2019-2020 Curriculum Picks

This fall I'll have a senior and a freshman.  I can't believe one is finishing high school...and the fact that the "baby" is starting high school seems surreal.    This obviously isn't my first year of picking 9th grade curriculum, but I've struggled more this year than I did the first go around, which seems a bit backwards to me.  However, my girls are very different kids, with very different learning styles and maturity levels, and that's reflected in their high school paths.

Olivia will have a light academic load for her senior year at home.  I'm focusing this year on easing her into the adult world.   She'll be getting a part time job, and also be doing concurrent enrollment at the local community college to complete their veterinary assistant program and certification. (I think).

12th Grade Curriculum Picks:

Government:  I want my kids to understand the Constitution and the way our governmental system was set up so that they can be actively involved in voting and government policies.   To accomplish this goal, I've picked Constitutional Literacy to be our basis for learning about the constitution.
1 Credit

Spanish 2:  We will continue to use LifePacs for Spanish 2 this year.   This will give Olivia 2 years in 2 foreign languages.  1 Credit

Health and Nutrition:  This is one of those classes I wish had been around in Olivia's early high school years.   Honestly, she's struggled with her weight and food choices in the past few years.   She's made some really good changes on her own this past year and started dropping weight and eating better, but I want her to have as much knowledge as she can on the subject, so that when she reaches that "goal" she doesn't just revert back to eating whatever.   So, we're going to use Apologia's Health and Nutrition this year to really get a firm foundation of why we need to make those healthy food choices.   1 Credit

Consumer Math:  While all the "higher math" is great, I know that there are lots of day to day math things that a many teens are clueless about.   I want my kids to not just be book smart, but also prepared for life.   We chose Abeka's Consumer Math, as it fits the criteria of real life application and also shows free enterprise as a positive.  1 Credit

Olivia will graduate with 30 high school credits in addition to her veterinary technician certification.

9th Grade Curriculum Picks:

Language Arts:   Lindsey needs more structure and guidelines in her academics.   For language arts we'll be using Abeka's 9th Grade program.  This consists of Grammar and Composition,  Spelling and Poetry and Themes In Literature.   This will be a much more rigorous program than what she's had in the past, but I'm sure she'll do well with it.  1 Credit

Math:  One thing I've avoided using over the years is online curriculum.  This is in part due to our slow internet, and poorly running laptop.  We were blessed with a really nice (fully functional, and has all it's keys) laptop this year, so there's that.   I'm finding that Lindsey is a gadget gal, and does better in math with verbal instruction over reading on her own.   I've looked at a couple of options and have decided that the new online Teaching Textbooks Algebra 2 looks like it will work for our budget and class needs.   1 Credit

Health and Nutrition:  Lindsey will also be using the Apologia Health and Nutrition this year alongside of Olivia.  This will give them an opportunity to spend a little more time together this last year that they are both in school...and it's much needed information for her as well.  1 Credit

Spanish 2:   This is another class that Olivia and Lindsey will be doing together.   We'll be using LifePac Spanish 2.   1 Credit

World Geography:   Lindsey is not a huge fan of geography, and really isn't looking forward to this class at all.   We'll be using North Star Geography again this year.   While I don't expect her to turn into a geography lover, I think if we focus on the people aspect of the places she learns about it'll be more likely to stick with her.   The format for North Star lends itself easily to my plan.   1 Credit

Consumer Science:  This year's elective will be Family & Consumer Science from LifePac.  Lindsey is a homebody, and her career goal is to be a nanny (true story).  Her high school path will be very different than that of her sister, and this class really got her excited.   1 Credit

Lindsey is going into her freshman year with 4 high school credits (3 in foreign language, 1 math).   She'll end her freshman year with a total of 10 credits.