Curricula Series 2013-2014: Reading (Phonics)

I recently posted our literature selections and curriculum for this year, but I neglected to tell you about the other reading or phonics programs we'll use.

Reading (Phonics)

Core Phonics
Horizons Reading (1st Grade)
I ordered our package through the Homeschool Buyers Coop. This will be a very easy curriculum. I plan on using it as a review of skills this year hoping to fill in any educational gaps. We have other reading curricula that we reviewed in the past that we will also complete. I am still searching for a more challenging reading curriculum for this year.

Online Reading
We alternate the use of her online reading (phonics) programs. She works for 20-30 minutes every day. I hope to come across a more challenging program focusing more on reading comprehension skills.

• Explode the Code Online - We'll continue using this program. We hope to extend her subscription as she continues to work through the books online. I use my Homeschool Buyers Coop SmartPoints to obtain this program and if we don't have enough points I will possibly renew it when the time comes. You can find out more about the Homeschool Buyers Coop on my blog. Click here to read my post which contains links and information about the coop. The older deals have ended, but the links are still pertinent. If you decide to join which is FREE please use the links provided in my post. I earn SmartPoints if you join. 
• Essential Skills Advantage (Third Grade) - We won a student access plan and reading is included in the subscription. We are still having computer issues with this particular program loading properly.
• IXL Language Arts (Second Grade)
  Yah! We just found out that we will be reviewing IXL Language Arts this year so this item moved from my wish list to Alyssa's online learning. I am so looking forward to trying this brand new program!  
• Samson's Classroom - I recently extended her subscription this year for only $4 using a Plum District deal and coupon. You can read my review here.  

Curricula Series 2013-2014: Spelling

Hello everyone! We finally took a vacation and went camping at Garner State Park. We are home now so I thought I would work on the posts in my curricula series. Today, I will tell you which spelling curriculum and resources we will use this year.

Spelling Curriculum

We will work on spelling 3 times per week for 20-30 minutes.

Core
All About Spelling 2 and 3 (hopefully)

All About Homophones E-Book (May Use)

Supplements
Vocabulary Spelling City (Premium Membership)
I will post my review in October.

Spelling Power Activity Task Card Box

All About Reading Level 2 (Readers ONLY)
I have the two older versions of What Am I? and Queen Bee. She will read the stories that correlate with her AAS lessons.

Thank you for visiting A Learning Journey! 

God bless,

Tracey M.

Curricula Series 2013-2014: Physical Education

Physical Education

Core Curricula

Family Time Fitness Fitness 4 Homeschool
We will use mainly the Core 1 program with the first set of workbooks this year. Next year, we will use the Core 2 program and the workbooks meant for older children.

• Core 1
• K-1st Volume 1-4 Workbooks
• Basketball Module

We were blessed to win this package recently through a huge giveaway hosted by Educents. Our computer system has been upgraded so I believe we will be able to watch the video demonstrations now. We tried in the past without any luck.

Homeschooling P.E. for the P.E. Challenged Mom - Researching and Different Sports

Classes
Dance (1x per week)
We will most likely start classes mid-September.

Supplemental Resources
Adventures to Fitness - Alyssa won the Colonial Chaos DVD.


Obstacle Courses and Exercise Routines Using the Following Books:

• P.E. Connections by Thomas Fleming and Lisa Bunting

• Ready-To-Use P.E. Activities for Grades K-2 Joanne and Maxwell Landy

• Movement With a Purpose by Madeleine Brehm and Nancy Tindell

• Homeschool Family Fitness by Bruce Whitney (6th Edition, 2nd Printing)

• Yoga For Children by Mary Stewart and Kathy Phillips

• Learning in Motion: Teaching Language Arts and Math Through Movement Grade K and Grade 1

Random Five on Friday: August 30th

Well, it's time for my Random Five on Friday post again. Enjoy your visit! Although, I must warn you - It has been quite a boring week for us.

1.) In Our Homeschool This Week . . .
I've been blogging about our curricula choices for this year. You can visit the posts below to check them out!

• Math Curricula Choices
• History and Citizenship
• Literature Curricula

Alyssa has been doing a lot of online learning the last two weeks including DreamBox Math subscription, A+ Interactive Math, Simple Schooling Classroom, Essential Skills Advantage (Reading and Science), and Samson's Classroom. See It and Say It Flip Flop Spanish has been a big hit in our home. We accidentally broke the volume knob on the CD player. We are listening to the lessons at a very loud volume until we find a tool to adjust it.

