). Here's my recap for the 2008-2009 school year.Overall - I was pretty focused this year - one of my best years. I think it has actually helped me to have more outside activities for myself. I'm not sure why that is. It also helped to use Tapestry of Grace for structuring history and literature. I increased our "group school" this year, and I think that was a very good thing. I'd like to increase it even more next year. I required more writing this year and also need to increase it even more next year. My biggest downfall as teacher is not following up enough. They sometimes got away with not turning in an assignment or turning it in late because I forgot about it. I'm also very bad at grading. I think I should give some tests, so I'm thinking about that for next year, too. (so I can be bad at grading more things!)
Bible & Christian Living - We read Do Hard Things and I Kissed Dating Goodbye. It helped me a lot that both books had study guides. We had some interesting discussions, especially on dating. For Bible, we all studied Galatians. For most of the school year, Grace & Alina did Bible quizzing.
History - Tapestry of Grace - 20th Century - wow! What a curriculum! I loved using this! This is the first time I've used TOG. I learned so much and the kids did too. The teacher's guide is chock full of information, ideas, assignments, etc. We didn't do all of it (aren't supposed to), but we sure covered a lot of ground. One of the biggest benefits for me is that TOG has different levels but everyone is covering the same topic as everyone else each week.
English - Literature - We read a lot of 20th century literature along with our history. This was also scheduled in the TOG manual, and included different literature for different levels of children. The teacher's guide included discussion questions, and we did those a lot. We also listened to (and read along) two Shakespeare plays this year - A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet.
English - Composition - The older three worked (very slowly) through IEW's writing intensive for high schoolers. I gave some additional writing assignments as well. I didn't do structured lessons for Alina, but she sometimes watched the video along with the older kids. I gave her a few writng assignments, mostly so I could assess where she is so I can plan next year. The younger ones did copywork on their own this year. I did studied dictation with them a few times as well. (That was rather inconsistent.) Grace did a spelling workbook just because she loves to do it.
Math - This was my easiest year ever math-wise! Luke took college classes this year. My sister taught Algebra I to Caleb and Grace. She teaches at a local high school and just tacked my kids on. In exchange for her teaching, we watched her boys two days a week. Alina does Singapore math and does great with it. She's the only one I had to teach. She has only one book left in Singapore and will finish it by the middle of next school year. Then she'll be ready for either pre-algebra or Algebra I.
Science - Luke did science at the college and focused on computer science this year. Caleb did Apologia Chemistry and did labs with his cousin on Monday nights with Kris supervising & grading their lab reports. Grace did Apologia Physical Science. I'm not sure she learned much doing it on her own. Alina used two of the books for elementary age that Apologia publishes. She has done all of those books now, and she loved them!
Foreign Languages - Caleb did German using a combination of Rosetta Stone and another book (can't think if it right now). Grace studied Spanish using Rosetta Stone and Spanish the Easy Way. Alina is learning French (one I can help with!) and used a children's program called Ecoutez, Parlez! (which means Listen, Speak!)
Physical Education - I issued a fitness challenge to the kids for the final term (ten weeks) of the school year. Some of them were more consistent than others. Ishould have checked up on them more frequently.
Music - All four were in home school band this year. Luke played saxophone, Caleb played percussion, Grace played flute (and improved a great deal - sounds beautiful!), and Alina played trumpet (also made much progress this year). They all LOVE home school band. I get to play in band, and I love it too!
Typing - Alina worked through a book on keyboarding skills then practiced with Mavis Beacon. All my kids can type now! yippee!
Art & Drama - These are things Grace participated in with our home school group. Alina will be old enough next year and is looking forward to doing both. Luke was a technician for drama and my taxi service for both art class and drama.
4-H - both girls are doing 4-H this year. Unfortunately I don't really know what's been going on at the meetings because they are during my Monday class. They did do a group history project that was judged this week. I got to go watch the judging and thought they did a great job. The group made themselves into a medieval village. They each took on a role and did some little skits. For their 4-H projects, Grace is doing gardening, and Alina is doing fishing.
That sums up our year!
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