2016-2017 Year 6 and 7 End Wrap-Up....

I finished my Homeschool Audit yesterday. It's a good feeling to wrap things up. Since our 2016-2017 academic year has been finished for about a month, I've had time to reflect. Back in August 2016, I posted our original Year 6 and Year 7 plans. Today, I plan to share what worked and what didn't.

Year 6

Ruben used Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ this year, but part way in, I started making modifications and swapping out books. There was much busy work that I cut. You can find Ruben's original plan here.

Bible - The DK Illustrated Family Bible (HOD) - Ruben read this independently and enjoyed it. I will continue to have him do some type of bible reading on his own. - hit 

Citizenship - I'm still thinking about Plutarch and will most likely add something later in the year.

History and Literature -
The Story of the Ancient World by Christine Miller (HOD) - read aloud; provided a great spine; short readings; Ruben was on the fence, but in the end decided against it - miss
Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick (HOD, AO 6) - read aloud; skipping some parts; miss
What in the World? Vol. 1: Ancient Civilizations and the Bible by Diana Waring (HOD) - Ruben listened to audio independently and enjoyed; I will most likely continue with the next vol. next year; hit
Draw and Write Through History: Greece and Rome by Carylee Gressman (HOD) - used as a resource for illustrating notebook pages; hit
Dinosaurs of Eden by Ken Ham (HOD) - read aloud; miss
The Golden Bull by Marjorie Cowley (HOD) - read aloud; hit
Boy of the Pyramids, A Mystery of Ancient Egypt by Ruth Fosdick Jones (HOD, SCM) - read aloud for the second time; hit
Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson (HOD, Sonlight) - read aloud; hit
Jashub's Journal: An Old Testament Law Story by Simply Charlotte Mason (HOD, SCM) - read aloud; hit
Within the Palace Gates by Anna Pierpoint Siviter (HOD)
Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Greece by James Baikie (HOD)
God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson (HOD) 

Life in Ancient Greece by John Green (coloring book) - Ruben enjoyed coloring while I read aloud; hit

D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths - read aloud; hit

The Golden Days of Greece by Olivia Coolidge (Truthquest History) - read aloud; hit
The Trojan War by Olivia Coolidge (Sonlight, Memoria Press) - read aloud; hit

Alexander the Great by John Gunther (HOD) - read aloud; hit
Cleopatra by Diane Stanley (HOD) - read aloud; hit
Famous Men of Rome by John H. Haaren & A.B. Poland (HOD, SCM) - only read minimal sections; hit
City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction by David Macaulay (HOD, Beautiful Feet) - read aloud; Ruben really enjoyed this book! hit
Traveling the Way by Drusilla McGowen (HOD)
Twice Freed by Patricia St. John (HOD, My Father's World)

Augustus Caesar's World by Genevieve Foster (Ambleside Online, Beautiful Feet) - read aloud; Ruben didn't enjoy, but I did; I think the readings were too long for him; if I had it to do over, I would schedule shorter readings; miss/hit

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (Beautiful Feet; Sonlight) - read aloud; excellent!; hit

Book of Centuries - I plan to have Ruben begin a BOC this year

Geography - A Child's Geography II - Explore the Holy Land by Ann Voskamp and Tonia Peckover (HOD) - we started this, but ended up dropping because we had too many other books going, but I think it's a worthy book and we pick it up again some other time. - miss

Math - I plan to use the Math on the Level approach with Ruben this year. MOTL will allow me to teach math concepts in an order appropriate for Ruben's readiness rather than a contrived scope and sequence. The program's "Concept Chart" helps me keep track of the concepts he's mastered as well as the concepts I have left to teach. The program is very flexible and offers enough math instruction for pre-k through pre-algebra. - We did misc. maths, focusing on concepts using a variety of resources; Ruben didn't enjoy it. He made progress, but not as much as hoped. I will attempt to find some type of scheduled program for him for math in the fall - miss

Science - I did an in depth science review last week here.

Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day (HOD)
Birds of the Air by Arabella Buckley (HOD, AO)
Plant Life in Field and Garden by Arabella Buckley (HOD, AO)
Exploring the History of Medicine by John Hudson Tiner (HOD, Sonlight)
Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick (HOD, Beautiful Feet)
An Illustrated Adventure in Human Anatomy by Kate Sweeney (HOD)

Literature - Much of Ruben's literature is a part of his history study this year. I'm still working out which books he'll read on his own and which will be read alouds for me. I'm also in the process of planning another book club for Riley and Ruben this year, which will add to their literature. I will post more about that in the future as it comes to fruition. Book Club -

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - hit
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - hit
Oliver Twist by CharlesDickens - hit
The Call of the Wild by Jack London - hit

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare - miss

Poetry - Ruben will study the poems of Robert Frost this year through HOD. - Frost study was good, but, I wish we would have spent a term on Frost. Then studied two other poets in addition; miss

Composition - Ruben will continue oral narration and begin written narration this year. I also bought Writing & Rhetoric by Classical Academic Press to aid us in this transition. - miss - W&R was a bust. We ended up switching to IEW Student Intensive B. Ruben much preferred this. - hit

Grammar - I plan to use a combination of Winston Grammar and Harvey's Grammar, which are both new programs for me as far as teaching. - WG worked wonderfully! We will continue with it. - hit

Latin - I'm debating on Latin. I have English from the Roots Up and may use it in the beginning or I may have Ruben follow along with Riley in Latin for Children (Classical Academic Press). I hope to tie grammar and Latin together to make it more practical as Ruben is a no nonsense kind of guy. I love the way Henle Latin does this, but I'm a little intimidated since I've never studied Latin personally. This will be a learning experience for both of us.

Spelling - I'm going to have Ruben try IEW Phonetic Zoo along with Riley. I'll also pull from How to Teach Spelling, which was a program his tutor referenced at the Children's Dyslexia Center.

Shakespeare - I'm hoping to lead a group of 6th through 8th graders in the study of Julius Caesar toward spring. Shakespeare will be a new adventure for me and Ruben as well. - see book club above

Art - Ruben will participate in our local homeschool art class. - hit

Music - Ruben will participate in our local homeschool choir. - hit

Overall, it was a good year! Ruben gained independence by use of the daily notebook check box system, which I will continue in some shape next year. We were not fans of Heart of Dakota and I will most likely not use it again. Math is a definite area of concern that we need to focus on in the future. 

Year 7

Riley worked independently this year for the most part. It was her request. She did well with what was assigned, but I failed to assign a couple of things. I missed her greatly in our discussions. This fall, I aim to find a few subjects that we can all do together, going back to the circle/morning time approach. Her original plan is here. 

Bible - Ambleside Online Year 6 Old Testament of "Through the Bible" plan. Since we read New Testament and church history last year, I'm only going to assign her the Old Testament portion this year. The plan is laid out as follows:

Term 1: Genesis; Psalm 1-20; Proverbs 1-6
Term 2: Job and Exodus 1-24; Psalm 21-37; Proverbs 7-11
Term 3: Exodus 25-40 and Leviticus; Psalm 38-55; Proverbs 12-16

In addition, Riley will copy the Psalms as she reads them into Do You Journible? Psalms 1-72, The 17:18 Series. I actually bought this for myself, but after seeing it, decided it would work well for Riley. I will be ordering another copy for myself so I can copy the book of Psalms along with her. - Riley enjoyed her bible study - hit

Missionary Study

Jungle Pilot: The Life and Witness of Nate Saint by Russell T. Hitt - She said, just OK - miss
God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew - She said, just OK - miss
Teresa of Calcutta by D. Jeanene Watson - hit

Citizenship - I'm still thinking about Plutarch and will most likely add something later in the year.

