2014-2015 Courses and Curriculum

    Curriculum, curriculum, curriculum!  Over the past few months, I have been swimming in curriculum. Each year, I wish I there was a magical box of curriculum that I could order for each of my children, but it's never that simple. Each of my children is unique and it is important to acknowledge their individual learning styles, strengths and weaknesses. With that being said, we've finished our course and curriculum selections and wanted to share them with you. I plan to post more detailed explanations of each choice, as well as resources in later posts.

DS, 9th grade (My very bright, ADHD, strong willed, visual, easily distracted, and argumentative child):

• American History:
•  The Enduring Vision: Volume I: To 1877 
•  The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People 
•  African American History: A Journey of Liberation (Resource from African American Perspective)
•  CLEP® History of the U.S. I Book + Online (CLEP Test Preparation) 
•  CLEP History of the United States II, 1865 to the present (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP (Test Preps)
• Algebra 1 (Honors): 
• Foerster Algebra 1, Classics Edition 
• Algebra Word Problems
• Biology (Honors): 
• Biology, 8th Edition
• Student Study Guide for Biology  
• The Biology Coloring Book 
• The Zoology Coloring Book
• Personal and Family Finance:
• Online course through FLVS
• Spanish II: 
• Rosetta Stone Homeschool Spanish (Latin America) Level 2 including Audio Companion 
• Spanish Verb Drills
• Driver's Education:
• Online course through FLVS
• Language Arts:
• Grammar: 180 Daily Teaching Lessons Grade 9 
• Writing: 
• Perdue OWL (Main resource)
• We will be using a variety of writing prompts based upon American  history.
• Reading: This year's reading will focus on American Literature. He will be reading a variety of books, poems, short stories, and songs to solidify and give perspective to his history lessons.
• Vocabulay: 
• Direct Hits SAT Vocabulary 

DD, 8th grade (Miss laid back, never in a hurry, learns any way as long as it's on her schedule):

•  Algebra 1 (Honors):
• Foerster Algebra 1, Classics Edition
• Algebra Word Problems
• Spanish II:
•  Rosetta Stone Homeschool Spanish (Latin America) Level 2 including Audio Companion 
• Spanish Verb Drills 
• Business Keyboarding: 
• Typing Instructor Platinum 21 
• Language Arts: 
•  Writing: 
• Perdue OWL (Main resource)
• We will be using a variety of writing prompts based upon American  history.
• Grammar: 180 Daily Teaching Lessons (Easy Grammar Ultimate Series:, Grade 8 Teacher EDition) 
• Reading: Her reading material will also focus on American Literature in order to bring life and perspective to her history lessons for this year.
• Physical Science: 
• Exploring Creation with Physical Science
• Health:
• No curriculum. I will design and put this course together using a variety of resources.
• American History: 
• A History of US: Eleven-Volume Set: Paperback Set 
• History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day 

My last two children both work through the same curriculum. The eldest of the two has always been a struggling learner. She takes a while to grasp concepts but once the light bulb goes off, she's got it. The baby girl is advanced and has always kept herself about 1 grade level ahead. In the beginning, it bothered me to see the younger child moving ahead of her sibling, but that soon changed. The two are close in age and have a very tight bond. In fact, the baby is often the one to teach her older sister a concept she couldn't grasp. It's a wonderful sight to see and the lessons are well received, coming from her little sister.

The last two:

• Business Keyboarding:
•  Typing Instructor Platinum 21 
• Earth and Space Science: 
• Holt Earth Science California Edition
• Health:
• No curriculum.
•  Language Arts: 
• Grammar: Easy Grammar: Grade 6 Student Workbook
•  Writing:
• We will be using a variety of writing prompts based upon American  history.
• Perdue OWL (Main resource)
• Reading: Will include reading comprehension practice as well as reading of literature with emphasis of American literature.
• Vocabulary:
• English From the Roots Up: Volume 1 
• English From the Roots Up: Volume 2 
• American History:
• A History of US: Eleven-Volume Set: Paperback Set 
• History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present Day
•  Math:
• Key to Complete Set 
• Mixed review worksheets: mathdrills.com 
• Spanish:
• No curriculum

Well, that covers all of them. Seriously, I think that's enough!

Peace and Blessings,

D.T.