2011-2012 Curriculum Picks

This year I’ll be teaching grades 1 and 3.   Lindsey will be using all Abeka 1st grade for math, reading, writing, spelling and poetry.  This is the approach I used for Olivia too; all Abeka through 1st grade and then I start changing it up.   I feel Abeka gives a really good foundation on reading, cursive writing and math skills.

Last year’s goal for Olivia was to work on her reading skills.   She made lots of improvement in that area.  However, I think she still needs some tweaking, so she’ll be using  Beginning Reading Detective from The Critical Thinking Company.  This year we’re focusing on writing skills (as in composition not in handwriting).

Writing:

Writing Strands will be Olivia’s main writing program for the year.  I’m starting her out with Writing Strands 3 based on her age.  The best part?  $5 at a used curriculum sale, SCORE!  I’ll also be supplementing it with the Cursive Writing Skill book from Abeka.

Language Arts:

Both girls will continue to use First Language Lessons.   We’ll finish Level 2 and part of Level 3 this year.  So Lindsey is way ahead in this area.

Spelling: 

We all love the All About Spelling program so we’re sticking with it.  Olivia will be working through Level 3.

Math:

This was the area I wasn’t sure about for Olivia.  I had planned to switch her this year, but the husband wasn’t convinced it was a good idea to move her to a computer based program.  So…she’s using Abeka 3rd grade math this year.  I’m not sure I’m happy with it, but it’s here, so we’ll use it.

Geography/History:

We are still working through Cantering the Country.  We plan to wrap up the 50 states this year.  We’ll also be using Evan-Moor’s Life in Plymouth Colony History Pocket in October/November.

Science:

Start Up Science is our weapon of choice for the year.  There are 4 workbooks in the series.  The description says it’s for 7-8 year olds or 1st and 2nd grades…so I think it’s going to be a good fit for both girls.

Latin:

The girls really enjoyed Song School Latin last year, so this year we’re getting a more “serious” program.   Prima Latina is my choice for the year.  Olivia could have gone a level higher, but I don’t feel it’s fair to always be pushing Lindsey to do work that’s so far ahead of her.

Art: 

Yeah, well see….I still have the same pick that I’ve had the last 2 years.  If only I’d get around to using it.  So in the event that I DO focus on art outside of our normal crafting, we’ll be using Discovering Great Artists.

Bible:

Surprise here, we’ll use the BIBLE!   I’ll be using the Awana program for the basis of our study.  Olivia will be in 1st year T&T and Lindsey will be 2nd year Sparks.   I want to focus on some character training this year as well.

Have you made your choices for the upcoming year?  Are there any earth shattering changes in your shopping cart?