Well, here it is. My declaration of intended curriculum for this “school year”. I am very happy with our choices this year and I feel like Joe is progressing to an interesting place academically. We are working this eclectic version of the classical spiral. I am informed that we are in the Logic Stage now. That is hilarious to me because, honestly? I feel completely illogical when faced with adolescence. Like getting into a shouting match about who tossed the paper towels down the stairs and whether my aim was off or I meant to hit him in the head illogical. So I feel about as surefooted as a tight rope walker this year.
On the other hand, there are more “things” he wants to do and have now. I can totally blackmail him into more algebra. Speaking of curriculum (word I used to love and now fight vomit out of my mouth when I say it), here is our list for the year.
Math- Saxon Algebra ½- I like the straightforwardness of the Saxon program, the fact that it goes all the way through high school, and the step by step/constant review features. So even if I feel like he has a good grasp on a skill I can skip the lesson knowing that he will at least get some practice later.
Language Arts- We are trying a few different things this year. We had been using the straight up Rod and Staff hardcore Amish grammar series. I think Joe was ready for something different and a little more cohesive. We are trying out Learning Language Arts Through Literature. I skipped him to 7th grade and right now that looks like the best choice. It seems to be a little below level to start…but maybe my expectations of 7th grade work are a little off. This series reminds me of Saxon because of the integrated steps. You don’t have a section on just nouns or verbs, they are all woven together with passages from great literature as examples. I thought that would be a great way to up his diet of classics. We will also do some book studies with this program, previously I had devised my own, and that will be a nice timesaver for me.
Writing- Writing Strands had worked really well the first two years we schooled, and late last year Joe got tired of it. It’s a great program…it’s just all the same. I’m glad there are so many choices out there because as Joe’s needs change there is always something for him. I ordered a new program called Wordsmith (by the same publishers as LLATL) Apprentice. It looks pretty neat, the kids pretend they are working at a newspaper and there are cartoon strips featuring messages from their editor. The editor gives them assignments and the student uses real newspapers as a resource. It seems like a great idea, let me know if any of you have used it. I’d love some more feedback.
I’ve worn myself out now, I’ll get to the other subjects another day. My inner Scarlett has kicked in. *swoon*
