Curriculum Fair

This weekend I am going to Maryland State Home School Curriculum Fair. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by how many decisions need to be made about what to use next year. There is so much out there! It will be nice to flip through some books, get a feel for them. My hope is that this event will give me enough knowledge to start making these decisions. Please indulge me while I think/write it all out...

First Grade : Hannah

History: Story of the World. I'm pretty sold on that one. I have a borrowed Tapestry of Grace notebook sitting here on my shelf too - looks good, but overwhelms me completely.

Phonics: Explode the Code and Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading interest me. I'm not sure how long phonics instruction goes on.... I need to see where she would be in these programs.

Language: First Language Lessons. I borrowed this from a friend and from what I can tell it looks good. Like the poetry memorization. I am going to have to try it to see how it goes with Hannah.

Literature: Lots of it.

Math: I really don't know about this. I have people preaching Saxon Math to me. I have Singapore Math enthusiasts telling me how much they don't like Saxon. I have a friend who loves Math-U-See. And then, for some reason, I am attracted to Horizons Math. I don't know anyone who uses it, but it seems pretty balanced. Oh my...

Science: For my first year, I'm going to (try to) be relaxed about science. Nature study. Programs at local nature centers. Bird watching. Maybe during the winter months, study the human body. Trips to the National Zoo, Maryland Science Center and Baltimore Aquarium, National Arboretum... we are blessed to be surrounded by resources.

Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears and Zaner-Bloser look good. Hannah's has been doing Handwriting Without Tears for two years in school, so I am leaning that way.

Government/Politics: We will definitely do an Election unit this fall. How could we not? We'll be getting a new neighbor!

Spanish: I am stumped on this one! Hannah has been loving Spanish this year and I want to keep it going. I am planning on talking to her Spanish teacher for ideas. Anyone have a good suggestion?

Art: Study periods and artists. Frequent museums. And I'm signing her up for an art class with some other homeschool kids.

Music: I found The Story of the Orchestra last week at the used book sale - looks great! And we have lots of classical cds to use for composer studies. Choir at church. Maybe start piano...

Sports/PE: Soccer in the fall? Gymnastics again or ballet? Lots of bike riding and jumping rope....

Did I leave anything big out???


Pre-K : Will

Phonics: Explode the Code (Get Ready for the Code books) or Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading. Until then, mastering letters/sounds.

Math: Lots of manipulatives, counting, sorting, measuring.... I'm figuring out what is best for his age.

Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears. He is left-handed and avoids writing. This may be a challenge...

I have a a few Five in a Row books. We may use those...

I'm sure he will be involved with our History, Science, Art, Music, Spanish...


Being 2 : Peter

Lots of toys and books and sitting on Mommy's lap.


I'll let you know how it goes.