History - Beautiful Feet Ancient History; - Riley loves BF and we will continue with their Medieval study in the fall - hit

in addition, Riley will read the following books as part of her history study:

Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick (AO 6) - content was OK, activities were a drag - miss
Adam and His Kin by Ruth Beechick - hit
The Story of the Greeks by H.A. Guerber (AO 6) - hit
The Story of the Romans by H.A. Guerber (AO 6) - hit
The Boys' and Girls' Herodotus by John S. White - dry and confusing - miss

Book of Centuries - Riley will begin keeping a BOC this year. - used as a timeline because my directions weren't clear - miss

Geography - Riley will be mapping the world this year based on a the Classical Conversations Challenge A Debate model. We saw it put into play last spring when we observed a CC Challenge A class. She and I were both very intrigued by it. You can find a full review here.  - hit

Math - Lial's Basic College Mathematics, We are trying something totally different this year for math. I began hearing rave reviews of Lial's math years ago on the Living Math Yahoo Group. This spring, I happened across a copy at a used book sale. After a bit of online networking, I found out about My Homeschool Math Class, where Mrs. Perkins teaches online classes using Lial's. Riley is signed up for the online math class. This will be our first experience with online courses. I'm looking forward to trying something new. - Overall, this ended well and we will most likely continue with an online Pre-Algebra class in the fall. You can read a review here.  - hit

Science - Apologia's Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology and Exploring the History of Medicine by John Hudson Tiner   I did an in depth science review here.

Natural Science - Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie - hit; Secrets of the Woods - hit and School of the Woods - hit both by William J. Long (AO 3 & 6)

Nature Study - Riley will venture out on a weekly nature study. A while back I bought Journaling a Year in Nature from Simply Charlotte Mason to guide her in her study. I have been on again off again with nature study, but Riley has been fairly consistent. I'm interested to see what she does with this journal. See science overview. 

Literature - I'm in the process of planning another book club for Riley and Ruben this year and will post more about that in the future as it comes to fruition. The following literature will be assigned to Riley by term. In addition, she has a "Free Reading" list to choose from, which is a conglomeration of AO Free Reads from various years. - Book Club 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - hit
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery - hit
Oliver Twist by CharlesDickens - hit
The Call of the Wild by Jack London - hit

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare - miss

The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum (Sonlight) - excellent! - definite hit
Black Ships Before Troy and The Wanderings of Odysseus by Rosemary Sutcliff - she said, just OK - hit
The Ides of April by Mary Ray (Sonlight) - confusing and hard to comprehend - miss

Poetry and Fairy Tales

Gilgamesh by David Ferry - miss
The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang - not into fairy tales, just OK - miss

Composition - Riley will continue with oral and written narration. I also purchased The Lost Tools of Writing from the CiRCE Institute, but am trying to figure out whether or not to incorporate it this year. I'm going to see how it goes, I just may wait until next year. - hit

Grammar - Jensen's Grammar by Frode Jensen (AO 7) - miss - This program didn't work for Riley so we ended up scrapping it after a few weeks. She then switched to Easy Grammar Ultimate Series which she liked. 

Latin - Latin for Children (Classical Academic Press)

Spelling - We are going to try IEW Phonetic Zoo this year for spelling. Riley and I both love All About Spelling, however, if something was going to fall by the wayside, it was this. At the end of last year, Riley asked if there was a spelling program she could work through independently...I guess she was sick of waiting on me :( After a bit of research, I found IEW's program and we've decided to give it a try. We always have AAS to fall back on. - hit

Shakespeare - I'm hoping to lead a group in the study of Julius Caesar toward spring. Shakespeare will be a new adventure for me. Although Riley is familiar since reading Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare a couple of years ago. - see book club above

