An Intentional Learning Year - 11/12

Here are my preliminary plans for the girls for our new learning year.  I would love to see what you guys are up to!

Chloe - Grade 6/7

Language Arts

•          (English) - Language of God – Book E
•          (English) - Intermediate Language Lessons
•          (Writing) - Writing Strands 3 and 4
•          (Writing) – Journaling/Blogging/Letter Writing
•          (Writing) – Country Reports through My Father’s World
•          (Vocabulary) - Wordly Wise 3000 – Book 6?
•          (Spelling) - Montessori Cards for Spelling
•          (Spelling) - Spelling Wisdom

Math

•          Saxon 7/6 with DIVE CD
•          Saxon Math Games
•      Living Book Reading - Mathematicians are People, Too
•          Supplemental Math Games/Family Math

History/Geography

•          My Father’s World – Exploring Countries and Cultures
•      Loads of Living Books - booklist to follow

Science

•          Real Science 4 Kids – Biology, Chemistry and Physics
•          Zoology 3 – Land Animals
•          Nature Walks/Field Trips/Zookeeper's Monthly Class

Faith

•      Faith & Life 6
•          Liturgical Season Activities & Notebooking
•         Various living books about Saints
•     Sunflower Basket - Book list from Literature for the Young Lady over at Serendipity

Fine Arts

•    (Music) – Violin Lessons (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection)
•     (Music) – Composer Study using AmblesideOnline.org for reference
•     (Art) – Art Class (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection)
•     (Art) – Composer Study (MFW)

Foreign Language

•      Sign Language (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection or ASL Class) or
•      Spanish – Rosetta Stone

Handicrafts

·         Sewing – class or with Mom

·         Cooking – weekly meal for family (shop,prep,cook)

·         Home Decorating

·         Card Making/Scrapbooking

·         Couponing - This Girl is Coupon Crazy! and good at it!

Physical Education

·         Swimming

·         PE Class (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection)

Kaylee – Grade 3 
Language Arts

·         MCP Phonics - Level C

·         Primary Language Lessons

·         Worldly Wise B & C (vocabulary)

·         Montessori Spelling

·         Sonlight Readers

·         Letter Writing/Journaling

·         Handwriting Without Tears – Cursive Success

Math

·         Teaching Textbooks 3

·         Timez Attack

·         Supplemental Math Games/Family Math

History/Geography

•          My Father’s World – Exploring Countries and Cultures

Science

•        Zoology 3 – Land Animals
•       Nature Walks/Field Trips/Zookeeper's Club - monthly

Faith

•          Faith & Life 3
•          Liturgical Season Activities & Teas
•          Bible Reading/Memorization

Fine Arts

•          (Music) – Beginning Music (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection)
•          (Music) – Composer Study using AmblesideOnline.org for reference
•          (Music) – Piano with Mom
•          (Art) – Art Class (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection)
•          (Art) – Composer Study (MFW)

Foreign Language

• Sign Language (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection or ASL Class) or   Spanish – Power Glide - Elementary

Handicrafts

·         Sewing – class or with Mom

·         Baking with Mom

·         Home Decorating - bedroom

·         Card Making/Scrapbooking

·         Gift Paper Printing

·         Making Christmas gifts – magnetic book marks, cards, oven mitts, pot holders

Physical Education

·         PE Class (group class through HOME Fine Arts Connection)

·         Swimming

·         Fall soccer

Busted.....That's what I am!

Today was an ordinary learning day. For me. Well, about 30 minutes into the day, C-Sunshine has a melt down. She says that the Mom, that's me, is not monitoring her work or providing enough content and guidance into what she is doing. She is bored and sad and wants me to get back in the ballgame. WOW! She was right.

This year C-Sunshine was working so well independently, that I kinda just let her have the ball and run with it. Worked for me. Less prep work, time 'splaining things and more time to devote to my emerging reader K-Doodle. WELL, I was put in my place. Now before you start condemning me, let me tell you that all of C-Sunshine's assignments were planned and printed out for her each morning. However, I have been so busy with "outside" interest and obligations, that I have not been grading her papers or keeping up with where she is in things. This caused incorrect lesson numbers, pages number, etc.... I was also just barking out orders (on the assignment sheet) and not giving her any supplies for projects. I just ASSUMED, incorrectly, that she would prefer to do that herself. Not so. She wants Mom's attention too.

