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2005-2006:
Well... I thought I was going to be using Galloping
the Globe (GTG) this year but that did not work
out so.... its onto Core 1!! I am so excited for this year to come and so is
Kris. Last year we learned a lot from K and GTG .... things about Egypt, China,
and other places that we get to learn even more about this year. Below is a list
of resources we plan on using for the year. As usual.... I will try to keep you
updated on how things are going, what is working and what isn't, etc... I am
combining 3 complete history programs together in an effort to stretch this
school year out for at least 18 months. My plan is to do the same for Core 2
which will get me that extra year I was wanting before getting to Core 3.
UPDATE: Combing
the 3 programs did not work for me. We ended up completing Core 1 in the normal
amount of time so we are moving onto Core 2.
Core
1
Readers
from Core 2 Regular Not enough readers to keep my son busy for a year but
we couldn't afford the next level so I just kept going to the book store and
picking up some more for him when we finished what we already had. The Bible
that comes with this gets to be tedious reading after awhile. We read the
Bible and the other books at the same time -- to make it easier to swallow.
This WAS our bible study at the beginning of the year for the little ones.
Kris taught this study.
Uncle
Josh's Outline Maps I wish SL had some notes on how to use this. I
have used it upon occasion but really need some guidance. I love the maps
though and the CD is great! After having it for awhile, I have gotten
creative in learning how to utilize this resource. I still only use it once
every few months or so.
Story
of the World 1 with activity guides note: We also have the
audio version for this that I highly recommend for taking on long trips or
for those with children who learn anything by music. My son loves listening
to this at bedtime. We ended up dropping the book and the activity guide. We
will get back to both in Core 6. However, we loved the audiobook! It was well
worth the investment!!
Mystery
of History 1 I really like how this book combines biblical and world
history but it covers so much more biblical history than anything else that
it makes it difficult to combine. I ended up using it as a family
devotional. This will take us awhile to get through as we only seem to get
to it once every 2-3 weeks or so.
Books
for Boys This is an excellent resource that I picked up for just
a few dollars from Rainbow Resource.
It is a small booklet with ideas on what on books that boys will enjoy from
young ones all the way up to the teen years. I am planning on reading all of
their suggestions to my boys.
Reason
For Handwriting Transitions
There is enough material in this book for 2 years. 1 year of
printing and 1 year of cursive. The teachers manual suggests you skip some of
the lessons but that amounts to just under half of this book. It would be better
to plan to use it fully over a 2 year period of time.
Wordly
Wise A and B I had planned on using A last year but didn't until the
last few weeks while waiting for other things to arrive. I should have
started it earlier. In order to get the most out of this series the child
needs to be comfortable reading at a 2nd grade level.
First
Language Lessons Started late last year. This is a 2 year program that we
will hopefully be completing the same time as this core and not before then.
Explode
the Code 4,5,6
We ended up dropping this because my son's reading capabilities
were making huge strides and this program was far behind where he was at despite
the fact that he began it when he began phonics instruction. I love this series,
however, and highly recommend it!
MCP
B We used this for about half the year but
again due to the leaps my son was taking in his reading abilities, this no
longer was a good fit for him. I ended up dropping our entire LA program
that I had planned for the year and had to start all over again.
Spelling
Workout B This is a great program and comes
recommended from TWTM people but it was too slow and schoolish to fit our needs.
We have since switched to Sequential Spelling and this is a great fit for our
family.
Come
Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art I love the
fact that this book contains questions to ask about the pictures as well as
information about the artist and piece of art. I really needed something like
this and highly recommend this series.
Come Look With Me: World of Play
I love the fact that this book contains questions to ask about the pictures as
well as information about the artist and piece of art. I really needed something
like this and highly recommend this series.
Artistic
Pursuits K-3 Book 1 Due to finances, we had to drop this from our plans but
this would go so well with our studies that I left it here as a
recommendation to all of you! Our plan is now to wait until the younger two
are able to use this program as well and combine all 3 together for this
subject.
Color
the Classics: Christmas Music and Patriotic Songs
This is a very nice introduction to Classical Music that also
gives information about the composers. There are 6 books in this series. We use
2 per year. If your children like to color this program will work for you if not
-- you will need to find something else for them.
SL
Science 1
Apologia
Elementary Science: Astronomy This is a great program. It gets a little to
biblical at times for me but all in all an excellent curriculum. My son probably
would have gotten more out of this at an older age. But I made my
own plans with this and am pleased with what we both learned!
Homeschool
Family Fitness This required more planning than I was prepared for so it
never got used. I do not like the DVD that goes with this at all. Save your
money -- just get the book.)
