HIGH SCHOOL

Our 9th grader…

• English I – Classic Literature & Literary Analysis with Composition:  Romeo and Juliet, The Prince and the Pauper, Our Town, To Kill a Mockingbird, Silas Marner, The Giver, The Scarlet Letter, Up From Slavery  (in connection with an online class)
• Math:  Shormann Algebra I
• Science:  Chemistry (with labs)  Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Chemistry, Modern Chemistry text, Elements of Faith, and Elements: Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
• Foreign Language: ASL 2  (in connection with an online class)
• Physical Education and Health:  Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Health & Nutrition and Master Books Academy’s Strength & Conditioning self-paced course
• Biblical Archaeology:  Master Books’ Biblical Archeology course using The Archaeology Book, Unveiling the Kings of Israel, and Unwrapping the Pharaohs, with the following additions — The Bible Unearthed Videos (from Drive Thru History Adventures),  Where God Came Down: The Archaeological Evidence, and Expedition Bible Videos
• Bible: Old Testament Survey:  The Bible, A Visual Theology Guide to the Bible: Seeing and Knowing God’s Word, The Bible Project Old Testament Book Overview Videos for each book of the Old Testament, Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines, The Bible Recap Videos (to coordinate with AWANA Journey study and summaries of daily Bible reading for the following assigned books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Ruth, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Esther, Isaiah, Daniel, Malachi)
• Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics:  Journey Into God’s Word: Your Guide to Understanding and Applying the Bible
• Additions:  Trail Life (Adventurers); Soccer; Student Leader in AWANA

Our 11th grader…

• English IV – Novel Writing and Literature:  Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need, The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know to Create & Sell Your Work, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print, Writing Mastery Academy Video Courses: Save the Cat! Novel Writing course, Scene Crafting Masterclass, and The Complete Novel Revision course, Online Creative Writing Lectures, The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, The Emotional Wound Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Psychological Trauma, The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles, The Urban Setting Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to City Spaces, The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Flaws, a selection of literature to focus on the author’s craft of world building, characterization, and writing style
• Math:  Denison Algebra II 
• Science:  Chemistry (with labs)  Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Chemistry, Modern Chemistry text, Elements of Faith, and Elements: Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
• World Geography:  BJU Cultural Geography
• World Religions and Cultures:  But Don’t All Religions Lead to God?, World Religions and Cults: Counterfeits of Christianity (Volume 1), World Religions and Cults: Moralistic, Mythical, and Mysticism Religions (Volume 2), World Religions and Cults: Atheistic and Humanistic Religions (Volume 3), iWitness Heresies and Cults
• Dance:  Ballet, Technique, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Performance Company

Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2023-2024 (12th, 10th, 8th)
2022-2023 (11th, 9th, 7th)
2021-2022 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th)
2020-2021 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th)
2019-2020 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th)
2018-2019 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd)
2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby) 
                  – Joyful Heart Learning

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our 8th grader…

Our 8th grader was able to get a jump start on some of his high school credits this year…

• English 8:  Rod and Staff English, She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman, Tuck Everlasting, Screwtape Letters, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Mousetrap, Ender’s Game, Les Miserables (in connection with an online class)
• Math:  Shormann Algebra
• Science:  Biology (with labs) (Using BJU Biology in conjunction with Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Biology)
• Foreign Language: ASL 1 (Utilizing an online course as taught through Excelsior Classes, Deaf in America – Voices from a Culture)
• World Geography:  BJU Cultural Geography
• World Religions and Cultures:  But Don’t All Religions Lead to God?, World Religions and Cults: Counterfeits of Christianity (Volume 1), World Religions and Cults: Moralistic, Mythical, and Mysticism Religions (Volume 2), World Religions and Cults: Atheistic and Humanistic Religions (Volume 3), iWitness Heresies and Cults
• Bible:  AWANA Trek, daily Bible Reading
• Additions:  Trail Life (Navigators); Soccer

HIGH SCHOOL

Our 10th Grader…

• English III – American Literature: (in conjunction with an online class)  Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and Other Puritan Sermons, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Young Goodman Brown and Other Short Stories, The Raven and Other Favorite Poems, The Gold Bug and Other Tales, Evangeline and Other Poems Humorous Stories and Sketches, 12 Years a Slave, The Red Badge of Courage, The Road Not Taken and Other Poems, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea, The Pearl, My Antonia
• Math:  Geometry (using Jacob’s Geometry)
• Science:  Biology (with labs) (Using BJU Biology in conjunction with Journey Homeschool Academy Experience Biology)
• Exercise & Sports Physiology:  Exercise & Sports Physiology self-paced course as taught by Greg Landry, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, Science of Strength Training: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Transform your Body,  Strength and Conditioning exercises
• Health: Portions of Apologia Exploring Creation with Health and Nutrition with additional books
• Dance: Pointe, Ballet, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Performance Company