2.) In My Life This Week . . . 
Last week, I told you that we were having issues with our old computer. My computer screen died and needed to be replaced. Apple was able to repair the screen and upgrade our system to Snow Leopard! Yah! Luckily, I had an external drive where I stored many of my documents, downloads, and photos. I don't think I lost any files. We are finding out that certain programs that didn't previously work on the old computer are actually working with the upgrade now. Yippeeee!

3.) More About Our Life This Week . . . 
We have a MAJOR ant problem in the NEW house! It doesn't matter what we do, they still keep getting inside. Any suggestions for natural ant killers? Several weeks ago, I reached my hand inside a box of cereal (OH's) and it was completely full of fire ants. Luckily, I ended up with only one bite on my wrist. I threw the bag across the room and it thankfully landed in the sink. I was "the dummy" who put the cereal box on the floor instead of on a shelf. The ants have been in the house since the first day we moved in the new house.

The sulfur smell of our water is getting worse. My husband wants to get a water filtration system in the house. It is supposed to get rid of the smell and provide us with better drinking and cooking water. Replacing the anodes only  worked temporarily.

4.) Our Favorite Things This Week  . . . 
My Motivated Mom app is STILL definitely high up on the list, because it is helping me check off my household duties. Alyssa's favorite thing this week is her See It and Say It Flip Flop Spanish curriculum.

5.) What We're Cooking  . . . 
The other night, I pulled out my trusty Simplified Dinners cookbook by Simplified Pantry. We made creamy chicken taquitos using leftover grilled chicken. Can I just say I LOVE this new recipe! The night before my hubby grilled chicken with cream cheese, bacon, and jalapenos rolled up inside. We weren't in the mood for leftovers and we were craving something new and different. I was jumping for joy when I found the creamy chicken taquitos recipe. Since it was a spur of the moment decision - I do not have any photos to share with you. Basically, I cooked our tortillas. Then, I mixed more cream cheese, Colby jack cheese, lime, and taco seasoning together. We didn't add the jalapenos, because there were already a few inside the chicken. I scooped some mixture into the tortilla and added chopped chicken pieces to each one. I baked them and served them with salsa and chips. OH SO GOOD! I will try to take a photo next time we make this recipe.

I will link this post up at Random 5 on Friday hosted by Miranda at The Pebble Pond, Happy Homemaker Monday at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom, Weekly Wrap-Up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschooler, and at the Homeschool Mother's Journal at So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler?

Curricula Series 2013-2014: Literature Curriculum

I will be talking about literature today. My daughter and I LOVE reading! I noticed this past year that I wasn't reading aloud as often as I wanted. The recent moves and other stress related circumstances had a huge impact on our schedule and activities. I fully intend on reading more often with my daughter this year.

Even though we weren't reading aloud often, my daughter was constantly reading. I require Alyssa to read books of her choice for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. We call this her DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time - a little activity I used to do when I taught at a public school. Most days she will read for a longer period of time. We'll continue to use this technique to encourage quiet reading time.

Without further ado, I would like to share with you our curricula and literature choices.

Literature Choices

Core Curricula
Hewitt Homeschooling Grade 2 Lightening Literature (Preview)
I will provide the company with any suggestions and feedback as we complete the lessons. The book selections look wonderful! I read a handful of positive reviews about the higher grade level curricula. The second grade level includes literature, discussion questions, grammar, mechanics, workbook pages, writing compositions, and other activities.

Supplemental Resources
Confessions of a Homeschooler Classic Literature Unit Study Mega Pack
We received this pack last year as part of an Omnibus collection I purchased. It was well worth the price! You may want to read Erica's 10 Days of Classic Literature Series for more information about the units included in this pack. Alyssa helped me assign one chapter book and lapbook to work on each month. This will give us plenty of time to read the book and complete the activities. Check out the literature titles we will read this school year!

• Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
• Treasure Island
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
• Black Beauty
• Mr. Popper's Penguins
• Stuart Little
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• Charlotte's Web
• Little House in the Big Woods
• The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

Independent Reading and Read Aloud Books

My daughter also helped me create a list of books to read in addition to those listed above. This is by no means an exhaustive, final list. I won't mention ALL of the books we plan on reading, but I wanted to include our top choices.

