Homeschool Curriculum 2011/2012

(Seems like I should show a picture of books for this post but I much prefer flowers!)


This year I am homeschooling an 8th grader (Rachel) and a 9th grader (Christian). To help me keep track of their lesson plans, grades, and transcripts this year I purchased Homeschool Tracker . I have a friend who has been using it that is helping me set it up since reading a manual doesn't really work for me very easily! ;) I am so thankful for her!!


Here's our picks for this year...


For Bible, History, Geography, and Literature:
Tapestry of Grace Year One (Ancient History from Creation to the fall of Western Rome)


We add Greek Study to our Bible with:
Hey Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek (We're midway through level 6.)


**I chose this as it is History and a thorough Bible Survey all in one. They have done it once before when Rachel was in 4th grade and Christian was in 5th. This will be our last trip through Ancient History!


For Algebra 1 (Rachel) and Geometry (Christian):
Teaching Textbooks

**I have been told that Teaching Textbooks is not as advanced as other curriculums such as Saxon and Mathusee. And that may be true. But it works for us and it is something I can understand and teach from and we are very happy with it and the level of Math the kids have achieved.


General Science (Rachel) and Physical Science (Christian)
Apologia

**Many curriculums such as Sonlight and My Father's World start a 7th Grader on General Science. I did this with my oldest and it put us in Physics his Junior Year (Although I could have chosen Human Anatomy). Since none of my kids have shown interest in studying Science as a college major, it is unnecessary to struggle through Chemistry and Physics so early. So I decided to start Apologia General Science in 8th grade to delay Chemistry until the Junior year after they have completed Algebra 2. 


Composition
The Institute for Excellence in Writing (Continuation B Level)


**This was probably my most valuable find in my 13 years homeschooling! I have used it for six years. 


Grammar
Grammar Ace (I bought the Instructors Manual as well.)


**This will be a brush up course. 



Other Random Language Arts
SAT Prep with The Official SAT Study Guide

**They'll take the PSAT the fall of their Sophomore year.


***I've got a lot of Language Arts up there but the way I work the credits is: 1 credit for Literature and 1 credit for Grammar/Composition for my High School student this year. 


Physical Education
They'll do their own personal work-outs. Christian can count High School Soccer. 


Fine Arts
They both play various instruments so they work independently learning new music.


We may work on branching out in subsequent years. This year we'll spend time working in areas of interest and perhaps seek to form more interest driven subjects for subsequent years. :) For this year in particular, Rachel would like to spend some time research clothing styles of the era, as well as trying her hand at homemade makeup and perfume of the era. We'll see... :) We'll start a foreign language (probably French) next year.