What Lies Ahead

Every year we are allotted a budget for Ashlee's school curriculum. I then get to go online to the Rainbow Resource catalog and choose from thousands of texts and educational tools. In an effort to be prepared for the next year and have a relaxing summer vacation, tonight was the night I went shopping! (This list has been several weeks in the making.) This is in addition to what we already have on the shelves from last year and will be continuing next year. I told Forrest he had better start building another book shelf...

Ashlee and Jacob's Curriculum:

Excellence in Spelling: Phonetic Zoo Level A Complete Set
Item #: 013352

American History Stories You Never Read in School…But Should Have Vol. 1
Item #: 027322

Daily Writing Warm-Ups Grades 5-6
Item #: 025066

3-D U.S.A. Map
Item #: 024700

American History Stories You Never Read in School…But Should Have Vol. 2
Item #: 027323

Write What You Think
Item #: 012331

3-D World Map
Item #: 024701

Children’s Encyclopedia of American History
Item #: 028380

U.S. State Boundary Maps - Set of 50
Item #: 007485

Ten Essential Vocabulary Strategies Book 2
Item #: 028492

Math 7/6 Homeschool KIT (4th Edtion)
Item #: 024430

Ten Essential Vocabulary Strategies Book 1-5 Key
Item #: 004727

Colonial Days
Item #: 003620

U.S. Geography Skill Builders
Item #: 015196

Emma’s Journal: Story of a Colonial Girl
Item #: 028813

States & Capitals Workbook & Music CD
Item #: 010419

Declaration of Independence
Item #: 031488

Paragraphs and Composition

Math 1 Home Study Kit
Item #: 018399

Phonics Drillcards
Item #: 002902

Chemistry
Item #: 011599

Manipulative Kit 1 (Basic Plastic Pattern Blocks, NO Optional Items)
Item #: MP1000

How to Spell 1
Item #: 002891

Matter
Item #: 011603

Itty Bitty Phonics Readers Variety Pack of 36
Item #: 019019

Alphabet Wall Charts - Manuscript
Item #: 041118

Sight Words in a Flash Set 1
Item #: 026638

Calendar & Weather Pocket Chart
Item #: 036061

Explode the Code Book 3
Item #: 017038

Usborne Complete First Book of Nature
Item #: 008442

Explode the Code Book 3½
Item #: 001783

Spelling Workout 2001 Level A Student Edition
Item #: 023941

Illustrated Alpha Desk Strip - Manuscript
Item #: 002879

How to Teach Spelling
Item #: 002898

Mysteries and Marvels of Nature Combined Volume
Item #: 011885

I looooove Rainbow Resource. Most, if not all, of their curriculum is designed for homeschoolers, which makes it very user-friendly. You can find everything you would ever want to teach your children. I have included a link to their website in the sidebar under "places I go." Even if you're not in to homeschooling, I guarantee you'll find something for your kiddos.

We are really going to be focusing on American History and Geography for Ashlee this year, and I am so excited. I didn't really absorb a lot of the history I was taught in school, so I am looking forward to re-learning it with Ashlee in a way that will appeal to both of us.

As far as math goes, Saxon has been my favorite program hands down. They are #1 among homeschoolers, and we have had great success with them. Another great program is the Easy Grammar. Like me, Ashlee has an eye for spelling and grammar, and she has really taken to this workbook. Love it!

Towards the end of summer, I will sit down and devise a schedule for our school day. I also like to set short and long-term goals, and plan out quarterly field trips. Like with anything else in life, it's always good to have a routine in place when you are starting something new. You can always branch out from there once you are established and comfortable. I find that I am enjoying homeschooling more and more with each passing year. It's less of an imposition and more of a way of life. I used to ask, "How am I going to find time in the day to homeschool?" Now I find myself thinking, "What would I do in a day if I didn't homeschool?" Funny how we adapt to our circumstances.