adding additional resources in many areas. I love this time of year, new crisp books, fresh resources and inquisitive children just waiting to crack them open!

This year we're eliminating television and Xbox from our daily live, allowing it only on weekends and breaks.  Our schedule is so full this year; there isn't time or reason to have a distraction like that. Kade had a hard time with it the first day but it wasn't too bad. I know if I provide a learning atmosphere, and plenty of educational resources, they won't even miss it.

1. Math - We're sticking with Saxon.
Jaxon's starting on lesson 60 (to review a bit) of book 6/5. Kade is starting on lesson 1 of Math Level 3 (which is hopefully going to get harder); its stinks when you order books, write in them and then realize they are not the correct level wich has happened on more than one occasion.

2. Writing- Institute for Excellence in Writing
Jaxon's taking a class from a local woman who home schools and is highly educated and trained in this course. Since it's his passion, I think it will be fun for him to join a few other students and make sure he gets a very solid foundation in writing. For this year we are sticking w/ Writing with Ease by Susan Bauer for Kade.
They will also be doing copy work weekly and writing letters/notes to family and friends a few times a month. All Jaxon's work is completed in cursive and Kade is learning cursive this year. Jaxon is also taking Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.

3. Science - The Handbook of Nature Study, Janice Van Cleave's Biology for Every Kid (for experiments) and Usborne Science Encyclopedia. We will study animals, plants and the human body. We'll continue to use Charlotte Mason's approach and do as much hands on as possible, going on nature hikes and visiting the Science Center. Against my better judgment we'll be getting some type of classroom pet (besides our 5 lb. Malteepoohuahua), maybe a lizard (if I get my way) or a garden snake. Kade really wants a guinea pig or hamster but I just don't think I can do it. We also have a garden this year.

4. History/Geography - The Story of the World 3 Early Modern Times covering (1600-1850). We also check out several relevant books each week from the library. The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia is often referred to as well. History is always a favorite around here, this year we made a 25' long timeline that hangs in our hallway where we can note important dates and post pictures to help put it all in perspective. We also use black line maps and the workbook for our history has several activities. We also have large maps and globes in the house to view locations. Flash cards are also part of our quiet time study.

5. Spelling - Spelling Workout. Level H for Jaxon and level D for Kade. Unfortunately I bought level F for Jaxon along with the teacher's book, but its way too easy for him so I'll save them for Kade. They can usually get through 1 1/2 - 2 books per year.

6. Literature - We continue reading The Pilgrim's Progress aloud daily and we are starting Macbeth. I've selected many classics from The Well Trained Mind's suggested list along with others from amblesideonline.org's list for the boys to read. We try and keep in correlation with our history timeline. Some of these include...Perrault's Complete Fairy Tales, Poems by William Wadsorth, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow & Rip Van Winkle, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Pride and Prejudice, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, The Tale of Two Cities (for Jaxon).   Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver's Travels, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Three Musketeers, a soft intro to Les Miserables, Oliver Twist, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, East of the Sun and West of the Moon (for Kade). The boys have assigned reading and free reading; they can also read extra relevant books during their free time. On school breaks and in summer they can read anything they wish.

7. Foreign Language - Prima Latina & Latina Christiana I, we also have some Spanish CD's and flash cards that we'll use along w/ Latin flash cards. I hope to purchase Rosetta Stone Spanish by January. The school that Jaxon will attend for junior high and high school teaches Latin and Greek (in junior high) and Spanish & French in high school, so I may let Jax do French since he's always wanted to, though it's probably wiser to stick with Spanish since Kimball speaks it fluently.

8. Fine Arts - We do art and music once a week, discussing different artists and composers from the history timeline we are on. I'll be highlighting a new artist & a composer each month; we'll discuss their life and the techniques and style. We are using a book called Drawing With Children , the boys are participating in a local home school choir that meets bi-monthly; they are also taking a drama class once a week. I have discovered many free and inexpenisive field trips to theaters and symphony's nearby; we'll be doing one per month, such as Macbeth, The Nutcracker, Into the Woods (Bros. Grimm) and The Sound of Music & ice skating. I also plan to do a field trip to the Phoenix Art Museum.

9. Physical Fitness - We will be hiking on hikes on various Friday mornings when weather permits, we also run/walk on the treadmill several times a week.  Both boys will be in a weekly homeschool PE group. Kade is taking swim and will soon move up to the competitive team. The boys are also going to do the Goblins & Ghosts 5K with me, it's on Halloween (my birthday) and it's totally fun. People race in crazy costumes and it's a fun to see what people come up with.

10. Religion - This year we are studying The New Testament, the boys will be doing scripture mastery (memorizing specific verses) from our daily reading. We also read from Usborne Encyclopedia of World Religions. As we do our history reading, we can refer to this for additional information during the next morning's devotional. I find learning about different faiths fascinating and feel it's an important part of education.

11. Memory - We will be memorizing the books of The New Testament, different poems from Emily Dickenson, William Blake and any others we like from our reading. As I mentioned above, they'll also be doing scripture mastery. Important science terms from the human body, plant kingdom and animal kingdom. Jaxon will learn Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. Both will learn the Preamble to the Constitution, The Declaration of Independence and the "Give Me Liberty Speech" by Patrick Henry. We'll see how far we get, I tend to get carried away with memory, it's another favorite.

12. Life Skills -  This year both Jaxon and Kade are in scouts so they learn a lot each week there, we are also using a book called Kid Food by Rachel Ray; easy, 30 minute meals the boys each cook for our family one meal per week. They will also be doing a few simple sewing projects this year...I haven't decided what yet. Gardening is also something we're working on. We have several planter boxes where the boys help plant and take care of herbs, vegetables and flowers throughout the seasons. They are really like this, and enjoy being able to go to the garden for fresh ingredients when cooking.

My studies: I absolutely love reading great books and have developed a love for classics. I am commited  to teaching them by example, that learning is fun and very fulfilling. I'm currently reading How Children Learn by John Holt and Emma by Jane Austin. I may start the 5 Pillars course for leadership education by George Wythe University, but I kind of like doing my own thing and since Jaxon has some hard reads this year, I think I'll read right along with him. I am also brushing up on my math skills with some software I purchased at Costco. In October Kimball and I will be going to New York. I'm beyond excited about this, I've never been. Kimball served an LDS mission there when he was 19; he lived there for 2 years. I can't wait to see all the historical sites and visit various art and history museums.

If you are looking into home schooling, I highly recommend The Well Trained Mind, Charlotte Mason and A Thomas Jefferson Education as a solid, classical, leadership education that encourages reading live books rather than boring old text books! The goal is to enspire not require, to light the fire so they'll have the desire to self educate throughout their life. Just my two cents. :)