Our 12th Grader…

• English 102 – Composition and Rhetoric: (DC)  
• BI205 – Creation to New Creation: (DC)
• Government: Crash Course US Government and Politics , Painless American Government
• Economics:  Crash Course Economics, Economics 101: The Principles of Free Market Economics, Whatever Happened to Penny Candy, The Capitalist Manifesto: Understanding the Market Economy and Defending Liberty
• Intro to Aviation: Sporty’s Private Pilot Ground School online course, Airplane Flying Handbook, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge  
• Foundations of Interior Design: Interior Design  (online course), The Interior Design Handbook: Furnish, Decorate, and Style Your Space, The Interior Design Reference and Specification Book: Everything Interior Designers Need to Know
• Personal Finance: Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance (online self paced course)
• Work!

Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2022-2023 (11th, 9th, 7th)
2021-2022 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th)
2020-2021 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th)
2019-2020 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th)
2018-2019 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd)
2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby) 
                  – Joyful Heart Learning

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our 7th Grader…

• English 7:  Rod and Staff English, The Yearling, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Out of the Dust, The Boy on the Wooden Box, Heart of a Samurai  (in connection with an online class)
• Spelling:  Sequential Spelling
• Cursive Practice
• Math:  Shormann PreAlgebra
• Science:  Zoology & Biomimicry (with labs); Masterbooks Academy Applied Engineering
• History:  Completing Mystery of History VI (with accompanying notebook) and delving into further study of the world wars using The World Wars: An introduction to the First and Second World Wars, Great Battles for Boys: The Korean War, Great Battles for Boys: The Vietnam War, and Great Battles for Boys: The War on Terror
• Bible:  AWANA Trek, daily Bible Reading
• Additions:  Trail Life (Navigators); Soccer

7th & 9th Grade ‘TOGETHER’ SUBJECTS

• Science:  Zoology & Biomimicry (with labs)

HIGH SCHOOL

Our 9th Grader…

• English II – Mythological Literature and Speech:  (in conjunction with an online class) Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, The Prose Edda, Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History (Updated and Expanded Edition), Secrets of Great Communicators: Simple, Powerful Strategies for Reaching Your Audience
• Book Club:  Echo, To Kill a Mockingbird, women’s historical biography of choice,
• Math: Shormann Algebra 1 w/ Geometry 
• Science:  Zoology & Biomimicry (with labs)
• History: American History – Notgrass Exploring America and related videos from Students of History
• Constitutional Literacy: Constitutional Literacy with Michael Farris, DVD, and Understanding the U.S. Constitution by Mark Strange
• Foreign Language: ¡Avancemos!Spanish Level 2 (in conjunction with an online class)
• Physical Education and Health:  Encyclopedia of Exercise Anatomy by Holis Liebman, Indoor Exercises, Running, and Strength Training, Nutrition Science
• Bible:  AWANA Journey, daily Bible Reading
• Additions:  Dance (Pointe, Ballet, Lyrical, and Contemporary)

 9th and 11th Grade ‘TOGETHER’ SUBJECTS

• History: American History – Notgrass Exploring America and related videos from Students of History
• Constitutional Literacy: Constitutional Literacy with Michael Farris, DVD, and Understanding the U.S. Constitution by Mark Strange

Our 11th Grader…

• English 3 – American Literature: (in conjunction with an online class)  Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and Other Puritan Sermons, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Young Goodman Brown and Other Short Stories, The Raven and Other Favorite Poems, The Gold Bug and Other Tales, Evangeline and Other Poems Humorous Stories and Sketches, 12 Years a Slave, The Red Badge of Courage, The Road Not Taken and Other Poems, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea, The Pearl, My Antonia
• Math: BJU Consumer Math and SAT prep
• Science: Physics (with labs) (in conjunction with an online class)
• Intro to Technology and Engineering (in conjunction with an online class)
• History: American History – Notgrass Exploring America and related videos from Students of History
• Constitutional Literacy: Constitutional Literacy with Michael Farris, DVD, and Understanding the U.S. Constitution by Mark Strange
• Visual Design: continuing to grow in the use of Photoshop and Illustrator design techniques (in conjunction with an online class)

Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2021-2022 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th)
2020-2021 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th)
2019-2020 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th)
2018-2019 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd)
2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby) 
                  – Joyful Heart Learning

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our 6th Grader…

• Reading / Literature:
  – 180 Days of Reading Grade 6
  – Literature Books to tie in with our history – Freedom Train (Underground Railroad), Soft Rain: A Story of the Cherokee Trail of Tears, Shades of Gray (Civil War), Bud Not Buddy (Great Depression), The Boy in Striped Pajamas (WW2), Echo (WW2), The Boys Who Challenged Hitler (WW2), The Lions of Little Rock (1950’s segregation), Red Scarf Girl (1960’s Communism in China), A Night Divided (1961-1989, Berlin Wall), Nine, Ten: A September 11th Story (2001), The Secret Keepers, The Hobbit
• Spelling: Sequential Spelling
• Writing/Grammar/Composition: BJU English 6 (grammar chapters only) , Sentence Composing for Elementary School and Paragraphs for Elementary School 
• Math: Horizons 6 
• U.S. Geography: Children’s Atlas of the U.S., online videos, State By State Notebook
• Art: Master Book’s Living Art Lessons
• Bible: Awana Trek, daily Bible Reading
• Additions: Trail Life (Navigators); Soccer; Student Leader in AWANA