Logic/Rhetoric - Riley's been working through Building Thinking Skills for the past couple of years and will finish it up this year. She will also be reading It Couldn't Just Happen by Lawrence O. Richards, which is a Sonlight, Ambleside Online, and Classical Conversations recommendation, in addition to The Fallacy Detective by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn (AO 7).  - Riley finished Building Thinking Skills. We have both decided that it was busy work and time wasted. I will not use it again in the future. Riley really liked both of the other books and prefers to study logic and rhetoric through reading and not a workbook - hit

Handicrafts - Riley is interested in learning to crochet. Since I have Handicrafts Made Simple by Simply Charlotte Mason, she will most likely use it to learn. I'm also thinking about having her chose a couple projects from Nature Smart by Gwen Diehn. Riley enjoys the outdoors and is very crafty so I think this will be a good fit for her. - I failed to schedule this so it didn't get done. 

Art - Riley will participate in our local homeschool art class. - hit

Music - Riley will participate in our local homeschool choir. -  hit

Overall, Riley showed growth as well, particularly in math. As mentioned, I greatly missed her in our discussions and will somehow find a way for her to remain independent for most subjects, but join us for some. Some areas that lacked were because I didn't give clear direction or "put it on her schedule" and I didn't follow up. Even though both Riley and Ruben are gaining greater independence, it still behooves us all if I follow through. At a minimum, we will need to have some sort of weekly meeting next year.  

How was your year? Have you done an audit? I'd love to hear about it in the comments section...

2016-2017 Year in Review - Science and Nature...

Today, I'm going to review Riley and Ruben's 2016-2017 science studies as part of my year end reflection. Looking back helps me in planning how to proceed forward. I'll start with Ruben's study, including a book list and sample notebook pages. Then move to Riley's study, also including her book list and sample notebooking pages. In addition, I'll make note of whether each book was a hit or miss.

For Year 6, Ruben used the following science books as part of Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ:

Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day (HOD) - Ruben did OK with this book as long as I read it aloud. He did not enjoy reading it independently. I did not enjoy the textbook feel of it. HOD suggested a variety of activities while reading, including, weekly copywork, narration, questions, and experiments. Ruben did not like most of these activities. Exploring Creation with Zoology 3 was a miss.

Birds of the Air by Arabella Buckley (HOD, AO) and Plant Life in Field and Garden by Arabella Buckley (HOD, AO) - I read Birds of the Air aloud and Ruben read Plant Life independently. He did well with both of them. He created some fabulous notebook drawings while reading these books. One draw back of the Buckley books for us was that many of the plants and birds were native to Europe and not to our region here in the U.S. Overall, the Buckley books were a hit. 

Exploring the History of Medicine by John Hudson Tiner (HOD, Sonlight) - I started reading this book aloud to Ruben, but eventually he took it over on his own. The readings were short and fairly interesting. We answered the questions orally after each reading so there was no written work with this book. Exploring the History of Medicine was a hit. 

Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick (HOD, Beautiful Feet) - Ruben read Galen on his own and thoroughly enjoyed it. He produced excellent oral narrations after each reading and did a couple of notebooking pages as HOD suggested assignments. Galen and the Gateway to Medicine was a definite hit! 

An Illustrated Adventure in Human Anatomy by Kate Sweeney (HOD) - Neither Ruben, nor I thought much of this book. The short snippets of information and busy pages were not appealing. It was overstimulating and a bit overwhelming, as you didn't know in what order to read since the words were scattered around the page. At my request, Ruben did create a wonderful diagram of the heart. He also drew and labeled the skeletal system. An Illustrated Adventure in Human Anatomy was a miss.

As noted above, some of the books overlapped with other programs, such as Ambleside Online, Sonlight, and Beautiful Feet. Interestingly, the books that were used in various curricular were the books we liked best. Overall, it was a good science year for Ruben. I saw growth. His study mostly entailed biology or topics relating to living things. Below are samples of his notebooking pages...

 

For Year 7, Riley used a variety of books suggested from Ambleside Online, as well as a human anatomy book of her choice and a couple of nature books of my choice. She studied these books independently. Her list with hits and misses is as follows...

