Homeschool Hop is hosted by Kylie at Our Worldwide Classroom. This week's topic is "What's Your Style?"
Okay, well, I guess my education style is really eclectic! I never really thought about it. Here’s a run-down of my education style, though I’m not sure what you would call it.
I particularly like Charlotte Mason. For K-2, I’ve used the Heart of Dakota curriculum, which is heavily based on Charlotte Mason ideas. Though I love Charlotte’s ideas, I’ve not managed to use all of them. For example, though I LOVE the idea of daily nature study, it just doesn’t work for me. England is cool and rainy much of the time, and though Charlotte (who lived in the beautiful Lake District part of England) loved being outdoors, I just don’t like trudging around outside when it’s cold or wet!
I’m very interested Montessori for my tot, though I don’t intend to carry on with it when she reaches kindergarten age. I’m happy with the curriculum and education style I’ve used so far, so I really want to stick with that.
Beginning with 3rd grade, which my son is currently in, I’ve become more eclectic. Here’s a breakdown of our subjects:
1. History—Currently using Story of the World series. I like using accurate historical fiction and real history stories along with hands-on activities and notebooks. A bit Charlotte Mason…
2. Thinking skills—Workbooks (yep, nice workbooks) and games
3. Bible—Currently studying Proverbs using the book Wisdom and the Millers. In the past, we’ve used Grapevine Studies: Stick-Figuring Through the Bible—we loved it! Next year, I’m going for a set of books which teach children HOW to study the Bible and then continues to take children through a study of the book of John.
4. Math—I’m still lost on this one….sorry. We’ve been using Miquon since 1st grade and don’t like it. Right now, I’m just trying a combination of trying to finish Miquon and preparing Isaac to fit back into Singapore Math next year, by using worksheets I get off the internet. I use math manipulatives as much as possible.
5. Reading—I’ve taught my 2 oldest to read using How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Since then, we’ve used a set of readers. Next year, I’m going to use a selection of literature and Heart of Dakota’s Drawn Into the Heart of Reading program.
6. Storytime—I read children’s literature aloud, and Isaac makes lapbooks.
7. Language—Language Lessons for the Elementary Child (Charlotte Mason approach)
8. Spelling—I’m liking Sequential Spelling. My son does not enjoy it, but he does well in it. It’s a drudgery for him simply because of having to write 25 words in cursive, but I consider it to be a necessary drudgery I guess.
9. Science—I like a notebook approach. We use textbooks but nicely written ones with short lessons, lots of activities and notebook entries. We also do an occasional lapbook.
10. Geography—We’re doing 2-week long unit studies on different countries. My approach is very similar to what Jolanthe from Homeschool Creations does. She uses Galloping the Globe, which I do not have, but I pattern much of what I do by what I’ve read on her blog. This is one subject that I plan out myself without a written curriculum. I use a lot of projects, literature, websites, and youtube videos.
11. Extracurricular—I’m bad about trying to fit too much in, so this category doesn’t always get done. I rotate between Spanish, Typing, P.E., Music, and Art. For each of these, I use a variety of programs and activities.
By the way, I missed Homeschool Hop #3 "Why?" (Why do you homeschool?). I just posted mine here if you're interested. The Mcklinky on that one is closed, but I wanted to blog about it anyway.