6th & 8th GRADE  ‘TOGETHER’ SUBJECTS

• History: Modern American and World History (Mystery of History IV)
• Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with General Science (with labs completed as part of our homeschool group)

Our 8th Grader…

• English I – Classic Literature & Literary Analysis with Composition: (live, online course) Romeo and Juliet, The Prince and the Pauper, Our Town, King Arthur: Tales from the Round Table, Silas Marner, The Giver, The Scarlet Letter, Up From Slavery; Easy Grammar 9
• Book Club: The Goose Girl (and the Grimm Brothers version), The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place, Little Women, The Bronze Bow, The Giver, Biography of Choice, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Harbor Me
• Math: Shormann Algebra 1 w/ Geometry (starting)
• Foreign Language: ¡Avancemos! Spanish Level 1 (live, online course)
• Art: Take Time for Art (with our homeschool group)
• Bible: Awana Trek, daily Bible Reading
• Additions: Ballet, Student Leader in AWANA

HIGH SCHOOL

Our 10th Grader…

• English 2 – Thematic Literature & Composition: (live, online course)  Justice – A Tale of Two Cities, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ruby Bridges, Antigone, The Immortal Life of Henrietta   Literary Film Adaptation – Hidden Figures, Pygmalion, My Fair Lady, Life of Pi, Shrek, The Princess Bride; Easy Grammar 11
• Math: Shormann Algebra 2 w/ Geometry 
• Science: Discovering Design with Chemistry (in conjunction with a live, online course) ; Master Books Elements of Faith
• History: Notgrass World History
• Foreign Language: ¡Avancemos! Spanish Level 2 (live, online course)
• Introduction to Photography (live, online course)
• Photoshop 101 (live, online course)
• Apologetics: Master Books Apologetics in Action
• Bible: AWANA Journey, daily Bible Reading

Our 12th Grader…

• English 4 – British Literature & Composition: (live, online course)  Beowulf, Henry V, Coriolanus, Pilgrim’s Progress, Emma, WWI British Poets, Frankenstein, Island of Doctor Moreau, Candida, The Complete Father Brown Stories, Mysterious Affair at Styles, Rebecca, Animal Farm, The Remains of the Day
• Math: Shormann Precalculus (completing and then moving into Consumer Math)
• Science: Apologia Physics
• Constitutional Literacy: Constitutional Literacy with Michael Farris, DVD and notebook
• American Government: American Democracy Now (live, online course)
• Economics: Notgrass Exploring Economics
• Computer Science: Python Crash Course: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming (live, online course)
• Photoshop 101 (live, online course)
• Apologetics: Master Books Apologetics in Action
• Bible: AWANA Journey, daily Bible Reading
• Instrumental Music 4:  Cello lessons, member of two local youth orchestras
• Additions:  Member of the church worship band; continuing her local cake business part-time

__________________________________________

Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2020-2021 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th)
2019-2020 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th)
2018-2019 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd)
2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby) 
                  – Joyful Heart Learning

I truly feel that embracing the homeschool lifestyle has helped to create  a strong bond among all of our children.  They’ve always been there for each other, supported one another through the highs and lows, and truly have been each other’s best friends and cheerleaders.  So, as our family begins to think about another new school year, there’s a twinge of sadness, but also great expectation — Our oldest daughter graduated from our homeschool in May and is heading off to college in the fall!  We are so excited for her as she begins this new journey in her life, but we will all greatly miss her joyful spirit, hugs, insights, and, simply, being with her each day.  I’m thankful for the ability to text, FaceTime, etc. as I know all of the kids will want to continue to keep in close contact with their big sister – one of their very best friends.

As our oldest prepares for moving to a dorm and beginning life and academics at college, our own planning for a new school year at home continues as well.  Below are our curriculum choices for 5th, 7th, 9th, and 11th grades this coming year!

