The boxes have arrived and we’re all ready for the start of another homeschool year here at Elm Tree Academy!
Big J is in first grade this year {and proud to tell everyone that he does school at home!} and Little J will be doing preschool at home for the first time. You should have seen the look on Little J’s face when his math book showed up – he is SO excited!
And I am excited to be starting our second year with a little clearer picture of what we want our homeschool experience to look like and a better idea of how we best function in this setting together!
I am using the Weekly Homeschool Planner from Homeschool Creations to plan the year. I can do it all on the computer AND use it year after year, just saving the editable PDF under a new name each time! You can read my review of it from last year for more info!
When I wrote out this list of what we will be using, it looked really long, but we won’t be using every book every day. We prayed about and researched what to do this year and here is what we came up with! And as the year goes, this list may change as we do what is best for each boy and their education!
Our choices for 2012-2013…
{* indicates a new curriculum series or company for us this year!}
Summer School:
*Olympics 2012 Unit Study {July 16-August 10}
Reading & Phonics:
The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading
Grammar/Writing:
*First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 1
*The Complete Writer: Level 1 Workbook for Writing with Ease
Handwriting:
A Reason for Handwriting: Level K {Little J}, Level B {Big J}
Spelling:
A Reason for Spelling: Level B {Big J}
Math:
Math-U-See Primer {Little J}
Math-U-See Beta {Big J}
Science:
Apologia’s Zoology I with Jr. Notebook
*Zoo Guide: A Bible-Based Handbook to the Zoo
The Complete Aquarium Adventure
*Museum Guide: A Bible-Based Handbook to Natural History Museums
Social Studies:
*Apologia’s Around the World in 180 Days
*Hands On Geography {Bright Ideas Press}
Bible:
Our 24 Family Ways (2010)
A Is for Adam: The Gospel from Genesis
Character:
For Instruction in Righteousness, 3rd Edition
Health:
*How to Teach Nutrition to Kids
*Nutrition Fun with Brocc & Roll: A hands-on activity guide
Physical Fitness:
Music:
Art:
*Artistic Pursuits
For Mom:
Educating The WholeHearted Child
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families
Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys
Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching and Appreciating Boys
Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids
*****
Whew! I think that is it, but like I said before, I will update this list as the year goes on!
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I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
I am curious to see what you think about A Reason for Spelling! We are using their level K handwriting this year. Right now, it’s tied for my number one choices for science and spelling. =)
We used A Reason for Spelling last year and both Big J and I loved it! It worked really well with the handwriting because the lessons line up! And there are lots of ideas for activities to go along with each week’s words! I started Little J on K handwriting already and he loves it too!
I love you added a for moms section — beautiful !! Mama needs to be filled up if she wants to be strong to homeschool!
Great choices!! I’ve never heard of Apologia’s Around the World in 180 Days. I’ll have to look that up. Thanks for sharing!!
It really is a neat format, especially for kids who like to look things up all the time like my oldest! He is a curious one, so it should be fun!
Great books on your mom list! Have a great year!
Thanks so much Mary! Now I just need to find more time to read!
If you are interested in connecting with other Apologia users, check out the Apologia Blog Roll that I host here:
http://myjoy-filledlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/apologia-blog-role-2012-2013.html
Blessings!
Looks like you guys are in for a good year. I see you have Educating the Whole Hearted Child on your list from Sally Clarkson. That book is a jewel I pull it out every year.