Hudson's Preschool Year

This year Hudson is moving up to preschool. I am not sure if being in a homeschool setting has moved him forward or if he is just naturally interested in learning...either way, he is now a preschooler and more than ready for it. We only plan to do preschool for one year at this point which means next year Hudson will be a kindergartner. He will track younger than many peers however a benefit with homeschooling is that I can track with him and nurture his learning path and if the need ever arises to slow down a bit later for more focus or maturity, we can gently do that too. For now, this is our path and he is well on his way!

I have chosen to do his preschool year based on books. We will take a book for each week and I will create and gather his school work based on that book or theme. All reading (extra themed books and augmenting books story lines that intertwine), writing, letters, number, social studies, art, science, sensory, motor skills, field trips, cooking, music and movement will be based on the book of the week. I will create some of this myself, refer to the handy dandy internet and those who have gone before me, some various preschool packs, the library, field trips, what we already own as well as my previous education and experience. It will be a fun, full year!!

To kick off this is how his first few weeks will play out (book/theme):

Week 1   ~ Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson / Apples
Week 2   ~ Owl Babies by Martin Waddell / Owls
Week 3   ~ Corn by Gail Gibbons / Corn
Week 4   ~ Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone / Harvest
Week 5   ~ Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Leslie Evans / Fall
Week 6   ~ All Around the Farm: DK book, John Deere/ Farming
Week 7   ~ Farm by Elisha Cooper / Farming
Week 8   ~ Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington / Pumpkins
Week 9   ~ The Boy Who Drew Birds by Davies & Sweet / Wintering Birds
Week 10 ~ Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky / Wintering Animals
Week 11 ~ Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault / Letters
Week 12 ~ Thanksgiving Day by Anne Rockwell / Thanksgiving
Week 13 ~ Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes / Thanksgiving
Week 14 ~ The Mitten by Jan Brett / Winter
Week 15 ~ Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry / Christmas

Curriculum 2013-2014, Holly

I have finally wrapped up planning and began prepping for our 2013-2014 school year, third grade and preschool. Along with that I have decided to ramp up blogging once again to share our journey. I enjoy hosting it, some family and friends enjoy reading it and I especially love having a small history of our days with photos that I can easily pull to print for years end.

We have Holly's year all planned out now. I am still working on Hudson's school year however we have determined this will be his last preschool year, next school year he will start kindergarten as all of those benchmarks have easily been met now, so we will refine them this school year, mature a bit and move forward next. It is earlier than we had originally thought, but he is ready. Now to adjust that college financial plan, ha!!

Here is a rundown of Holly's school year:

Reading: Selection of works and a book study with Latin Road/Phonics binder 2

Writing: Bravewriter/Partnership Writing, poetry binder and ZanerBloser Cursive

Spelling: Latin Road/Phonics binder 2

Language: Latin Road/Phonic binder 2, pre-latin 

Math: Horizons, online games/practice

Science: finishing up geology through fall, RS4K Astronomy, Nature Club and Nature Studies, fun projects intertwined, (still determining full path beyond this, next curriculum)

Social Studies: Expedition Earth second half (world study) and World Religions (Usborne)

History: History Odyssey Ancients (modified)

Health: ‘Be Fit, Be Strong, Be You’, body study, swimming, group games with our homeschool group

Occupational Education: continue weekly cooking, field trips to various businesses, sewing, learn about professions in science, inventors/inventions

Art and Music Appreciation: Atellier, Usborne and self created. Artist study. Tacoma Youth Chorus, begin intro to piano and attend arts performances.

Special Units: Geology, Gallapagos Islands & Darwin, Food Chains, Coral Reefs

Activities: Camp Fire (4th year), Swimming (working on level 9 of 10 - if completed move to a swim team), Tacoma Youth Chorus (2nd year)

Inspired Art

We have been looking at various artists from children's books this past few weeks. This week we enjoyed some time with Eric Carl, Leo Leoni and Lois Ehlert. While they are different, they are pretty similar. It was great to pull out books and really take a look and compare the styles, uses of materials and design.

To finish up we read The Tiny Seed (which also ties into some planting we have recently done) and the kids both created flowers. Hudson's was modified as he isn't cutting in round form yet, so he created a rather square flower but a flower none the less. Their art is colorful, full of texture, creative and perfect to have up this time of year! Holly even created a another small project where she made a hummingbird. So pretty!!