ELEMENTARY

Our 5th Grader…

• Reading / Literature:
  — 180 Days of Reading Grade 5
  — Literature Books – Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Lassie, The Unsung Hero of Birdsong USA, The Indian in the Cupboard, Twenty One Balloons, The Mysterious Benedict Society, Hatchet, The Toothpaste Millionaire, LongBurrow series (Podkin One-Ear), and Peter and the Starcatchers
• Spelling/Vocabulary: Beginning Word Roots, Word Ladders
• Handwriting: Handwriting Skills Simplified E: Cursive Writing; Draw Write Now (cursive and print)
• Writing/Grammar/Composition: BJU English 5
• Math: Horizons 5 (and moving into 6)
• Art: 1-2 times per month instruction as part of our co-op
• Bible: Awana T&T, daily Bible Reading
• Additions: Trail Life (Mountain Lion)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our 7th Grader…

• Reading/Literature:
  — Reading, studying, and participating in a once a month book club using the following books – Fever 1793, Sweep, A Long Walk to Water, Music of Tigers, The Bridge Home, Journey to the River Sea, Anne of Green Gables, and Harbor Me
  — Veritas Press Omnibus 1, Secondary self paced online lessons with reading and comprehension of the following books – Chosen by God, Till We Have Faces, The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair, The Last Battle, The Best Things in Life, Unaborted Socrates, The Eagle of the Ninth, The Screwtape Letters, The Holiness of God
• Writing/Grammar/Composition: Foundations of Composition (online, live class) including Jensen’s Punctuation for grammar, Sentence Composing for Middle School, Word Roots 3
• Math: Saxon 8/7
• Bible: Awana/Trek, daily Bible Reading
• Art: 1-2 times per month instruction as part of our co-op
• Additions: gymnastics, ballet, writing/editing a novel

5th & 7th GRADE  ‘TOGETHER’ SUBJECTS

• Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (with hands on science experiments at our co-op)

• Social Studies: The Renaissance, Reformation, and Early Explorers using Mystery of History 3  (with a homemade notebook)

HIGH SCHOOL

Our 9th Grader…

• English 9: Classic Literature/ Literary Analysis and Composition
   (live, online course)  – Romeo and Juliet, The Prince and the Pauper, Our Town, King Arthur: Tales from the Round Table, Silas Marner, The Giver, The Scarlet Letter, Up From Slavery, The Importance of Being Earnest; Easy Grammar Ultimate Grade 10 
• Algebra 2 with Integrated Geometry:  Shormann Algebra 2
• Biology: Apologia Exploring Creation with Biology
• World Geography: North Star Geography by Bright Ideas Press
• World Religions & Cultures:  But Don’t All Religions Lead to God?, World Religions: An Indispensable Introduction, Mimosa, Listening to the Language of the Bible, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus, Sundar Singh: Footprints Over the Mountains, Queen of the Dark Chamber, Jacob Deshazer: Forgive Your Enemies,  I Dared to Call Him Father, God’s Global Mosaic, Foreign to Familiar,  iWitness Heresies and Cults
• Spanish 1: BJU 1 (in conjunction with a live, online course)
• Intro to Architecture: Design Drawing by Francis Ching  (in conjunction with a live, online course)
• Physical Education & Health: Apologia Exploring Creation with Health & Nutrition, walking/running, indoor exercise
• Additions: AWANA Journey

Our 11th Grader…

• English 11: American Literature and Composition
   (live, online course)  –Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God and Other Puritan Sermons, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Young Goodman Brown and Other Short Stories, The Raven and Other Favorite Poems, The Gold Bug and Other Tales, Evangeline and Other Poems, Humorous Stories and Sketches, 12 Years a Slave, The Red Badge of Courage, The Road Not Taken and Other Poems, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea, The Pearl, My Antonia
• American History: Notgrass Exploring America
• PreCalculus:  Shormann PreCalculus
• Spanish 4:  Homeschool Spanish Academy
• Introduction to Computer Science: Computer Science Principals: The Foundational Concepts of Computer Science and various videos from online resources, including Crash Course Computer Science and Crash Course Navigating Digital Information
• Graphic & Web Design: Web Design with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and JQuery by Jon Duckett (in conjunction with a live, online course)
• Physical Education & Health: Apologia Exploring Creation with Health & Nutrition, walking/running, indoor exercise
• Instrumental Music 3:  Cello lessons, Piano Lessons, Member of the local youth orchestra
• Additions: AWANA Journey, beginning a local cake business, SAT prep, career assessments

ALL TOGETHER

• Bible Devotions: Bible, The Most Important Thing You’ll Ever Study: A Survey of the Bible (oral)

Praying for a productive, joy-filled, relationship strengthening, and gospel centered year of learning for our family – whether at home or away!

__________________________________________

Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2019-2020 (12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th)
2018-2019 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd)
2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby) 
                  – Joyful Heart Learning

A common question often asked by parents considering homeschooling for the first time is, “What does a typical day look like?”

At first thought, it seems like this would be a fairly easy question to answer, but it’s actually a bit complex. This is due to the fact that 1) one of the greatest benefits to homeschooling is the flexibility and 2) a key goal in homeschooling is to encourage a growing independence and a continued love for learning. Also, another question implicit in the original is often ‘What should I, personally, be doing?’, which is even harder to answer since each family will have a distinct set of circumstances. 