Science

Apologia's Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (Riley's choice) - There are 14 modules/chapters in this Apologia book. Riley used it twice a week, reading for two days one week and then notebooking on that reading for two days the following week. Hence, completing one module/chapter every two weeks. I used the schedule in the Apologia Anatomy Notebooking Journal. However, she did not complete the journal, but rather created her own notebook pages as I assigned, which turned out very well. Riley enjoyed this Apologia text. It was a hit.

Exploring the History of Medicine by John Hudson Tiner - This book was in my original plan, but somehow Riley inadvertently missed it on the schedule and therefore, she did not complete Exploring the History of Medicine. 

Natural Science 

Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie - Riley read a chapter a week from this book over Term 1 (12 weeks). I was hoping she would use it to help develop her nature journal, but I didn't give clear direction, so it didn't go as planned. Riley loved the drawings in Leslie's Journal, but the content didn't carry over as application because I didn't follow through on my expectation. Despite this, it was a hit. 

Secrets of the Woods and School of the Woods by William J. Long (AO 3 & 6) - Again, Riley simply read these books independently. She called them both a hit.

Nature Study 

Journaling a Year in Nature from Simply Charlotte Mason - Riley was supposed to venture out on a weekly nature study, journaling in this book through the process. However, she chose to write weekly entries regarding the weather in an old nature journal while looking out the window. She doesn't like cold weather and I didn't follow up. My resident box checker did not read my mind in order to understand the expectation. ;-p

Overall, Riley enjoyed all the books she read. She did notebook through her anatomy study, of which I will include samples below. In reviewing her books, I see that Riley also focused on biology and living organisms this year. 

In the upcoming school year, I aim to assign a wider variety of books from various branches of science. I also need to be more clear on my expectations and follow up regularly to see that those expectations are being met. 

2016-2017 Mid-Year Reflections - Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ...

We are half way through our 2016-2017 academic year so I thought I'd give an update on Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ, which I am using with Ruben.  I really liked the way the year started out.  However, after eighteen weeks, we are getting bogged down.  So far for history, geography, and bible, we've read...

The Story of the Ancient World - I read aloud (finished)
The DK Illustrated Family Bible - Ruben is reading this independently
Genesis - Finding Our Roots - I am reading aloud, but we are starting to skip sections as spending a whole year on this book is way too long
A Child's Geography Vol II.  - I read aloud and was really enjoying, but Ruben was getting very overwhelmed so I decided to set this book aside after finishing the first country. We may return to it down the road.
What in the World? Vol. 1 Ancient Civilizations and the Bible - Ruben is listening to this independently and narrating upon completion after each lesson.
Dinosaurs by Design - I read aloud (finished)
The Golden Bull  - I read aloud (finished)
Boy of the Pyramids - I read aloud (finished)
Hittite Warrior - I read aloud (finished)
Jashub's Journal - I read aloud (finished)
God King - I read aloud (we read half so sporadically that we lost track of what was happening and decided to quit)
Within the Palace Gates - Ruben started, but didn't finish at my approval

Last week, we starting moving on to studying Greece.  However, after looking at the HOD book list, I decided to make some changes. Rather than buy more books, I opted to use books we already own. Also, we have previously read a couple of the books used in the HOD study so we will not be re-reading them.  Over the next six weeks, I will read aloud...

D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths - Sonlight and Beautiful Feet recommendation
The Golden Days of Greece by Olivia Coolidge - Truthquest History recommendation
The Trojan War by Olivia Coolidge - Sonlight Recommendation
Alexander the Great - Landmark by John Gunther - HOD Extension Package
Cleopatra by Diane Stanley - HOD History Interest Package

We are almost two weeks in to the first three books and it's going well.  In addition, Ruben is coloring Life in Ancient Greece by John Green while I read. He narrates orally after each reading and I've added some map work as well.