• The Story About Ping
• Henry Huggins
• Heidi
• A Little Princess (again)
• The Wizard of Oz (again)
• The Secret Garden (again)
• The Railway Children (again)
• The Hedge of Thorns
• Charlie's Choice
• The Trumpet of the Swans
• A Bear Called Paddington
• In Grandma's Attic
• My Father's Dragon
• Dolphin Adventures
• Dolphin Treasure
• The Hundred Dresses
• Beezus and Ramona (again)
• The House at Pooh Corner
• The Light at Tern Rock
• A Grain of Rice
• Boxcar Children #1 (again)
• Five True Dog Stories
• Apple in the Arrow
• The Year of Miss Agnes
• Call of the Wild
• Wild Fang
• Mary Poppins
• Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Treasury
• American Girl: Samantha (almost finished)
• American Girl: Felicity (again)
• The Courage of Sarah Noble
• Little House Animal Adventures (redo - never finished)
• Shiloh
• Tornado
• Where the Red Fern Grows
• Lassie
• Prairie School
• Homer Price
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• The Blue Fairy Book
• The Red Fairy Book
• The Jungle Book
• Peter Pan
• Pinocchio
• The Raggedy Ann Stories
• The Velveteen Rabbit (again)
• The Wind in the Willows
• The Sword in the Tree
• Hellen Keller
• Farmer Boy
• The Whipping Boy
• Rascal
• Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Sarah Plain and Tall
• Understood Betsy
• Little House on the Prairie
• Johnny Appleseed
• Aesop Fables for Children
• Pippy Longstocking
• Five Children and It
• The Five Chinese Brothers
• Billy and the Blaze Series
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
• The Littles
• First Flight
• Thornton Burgess Stories

*I will most likely add more books to this list. I have NOT read all of these books so please use your own judgement as to whether or not they will be appropriate for your children. I glanced at several booklists online and chose books that we have readily available either at the library or on our bookshelves. A few of the booklists I used to help me create this list in addition to Alyssa's interest-based suggestions were My Father's World, Sonlight, Heart of Dakota, and Simply Charlotte Mason.   

Other Coordinating Lapbooks

All About Ping from In the Hands of a Child

American Girl: Meet Felicity from Knowledge Box Central

Johnny Appleseed from In the Hands of a Child

Plain Tall Sarah from In the Hands of a Child

*You can see my list of Popular Chapter Books for Girls on my blog. Alyssa is currently working her way through several of the books on this list. You may find a few books of interest worth reading aloud. Keep in mind these could also be books that your child reads independently. 

Curricula Series 2013-2104: History and Citizenship

World History

Focus: Ancient History (Creation to the Resurrection)
I hope to use our World History curricula 3 times per week. We will SLOWLY work our way through these books. These curricula choices may take us several years to complete. I would like to create a timeline, but I haven't decided on which timeline figures to use or how I will set it up yet. I will add that information later once a decision is made.

Core
Mystery of the History (Volume 1)

MOH Super Supplemental Collection (Volume 1)

• Folder Books
• Coloring Pages
• Challenge Cards
• Notebooking Pages

Supplemental Resources
The Story of the Ancient World by Helene A. Guerber

The Story of the World (Volume 1) by Susan Wise Bauer

• Audio
• Activity Book

You can find my Story of the World Compilation List of Resources Here.

American History

The plan is to cover American History twice a week. I hope to gently expose my daughter to American History this year. We will not rush through the books. I am sure that I will be adding resources to this list as we progress through the core books.

Core Curricula
TruthQuest American History for Young Students 1
*We will use several of the listed Spine Resources.

Beautiful Feet Early American History (old version)

Core Companions Resources
A Journey Through Learning Binder-Builder Lapbook
A Journey Through Learning Maps, Timeline, and Report Package

Supplemental Resources
Heroines of the Past Colonial by Amy Puetz
What Really Happened in Colonial Times by Knowledge Quest
Draw Write Now: Books 2, 3, and 5
Cooking Up Some American History

Liberty Kids DVD: The Complete Series

American History Lapbooks
A Journey Through Learning: Pioneer Days
A Journey Through Learning: American Revolution Express
A Journey Through Learning: An Overview of the 17th Century

* I have several other supplemental items that I may blog about later this year and use in conjunction with our core curricula if we have time. This will be a work in progress.