Flexibility

Flexibility – the quality of easily bending without breaking; the ability to be easily modified

I love these definitions of flexibility! And, they definitely describe the homeschool lifestyle!  One of the greatest benefits to homeschooling is the flexibility – being able to modify or adjust as needed – without it ambushing the entire tone, progress, or atmosphere of your home environment.

One way to  embrace this flexibility is to adopt more of a routine or flow to the day.  Many homeschoolers have found that a flow is easier to maintain as opposed to attempting to adhere to a strict time schedule.  Planning a typical flow or sequence to the day is beneficial, such as: wake, breakfast, chores, bible/devotional time as a family, math, language arts (grammar, writing, phonics, literature), lunch, science, history, free time, dinner, chores.  Planning in this manner allows for less stress or battling feelings of being behind. (There won’t be a need to say, “It’s 10 o’clock. The schedule says we should be doing phonics now! Quick, let’s put this away and get started on…”)  This also recognizes and allows for that flexibility!  Homeschoolers can take a deep breath and contemplate what might be best for their family at the moment, realizing that it will all even out over different days.

Homeschoolers also have the blessing of flexibility to be able to tailor what their kids are doing based upon the needs, progress, and new interests they see develop each day.  Parents and children in homeschooling families have the time and flexibility to either speed up or slow down the pace of their lessons depending on how they respond to the new concepts being presented. Children have the freedom to be able to progress at their own rate.  A child may need additional time learning one concept, but less time with another skill or lesson.  They may not have much interest in one topic, but want to delve in and explore, in greater detail, another idea.  Having more of a flow to the day aids in this.

Also, homeschoolers do not have to do every subject every day.  If the children have lost focus and everyone needs  a break to regroup or the day has just been long enough (moms pick up on these cues ;-)), the uncompleted  subjects can  be saved for the next day and marked to start with those.  For example, most math curricula contain 180 lessons, including tests, so the goal is one lesson per day, but some days a lesson may take longer. Homeschoolers can either choose to continue and tackle it, and in turn remove a different subject that day, or give students a break and continue tomorrow knowing that on some other day additional time may need to be devoted.

Some subjects can also be divided before the year begins to allow for completion within just 3-4 days per week instead of five.   History and science curricula are more suitable for this, as well as electives. This gives more freedom to focus on math and language arts.

As a quick note, given the amount of flexibility, it is important for homeschoolers to keep track of what is completed each day and ensure that (as required by most states) 180 days of learning is met.  However, homeschoolers typically don’t have an issue with days and requirements as there are so many opportunities for learning each day!

Independence

Many homeschool families desire to instill in their children a sense of ownership over their learning.  This can be accomplished by gradually giving students subjects that they can work on independently (always with the reassurance that parents are readily available to come alongside them) and by giving them the freedom to make some decisions regarding their school day. 

As students become more proficient at working on some schoolwork independently, they can be given  all of their assignments for the day and be  allowed to choose the order they wish to approach their subjects.  As students mature, they can often determine when they feel most focused and learn to gauge when they should complete subject matter needing most concentration at that point in their day.  They may choose to work on more challenging subjects first, alternate between longer and shorter assignments, or reward themselves at the end of the day with their favorite course. Oftentimes, after a couple weeks into the school year, older homeschool students develop their own routine for their day!

By encouraging independence, students begin to be more self motivated and self-directed, increasing their confidence and their enjoyment of learning.

Accounting for Family Differences

There are so many factors in determining a homeschool schedule. It’s not a ‘one size fits all’ by any means!  What works wonderfully for one family might not be doable for another.

Since each family situation is unique, there are many variables involved!  These variables include the number of children in the home, grade levels working with, whether there are babies and toddlers, the differing attention spans, personalities, learning styles, whether the teaching parent also has additional employment, etc. 

Not only are the situations different for each family but circumstances also change within the family unit from year to year. Necessary adjustments are made as new members of the family are added, as seniors graduate and start a new season, and just as children grow and mature. 

All of these are reasons why it’s sometimes difficult for homeschoolers to describe their ‘typical day’!

After prefacing our family’s schedule with the above explanation, below is my attempt to describe a ‘typical day’ of homeschool with our 12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, and 4th grade children during the past school year.  My goal in sharing is not to tell you ‘the’ way to approach your homeschool day, but to share one way that has worked for us. (And our routine and methods have changed considerably within our own family over the years!)

With so many teens in our home this past school year, we allowed our children to awake and get started with schoolwork on their own time frame (although usually no later than 9am).

Each child had a prepared weekly chart of subjects that I aimed for them to complete each day, all of their materials placed in work boxes, and a breakdown for each subject outlining what constitutes a day’s work.  (We used file boxes to contain materials for elementary aged children and drawers for middle school.  My 10^th grader wanted to utilize drawers also, but my 12^th grader opted for a basket and binder.  All texts and resources not currently in use were stored on a bookcase that we could easily access.) 

