My son is in high school! Instead of picking and choosing my own curriculum (subject by subject) this year, I decided to order an all-in-one curriculum program. I used Heart of Dakota for kindergarten and grade 1. Although I loved their program, I began choosing my own materials after 1st grade. For 9th grade, I’m returning to Heart of Dakota, partly to make things easier on myself since we’re beginning something new (high school) and partly because I really like what the program includes.
The manual we’re using for 9th grade is called Hearts for Him Though High School: World Geography. If you follow the link, you can see exactly what it includes. There are so many books that I am not going to list them all! Here’s an overview of the program:
1. Social Studies/Bible: World Geography (1 credit), World Religions and Cultures (1/2 credit), and Bible (1 credit). This includes an optional “Living Library” of books they can read alongside the other books, but I will only use some of those (can’t afford everything). Follow the link to see the exact titles. The world geography includes 3 books to read, 1 DVD set, a mapping with art book, a student journal, and a Book of Centuries notebook page set with a CD of timeline figures. The world religions and cultures course includes 10 books to read and a set of notebook pages. The Bible course includes two books (Rooted and Grounded workbook and Practical Happiness). Of the optional living library books, I have 10 of them (I think), so we’ll read those to supplement the topics he’s studying.
2. Logic: Includes The Fallacy Detective (which we tried in an earlier grade, but it went over his head) and The Art of Argument. This will not be done every day, and the it is a 1/2-credit course.
3. Spanish: Getting Started with Spanish (1/2 credit)
4. English: A combination of literature, composition, and grammar (1 credit). Program uses BJU Fundamentals of Literature, Essentials in Writing (DVD lessons and student book), and Rod and Staff English. There is also a set of 7 books he’ll be reading. Follow the link and scroll down to see the titles.
5. Science: Physical Science (1 credit). We’re using Integrated Physics and Chemistry (Tiner) and the MicroPhySci Kit. I had decided about a year ago or longer to use Heart of Dakota for Isaac, and I’m glad to say that my science teacher dad approved of the science component after he looked it over. I’ll be on my own for science after this and can only hope to choose programs he would have approved of (because I really valued his opinion when it came to science).
5. Math: Algebra (1 credit) using No-Nonsense Algebra. This was the cheapest program offered (out of 3 choices) and also what HOD describes as working well with students who have struggled in math. It has easy-to-understand, short and concise lessons, and you also get free online access to video instruction if needed. It’s not an advanced algebra course, but it is supposed to be adequate, so I’m hoping this program will be a great fit for my son.
6. Extracurricular: I’ll probably do a few other things not included in Heart of Dakota. This will include P.E., programming (Hour of Code) and typing (both continued from 8th grade), and possibly some art or music. This Heart of Dakota program is designed for a 4-day week, so Fridays can be used for extracurricular activities and student interests.
Click on links to view my 2015-16 curriculum choices for 2nd and 6th grades.
This post is linked to iHomeschool Network's 7th Annual "Not" Back to School Blog Hop.