Regarding science, we are continuing on with HOD's science recommendations.  So far, we've completed Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 1 and Birds of the Air by Arabella B. Buckley.  Ruben and I both enjoyed the Buckley book over the Apologia book.  We are just beginning to read Plant Life in Field and Garden, which is also by Buckley.

Overall, it's been a good year thus far.  Ruben is gaining independence in his studies, which was the goal.  I'm not sure at this point whether or not we will continue with Heart of Dakota next year.  Again, I like the look of some of the books in the next level, Resurrection to Reformation, but I might just patch together my own thing.  I'm also going to take a serious look at Beautiful Feet's Medieval Intermediate pack and may put Riley and Ruben back together for history. I'll let you know when the time draws closer.

The Habit of Orderliness, Helping Students Stay Organized....

In an effort to help my kiddos stay organized, for the past few years, I've created student planners.  You may remember from Planning Your Homeschool Year that I am primarily a paper/pencil planner. I've tried digital planning unsuccessfully...mostly because our computer crashed that year.  I've since created my master plans in Word, but print hard copies to work off of throughout the year.  

RileyAnn has always been fascinated by my lesson plans. Back in 4th grade, she wanted a system to keep track of her own assignments.  She's very motivated and has been striving for independence in her academics for some time.  You may also remember the paper/pencil Term Checklists I posted back then.  Riley is my lover of box checking so she loves the checklist system.  

The habit of regularity is as attractive to older children as to the infant.  The days when the usual programme falls through are, we know, the days when the children are apt to be naughty.  Charlotte Mason, Vol. 1 p. 132

This year, I thought about doing away with the checklists because I wanted to try a new system as I felt Riley was ready for the entire lesson plan.  However, Riley begged for them and we compromised.  I gave her the desired check boxes as well as the lesson plans.  It was a win, win all the way around.  

Below you will see Riley's Term 1 Daily Checklists.  This year, I've scheduled all subjects in a four day week, leaving the fifth day open.  In the past, I've scheduled a lighter fifth day, but never left it completely open.  I wasn't sure it would work and was open to the idea of carry over if four days got to be too much.  However so far, it's been wonderful!  

This week we do start choir, which requires travel time and usually errands when we head to the city.  It's also typically a day to have lunch, shop, or play at the park with friends.  The kids now have the option to complete their school work on that day after arriving home or saving it for the fifth open day.  My goal was to create more time for leisure and contemplation.  Over the past couple of weeks on their fifth free day, the kids have done such things as helping me work our thrift sale, an art tour, baking, building, free reading, spending time out of doors, etc.  So far, it certainly hasn't been a wasted day.  Each of them now has built in time to cultivate other interests and hobbies.  

Following the Term Checklist is Riley's At-A-Glance Term Lesson Plan Chart.  I've modeled this after the Ambleside Online Printable Charts.  When it says Jungle Pilot on Day 1 of her Checklist, Riley can go to the Term Lesson Plan and see that she's supposed to read Ch 1-2 that day.  When it says Natural History on Day 4, she can cross reference to see that she is to read Ch 1 of Keeping a Nature Journal.  These two types of charts have not changed over the past couple of years.  Riley liked this system so we will continue.  I've decided if it's not broke, don't fix it!

The change I did make to Riley's student planner this year was due to her request for more independence.  I actually handed over the entire lesson plan to her.  For example, I made a copy of the AO Year 6 Old Testament Bible reading plan, the Beautiful Feet Ancient History pages with the lessons on them, a plan for mapping her geography, science lesson plan, and a sample of what her rhetoric assignment should look like in her notebook.  I then used my ProClick Binder to bind it all in one as you can see below.  You may want to check out Riley's 2016-2017, Homeschool Plan for 7th Grade for a better understanding of her schedule and assignments.  

Next there's Ruben, who hated the checklist system and was confused by all the boxes.  As an alternative, last year I created a table with a list of daily expectations.  I then printed it and placed it in a sheet protector which he added to his 3-ring binder.  Rather than ask me what he needed to do each day, he simply took out his list and was able to see for himself.  It looked like this....