World and American History Supplemental Helps
Reading Through the Ages: Reading Selections 4000 B.C - Present by Trisms

Heritage History Young Readers CD

Yesterday's Classics E-Book Collection
My Audio School
Notebooking Pages

Citizenship

I feel that our history read aloud books and the following curricula will thoroughly address this subject for several years. She turns six-years-old this year so we have plenty of time.

Intellego Unit Studies

• K-2 Civics: American Government and Citizenship
• K-2 Civics: Leaders in America
• K-2 Civics: Symbols of America

*Intellego Unit Studies can be purchased through the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. You can read about the Co-op here. It's an older post, but contains the links and information about the Co-op. Joining the Co-op is FREE. I receive SmartPoints when you join or make a purchase through my link which helps pay for Alyssa's curricula and resources. Thank you for your support! 

Knowledge Box Central Mini Lapbook
U.S. Symbols

Supplemental Resources
I Love America (Volume 1 - older version)
I Love America (Volume 2 - older version)

For Which It Stands DVD and Guide

Pledge of Allegiance Printables created by Valerie at the Crafty Classroom

Well folks . . . you just read about my history and citizenship curricula choices for Alyssa. I blogged about my Math Curricula Choices yesterday. Click on the link if you'd like to see what we are using. I am a very eclectic homeschooler. I try my best to use multiple resources at once. We will have a flexible schedule when working our way through these books and resources. I have a feeling we have enough material for at least two years. I also believe in slowing the pace down if a child wants to extend a topic of interest further. One of my goals this year is to make history more literature-based and include many hands-on activities. I hope you enjoyed reading this post!

What curricula did you choose for World and American History? How are you addressing citizenship?  

Curricula Series for 2013-2014: Math Choices

I started a curricula series last year, but never finished it due to the lack of time and the fact that we were in the process of moving. We are slowly getting settled into our new house. My hope this time around is to share with you my eclectic curricula choices for the year - covering one subject at a time. I also saw several other bloggers posting their curricula choices in this manner so I decided to follow in their footsteps. At the end of the curricula series, I will provide a post that will include links to all of our subjects and curricula choices. You will have the option of picking and choosing which subjects are of interest to you. My brain seems to work better when planning in this fashion. 

Please keep in mind that subjects or curricula may change throughout the year. I am currently a reviewer for the The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew which blesses me with a variety of curricula and products to use with my daughter. I hope to continue writing for the crew next year. Many of our curricula choices below were review products that worked well for my daughter.

Our Math Curricula Choices

Morning Work

Calendar Time

Core Math Curriculum

Math-U-See Gamma (Single and Multiple-Digit Multiplication)

We reviewed Math-U-See Beta this year. Alyssa quickly completed the book. We decided to continue using the same curriculum. Why change something if it is working well? My plan is to use this curriculum at least three times a week. We will focus on only one lesson per week completing 2-3 pages per day. I want to slow down the pace this year so that we can cover additional mathematical concepts not covered in the core and use other supplemental materials. We will also use the block manipulatives to demonstrate concepts for each lesson. Alyssa watches the DVD presentation with me. Then, I will give her a quick mini lesson using the teacher's manual and manipulatives. We'll proceed to the student pages after she explores the concept and uses the blocks making her own discoveries.  

Online Math Programs
Online math supplements are used on a daily basis. I like to alternate the use of our subscriptions. I enjoy providing my daughter with variety when it comes to approaches and concept presentations. She'll spend a minimum of 20-30 minutes using one of the online math programs listed below. 

• A+ Interactive Math Online Curriculum (Finish 1st and Start 2nd grade) - Here is a link to my A+ Interactive Math Online First Grade Homeschool Edition review. She is working through the 1st grade program over the summer and will continue using it this fall. We'll proceed with second grade material after the completion of this grade level. 
• DreamBox Math (Finish 2nd and Start 3rd Grade) - We have been using this program for years and we both LOVE it! It is currently available through the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. You can read more about the co-op here. Several other popular math programs are offered at a discounted price. Check it out! If you join the Homeschool Buyers Co-op through my link, then I will receive SmartPoints. Joining is FREE! I use these SmartPoints to purchase curricula for Alyssa. Please consider joining or purchasing through my links. Thank you! 
• Essential Skills Advantage (3rd Grade Math) - We won an All-Access Student Plan which includes the Math program. JAVA doesn't work properly on our old computer, but I hope to upgrade sometime this year. 

