Blogging From A to Z - Curriculum Choices

I decided to post this week about some of our curriculum choices for next year. I will have a 7th grader, Silas, a 5th grader, Titus, and a preschooler, Zeke. Mercie is going to be attending a private school called Cornerstone Academy this year as a freshman! It's only four days a week, from 8:00-12:00 so she will have plenty of time for her horses (which was a requirement for her attending any school). 

Silas, 7th grader

I cannot believe Silas is going to be in 7th grade next year. Time flies by so fast! We are going with mostly independent work this year, considering I'll be having another baby in September/October. 

Math

This is the only subject I am not 100% set on. I'm pretty sure we're going to go with Teaching Textbooks 7. I need Silas to have some video lessons and I think he would benefit from them. I'm still looking into the new 4.0 version which is an app-based version compared to the 2.0 disc-based version.

Grammar

He will be using Writing Strands from Masterbooks. This will give him instruction in writing as well as some grammar and usage practice.

He will also be using A Student's Guide to English Grammar 1, which is a really simple textbook that goes through the parts of speech. It won't take him long each day to work through this book, and we may do some of the exercises aloud instead of writing them down.

History

For history, he is going to use The World's Story 1 by Masterbooks. It will take him from Creation up until the time of the Roman Empire. He will have readings, worksheets, and projects to complete. I think he will really enjoy this study from looking at the samples. I plan to add in some history literature, but I have yet to research which books.

Science

Again from Masterbooks, he will be using God's Design Physical World. This series will teach him about Machines and Motions, Heat and Energy, and Inventions and Technology. He will have daily readings and experiments each week. It looks like a super fun program! He loves machines so I'm sure this will be just a great fit for him. 

Literature

I'd like for Silas to work through a few literature guides this year. I'm planning on two books and guides for him. I have always like Progeny Press literature guides, so I'm going with them this year. The books and guides he will complete are Number the Stars and Where the Red Fern Grows. 

Extra Curriculars 

I am going to let the boys decide on their own extra activities and how they'll go about learning. I did order them each an art book to use as they want to, and we have plenty of learning resources around the house for them to pick up. This year we are going to try an "unschooling" approach to extra curricular subjects!

Titus, 5th grader

Titus is my 5th grader and we are moving him toward a bit more independence this year, too. His lineup is much like Silas's, but for the first time they will be using totally separate curriculum.

Math

Titus will be continuing on in Math Lessons for a Living Education 5 from Masterbooks. We love this math program and he will use it this year and next year before he runs out of levels! 

Grammar

We are going to try Language Lessons for a Living Education 5 from Masterbooks this year because I think he can do it mostly on his own. The lessons are varied and I think he will enjoy the different activities and short lessons.

I'm also going to him work a lesson a day in his Critical Thinking Language Smarts E workbook. It's got a great variety of topics and really short lessons. You can read my review of this program here.

History

He will be using Masterbooks' America's Story 1. I think he will enjoy the short readings, workbook pages, and projects included in this program.

Science

For science, he will be using God's Design Heaven and Earth from Masterbooks. He will learn about Our Weather and Water, Our Universe, and Our Planet Earth. There are lots of fun experiments scheduled in each week along with workbook pages that I think he will be able to complete mostly on his own. 

Literature

Titus is not a big reader. I have a goal for him to complete two age-appropriate literature guides from Progeny Press this year. I chose books that I think he will really get into and be able to finish, Charlotte's Web and The Sword in the Tree. 

Zeke, Preschooler

Zeke will be 4 in November, so a preschool curriculum isn't really necessary for him. However, he loves to do schoolwork and asks for it every time the boys are doing something. I preordered him the physical copy of The Gentle + Classical Preschool. I'm really excited about this curriculum! It comes with the Teacher's Guide, the Handicraft and Activity Guide, Preschool Morning Binder pages, Alphabet and Number flashcards, Memory Statement Cards, and Art and Music pack. I received the digital copy in my email already and it looks fabulous. I ordered the physical copy because there are so many great color printouts that I wanted it to be already printed for me!

I love writing my own curriculum for this age, and I've sold close to 150 sets of my Toddler Curriculum in my Etsy shop. I just know that for me, having a baby in September/October, I'm going to want and need something all planned out and printed out for me, ready to go!

I'm pretty happy with our curriculum choices for the 2022-2023 homeschool year! Have you decided what you'll use this coming year?

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