The New School Year

Our official school year will still begin in September ... September 8, 2009. That day also commemorates the Birth of Mary. Our very first year of homeschooling started on the feast day of Pope St. Gregory the Great - that's a special name day for my oldest. I like to start after the Labor Day holiday because it just seems to fit our family. However, this year, we are going to start a few subjects in August. I want to get a jump start on ND History for Angelina, continue Sound Beginnings for Zeke and start Math for all the kids.

My lesson plans are completed for the coming year; I just need to import the lesson plans into each child's current year. I'd like to be done with that portion of preparation by August. These are the subjects each child will be studying in the coming year:


Graham (3yo):
Focus on color and number recognition. We'll also read A LOT! Children this age absorb so much just by being in the same room with siblings.

Zeke (1st Grade):
Religion: St. Joseph’s First Communion Catechism, Saints for Young Readers for Everyday – Vols. 1 & 2

Math: Math-U-See: Beta

Reading/Handwriting: Sound Beginnings, Writing Can Help Book ??

Poetry: The Harp & Laurel Wreath

Science: Science 1 For Young Catholics

Art: Child Size Masterpieces/Mommy It’s a Renoir, Aesop’s Fable Book, Art 1 For Young Catholics, Our Lady of Guadalupe Marian Grotto Kit, Advent Candles Kit, O Antiphon Christmas Card Kit, Stations of the Cross Kit

Music: 36 Traditional Roman Catholic Hymns for VOICE and PIANO, Peter and the Wolf Book & CD, Carnival of the Animals Book & CD, Bach’s Goldberg Variations Book & CD, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue Book & CD, The Farewell Symphony Book & CD

Reading Time: Whatever suits the time of year or the interests of Zeke

Angelina (4th Grade):
Religion: St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1, Bible History (Schuster)

Math: Math-U-See: Delta

Grammar/Composition: Intermediate Language Lessons, SICC – A (IEW)

Spelling: Phonetic Zoo: Intermediate (Level B)

Handwriting: Writing Can Help: Book 5 or require writing in other subjects

Poetry: The Harp & Laurel Wreath

ND History: The Story of North Dakota (Llora J. Knight)

History: Evangelization of the New World, The Catholic Faith Comes to the Americas, Our Pioneers and Patriots, and many other suggested books from the MODG 4th Grade syllabus

Geography: States & Capitals Flashcards

Science: Science 4 for Young Catholics

Latin: Latina Christiana I (finish second half)

Art: Drawing Textbook, Child Size Masterpieces/Mommy It’s a Renoir (Steps 6, 7, & 8)

Music/Piano: Let’s Learn Music #3 (Hayes), Top 100 Masterpieces, Music Masters CD’s,
Allan Jemison Piano Course: Beginning at the Piano, Book 2 (approximately 6 months) and possibly start Reading at the Piano, Book 1 (approximately 6 months)

Dash (7th Grade):
Religion: Ignatius Bible, The Story of the Church, The Bronze Bow, Friendly Defender Cards

Math: Math-U-See: Pre-Algebra

Composition: SICC-A (IEW)

Grammar: Tales from Shakespeare, Voyages in English 7

Editing: Fix-It! (IEW)

Spelling: Phonetic Zoo: Intermediate (Level B)

Poetry: The Harp & Laurel Wreath

History/Geography: Old World and America, Rand McNally Historical Atlas of the World, and a variety of books recommended in the MODG 7th Grade syllabus.

Science: Concepts & Challenges in Science 2

Latin: Latina Christiana II (finish the book)

Art/Music/Piano: Draw Real People, Art Memo I and II Games, Ready-to-Use Music Activities Kit, CD's recommended in the MODG 7th Grade syllabus, Allan Jemison Piano Course: Beginning at the Piano, Book 2 (finish this course) and start Reading at the Piano, Book 1.