Ruben Daily Schedule Year 5 2015-2016

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Bible	Bible	Bible	Bible	Nature Study
Math	Math	Math	Math	Logic/Games
Church History	Geography	Church History	Daniel Boone	Free Reading
BF History	BF Science	BF History	BF Science	BF History
Poetry	Oliver Twist	Poetry	Poetry	Scrub Floor
STOW 4	ULW	Incredible Journey	ULW
			Art
Cursive	Cursive	Cursive	Cursive
Read to Levi	Read to Levi	Read to Levi	Read to Levi

Ruben liked this daily expectation chart, but because it was simply a printed table, it wasn't fluid to changing assignments.  It didn't allow me a written way to assign page numbers or chapters to be read.  This year I really wanted something with more detail to promote independence for him. Yet, it needed to be simple, straight forward, one page, with little on the page.  Last year, I also tried giving Ruben a Term Lesson Plan like Riley's shown above, but it was confusing for him.  I knew the checklists didn't work and I knew he would be overwhelmed by the entire lesson plan.  

Then I remembered reading How I'm Using Spiral Notebooks to Simplify Homeschooling by Sarah Mackenzie and wondered if a spiral notebook system would work for Ruben.  About the second day of school, I decided to try it.  I picked a plain old 19-cent spiral bound notebook...in his favorite color, of course. 

Because we chose Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ this year for Ruben, there was not a lot of lesson planning involved on my part.  Each day has a two-page spread in the teacher's manual showing that day's lessons. 

However, because I subbed out some books and chose our own language arts and math, the plan doesn't list those items.  This is where Ruben's student notebook comes in.  Every evening, I look over the next day's HOD plan.  From there, I make a total list of assignments in Ruben's spiral notebook.  Again, looking at Ruben's 2016-2017 Homeschool Plan for 6th Grade will give you a better understanding of his assignment schedule. 

In the morning, Ruben can work through the list and know what's expected of him. As Charlotte Mason said, children desire regularity. They thrive when adhering to a schedule or routine.  Ruben loves knowing what he has to do before starting his day and now that we're in our third week of school, I like that he can check his list each morning, pick out some independent assignments and begin working.  

There are a few books that he still prefers me to read aloud to him, but I do see him slowly gaining confidence, which is creating more independence in his studies.  For example, this morning I left the "school room" to put a beef roast in the crock pot for supper.  Upon my return, Ruben was lying on the couch reading his science text.  It was a beautiful sight! 

Overall, our new student planners are working great!  Riley and Ruben are both happy, as am I.  The new system is helping each of them to stay organized. We have found a routine and are building the habit of orderliness. 

Let all things be done decently and in order. - 1 Corinthians 14:40

Do you use student planners?  I'd love to hear about what works for your family.  Feel free to leave a comment below.

2016-2017 Homeschool Plan, 6th Grade...

Since this is my third go around with 6th grade, one might think it would be easy, no decisions necessary, just follow what you've already done.  Ha, let me tell you, there is no one size fits all.  Not to mention, I'd be bored doing the same thing....yes, I create my own crazy ;-)

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm trying something totally new with Ruben this year.  He is going to use Heart of Dakota Creation to Christ, among other things. I will be modifying the program to meet our needs.   The following is Ruben's Year 6 complete plan...

Bible - The DK Illustrated Family Bible (HOD); Throughout the HOD plan, Ruben will also be studying the Book of Ruth, Jonah, and Esther directly from the bible.

Citizenship - I'm still thinking about Plutarch and will most likely add something later in the year.

History and Literature - I did omit a few of the HOD selections because we already read them or I plan to substitute something that we already own on our shelf.  I will play it by ear when the time comes as far as substituting and/or adding, but for now, the following are Ruben's intended history and lit picks...

