Looking forward...

I have been spending the last week or so thinking over what I want to do with Emma in the next year to year and a half. Time to start evaluating what we have been doing and what is and is not working as I would like. Also time to start planning for first grade.

In first grade, the amount of hours we need to log jumps from 2 to 4 each day. Not too worried about that since we are already way ahead this year (she is about 16 hours short of having her hours for the year). I do want to start building her sit down time some with more regular history and science. So far, and I wanted to keep it light this year, we have been doing what she is interested in. Now, I am looking at a history curriculum as well as a plan for science. The science we will follow from a suggestion and fill in as she is interested. The difference will be we will keep moving forward in the science subjects but stop and research deeper when she wants to.

History I am really excited about. So excited that I messed up when I ordered everything tonight. I was trying to order a PDF version of the activity guide and instead ordered the actual text. Not too big of an issue, it was actually more to order as a PDF (Amazon has the actual text cheaper) but I think now I can just print chapter by chapter. I went back and ordered/downloaded the activity guide as well. One plus, I guess, is that we can get going as soon as I can get some books from the library.

We are going to be using Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times. I am not sure what pace we will go at yet. I think they suggest a chapter a week but there seems to be so many suggestions for addition history readings and fun activities, we might take it slower. However, I will not know until we get started.

Science we are going to focus on Life Science (Animals, Human Beings, and Plants). They suggests a 20 week study for Animals, 10 week study for Human Beings and 6 weeks study for Plants. Not sure how we will do this. Due to the fact we will probably school year round, we will go into as much depth on these topics as we want and them move on. She is really intersted in the human body right now, so I can see us taking more than 10 weeks on that. We will start with plants in the near future since it is almost spring! There is not a better time to be studying plants!

I have also been looking into fleshing out her language arts. I have ordered First Language Lessons (FLL) and Writing With Ease (WWE) for either the fall or a year from now. The writers of FLL strongly suggest that the student be at a particular place (or past) with regards in learning to read and Emma is just not there yet. We are slowing chugging away at that though and will get there!

For math, I plan on continuing with Singapore Math. She is currently in 1A and we will move through at her pace. We are moving slow to make sure she has her facts down and understands the current concept.

For art, we will continue with art classes as long as Emma is intersted. The next class starts in 2 weeks is "INTRO TO SCULPTURE for HOMESCHOOLERS -Introduction to sculpture with clay, paper mache and polymer clay." Emma was really excited when Pam (her teacher) told her that they would be working with polymer clay!

For music we will continue with violin as long as Emma continues to practice without much fight. This is one thing I am hoping she continues with just for the experience in learning to play.

Also for music/art, I want to introduce different composers/artists. I am leaning toward 1 of each a month and just studying the music and art of each and their history. I am looking at a program that will introduce an artist and their history. It talks about what style of art they did and then a mini art lesson on teaching the student how to replicate that style.

For PE, Emma has decided at this time not to play hockey. We will continue skating a couple times a month, possibly meeting up for a lesson 1x a month to work on skating skills. We will continue with swimming lessons and other team sports. She has shown an interest in tee-ball and I am talking with her about soccer. Once the weather warms, we will be back on hikes, walks and bike rides.

I also want to do more with community service this next year to year and a half. A good part of that has been picking up trash which has been near to impossible with the amount of snow we have had on the ground. I would also like to start visiting a nursing home with her at least 1x per month.