So, after a "meeting" with little Miss C-Sunshine, we have revamped her plan for her learning year. Tweaked what's working, what's not. Added more Language Arts at her request (She's Crazy) and laid down a schedule for my little organizer. It goes a little like this......
After the girl's morning routine (dress, brush stuff, bed, breakfast)

1. Language Arts for both
2. Morning Basket time (Thanks Jenn) - here we will have morning prayers, read our weekly Bible verses, Saint stories, Catholic Mosaic, Harp & Laurel Wreath, Poetry (you get the picture)
3. Math for both
SNACK BREAK
4. History Reading and Projects/Notebooking together (M,W,F)
Science Reading and Projects/Notebooking together (Tu, Th)
5. Art together and Seasonal Projects weekly as time allows

I guess since C-Sunshine is 11 and would be in sixth grade, I just assumed she didn't need me anyone. It didn't really occur to me that she needs me more than ever! She might not want to tell me, but she does. And although she does her work and usually does it VERY well, she would still like me to look at it regularly and acknowledge her work and accomplishments. DUH! Hmm.... I feel like that about housework. Someone tell my husband! :)

So, here is to my sweet C-Sunshine who put Mom back on track. God's little helper in getting me back on the path. His path.....
Ohhhh C-Sunshine how I love you! And what a terrific young lady you are.

Barb's great GiveAWay

Barb-Harmony Art Mom has a great giveaway this week. Check it out by visiting Handbook of Nature Study. Make sure you get her free Signs of Spring notebook page as well as viewing her spring Nature Studies. Sign up and good luck. Hope you win...and me too!

Pre Conference Curriculum Plans

Since I will inevitably change my curriculum list for next year following the convention in April, I thought that I would post my pre-convention plans here on the blog and see how they change. Once I get into that vendor hall with all that eye candy (a/k/a new book choices!), plans change. So here is what I am thinking as of late.

C-Sunshine (age 10)
Math
Saxon 6/5 (although I really like Teaching Textbooks 6 too)
Language Arts
Language of God D (CHC)
Wordly Wise 3000 - Book ?
My Catholic Speller D (not sure if I will use this again)
Language Lessons for the Elementary Child - Book 2 (Queen)
Some kind of writing or just continue with natural writing (journal, letters, book reports)
Spelling Wisdom - we use this as copy work for handwriting so it is also spelling

K-Doodle (age 7)
Math
Saxon Math 2
Language Arts
First Language Lessons
Pathway Publishing - sweet phonics about an amish family
Explode the Code - Books 3-5
Handwriting without Tears Cursive
My Catholic Speller A (CHC)

Subjects we do as a family
History/Geography
The Story of the World 1 & 2
Mapskills E and B (CHC)
This Country of Ours by H.E. Marshall
Science
Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the 5th Day (Apologia Science Young Explorers)finish up)
Exploring Creation With Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the 5th Day
Nature Study & Notebooking - atleast 2 times a week with monthly trips to a local nature center
Art & Music Study and Notebooking
Ambleside Online Artist Study - Free Charlotte Mason resource online
Ambleside Online Composer Study
Mater Amabilis Picture Study - Free Catholic Charlotte Mason resource

Okay, so those are my thoughts for now. Along with a family devotion time and bible study. Let's see how much they change. :)

SOTW - Chapter 11 - Ancient Africa Plans

We will be working on Chapter 11 in the Story of the World over the next week or so. I have put together some fun plans for this chapter and thought I would jot them down here to share.

Lesson 1:
Read SOTW Chapter 11 - pages 87-89
Complete Map Work (in SOTW Activity Book)
Make painted hands (in SOTW Activity Book)
and decorate schoolroom door with African Art (the handprints)
Read a story from The Cow-Tail Switch

Lesson 2:
Read SOTW Chapter 11 - pages 89-92
Read Kingfisher History Encyclopedia - pages 30-31
Read Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
Make Anansi Spider Craft (in SOTW Activity Book)

Lesson 3:
Read SOTW Chapter 11 - pages 93-96
Read Usborne Book of World History pg. 82
Listen to African tribal music
Make instruments for an African Concert (SOTW Activity Book)

Final Day - Cooking an African Feast (In SOTW Activity Book)
Chicken with Figs
Papaya Stir Fried Rice
Fried Plantains
Date and Banana Bars
Date Chewies

Followed by an African Music concert for Dad!