2012-2013 Year in Review

We are done with school!  Well, as done as one can be when you school year round.  But we ARE done with the lessons for the "school year".  This is our week off and then the following week we will plunge back in the with our summer schedule.

Summer usually consists of math and reading, plus a few child specific subjects on a much lighter schedule.  For the youngest it will be mostly reading, for the 5th grader we will add typing and the 9th grader will be studying for the biology CLEP test.  We also have a few fun TOS Reviews in the works that I am very excited about.  In the middle of all that we have to move, set up a house, and work on our summer bucket list!

For now, I am taking a breath and thinking back on our year.  It has been a good one.  CJ learned to read like a champ and settled into '"real" school better than I anticipated.  SCP finished 5th grade with a  happy heart.  That is saying a lot for a 5th grade boy!  It was a much tougher year and one to ready him for much more independence next year.  He came through with flying colors.  The 9th grader did great!  9th grade is one of our favorite years to study with Sonlight and in addition she wrote her first novel.  Revision is one of the things she will be working on this summer, but it is done- all 19,000 words of it and I must say I am very proud of her.  I will talk about her school year in detail on Wednesday, but for now here is a review of our Kindergarten and 5th grade years...

Kindergarten

Scheduled-
-Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
-Saxon Kindergarten Math
-ABEKA 1st grade Science and History Readers
-Christian Liberty Press Workbooks

Our favorite review products-

PAL (IEW’s reading program)- I am CONVINCED this is what has made my son such a strong reader!  He learned quickly and loved every minute of this program.  He developed a love of reading early and I could not recommend this product enough.  Yes, it requires some set up time, but it is worth every minute.

Phonics and Reading with McGuffey – As you have heard me say before, I did not think I would encourage iPad apps.  I changed my mind.  We are still using this app almost daily and I still say if you only buy one app this year for your beginner reader, BUY THIS ONE!

ABeCeDarian- This program has taken us to the next level of reading.  Though completely different from PAL, it appealed to my son as well and challenged him to the next level.  We will continue to use it!

Touch Math- This program came to us right as we were finishing up our scheduled Math.  It was a great transition for us.  It got challenging pretty quickly, but with the help of the software you can buy, it is still a favorite.  Because we reviewed 1st grade, we will be able to continue using it in our new school year.  Hands on curriculum works for us!

Song School Spanish-  LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Catchy songs, puppets and easy games kept us having fun.  Short manageable lessons for the younger grades make learning fun and not a chore.  While my son was familiar with most of the vocabulary in the book (he was born in Guatemala, remember) this program allowed him to use Spanish with no reservations or fear.  The songs alone are worth the price!

Speekee TV- This silly little pur9ople guy won our hearts and CJ could watch those videos all day if you let him.  They are finishing up production of a new set and we cannot wait.  Again, a natural way for younger children to love and learn Spanish!

5th Grade

Scheduled-
-Sonlight- Reading, History, Bible
-NOEO Science
-Spelling Power
-Teaching Textbooks

Our favorite review products-

Apologia’s Who Is God? Bible Study-  We were able to review the third book in this series and loved it, so we decided to go back and start at the beginning.  I would recommend using the four for 5-8th  grade!

Computer Science for Kids- This is one my husband and son do together, but I love watching them.  It is fun to see the two guys work together and get excited about things I will never understand!

Spanish for You!- We are currently using this one and it is my new favorite Spanish program for 3rd-8th grade levels.  Easy to use, affordable and great audio tracks!

Essentials in Writing- Honestly, writing is NOT my son’s thing.  He does not enjoy it and therefore it is not fun to teach him.  I was blessed by this program because by video, someone else was teaching him and took the pressure off me.  I love the smaller, more manageable lessons and I love that my son got to have a male for a teacher for a change.

The Pilgrim Story and Sacagawea, - Two different approaches, but GREAT History!  These are at the top of my son’s list for sure!

There were many other products we reviewed that we liked and once again I am reminded of how blessed I am to be a part of such an amazing group of men and women who love what they do.

I am also reminded of how thankful I am to be able to homeschool my kiddos.  Every minute may not always be fun, but every minute is always filled with love.

See you back on Wednesday to talk about HIGH SCHOOL!

 Blessings,

This post is linked with Amy at Raising Arrows!
We  are also linked up at Hearts for Home blog hop!

We are also linked up with The Homeschool Village Blog Hop!