I can’t believe we are entering our 4th year of homeschooling! FOUR YEARS! I remember feeling so ill-equipped and overwhelmed when we started in 2012, not really sure where our journey would lead. But day by day, month by month, year by year, here we are learning and doing life together. We limped through the last school year, but I am looking forward to a new year (hopefully) without any unexpected transitions. I am again intending to simplify and streamline. The longer we homeschool, the more I realize that more truly is less. We are sticking to the basics and choosing lots of books from our Cycle 4 Reading List. We are also forming a new local classically-minded homeschool community where we will be using Claritas Classical Academy’s memory work. I’ll again be using some lessons from Teachers Pay Teachers and worksheets for memory work reinforcement. We will continue with our favorite extracurriculars. We also have some plans for a few field trips with a local homeschool group, but I’m going to keep things simple so Dumpling doesn’t get overstimulated. Below are the curriculums we’ll be using throughout the year:

Angel (5th grade)

1. Memory Work: Claritas Classical Academy and fun review games
2. Timeline: Claritas Classical Academy and Classical Conversations
3. Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Handwriting 5
4. Grammar: Review with memory work
5. Writing: Institute for Excellence in Writing
6. Spelling: Spelling Plus
7. Reading: Various chapter books for pleasure reading, non-fiction & fiction related to our studies
8. Math: Math Mammoth 5
9. History: Claritas Classical Academy, lots of reading
10. Geography: Claritas Classical Academy and blob map drawing
11. Science: Claritas Classical Academy, related studies and experiments, God’s Design for Science
12. Health: Cooking skills, nutrition
13. Art: Community day lessons covering elements of art and artist studies
14. Music: Community day lessons covering music theory and composer studies, private piano lessons
15. Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese tutor
16. Bible: Community Bible Study and Claritas Classical Academy
17. Physical Education: Tae Kwon Do
18. Typing: Type 2 Learn 4

Sunshine (Kindergarten)

1. Memory Work: Claritas Classical Academy and fun review games
2. Timeline: Claritas Classical Academy and Classical Conversations
3. Handwriting: Zaner-Bloser Handwriting K
4. Reading: All About Reading PreReading and Level 1
5. Math:Math U See Primer and Math Mammoth Addition 1
6. History: Claritas Classical Academy, lots of reading
7. Geography: Claritas Classical Academy and blob map drawing
8. Science: Claritas Classical Academy, related studies and experiments, God’s Design for Science
9. Health: Cooking skills, nutrition
10. Art: Community day lessons covering elements of art and artist studies
11. Music: Community day lessons covering music theory and composer studies, private piano lessons
12. Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese tutor
13. Bible: Community Bible Study and Claritas Classical Academy
14. Physical Education: Tae Kwon Do

Dumpling (Pre-K)

He will be working on communication, preschool, and life skills, while also attending our classical community day and Community Bible Study with us. We’re planning to start him in Tae Kwon Do also once he turns 4, which will be great for developing gross motor skills. He’s going to have an exciting year!