Sample Weekly Sheet and Day by Day Subject Outline

Elementary  Level Workbox (description)

Middle School / High School Drawers (description)

High School Binder
(contains the Weekly Sheet in the front to record what is done each day and the Day by Day Subject Outline behind each labeled tab)

All of our children were able to choose the order of their subjects to do each day.  Although, math and language arts were typically completed before lunch.

Any phonics/reading/literature was completed with mom (5^th grade and younger) while the oldest four had either an in person class or an online live English class (literature, grammar, composition) one day per week with assignments to work on the other days.

For English and math (6th grade and younger), they would read the textbook explanation, come to me for clarification, work on their assignment, and then come back to me for any needed corrections or reteaching after I checked their work.

Our children who were 7th grade or older had a daily, online, self-paced math lesson with assignments completed and graded on the computer.  (Usually my husband could assist with any concepts the older students struggled with, but the children also had the option to email the instructor for help as well.)

All five students also had daily AWANA work. The older students did their devotional section and memorized their verse(s) on their own and then asked me to listen to them as time to practice before AWANA night. For our 4th grader, I’d help him with memorizing the verse(s).  I would write out the verses on a dry erase board and we would practice using the ‘erase a word’ method.

After lunch was when our 4th and 6th grader would usually do science and history with me. I’d read aloud as they worked in their notebooks, and then we would complete any related experiments.

My 8th and 10 graders read the science text on own and completed their corresponding notebook work. Experiments were completed in a group setting two times per month.

This was similar for my 8^th, 10^th, and 12th grade students’ history/ cultural issues coursework.  They would read the text on own, come to me for oral questions/answers, and, sometimes, watch a scheduled video.

Several children also participated in instrument practice on their own each day, following plans set in place by their instructors.

Here are some glimpses into our day from previous years, too…Day in the Life

As you can see, homeschooling days are full of flexibility, growing independence, love, and learning!  May you give much grace to yourself and your children as you work together to create your own ‘typical’ homeschool day!  And, as you embark on this new journey and way of learning, may the homeschool lifestyle become a blessing to you and your family.

For the past few years, my children and I have been blessed to be able to meet two times per month with a few other homeschooling families.  We’ve enjoyed participating in art and science together – reinforcing concepts through hands on activities and learning alongside our friends!  

This past school year, our homeschool group used Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics for our 3rd – 6th grade children (while our high school aged girls used Apologia Chemistry).  We explored topics such as the states and properties of matter, atoms and elements, physical and chemical changes, mixtures, the three laws of motion, different types of energy, magnetism, and simple machines.  It was a full year of discovery!

Apologia incorporates a ton of experiments within the text, and we did many of them as we came to them during reading.  However, when we met together as a group, we wanted to provide opportunities to review vocabulary, reinforce concepts, and do additional activities that would support what we were all learning at home. 

After collaborating with the other moms for ideas, I created experiment packets for each meeting time that we then worked through together.  If you’d like to utilize these same hands on activities, the Hands On Chemistry and Physics Experiment Packets are now available for sale over at my TPT Joyful Heart Learning store!

We had such an enjoyable year of learning with friends, and we are all looking forward to our next year of science explorations together!

What began as an afternoon lesson for three children on the style and technique of pointillism turned into an enjoyable family art affair of pointillism and more!

We began by watching an art student’s tutorial on pointillism – learning briefly about Georges Seurat, seeing how to make a color wheel, learning how to create a graphite transfer, and being inspired by an elaborate pointillism Taj Mahal.

Next, we practiced the technique of pointillism by using markers and following along with another tutorial.

We also experimented with various sizes of tips – ends of paintbrushes, Q-tips, erasers, and small stamp sponges.

Next, we got out our primary colored acrylic paints and set to work creating a pointillism color wheel.

After all of that practice, we were ready to jump into our main project (and grandma joined us, too).

Step 1- Choose a sunflower!

Step 2 – Create a Graphite Transfer

Step 3 – Ready to Paint!

Step 4 – Add dots

and dots…

and more dots!

We discovered that this type of painting requires a great deal of patience and perseverance! 

Up until this stage of our project, the kids were very focused and only wanted a few pauses for stretching and a snack.  They were highly engaged and motivated!

After an overnight break, we started up again the next morning…

to add more dots!

At various points, the older kids in our family decided to join in on the fun, too!  One chose to utilize the graphite transfer technique with a different image, one chose to use the graphite technique followed by regular painting, and one used a combination of brush stroke painting and pointillism.

Our completed pointillism sunflowers!

And more!

We had a wide age range of artists – elementary, middle school, high school, mom, and grandma.  Above, are some of our artists’ completed works!  Each of us experienced such a satisfying and relaxing time with family and friends as we let our creative expression flow!

As a homeschool family, we enjoy marking the beginning of a new school year in a special way.  We set aside the very first day as a ‘fun day’ with a chosen theme, food, related Scripture, and activities!

