Homeschool Tracking Software

The last week or two, I have spent time doing trial runs scheduling lessons using three different homeschool tracking programs. The three that I tried were Homeschool Tracker, Homeschool SkedTrack(which is online only), and Edu-Track. While I found Homeschool SkedTrack easy to use, it wasn't able to do all the things that I wanted it to do. I have tried Homeschool Tracker two different years and have never succeeded in successfully setting it up. Sometimes I think that my brain works on entirely different wavelength than this piece of software. I definitely feel the odd man out as it seems from my reading on homeschool boards that many people use this software successfully. Obviously, by now you realize that I have gone with Edu-Track. I have lessons scheduled for the rest of the school year for my oldest two children and plan to input lessons for my third child this weekend. It is nice to be able to just print out a daily assignment sheet for each child. I used to spend a lot of time every week preparing, by hand, individual weekly assignment sheets for each child. This will definitely save me time. I plan to use my time this summer inputting lessons for each child for the next school year, thus enabling me to have more time during the school year to spend teaching. Now for those that use all ABeka or all Bob Jones this isn't probably as necessary. But for one who uses quite a variety of curricula, I feel that it becomes rather necessary. I am also hoping that it will help to cut back on the piles of paperwork that seem to come with homeschooling.

Preparing Hearts for His Glory - Day 1

Today was Samuel's first day of Preparing Hearts for His Glory. We really enjoyed learning about spiritual warfare and the shield of faith. He is working on making a shield of faith and a coat of arms. When it is complete I will post a picture of it. We also learned about the Arctic Tundra today. Below you will find a picture of his tracing of the Arctic Tundra and his drawing of several things from Creation.

Books Read by Samuel in 2007-2008

A Cricket in Times Square
A Lion to Guard Us
Along Came a Dog
Jed Smith, Trailblazer
Little Pear
Mary of Plymouth
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Owls in the Family
Story of the Wright Brothers and Their Sister

Books Read by Curtis in 2007-2008

Along Came a Dog
Beggar's Bible
Black Gold
Five Children and It
Journey to Jo'burg
Martha of California
Mary Poppins
Misty of Chincoteague
Silver for General Washington
Strawberry Girl
The Cricket in Times Square
The Railway Children
Twenty and Ten

2008-2009 Fifth Grade Curriculum

Curtis' 5th Grade Curriculum - 2008-2009

Bible
Studying God's Word - Finish Book E
Window on the World (Weekly)
Hymn Study

Math
A Beka Arithmetic 5

Studied Dictation
Spelling Wisdom - Book 2 (1st half) (2x/wk)

Spelling
Sequential Spelling Book 1 and Book 2 (1st half) (Daily)

English
Rodff Engish 4 and 5 (We will finish up 4 and move on to 5)

Written Narrations
History (1x/wk)
Science (x/wk)

Poetry
Poems for Memorization by Rod and Staff - Memorize 3 - 5 poems

Vocabulary/Foreign Language
Vocabulary from the Classical Roots - 5
Lively Latin I (Plan to finish Level I and we may start Level II)

Reading
BJU Reading 5
History Reading
Literature Books

History
All American History II
Biblioplan: America and the World 1850 to present

Geography
A Child's Geography I

Science
BJU Science 5

Natural History
CLP Nature Reader 5
Paddletail the Beaver and His Neighbors
Burgess Animal Book for Children

Music
History of Classical Music
Meet the Great Composers
Hymn Study

Art
Art Pac 5

Electives
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
Type It

LOGIC
Perplexors
Mind Benders

Just a Note!

This blog has definitely not been a daily journal, but I shall try to continue posting various things in regards to our school year as I have the time. I am working on my curriculum for next year and should soon be posting what we will be doing next year.

Curtis Doing Math

School will Resume on Monday!

Christmas break is about over. It will be time come Monday to get back into the swing of things as far as school goes. I guess I had better get busy with planning.

Our Stick Family

Here is the link to make your own stick family.

2007-2008 Curriculum for Third Grade

A list of the curriculum that Samuel is using this year for third grade.


Bible
Studying the book of Matthew using MFW ECC and Anne's School Place.
Window on the World (Weekly - M)
Hero Tales - Vol. 1 A Hive of Busy Bees - (Weekly - F)

Math
ABeka Arithmetic 3
Dr. Aardsma's Math Drill

Studied Dictation
Spelling Wisdom - Book 1 (1st half) (2x/wk)

Spelling/Poetry
ABeka Spelling and Poetry 3 (daily)

English
Rod and Staff English 3 (4x/wk)
Letter Writing - 1x/month

Handwriting
BJU Handwriting 3 (4x/wk)

Reading/Literature
ABeka 3
BJU Reading 3
ABeka Read and Think Skill Sheets 3
Doors to Discovery (CLP) (1x/wk)
McGuffey Eclectic First Reader (1x/wk)
History Stories for Children (CLP) (3x/wk)
The Story of the Wright Brothers and Their Sisters (CLP)

Various books for Literature
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Owls in the Family - current read

Geography
MFW ECC (daily)
A Child's Geography - Vol. 1 (3x/wk)
Rand McNally Schoolhouse Intermediate Geography and Map Activites
GTG for extra book suggestions and occasional worksheets

Science
ABeka Science 3 (daily - 1st semester)
BJU Science 3 (daily - 2nd semester)
Apologia Astronomy(haven't started this yet - need to figure out a schedule)

Natural History
1. CL Nature Reader 2 (3x/wk)
2. CL Nature Reader 3
3. Burgess Book of Animals
Nature Journal - as desired
Nature Walk - spontaneous at this point

American History
BJU Heritage Studies 3 (daily - 1st semester)
ABeka - History 3 (daily -2nd semester)
Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans - Edward Eggleston (2x/wk)
TruthQuest History AHYS I (reading commentary and putting books in basket for book basket time). Book Basket Time consists of 10-15 min. per day reading from books in basket related to the topic(s) of the week. It is the child's choice but it must come from the basket.

Music
Stories of the Great Composers
Stories of the Great Hymns
Wee Sing Around the World (MFW ECC)
Piano Lessons and Practice
Classical Music Listening
Music Book Basket (additional reading of bio's, etc.)

ART
Picture Study - *(to be scheduled)
Draw Write Now
How to Teach Art to Children

Electives
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe 17