Preparing for a new year

Well, where did the summer go??  Here we are ready for a new year of school.  The boys are ready... can you tell?  :)

"Oh Mom, don't start talking about school already!!"

I am actually quite excited about beginning this year.  I am ready for some structure and routine in our lives.  This summer has been so busy that we have barely had a moment to catch our breath.  Getting back to the "boring old school schedule" sounds kind of nice, actually.  :)

I know that one reason I am excited about this year is our new curriculum, Tapestry of Grace, Year 2.  I have been working on planning these last few weeks and am realizing that I will just have to dive in and start - then let it work itself out.  This curriculum can be pretty overwhelming, unless I remind myself that it is a 'buffet'... you don't have to do EVERYTHING!  (even if everything looks so GOOD!)

So, tomorrow we begin.  I will give myself (and the boys) some grade during these first few weeks as we work the kinks out.  I know it will be good - even the boys are excited about what they have seen of it.  I have also made the decision to truly focus on a more narrow range of subjects.  There are so many wonderful resources and books available to us that sometimes it is hard not to try to do them all.  Of course, the problem with trying to do it all is that you generally end up doing a mediocre job.  So, to that end, we will stick with the chosen subjects and curriculum.

This year, in addition to Tapestry of Grace, we will be using Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry Level 1 (including the lab book and the Chemistry Connects to Language) and Power Glide Elementary Spanish.  We will continue with Math U See, Spell to Write and Read and Italic Handwriting.  Based on Tapestry recommendations we will be using Writing Aids, Easy Grammar & Daily Grams.  This is a good thing although I have to admit to some feelings of melancholy as I moved A Child's Geography and Exploring Creation Through Astronomy off of my 'current' school shelf.  But I believe that focusing on these specific curriculum for the year will enhance our learning and keep us from feeling fragmented.  Besides, there is always free reading time, right??  :)

I am hoping to keep track on this blog of what we do, including the various resources, links, books, etc. that we use this year.

1 Comment
Jodi
I had to take some things off my curriculum line up too. It's tempting to do so many things that are all good. yet trying to do too many things doesn't ever work well. I'll be interested to see how you like RS4K 1.
Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 12:25 PM