Curriculum 2011-2012

It's time again for the Heart of the Matter's "Not" Back to School Blog Hop!
Perfect timing for us because tomorrow (Monday) is the first day of our new school year.


The first week of August is always our start date because that is the day Daddy goes back to work after his summer break.  And because it is 100+ outside and we are all getting cabin fever from being cooped up and unstructured.  And because when you start that early you can take off more of the mild, pretty fall and spring days.  Or those we-have-a-new-baby-and-things-are-kind-of-crazy days.


Following are our curriculum plans for our 2011-2012 school year.
(Dale will be 8 at the end of August.  We label him 3rd grade.
Alan will be 5 in November.  This is his 2nd year of preschool.)


Together:
Bible - The Bible! We are starting over in Genesis (for the third year) and planning to cover the major people and stories from Genesis through Acts.  Dale will be mostly notebooking, with occasional activity pages from Calvary Chapel.  Alan will have coloring pages from the same site.


Dale:
Math -Singapore Math
We are almost done with 2A and will pick up in a few weeks with 2B.  I love the affordability and simplicity of Singapore, along with the option of moving along at their quick pace or slowing down for reinforcement or review at any time.


Language Arts / Writing - I have scheduled 2 days a week for Dale to post to his blog (so if you are a follower be checking for those!).  The other three days he will do copywork or write in his journal.


I am searching for a spelling program, and am strongly leaning towards All About Spelling.  We will probably not add that in until January, because I don't want to add anything new until we are in a routine with the new baby.


Typing - Dale will be reviewing and continuing with Dance Mat Typing.


Social Studies - Same as last year, Dale will be reading human interest stories from newspapers.  These have been carefully selected and previewed just for this purpose.


Science/History - For now, I view science and history as 'gravy'.  The fun stuff.  There will be plenty of time ahead for sequential, detailed learning.  For now, we cover a unit here and there as we are interested or find it relevant.  This year we are starting with a unit on the deep sea, using library books and this study from currclick.  Later (per Dale's request) we will be covering the American Revolution with a focus on the Declaration of Independence, and the National Anthem.  I have several Currclick downloads for these as well.


Piano - Continuing with the Music In Me series.  


Literature - Dale will read almost anything he can get his hands on, but I will be selecting and assigning various books throughout the year that he might not find on his own.


Alan:
Rod and Staff Preschool ABC series- This is our first time trying Rod and Staff.  After just looking through them I am very impressed with what I see.  So far I only ordered A,C,D, and E.  If all goes well with those I will order the rest of the set.


Alan will be joining Dale for the ocean science unit with Under the Sea and Exploring the Ocean with Hermit Crab, both from currclick, and then other resources and activities from the Library, our home, and around the web.

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That's it!  That's our plan as far as curriculum goes.  I also plan on dipping into all the puzzles, learning games, and other activities that fill our cabinets and closets.


And since you are here, please do share your favorite spelling curriculum!  Have you used All About Spelling? What did you think of it?


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