Lesson Plans 2011-2012

I am frequently asked about lesson planning so here is my attempt to show you what a typical day in our homeschool looks like for 1st and 2nd grade.  I've posted 6 weeks of our schedule from the beginning of the year here as well as some of the books/resources used.  (Note: I have changed some resources since the beginning of the year, so this schedule has been modified.  For example, I changed original history plan , click to see former post, and we've since finished the Outdoor Secrets science.)

Vos = The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos


A Picture History of Ancient Rome by: Richard Erdoes

MUS = Math-U-See Beta

Living Math = Math Lessons for a Living Education by: Angela O'Dell

Outdoor Secrets by Simply Charlotte Mason

Pictures in Cursive by Queen Homeschool



LL for the VY = Language Lessons for the Very Young by Queen Homeschool

Handicrafts & Life Skills



Busy Times = Pathway Reader

Date 8/29-9/2	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1 Bible	Vos Ch 1 New Testament	Vos Ch 2	Vos Ch 3	Vos Ch 4
Character Study
History	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 1-9	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 10-17	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 18-25	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 26-30	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 30-39
Timeline			Jesus
Riley Geography Ruben	Introduction to Geography Map Skills Pg 3-5	Continents R&S pg 31-36 Rd Maps and Globes pg 1-11 Map Skills Pg 6-7	Continents R&S pg 37-40 Rd Maps and Globes pg 12-27 Map Skills Pg  8-11	Directions R&S pg 41-42 Rd Maps and Globes pg 28-42 Map Skills Pg 12-15
Riley Math Ruben	MUS Beta 1A Math Lessons for a Living Education 1-1	1B 1-2	1C 1-3	1D 1-4	1E 1-5
Science & Nature Study	Outdoor Secrets Lesson 12		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 13		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 14
Riley Writing & Copywork Ruben	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive
Riley All About Spelling Ruben	Step 1: First 26 Phonograms	Step 1	Step 1	Step 1
Riley Language Arts Ruben	LL for the VY Book A Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code
Art & Picture Study
Handicrafts & Life Skills					Nutrition
Music, Hymn & Composer Study
Riley Reading & Literature Ruben	Go, Dog. Go! A Triumph for Flavius  Ch 1-2	Go, Dog. Go! A Triumph for Flavius Ch 3-4	The Fire Cat A Triumph for Flavius Ch 5-6	The Fire Cat A Triumph for Flavius  Ch 7-8	The Fire Cat
Poetry		Bed in Summer		A Thought
Physical Education
Field Trips & Misc.

Books	Games
Rome Antics by David Macauley

Galloping the Globe

Monday              Locate continent/country on map          Read -          Color and label map			Monday          Review country          Vocabulary          Literature -
Tuesday          Children Just Like Me          Color flag          Missionary			Tuesday          Animals          Missionary          Worksheet
Wednesday          Read –          Geographic features          Map data box			Wednesday          Literature -          Activity          Bible verse
Thursday          Missionary          Animals          Worksheet			Thursday          Animals          Worksheet          Literature -
Friday          Read –          Bible verse/copywork			Friday          Animal report          Make a meal
Date 9/5-9	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
2 Bible	Vos Ch 5	Vos Ch 6	Vos Ch 7	Vos Ch 8
Character Study
History	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 40-44	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 45-49	Cleopatra Pg 1-24	Cleopatra Pg 25-48
Timeline		Julius Caesar		Cleopatra
Riley Geography Ruben	Oceans R&S pg 43-45 Look at NG Our World Atlas Evan Moor pg 1	Coloring Maps R&S pg 46-47 Introduce DK Children’s Atlas Map Skills Pg 16-19	Review R&S pg 48 Map Skills Pg 20-21	Rd How to Make and Apple Pie and See the World – see FIAR	Make an apple pie
Riley Math Ruben	MUS Beta 1f Living Math 2-1	Test 1 2-2	2a 2-3	2b 2-4	2c 2-5
Science & Nature Study	Outdoor Secrets Lesson 1		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 2		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 3
Riley Writing & Copywork Ruben	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive
Riley All About Spelling Ruben	Step 1	Step 1	Step 1	Step 1
Riley Language Arts Ruben	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code
Art & Picture Study
Handicrafts & Life Skills					Cooking: Learning to Peel
Music Hymn & Composer Study
Riley Reading & Literature Ruben	Big Ball of String The Beast of Lor Ch 1-2	Big Ball of String The Beast of Lor Ch 3-4	Big Ball of String The Beast of Lor Ch 5-6	Busy Times The Beast of Lor Ch 7-8	Busy Times The Beast of Lor Ch 9-10
Poetry		At the Seaside		Young Night
Physical Education
Field Trips & Misc.	Apple Orchard

Books	Games
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by: Kathryn Lasky