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

Target the Question Grade 1 by Lonestar Learning - Here is a link to my review for this product. We will be using this program until the digital subscription expires. Unfortunately, we won't be able to renew it after it expires. Alyssa may record her answers in a math journal as seen in my review.

Get Your Hands on Problem Solving Grade 1 - I found this book at a library book sale and paid 25 cents for it. We'll give it a try this year and see how it goes. She'll learn about different problem-solving strategies and develop a plan for solving problems. This resource will most likely become part of our calendar time. We'll look at one problem a day.   

Supplements

• Times Tales DVD and Mini Flip - Alyssa's goal will be to learn the upper times table facts.

• Montessori Print Shop's Deluxe CD - We were blessed with winning this CD last April. We use many items from the CD for ALL subjects. I will use the math printables as supplements or extensions. You can also read my posts about the stamp game and multiplication bead board which are math tools we will definitely utilize this year.  
• Math Mammoth Addition and Subtraction Books 1-3 - I will use these books until we begin our "official" first day of school and occasionally will use them as review throughout the year.
• Math Mammoth Multiplication 1 - Since we are targeting multiplication this year, I thought we would use this resource for additional practice. 

• MathTacular 1 DVD - Alyssa chooses to watch this DVD during her free time. I usually provide her with the necessary manipulatives and allow her time to explore the concepts being discussed. I usually have to put a time limit on this activity, because she'll try to watch the entire thing.

• Math Tub Exploration and Discovery - My math manipulatives are in tubs or storage containers. On light days, Alyssa will choose a tub and "play" with the manipulatives. This is a great time to observe a child's discoveries and to see their creativity. She'll often choose this activity during her free time too. 
• Math Centers - I will also organize several math centers covering concepts she's previously learning or those I want her to review. She chooses the ones that appeal to her most to complete. This usually happens on light days too. A light math day may happen if I have a horrible migraine, over the weekend, on Fridays, if either one of us is sick, if we were gone most for the day, or if we need a brain break from her current studies.

*We have other supplemental materials that will be utilized when I see fit. 

Our Math Games

• Roll It Tic-Tac-Toe
• Speed
• Racko
• Out of Sight
• Rolling in the Money
• Double Shutter: Shut the Super Box
• Fraction Formula
• Jumpin' Chips Addition 

*You can read my posts titled Mathematical Play: A Look at Toys, Games and Puzzles and Making Math Memorable with Games to learn more about a few math games we use. I also plan to use several printable math games from Math Games in a Bag. We use math games to reinforce learning as often as possible. We use them to wrap-up math lessons and during family game night. I tend to buy math games, because it is a wonderful way to explore and practice mathematical concepts in a fun way. 

Math iPad Apps 

• Speed ($0.99)
• Hands-On Equations Level 1 ($4.99)
• Squeebles: Maths Bingo ($0.99)
• Squeebles: Times Tables 1 ($0.99)
• BrainNook Grades 1-3 Math (Currently All FREE)
• Splash Math Grade 1 ($9.99)

*We won the Squeebles math apps last year. Speed was the only app I paid for and in my opinion - it is definitely worth the price. Speed and Hands-on Equations both have FREE lite versions available in case you want to try them before buying the full versions. The rest of the apps listed were at some point available as free downloads this year unless indicated otherwise. We have several other math apps, but these are the ones my daughter uses most often.

Math Assessment
I purchased a DOMA Math Assessment years ago from Let's Go Learn through the Homeschool Buyers Co-op. I plan on finally giving this assessment to Alyssa before the new school year begins for us. I look forward to seeing the results!

Well, that's it for now! I hope you enjoyed hearing about our math curricula choices for this year. I am super excited and can't wait to see what God has planned for us!

What Math curricula did you choose this year?

Please leave a link to your blog post or comment below. Your suggestions may help others. I also love hearing about new products! Math is one of my favorite subjects to teach!

This post will eventually be linked up at the Not-Back-To School Blog Hop for 2013-2014 hosted by iHomeschool Network. It's a great place to read about curriculum choices for ALL subjects and for ALL ages for homeschoolers using a variety of methods.

I will also link up at Teach Them Diligently Curriculum Choices for 2013-2014. I need to complete the curricula series first.