Although the theme is typically kept secret from the kids until the morning of the first day, this year they had a little hint.  I requested, a week beforehand, that they each needed to be prepared to arrive to breakfast dressed as a book character of their choice.

Here’s the cast of characters that showed up on our first day of school this year…

Chaya from Jennifer Nielsen’s Resistance, Hermione from Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Cole from Brandon Mull’s The Five Kingdoms series, Sherlock Holmes from The Lock and Key series by Ridley Pearson, and Petra from Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card!

And, the surprise theme was revealed…

Stacking up the Learning!

We began our day with our tradition of first day notes at the table, a Scripture reading, and, of course, cupcakes for breakfast – this time ‘stacked’ pancake cupcakes.

I think these Scriptures are very fitting for the theme.  For, even though each year our children are gaining academic knowledge and skills, it’s even more important to remind ourselves to continue to add to our learning of God’s Word, hiding it in our hearts, applying it, and growing in godly character and Christ-likeness.

After breakfast, they all completed their yearly Growing in Grace sheets (updated this year) and wrote encouraging notes to their siblings. These were later shared during lunch.

Next, I had them grab their character’s book and head to a comfy spot.  They took turns drawing a ‘Find the Quote’ card and then they all searched their books for a line that would fit the prompt.  For example…’Find a quote that could be used as step 5 in my evil plan to take over the world.’  Or, ’Find a quote that could be used as a sentence that would sound great if read in a Southern accent.’  It was hilarious and turned out to be a perfect, engaging game for our wide age range of children (ages 17 to 9) this year!

They then participated in a silly, friendly competition of book balancing.  A few may have got creative on how they chose to balance their books.

Next, they enjoyed a snack of gummy ‘book’ worms, watched a couple videos on literary elements, and used Jenga blocks to play Story Element Stack.  (This was super easy for my older kids, but they were good sports!)

For lunch, they constructed and ate tortilla sandwich books.

The kids then enjoyed a game of Literature Pictionary!  They took turns selecting a card containing a book title (well known children’s books, middle grade fiction, and some popular young adult titles). On their turn, they used a dry erase board and markers to draw clues for their siblings to guess the book.

Last, I gave them a large, open-ended project that they worked on the rest of the afternoon. They divided into teams and set to work creating a video book review or book trailer for a favorite book or series of books.  They loved scripting, finding props, acting, and filming their videos.  These were later shared with family at the end of the day.

Oh, we also ‘stacked’ chocolate and marshmallows on top of graham crackers – enjoying yummy s’mores over the fire pit.  =)

A few things I wanted to do, but that we didn’t have time for were…
-Photo Shelfies  (taking photos of each child with their favorite books behind them on a shelf)
-Watching an online tour of book printing and binding
-Creating Watercolor Book & Verse Quote Posters and Book Marks

(Maybe we’ll sneak these in some other time!)

Here’s to another great year of learning!

Our new 2019-2020 homeschool year is already underway!

Here is our family’s 4th-12th Grade Curriculum Choices.  We’ve always had an eclectic approach to curriculum – and this year is no different!  It was challenging and oh..so.. time consuming, but I’m excited to see the kids delve into some unique courses that were either designed or carefully selected for each of them this year.

ELEMENTARY

Our 4th Grader:

• Reading/Phonics: Explode the Code 8; 180 Days of Reading Grade 4
• Literature:  Frindle, The Door in the Wall, Stuart Little, Homer Price, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library,  James and the Giant Peach, The Green Ember series, The Phantom Tollbooth, Rump, Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy, Story Thieves, The Shakespeare Stealer, and Redwall; free reading
• Spelling: Joyful Heart Spelling Skills
• Handwriting: Handwriting Skills Simplified D: Improving Cursive Writing
• Writing/Grammar/Composition: BJU English 4
• Math: Horizons 4 (and moving into 5)
• Bible: Awana T&T, daily Bible Reading
• Additions: Trail Life (Mountain Lion)

‘Together’ Subjects for 4th and 6th:

• Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics
  (We meet twice a month with a couple of other homeschool families to do additional hands-on activities for science as well.  I created Hands On Chemistry and Physics Experiment Packs for us to use for our get togethers.)
• Social Studies: The Early Church & Middle Ages (Mystery of History 2) with a homemade notebook (after we complete Ancient History – Mystery of History 1)

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our 6th Grader:

• Reading/Literature:  Reading, studying, and participating in a once a month book club using the following books – Ballet Shoes, Ella Enchanted,  Number the Stars, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Out of My Mind, The Candymakers,  Dangerous Journey: Pilgrim’s Progress, Pollyanna, Adam of the Road,  Tuck Everlasting;  180 Days of Reading Grade 6; free reading
• Writing/Grammar/Composition: Writing for Muggles live class – reading all seven books in the Harry Potter series with writing assignments based from those; Grammar for Middle School; Paragraphs for Middle School; Elements of a Fairy Tale; Word Roots 2
• Math: Horizons 6
• Bible: Student Leader in Awana/Trek, daily Bible Reading
• Additions: violin lessons, piano, gymnastics, ballet

