My Curriculum 2015-2016

Now that we are in our 3rd year of homeschooling, we have pretty much settled on the various curricula that work well for our family, at least for our core subjects.  We do core subjects individually and all other subjects as a family.  I consider us eclectic Charlotte Mason homeschoolers if that is even a thing.  We use Mater Amabilis (a free online Catholic Charlotte Mason program) as our spine, and adjust where necessary.

Michaela - 2nd Grade
Michaela is a 2nd grader and is at grade level for most subjects except for being a year ahead in Grammar, and a year below in Handwriting.  I am so happy that she is reading well so she can do quite a bit of independent work while I work with Rafael this year.

Math: MEP Year 2
Phonics: Prescription for Reading Level 4 and 5, reading practice
Spelling: All About Spelling Level 2
Grammar: First Language Lessons Level 3 AND Primary Language Lessons (Half of each)
Handwriting: Writing Our Catholic Faith 1 Manuscript and 2 Manuscript
Catechism: Faith and Life 2, St. Joseph First Communion Catechism
Literature: Book lists from Mater Amabilis Level 1a

Rafael - Kindergarten/1st Grade
Rafael is technically in Kindergarten, but for various reasons is above grade level in most subjects.  He has a late November birthday so is pretty old for his grade.  He also is a second kid, and as often happens with later children, learned quite a bit in his earlier years by watching Michaela and sitting in the room while she had her lessons.  On the other hand, he very much has the physical attributes of being a 5yo boy - namely being fidgety and a bit hyper at times!  I pay close attention to make sure that is not struggling with any of the subjects, but so far he is completing the advanced levels with ease.  He IS slightly behind on handwriting, as is Michaela.  My fault for not making that a priority and for not helping them develop their fine motor skills as much as I should have!

Math: MEP Year 1
Phonics: Prescription for Reading Level 1 and 2
Spelling: All About Spelling Level 1
Grammar: First Language Lessons Level 1
Handwriting: Writing Our Catholic Faith Pre-K Basic Strokes and K Manuscript
Catechism: Rosemarie Gortler Books
Literature: Book lists from Mater Amabilis Prep Level

Gabrielle - Tot School
Gabrielle is a whirling 3yo bundle of energy!  She BEGS to do school like her siblings, so I am letting her participate by doing Tot School.  We did tot school with the other two when they were little so I am pulling from my old blog and from Pinterest to put together some tot boxes that she can work independently on while I am helping the older two.

Basic Skills: tot boxes that work on basic skills such as counting, shapes, colors, alphabet, etc.
Handwriting: Tot Boxes that develop fine motor skills
Catechism: Leading the Little Ones to Mary
Literature: Five in a Row and other books from Mater Amabilis preschool literature list

Family Subjects
Religion:
Bible - My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories
Virtues - Program for Achieving Character Education (PACE)
Family Catechism - Tell Me about the Catholic Faith

Social Studies:
History - Connecting with History - Ancient
Earth Studies - Rivers and Oceans Plans from Mater Amabilis Level 1B
Geography - We'll be using Galloping the Globe in the homeschool co-op through our church

Science:
Science - Plants and Animals Plans from Mater Amabilis Level 1A, Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU) in our co-op
Nature Study - Handbook of Nature Study Blog Monthly Newsletter prompts

Fine Arts:
Art - The Seven Elements of Art
Artist Study - Art History overview/appreciation in the first semester, Impressionists in 2nd Semester (various sources - post to follow)
Composer Study - overview/appreciation (various sources - post to follow)
Music - Making Music, Praying Twice

Misc:
Spanish - Flip Flop Spanish
Habits - Laying Down the Rails

Does that seem like a lot?  Come back tomorrow to learn how I fit it all in!  Thanks for reading!

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