Homeschool Plans 2017-2018
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As we embark on our 12th year of homeschooling (after just trying it out for one year…raise your hand if that was you too?? 😉 ) I can’t help but feel a range of emotions…from excited to… how on earth?
Anyway, this year we will have an 11th, 9th, 7th, and 3rd grader. Which when I type that out makes me realize - TWO high schoolers, a middle schooler, and only one left in elementary. Wow!
Here are our “loose” plans for the year. The high schoolers plans are a bit more buttoned up because, well…high school. You kinda have to have a more rigid plan in place (even if it goes against my nature ;))
(UPDATED AS WE STARTED OUR YEAR!)
11th Grade
Sonlight 400 American Government- History and Literature only
We used Sonlight last year for history and literature. Originally, I said we would use “Sonlight, somewhat” and follow it loosely. But to our (pleasant) surprise, we really appreciated the schedule and followed it mostly. There were just a few books that I omitted, and because Sonlight is so reading intensive, I still felt the schedule was just fine.
We were given the entire set by a friend and it is the older edition. However, it will work just fine. She has also read some of the books already in the new edition and the older one, so we will omit those. Here are the books we are planning for history and literature so far:
A Separate Peace Jacob Have I Loved The Giver The Godless Constitution
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Shadow of the Almighty Bell Prater’s Boy Where the Broken Heart Still Beats
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn My Antonia Eternity in Their Hearts Emancipating Slaves, Enslaving
Best Short Stories of O. Henry The Grapes of Wrath Moby Dick Free Men
Basic American Government The Portable Poe Julie of the Wolves Never Before in History
Black Like Me Up From Slavery Lies My Teacher Told Me
As you can see, it is a lot of books! There may be a few additions or subtractions, but these are what we have now. This will also include her English requirements- writing assignments are covered in this as well.
My daughter is able to work independently at this age. Last year she had her schedule for each week and knew she had to complete it by the end of the week. Sometimes she would do more in a day if she knew that we had a busy week, but she always managed to stay on top of it. This was something that has come with maturity. Earlier on this kind of schedule would have overwhelmed her (and me!) but I find that at this stage of the game, it works just perfectly, and for that I am grateful. I think it is also good preparation for college work- she is learning to navigate independently and to take control of completing the tasks by given dates.
Algebra II- Mr. D’s Math (UPDATE: SO FAR, SO GOOD- ONE WEEK IN 😉 )
After many, many, many years (all of our homeschool years?) using Math U See, this year we are going to try something new. I have heard great things about Mr. D’s math and am going to try it for Algebra II. My daughter (and I) painfully struggled through Algebra I and truth be told, Algebra II scares me. 😉 So, this seemed like a good fit. I am actually having my son (9th grader) do it as well. He has completed Algebra I and rather than do Geometry next (which is what my daughter did) I will have him to do Algebra II this year. He excels in math and I am hoping if they do it together, he may be able to help her (and me! 😉 )
Foreign Language- Spanish
We will continue using DuoLingo for Spanish
Lab Science- Marine Biology (Apologia)
I am very excited for this. First, because we are DONE with Chemistry! (it was brutal for us! ;)) But mostly because I adore Sheri Seligson and this is her brand new revised curriculum for this year. We also adore all things Apologia and are very excited to continue with their science courses. Follow along on Instagram and Insta-stories as I share our experience this year in real life!
Electives
Foundations- Dave Ramsey
I am excited about this because I have heard great things!
Fine Arts- Drama, Choir, Voice, Dance, Music Theory, Performance Arts
We participate in a local homeschool program for all of these things. It is a huge blessing and the kids favorite day of the week!
9th Grade
History and Literature- Sonlight 100
My son is not nearly as avid of a reader as my daughter, so we are definitely tweaking his book list. We will use some of the scheduled books and also the writing assignments.
Algebra II- Mr. D’s Math
(see above description for 11th grade!)
Apologia Biology with Lab
Read my review of this curriculum here
Foreign Language-Spanish
Duolingo
Electives
Foundations in Finance with Dave Ramsey (see description above)
Cinema 4D
Graphic Design and Studio
Student Internship
My son is learning from my husband all things graphic design. He works with tutorials and is currently working on his own projects! This will count for school 
He is also a student intern at a local art workshop studio.
An Excellent Spirit- Character Lessons from the Life of Daniel (Sandi Queen)
7th Grade
Math- Principles of Mathematics, Master Books
Again, we are trying something new. This particular son needs a change in math, and I am willing to make that change for something to help him. Update: So far we are really enjoying this! It is very different from what we are used to, but it is a good change.
Science- Applied Engineering from Master Books
This is still in the air. We have loved Apologia, but again, this student learns a bit differently. Anyone have suggestions for a right-brained, hands-on learner? Update: This is a great fit for this particular son!
Language Arts/Writing/Reading
Writers in Residence from Apologia
This was a last minute change and we LOVE it so far. It is a great fit for him.
History/Literature
I am pulling books from Sonlight’s Core W list but will not follow the schedule. We will do these at our own pace:
The Samurai’s Tale (he started it, but needed to switch to a different book as it seemed a bit difficult for him. Again, he is my struggling learner.)
Number the Stars (His current read.)
Extras
An Excellent Spirit- Character Lessons from the Life of Daniel (Sandi Queen)
Foundations in Finance with Dave Ramsey (see description above)
Drama, Choir, Art (local homeschool program)
3rd Grade
Booklist taken from Sonlight Core B&C (read alouds and easy readers to start progressing as the year goes on)
Homer Price Window on the World
Charlott’es Web
Magic Treehouse Books
Language Arts
Sandi Queen Language Workbooks
Copywork
Dictation
Science
Lots of animal books plus working with our hobby farm animals. This boy has a huge interest in animal science, so that will be our studies for science! These resources will come from things we have plus the library!
Math
Math Lessons for a Living Education: Level 3, Grade 3, Master Books
Update: Loving this curriculum so far! We are so glad we switched!
Handwriting
Handwriting Without Tears Cursive
History
America’s Story (We are reading this together with the 7th grader)
Update: Loving this one too!
Extras
Art (local homeschool program)
Possibly 4H
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Your list looks great. I will have a 12th, 10th, and 2 6th graders this year. A suggestion for your 7th grade science … Exploration Education’s Physical Science and kit for labs. We used this with our girls when doing Heart of Dakota. The lessons are done using a CD in your computer and are interactive. There are lots of fun labs like building the frame of a tiny house and wiring it, or building a glider then doing experiments when flying it. Quizzes are done on the computer ,so a student cannot move on until material is completely understood. There are also quarterly exams. Heart of Dakota’s Revival to Revolution also incorporated a study of inventors using living books. You could check out some of the books and add them in too.
Thank you so much! Definitely checking that out!
I am very interested in the Character Lessons from the Life of Daniel. Where did you find that resource? I would like to see some of the content of the book, table of contents, sample lesson questions, ect..
It is from Queen Homeschool Publishing.