The Story of the Ancient World by Christine Miller (HOD)
Genesis: Finding Our Roots by Ruth Beechick (HOD, AO 6)
What in the World? Vol. 1: Ancient Civilizations and the Bible by Diana Waring (HOD)
Draw and Write Through  History: Greece and Rome by Carylee Gressman (HOD)
Dinosaurs of Eden by Ken Ham (HOD)
The Golden Bull by Marjorie Cowley (HOD)
Boy of the Pyramids, A Mystery of Ancient Egypt by Ruth Fosdick Jones (HOD, SCM)
Hittite Warrior by Joanne Williamson (HOD, Sonlight)
Jashub's Journal: An Old Testament Law Story by Simply Charlotte Mason (HOD, SCM)
Within the Palace Gates by Anna Pierpoint Siviter (HOD)
Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Greece by James Baikie (HOD)
God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson (HOD)
Alexander the Great by John Gunther (HOD)

Cleopatra by Diane Stanley (HOD)

Famous Men of Rome by John H. Haaren & A.B. Poland (HOD, SCM)

City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction by David Macaulay (HOD, Beautiful Feet)

Traveling the Way by Drusilla McGowen (HOD)

Twice Freed by Patricia St. John (HOD, My Father's World)

Book of Centuries - I plan to have Ruben begin a BOC this year. 

Geography - A Child's Geography II - Explore the Holy Land by Ann Voskamp and Tonia Peckover (HOD)

Math - I plan to use the Math on the Level approach with Ruben this year.  MOTL will allow me to teach math concepts in an order appropriate for Ruben's readiness rather than a contrived scope and sequence.   The program's "Concept Chart" helps me keep track of the concepts he's mastered as well as the concepts I have left to teach.  The program is very flexible and offers enough math instruction for pre-k through pre-algebra.

Science 

Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day (HOD)
Birds of the Air by Arabella Buckley (HOD, AO)
Plant Life in Field and Garden by Arabella Buckley (HOD, AO)
Exploring the History of Medicine by John Hudson Tiner (HOD, Sonlight)
Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick (HOD, Beautiful Feet)
An Illustrated Adventure in Human Anatomy by Kate Sweeney (HOD)

Literature - Much of Ruben's literature is a part of his history study this year.  I'm still working out which books he'll read on his own and which will be read alouds for me.  I'm also in the process of planning another book club for Riley and Ruben this year, which will add to their literature.  I will post more about that in the future as it comes to fruition. 

Poetry - Ruben will study the poems of Robert Frost this year through HOD. 

Composition - Ruben will continue oral narration and begin written narration this year.  I also bought Writing & Rhetoric by Classical Academic Press to aid us in this transition.

Grammar - I plan to use a combination of Winston Grammar and Harvey's Grammar, which are both new programs for me as far as teaching.

Latin - I'm debating on Latin. I have English from the Roots Up and may use it in the beginning or I may have Ruben follow along with Riley in Latin for Children (Classical Academic Press). I hope to tie grammar and Latin together to make it more practical as Ruben is a no nonsense kind of guy.  I love the way Henle Latin does this, but I'm a little intimidated since I've never studied Latin personally.  This will be a learning experience for both of us.

Spelling - I'm going to have Ruben try IEW Phonetic Zoo along with Riley.  I'll also pull from How to Teach Spelling, which was a program his tutor referenced at the Children's Dyslexia Center.

Shakespeare - I'm hoping to lead a group of 6th through 8th graders in the study of Julius Caesar toward spring. Shakespeare will be a new adventure for me and Ruben as well.

Art - Ruben will participate in our local homeschool art class.

Music - Ruben will participate in our local homeschool choir.

I'm really looking forward to Ruben's academics this year.  Since learning to read, he has blossomed in his thinking.  I'm hopeful for a positive year of transition to help him gain more independence.  As mentioned above, I'll be modifying his curricula to meet his learning style.  I'm excited about the mix of great books, audio material, and hands on drawing opportunities that HOD has to offer.