Galloping the Globe

Monday              Locate continent/country on map          Read -          Color and label map				Monday          Review country          Vocabulary          Literature -
Tuesday          Children Just Like Me          Color flag          Missionary				Tuesday          Animals          Missionary          Worksheet
Wednesday          Read –          Geographic features          Map data box				Wednesday          Literature -          Activity          Bible verse
Thursday          Missionary          Animals          Worksheet				Thursday          Animals          Worksheet          Literature -
Friday          Read –          Bible verse/copywork				Friday          Animal report          Make a meal
	Date 9/12-16	Monday	Tuesday		Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	3 Bible	Vos Ch 9	Vos Ch 10		Vos Ch 11	Vos Ch 12
	Character Study
	History	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 50	Caesar Augustus Pg 2-8		Caesar Augustus Pg 9-18	Caesar Augustus Pg 19-24
	Timeline
	Riley Geography Ruben	The Globe R&S pg 96-98 Map Skills Pg 22-23	Hemispheres R&S pg 100-102 Worksheets			Rivers & Lakes R&S pg 103-107 Rd Grandfather’s Journey – see FIAR
	Riley Math Ruben	MUS Beta 2f Living Math 3-1	Test 2 3-2		3a 3-3	3b 3-4	3c 3-5
	Science & Nature Study	Outdoor Secrets Lesson 4			Outdoor Secrets Lesson 5		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 15
	Riley Writing & Copywork Ruben	Pictures in Cursive Getty  Dubay	Pictures in Cursive		Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive
	Riley All About Spelling Ruben	Step 1			Step 1
	Riley Language Arts Ruben	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code		LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code
	Art & Picture Study
	Handicrafts & Life Skills						Cooking: Using the Toaster
	Music Hymn & Composer Study
	Riley Reading & Literature Ruben	Busy Times Facing the Lion: Growing up Maasai on the African Savanna Ch. 1	Busy Times Ch 2		Busy Times Ch 3	Busy Times Ch 4	Busy Times Ch 5
	Poetry		Autumn Fires			Rain
	Physical Education
	Field Trips & Misc.

Books	Games
Ancient Rome by: Peter Connolly

Galloping the Globe

Monday              Locate continent/country on map          Read -          Color and label map	Monday          Review country          Vocabulary          Literature -
Tuesday          Children Just Like Me          Color flag          Missionary	Tuesday          Animals          Missionary          Worksheet
Wednesday          Read –          Geographic features          Map data box	Wednesday          Literature -          Activity          Bible verse
Thursday          Missionary          Animals          Worksheet	Thursday          Animals          Worksheet          Literature -
Friday          Read –          Bible verse/copywork	Friday          Animal report          Make a meal

Date 9/19-23	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4 Bible	Vos Ch 13	Vos Ch 14	Vos Ch 15	Vos Ch 16
Character Study
History	Caesar Augustus Pg 25-30	Caesar Augustus Pg 31-36
Timeline			Augustus Caesar
Riley Geography Ruben		Vocabulary Literature Worksheets		Cities R&S pg 108-111 Rd Miss Rumphius – see FIAR	A True Book: North America by: David Peterson
Riley Math Ruben	MUS Beta 3d  Living Math 4-1	3e 4-2	3f 4-3	Test 3 4-4	4a 4-5
Science & Nature Study	Outdoor Secrets Lesson 16		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 17		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 18
Riley Writing & Copywork Ruben	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive
Riley All About Spelling Ruben	Step 1	Step 1	Step 1	Step 1	Step 1
Riley Language Arts Ruben	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code
Art & Picture Study
Handicrafts & Life Skills					Cooking: Cooking with Eggs
Music Hymn & Composer Study
Riley Reading & Literature Ruben	Busy Times  Ch 6	Busy Times  Ch 7	Busy Times Ch 8	Busy Times  Ch 9	Busy Times  Ch 10
Poetry		Pirate Story		Foreign Lands
Physical Education
Field Trips & Misc.

Books	Games
Henry Explores the Mountains by: Mark Taylor The Discovery of the Americas by: Betsy & Giulio Maestro Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie

Galloping the Globe

Monday              Locate continent/country on map          Read -          Color and label map	Monday          Review country          Vocabulary          Literature -
Tuesday          Children Just Like Me          Color flag          Missionary	Tuesday          Animals          Missionary          Worksheet
Wednesday          Read –          Geographic features          Map data box	Wednesday          Literature -          Activity          Bible verse
Thursday          Missionary          Animals          Worksheet	Thursday          Animals          Worksheet          Literature -
Friday          Read –          Bible verse/copywork	Friday          Animal report          Make a meal

