Curriculum has been chosen...

for the 2007-2008 homeschooling year in this household!  Should cue the sounds of trumpets and triumphal march music of some sort.

Like I mentioned in this post, my first Homeschool Convention and Curriculum Fair was an amazing event.  I was "shock in action" in some respects, like a kid's first time at a fair, wanting to taste every offered sweet and ride every exciting whirlygig, but simply not having either the tickets or tummy or time to do it all.

I needed a 28 hour time allowance to fit into the 8 hour frame I had.  Ahh, well.  My sweet friend, Mommy Dearest just let me know about another homeschool fair close to my locale that I can attend.  I told her that my main reason for going would be to actually attend the seminars and workshops rather than just dash from line to line.  So I'll be working on the childcare plans, now.

Kim from Lifesong, another homeschooling mom, had asked me to share some of our curriculum so I thought that while hopefully helpful to someone, blog posterity at least required the typing out of things.  By this time next year I may have to revisit this post to ask the question, "What was I thinking?"  or "Now that was a good purchase!"

For clarity sake, I do not have twin boys but I do have two rising 4th graders (for those interested in the what level/grade question).  My two oldest are only 7 1/2 months apart.  Some day future I'll explain the math involved in that acquisition of children--God be praised!  And then the third son is a rising 1st grader.  With those references in mind, quick sidenote to explain that one of the greatest benefits I've seen to homeschooling is being able to somewhat "lose" the grade/level issue and more purely pursue the individual's interest, skill and ability factor.

But here's the basic list for my two older boys:

Chess will be doing the Saxon Math 5/4 workbook with Singapore Primary Math Level 3B as a supplement.  He was more quickly grasping the Saxon concepts and needs to move ahead more quickly than his brother.  The Singapore math will grant him that flexibility.  Pele will remain with the Saxon work for now.

Both will be using Shurley English Level 4, Adams-Gordon's Spelling Power, 4th ed., Wordly Wise 3000, 2nd ed., Pathway Readers and Workbooks (More New Friends & Building Our Lives), and Map Skills for Today, Level 4 (Traveling Near & Far) plus Map Skills on States and Regions.

Chess will additionally use a Handwriting Skills, level E, to improve his penmanship.  Pele does not need this.

My younger one, the Chairman, will be using Shurley English Level 1, Handwriting Skills Level A, Map Skills for Today, Level 1 (Finding Your Way), Pathway Readers and Workbooks (Before We Read & 1st Steps) and the Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading to learn reading.

All three boys will work through Apologia's Exploring Creation with Botany (with their Daddy).  And all three boys will work through the Veritas Press Medieval Ages cards and numerous resources.

For Bible, the two older boys attend weekly Catechism class with our pastor who is taking them through Fisher's Catechism.  They receive written homework and memory work for the week from that class.  The younger one will participate in the same through listening and answering questions during our family worship and discussion.

Another reason we elected to homeschool was to give our children a 12 month frame for fitting in our required 180 days.  With that view in mind, our 2007-2008 school year will actually start June 1st.  Breaks will occur throughout the summer for things like visits with grandparents and vacations, but our intent is to flexibly work through the summer, freeing up fall and spring times for extended breaks as well.

I welcome your helpful input, questions and counsel in the comments. And I just realized that I didn't indicate publisher on some of these things, so if you're truly interested, ask and I'll reply in comments.