I actually started writing this post in August 2017. You know, back when it would have been helpful. Ahem. I thought it was still worth posting, however, because I've received several questions about the curricula we use over the past several weeks. It was fun seeing the plan I made over the summer and how I tweaked it as the year progressed. (For example, I originally intended to have my fourth grader keep up with current events with Scholastic News, but I ended up swapping the newsletter for a weekly-ish viewing of CNN 10.)

What was new for this year?

• Shane is participating in the Classical Conversations "Essentials" program, which replaces First Language Lessons and Writing With Ease.
• We are experimenting with an online Latin course through Scholé Academy. Spoiler alert: I LOVE it!
• Shane is studying Spanish.
• Conner is starting a formal study of English Grammar, Writing, and Spelling.

For the 2017-18 school year, I really struggled with whether to enroll Shane in the Essentials program because (a) staying for the afternoon is very inconvenient in terms of taking care of our younger children who still nap and (b) First Language Lessons was working really well for us. Now that the school year is already half-way behind us, I can say that I do prefer First Language Lesson's English grammar program over Classical Conversation's Essentials of the English Language (EEL). [I can expand on this in a future post.] Shane adores the math portion of Essentials, but he's already really strong in this subject. Extra drills certainly won't hurt him, but I think we could have done without this as well. Where Essentials really earns its weight in gold is its writing program, which is through IEW. I like levels 1 and 2 of Writing With Ease, but level 3 wasn't challenging enough for Shane when he was in third grade, so I was incredibly excited to be introduced to IEW's writing program. As our Essentials tutor says, "It's magical."

Without further ado, here are our curriculum choices for the 2017-18 school year!

Conner {1st grade}

• Bible: morning family devotion from this book, this book, or this book, AWANA (Held at a local church, this is a fun program for kids that emphasizes Scripture memorization.)
• Daily Learning Notebook (Elementary) I thought Conner could use more help with telling time, so I'm supplementing with this book.
• Math: Math-U-See Alpha, Classical Conversations
• Reading: All About Reading - Level 2 I set a timer, and we do 20 minutes a day. I also have Conner read library books for an additional 20 minutes a day.
• Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Grade 1
• English Grammar: First Language Lessons - Level 1
• Writing: Writing with Ease - Level 1
• Spelling: All About Spelling - Level 1
• Literature: We read lots of picture books! I use the monthly picture book lists from Sarah McKenzie (from Read-Aloud Revival).
• Latin: Classical Conversations
• Fine Arts: Classical Conversations (includes drawing, tin whistle, great artists, and orchestra), piano lessons, homeschool children's choir, field trips to our local theaters
• History/Timeline/Social Studies: Classical Conversations, Scholastic News Grade 1
• Science: Classical Conversations, experiments and discussion out of this book
• Geography: Classical Conversations, map tracing
• P.E.: tennis lessons and lots of outdoor play

Shane {4th  grade}

• Bible: AWANA
• Math: Math-U-See *Epsilon, Classical Conversations
• Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Grade 4
• English Grammar: Essentials of the English Language (This curriculum is only available to registered members of a Classical Conversations community. I like it a lot but, in an ideal world, I would still be doing First Language Lessons - Level 4.)
• Writing: IEW U.S. History-Based Writing Lessons (This program has been tweaked for Classical Conversations communities.)
• Spelling: All About Spelling {Shane happens to be on level 6 this year, but this is a go-at-your-own-pace curriculum. If you're starting the program, start with level 1 regardless of age/grade. If your child is older, (s)he will probably fly through the beginning levels.}
• Literature: I read to Shane from a book-list I created, and he reads "fun" books independently.
• Latin: Latin for Children through Scholé Academy (He uses this text.)
• Spanish: Duolingo
• Fine Arts: Classical Conversations (includes drawing, tin whistle, great artists, and orchestra), piano lessons, homeschool children's choir and band (clarinet), field trips to our local theaters
• History/Timeline/Social Studies: Classical Conversations, Story of the World read-alouds, CNN 10
• Science: Classical Conversations, experiments and discussion out of this book
• Geography: Classical Conversations, map tracing
• P.E.: swimming and tennis lessons
• Typing: Typing Instructor Platinum (download version)

*Note: I would typically recommend the "Delta" level of Math-U-See for fourth graders.

Truly, there are so many great options out there that I sometimes feel like I need to put blinders on myself, or I'd want to try them all!

Click below to see our past curriculum choices:
{2016/2017} Kindergarten and Third Grade