Gracie’s 6th Grade Curriculum Listing

Someone asked what we plan to use in our homeschool this coming year.  I’ve been working on Gracie’s schedule for the year, so thought I’d start with our curriculum choices for her ---

For math, we continue to use Abeka.  Gracie LOVES math and doesn’t seem to mind how labor-intensive this program is.  During her 5th grade year, I think I only had to sit down with her maybe 2 or 3 times to explain a math concept.  Most of the time, she just reads the text and understands on her own.  She’s a math whiz.  No wonder she’s been saying since she was tiny that she wants to be a banker someday. LOL

For language arts, she’s going to start out the year doing the Total Language Plus guide for Caddie Woodlawn.  Then, we have plans to move on to The Cricket in Times Square, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  We started using the TLP guides last year and both girls really enjoyed the approach to language arts.  It’s light, yet effective. 

Last year, as part of the Homeschool Crew program, we received some books from EDUDPS for review.  I put ours back for future use, and I’ll be introducing Write with the Best, Volume 1 to Gracie – my reluctant writer – this year.  It’s meant to be a 1/2 year course, but I think we’ll spread it out over the entire school year because I don’t want to overwhelm her too much. 

For science, we plan to use Exploring Creation with Zoology 3: Land Animals of the Sixth Day from Apologia.  Over the years, we’ve done many of the books in this science series and really like them.  I’m anxiously awaiting the release of the Zoology 3 Notebooking Journal, which author Jeannie Fulbright tells me should be available this summer. 

Our history study will continue from last year, this year moving on to All American History, volume 2.  I sat down a few weeks ago to read the introduction and I got really excited.  I’m not sure if Volume 2 is just more exciting than Volume 1, or if I was just missing all the fun; but this year’s book just seems like something we’ll enjoy a lot more than last year.  There are so many extra ideas to add in to the study, and I’m really looking forward to it.  We do history all together, so we have some fun read-alouds planned, and some great activities.

I realized when Gracie was tested last year that I’ve been lacking in teaching geography (shame on me!)  So, I went to my school shelves in the basement and discovered that we have some great resources.  We’ll be using the Star-Spangled State Book and Workbook set.  I reviewed this for TOS several years ago, and I’m really excited about getting it out and actually using it this year – it looks like lots of fun.  (picture does not represent my copy – mine is the original self-published cover, but the content is the same)

Another product of the Homeschool Crew adventure was The Great Latin Adventure.  All along, I had planned to use this with Gracie.  I sat down to read the introductory materials (for the 2nd time) and I find it all very overwhelming.  I’ve been told that this curriculum would be a good fit for those kids who are strong in math; so I’m thinking it will be a good course for Gracie.  However, as for me, it may be a struggle – at least until we get this study down to workable schedule.  We’ll see how it goes.

For art, we like Artistic Pursuits, though we don’t use it on a regular basis.  Gracie loves doing art projects and various crafts, so we fill in with other things throughout the year.  Gracie takes both piano and violin lessons – this keeps her quite busy musically.  We also have a bin filled with “extra resource” and supplemental materials that we refer to throughout the year. 

So there you have it – our choices for 6th grade.  I’ll try to update periodically throughout the year to let you know how we’re doing and if we like/dislike any of these options (and why). 

I’ll post an 11th grade list soon, as long as some of our preschool choices . . .