Our 8th Grader:

• Literature/Composition: How to Write the Perfect 5 Paragraph Essay; Who Dun It? Murder Mysteries – reading of the following murder mysteries as well as writing his own murder mystery!  
  Short Stories: “Murder in the Rue Morgue” , “The Ordinary Hairpins” , “The Archduke’s Tea” , “A Singular Abduction”
  Books:  The Westing Game, The Red House Mystery, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Favorite Father Brown Stories, Murder On the Orient Express, And Then There Were None, Whose Body?, Where Are You Now?, The Roman Hat Mystery
• Foundations in Composition (live, online course)
• Grammar: Easy Grammar Ultimate Grade 9
• Vocabulary: Word Roots 4
• Algebra 1 with Integrated Geometry:  Shormann Algebra 1
• Science: Apologia Physical Science
• Social Studies:

  1st Semester – History of Technology: Computers and Gaming
  The Story of Computing, The Computer Book, Of Games and God, and The Art of Video Games
  

  2nd Semester – Church History
  Christian History Made Easy, Trial and Triumph, God’s Timeline: Big Book of Church History
  

• Bible: Student Leader in Awana/Trek, daily Bible Reading, reading and discussing Do Hard Things and This Changes Everything: How the Gospel Transforms the Teen Years
• Computers: Game Design 1 and Intro to Java Programming (online, live courses) 

HIGH SCHOOL

Our 10th Grader:

• English 10:
  Classic Literature/ Literary Analysis and Composition (live, online course) –
  Romeo and Juliet, The Prince and the Pauper, Our Town, King Arthur: Tales from the Round Table, Silas Marner, The Giver, The Scarlet Letter, Up From Slavery, The Importance of Being Earnest; Easy Grammar Ultimate Grade 10 
• Algebra 2 with Integrated Geometry:  Shormann Algebra 2
• Chemistry:  Jay Wile’s Discovering Design with Chemistry
• World History:  Notgrass World History
• Spanish 3: BJU 3 (in conjunction with a live, online course)
• Instrumental Music 2:  Cello lessons, Piano Lessons, Member of the local youth orchestra, Member of the local church orchestra
• Speech – Communication and Public Speaking: Secrets of Great Communicators by Jeff Myers combined with Public Speaking and Practical Life Skills from 7 Sisters
• Additions: AWANA Journey, continuation of cake baking and decorating, driving practice

Our 12th Grader – SENIOR YEAR!

• English 12:
  British Literature and Composition (live, online course) – 
  The Weight of Glory, The Great Divorce, The Canterbury Tales,  ‘Leaf By Niggle’, Macbeth, Sense and Sensibility,  A Christmas Carol, Jane Eyre, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Wind in the Willows, Lord of the Flies, Remains of the Day, The Elements of Eloquence, Letters to a Diminished Church, Collected Poetry of T.S. Eliot, Six Centuries of Great Poetry, The Elements for Style
• Research Writing:  (live, online course)
• Speech – Communication and Public Speaking: Secrets of Great Communicators by Jeff Myers combined with Public Speaking and Practical Life Skills from 7 Sisters
• Consumer Math:  BJU
• Constitutional Literacy:  Constitutional Literacy with Michael Farris DVD and notebook
• Psychology:  Psychology in Everyday Life (live, online course)
• U.S. Government & Politics: (live, online course)
• Economics: (live, online course)
• Contemporary Cultural Issues: Understanding the Culture: A Survey of Social Engagement by Jeff Myers, Counter Culture by David Platt, World News Magazine, Podcasts
• Additions: Student Leader in AWANA/Journey, gymnastics, ballet & lyrical dance, writing/revising/editing her own novel

___________________________________________

Would you like to see our curriculum choices from previous years?

2018-2019 (11th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd)
2017-2018 (10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd)
2016-2017 (9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st)
2015-2016 (8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd, Kindergarten)
2014-2015 (7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK)
2013-2014 (6th, 4th, 2nd, K, preschool)
2012-2013 (5th, 3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old)
2011-2012 (4th, 2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler)
2010-2011 (3rd, 1st, PreK, 2 year old, 4 month old baby)
2009-2010 (2nd, K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived end of year)
2008-2009 (1st, PreK, 2 year old, 6 month old baby)
2007-2008 (K, 3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
2006-2007 (PreK, 2 year old, 7 month old baby)
                  – Joyful Heart Character
2005-2006 (3’s preschool, toddler, baby arrived mid year)
                  – Joyful Heart Bible and Rhyme
2004-2005 (2 year old, 6 mo old baby) 
                  – Joyful Heart Learning