2103/2104 Spring Semester Plans

I've been analyzing what we've been using, how it's been working for us, and how it will work since I won't be as available this semester.

I've decided to drop Latin this semester for Luke & Ezekiel.  I wasn't doing a great job teaching, and I've decided that it is something I want to outsource to Dwayne at Visual Latin in the fall.  We had dropped Elementary Greek last semester due to time constraints, so we're picking that back up.

For physics, we're using Physics in Your Life, and using the recommended texts (including Hewitt's Conceptual Physics).  I'd originally purchased these to supplement the Conceptual Physics text, but it turns out Professor Wolfson is a much better teacher of physics than I am, and the boys enjoy the lectures.

I'm also switching all the boys from Rod & Staff English to Grammar Revolution.  Lessons are short in this program, and concepts are practiced by diagramming.  I love Rod & Staff, but it does take a lot of time to teach 5 different levels.  We're going to restart IEW for writing instruction.

The only thing I'm still debating is science for the younger 3 boys.  I have some different kits and books around; I'm leaning towards just using these and letting the youngest 2 learn through doing experiments.  I'm thinking I might go back to my original plan for Jacob, having him work through So You Really Want to Learn Science.


Luke (9th):

• Saxon Algebra 2
• Physics in Your Life
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 7 (word root study)
• IEW Writing
• Argument Builder and/or Rulebook for Arguments Workbook
• Elementary Greek 3
• Notgrass Exploring America
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• American Literature:  Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Farenheit 451, and To Kill a Mockingbird, along with some short stories and poetry

Ezekiel (8th):

• Saxon Algebra 1
• Physics in Your Life
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 7
• IEW Writing
• Argument Builder and/or Rulebook for Arguments Workbook
• Elementary Greek 2
• Notgrass Exploring America 
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• American Literature:  Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Farenheit 451, and To Kill a Mockingbird, along with some short stories and poetry

Jacob (6th):

• Knowing Mathematics Green Level
• So You Really Want to Learn Science
• Notgrass America the Beautiful
• A History of US
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• Literature (I'm building off of Veritas Press' last 2 card sets and Sonlight's D & E reading lists)
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 6
• IEW Writing
• First Form Latin

Micah (4th):

• Saxon 5/4
• Various Science Kits
• Notgrass America the Beautiful
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• Literature (I'm building off of Veritas Press' last 2 card sets & Sonlight's D & E reading lists)
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling 4
• IEW Writing
• Prima Latina
• Draw Write Now

Nicholas (2nd):

• Saxon 3
• Various Science Kits
• Literature (I'm building off of Veritas Press' last 2 card sets & Sonlight's D & E reading lists)
• The Complete Book of US History
• Trail Guide to US Geography
• Sonlight Readers
• My Book House books
• Grammar Revolution
• Rod & Staff Spelling (finish 2, move to 3)=
• Prima Latina
• Draw Write Now