Date 9/26-30	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
5 Bible	Vos Ch 17	Vos Ch 18	Vos Ch 19	Vos Ch 20
Character Study
History	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 51-53		Pompeii…Buried Alive! Ch 1	Pompeii…Buried Alive! Ch 2
Timeline		Nero
Riley Geography Ruben	North America Canada	R&S pg 8-12 Map Skills pg 28		R&S pg 13-17	R&S pg 18-20
Riley Math Ruben	MUS Beta 4b Living Math 5-1	4c 5-2	4d 5-3	4e 5-4	4f 5-5
Science & Nature Study	Outdoor Secrets Lesson 31		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 32		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 33
Riley Writing & Copywork Ruben	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive
Riley All About Spelling Ruben	Step 2	Step 2		Step 2
Riley Language Arts Ruben	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code
Art & Picture Study					Mary Cassatt
Handicrafts & Life Skills					Cooking: Using the Stove
Music Hymn & Composer Study
Riley Reading & Literature Ruben	Busy Times Ch 11 & Afterward	Busy Times	Busy Times	Busy Times	Busy Times
Poetry		Windy Nights		Travel
Physical Education
Field Trips & Misc.

Books	Games
Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists The Web at Dragonfly Pond by: Brian "Fox" Ellis

Galloping the Globe         Week 5 & 6

Monday              Locate continent/country on map          Read - Countries of the World:Canada by: M. Dahl          Color and label map	Monday          Review country - Count Your Way Through Canada          Vocabulary          Literature - A Regular Rolling Noah
Tuesday          Children Just Like Me pg. 23          Color flag          Missionary Stories w/Millers 185-194	Tuesday          Animals -The Snow Fox: A Tale of Canada          Missionary Stories pg. 195-202
Wednesday          Read – Cartier Hudson - Explorer          Geographic features - St. Lawrence River, Hudson Bay          Map data box	Wednesday          Literature - Flight of the Union          Activity - Make a Canada forest scene          Bible verse - Psalm 46:1
Thursday - Walk in the Boreal Forest                   Animals - Wildlife in Canada by: Lynn Stone          Worksheet	Thursday          Animals - Moose              Literature - The Fiddler of the Northern Lights
Friday                    Bible verse/copywork - Psalm 46:1	Friday          Animal report - Choose animal to report on          Make a meal - Maple Chicken, Wild Rice, Blueberry dessert

Date 10/3-7	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
6 Bible	Vos Ch 21	Vos Ch 22	Vos Ch 23	Vos Ch 24
Character Study
History	Pompeii…Buried Alive! Ch 3		A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 54-55	A Picture History of Ancient Rome Pg 56-59
Timeline		Mount Vesuvius		Constantine
Riley Geography Ruben	R&S pg 21-25	R&S pg 26-27		R&S pg 28-30
Riley Math Ruben	MUS Beta Test 4    Living Math 7-1	5a 7-2	5b 7-3	5c 7-4	5d 7-5
Science & Nature Study	Outdoor Secrets Lesson 43		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 44		Outdoor Secrets Lesson 9
Riley Writing & Copywork Ruben	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive Getty Dubay	Pictures in Cursive	Pictures in Cursive
Riley All About Spelling Ruben	Step 2	Step 3	Step 3	Step 3
Riley Language Arts Ruben	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code	LL for the VY Explode the Code
Art & Picture Study					Mary Cassatt
Handicrafts & Life Skills					Cooking: Learning about Salads
Music Hymn & Composer Study
Riley Reading & Literature Ruben	Busy Times	Busy Times	Busy Times	Busy Times	Busy Times
Poetry		Singing		Looking Forward
Physical Education
Field Trips & Misc.

Books	Games
Suzette & the Puppy by: Joan Sweeney

Galloping the Globe

Monday              Locate continent/country on map          Read -          Color and label map	Monday          Review country          Vocabulary          Literature -
Tuesday          Children Just Like Me          Color flag          Missionary	Tuesday          Animals          Missionary          Worksheet
Wednesday          Read –          Geographic features          Map data box	Wednesday          Literature -          Activity          Bible verse
Thursday          Missionary          Animals          Worksheet	Thursday          Animals          Worksheet          Literature -
Friday          Read –          Bible verse/copywork	Friday          Animal report          Make a meal

The "Character Study" is currently being worked in with Bible stories and Missionary Stories with the Millers that we are reading for Geography.


For Geography, we use Galloping the Globe as a primary resource, along with Beginning Geography: Continents and Oceans by Evan Moor, Map Skills for Today by Weekly Reader, and Rod & Staff Our Father's World: Grade 2 Social Studies.   We read many books and do Galloping the Globe activities.  Click here to see our Christmas Around the World study with Galloping the Globe. 


For "Physical Education" our kids run, walk, climb, play, ride bike, cut wood, throw hay bales, swim, etc.  We are a rural farm family that doesn't have satellite TV and video games.  Our kids are extremely active so I don't necessarily track hours at this age, though I'm sure it would be approx. 1/2 the day, some days more.  


Unfortunately, we haven't done much with "Music Hymn & Composer Study" so far this year.  But it is something I'd love to get into in the new year.  I'm very intrigued by Nadene's plan at Practical Pages.  


I'd love to hear any comments or questions you may have regarding our schedule!