We Are Ready!

After working 10-14 hour days for the last week and a half, my lesson plan is complete, my school room is organized and my house is clean(ish)!  After enjoying a restful day tomorrow, we will be all set to start school Monday morning!

180 days planned, each with a corresponding file folder containing all copies, worksheets and books I need for each day. I feel GREAT about this coming year!

Week 3	DAY 1	DAY 2	DAY 3	DAY 4	DAY 5
Bible Study Telling God's Story: 1	Read Lesson 25 Coloring page	Duccio's Callingof the Apostles Peter & Andrew	Fishers of Men Game	Read & Discuss Proverbs 4	Life Lessons from The Princess & The Kiss Lesson 15
Math	J-Math-U-See Gamma 19A & D N-Math-U-See Beta Lesson 4A & D	J- Read Times Tables the Fun Way p.64-67 Math-U-See Gamma 19B & E N-Math-U-See Beta Lesson 4B & E	J- Read Times Tables the Fun Way p.68-71 Math-U-See Gamma 19C & F N-Math-U-See Beta Lesson 4C & F	J-Math-U-See Gamma 19 Test N-Math-U-See Beta Lesson 4Test & X	Both-Life of Fred Apples Lesson 4 Kid's Pay (Money Mgmt)
Grammar	J-FLL Level 4- Lesson 16 N-FLL Level 2 - Lesson 32	J-FLL Level 4- Lesson 17 N-FLL Level 2 - Lesson 33	J-FLL Level 4- Lesson 18 N-FLL Level 2 - Lesson 34	J-FLL Level 4- Lesson 19 N-FLL Level 2 - Lesson 35	J-FLL Level 4- Lesson 20 N-FLL Level 2 - Lesson 36
Writing	J - HWT Can Do Cursive- p. 14-15 N-HWT Printing Power-p. 12	IEW Unit 2	IEW Unit 2	IEW Unit 2	IEW Unit 2
Spelling	Spelling Check/Intro	Spelling words		Spelling words	Final Test
Memory Work
History	Read “If You Traveled On The Underground Railroad” p.7-29	Read “If You Traveled On The Underground Railroad” p.30-64		Read: CBUSH – Dred Scott p.185-193 Put Civil War Sticker on Timeline	Read UILEWH-American Civil War p. 348-349 Internet Links
Geography			A Child's Geography p.19-25 Postcard Home
Science	Vocabulary Lift the flap NJ. 29-30	Apologia Exploring Creation with Astronomy -Make a Solar Eclipse p.26 NJ. p.32		Sun Mini-books NJ p.A11-A15, p.33	UILBAS p. 10-13 Internet Links
Read Aloud	Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling Ch 7-8	Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling Ch 9-10	Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling Ch 11-12	Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling Ch 13-14	Freedom Train by Dorothy Sterling Ch 15-16
Latin	Prima Latina Lesson 4
Music	Music Theory 1, Lesson 4
Character			CF-Obedience S1, B2 p.8-16 Coloring Page
Worksheets
Elective Subject				N-World Farming p.18-1 Internet research chicken breeds Finish Rare Breeds book	J - Photography
Reading
Art		Artistic Pursuits Book 2 – Lesson 4
P.E.		Gymnastics 6-7pm		N-Ballet/Tap 3:30-4:45	J-HipHop 5:15-6:15

And of course a picture of my pet quail, Destiny. Just because she lives in the school room. And because I love her.  :)

To Lesson Plan or Not

When I began homeschooling, I started with the Abeka preschool program. While the content was good, it was far too structured and intensive for my 3 year old (and for me at the time, having a 6 month old as well). So we ditched the lesson plan and just used the materials whenever I felt the timing was good. This worked beautifully for these younger years.

For Kindergarten, I moved to Sonlight. I loved the structured, clear lesson plan and the materials were excellent. I stuck with that for several years, but was flexible with the plan and allowed for lots of field trips and extra activities.

Over time, our needs have grown away from Sonlight. While I still use their reading list for much of our literature, the rest of the program no longer worked. I didn't care for the language arts portion. Also, I teach both of my children history and science at the same time, so I build a program that achieves that goal.

Now, I have heard lectures and read books regarding "Unschooling". I have also read Charlotte Mason, Mary Hood and a slew of other books and articles regarding educational styles. And for this year I have done what every homeschooler should do, I have selected the parts I like from each area and have figured out what works best for my family.

I like checking boxes. I like to be organized. I like to plan ahead. And, I like to feel a sense of accomplishment. In a world where there is no boss holding me accountable or patting me on the back for a job well done, I have to be diligent in knowing that before myself, my husband and God alone, I am giving my children the best education I can. I have to know that while I don't have to follow the pattern of today's society, that my children will be prepared to function in that society. I will never force my child to "be successful" by our culture's standards which I feel are far too materialistic, but I do want them to understand the world they are in, and to be able to effectively evaluate what success means to them.

This year I am doing a complete lesson plan. Far more detailed and specific than anything I have created before, this plan will ensure that I have covered all of the subjects and materials that I have set goals for. It includes:

• Math, catered to their individual needs
• A rich, classical Language Arts program
• Additional subjects, such as Latin, Music and Art Appreciation, Character and of course Bible Study
• Classic literature
• Elective subjects for my daughters so that their specific interests are nurtured
• Full Science and History programs taught in the most fun and interesting ways I can find

While I understand that this much structure does not work for many families, it is what I feel is the best option for us for this year. It has a little flexibility for field trips and service opportunities, but not much. It will be our most structured and intense year to date. And I think we're going to like it.