Little
Book of Manners for Boys
This is great for boys who love sports. There is a coach in the
book giving tips on manners and not just the basics either it also includes
manners with your friends. Yes burping is appropriate sometimes but.... I really
liked this one.
My
Cookie Business This book teaches the beginnings of
economics to the youngest audience. The one thing that my son took away from
this is that it takes money to make money. There is simply no other way around
it in our society.
Lessons
in Time This is a unit study from Brimwood
Press that I highly recommend. It was created for older students
but can easily be adapted to younger students and is a great introduction to
time and the time line. Using toothpicks to represent time, your child will
explore time hands on and see what all those numbers really mean!
Quarter
Mile Math K-3 This is so much more than drills for addition and
subtraction. This also teaches beginning keyboarding and 10 key skills,
Patterns, Sequencing, estimating, rounding, and goes into beginning
multiplication and division skills. It is well worth the money!)
Scott
Foresman Exploring Mathematics 2 We started in 2 last year after
trying out so many different programs. This was a perfect fit in combination
with Singapore for our family. So we will be finishing up 2 this year
if all goes according to plan.
Signing
Time DVDs I cannot say enough about this program. This has to be my
favorite resource this year! I am using it with all 3 boys and it has helped
them all tremendously. We will be continuing our ASL study next year. See PK
for more thoughts on Signing Time!
Teacher Resources I used
for the year are:
These are the books that I purchased for me this year. To help me learn more
about homeschooling and to become a better teacher.
The Well Trained Mind
The Way They Learn
Books
For Boys 
Lies My Teacher Told Me
What Your Second Grader Needs To Know
Homeschool Tracker
Time Traveler
Usborne World History
Greek Myths for Young Children
First Encyclopedia of Animals
First Guide to the Universe
Starting Point Science
What Makes You Ill?
What’s Inside You?
 Science
Activities I
Why Do People Eat?
You can purchase these from you local consultant, retailer, or me!
Introduction to Archaeology (IL) This is a great book with
a lot of detail but a little much for younger kids. Save this one for late
elementary at the earliest but don't skip it!!
The Great History Search
Along the lines of an I spy book. Not a lot of learning is going
on but it is fun for the kids and sometimes you just need some fun!
1001 Things To Spot Long Ago
Along the lines of an I spy book. Not a lot of learning is going
on but it is fun for the kids and sometimes you just need some fun!
Egyptians (Beginner's Series)
Mummies and Pyramids (Discovery Series)
Who Built the Pyramids?
This is a great book that helps kids better understand and answer
their questions about Ancient Egypt.
 Aesop's Fables (Young Reading 2)
 Jason and the Golden Fleece (Young Reading 2)
Ulysses (Young Reading 2)
Hercules (Young Reading 2)
The Usborne Book of Legends
 Ancient Greeks (Beginners series)
 Alexander the Great
Stories from India I love this series of books! This has
been on my wish list to buy for so long now. If I could get any book I wanted
from Usborne today for free -- this is what I would choose!
Romans (Beginners series)
 Roman Army (Discovery series)
I love the details of this book. This is one my son keeps picking
up over and over again and so does my husband. 
Who Were the Romans?
This is a great book for younger kids. Done in a question and
answer format -- it gives a lot of great information!
 Cleopatra
Puzzle Pyramid
This is a fun book to do but not much learning is happening.
Puzzle Journey Through Time
This is a fun book to do but not much learning is happening.
Encyclopedia of the Ancient World (IL)
The Usborne Book of the Ancient World
Visitor's Guide to Ancient Egypt
There is a lot of great information in these little books. My son
was a little young for them but my husband loved them! Probably better for use
with Core 6.
Visitor's Guide to the Ancient World
There is a lot of great information in these little books. My son
was a little young for them but my husband loved them! Probably better for use
with Core 6.
Visitor's Guide to Ancient Greece
There is a lot of great information in these little books. My son
was a little young for them but my husband loved them! Probably better for use
with Core 6.
The Roman Record
The Greek Gazette
The Egyptian Echo
Children's Picture Atlas Every home needs an atlas.
This is a great one for young children!
First Encyclopedia of History (IL)
Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt (IL) better for Core 6
Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece (IL) better for Core
6
Encyclopedia of the Roman World (IL) better for Core 6
Puzzle Journey Through Time
Greek Myths I believe that this is the same book that
comes with the core just in bigger format. It has been recommended that this
book would be better for Core 6.
Greek & Norse Legends better for Core 6
Greek Myths & Legends better for Core 6
Romans (IL)
Greeks (IL)
Make This Egyptian Mummy
This is a fun hands on project but young ones will need
a lot of help. Save it for upper elementary and they can do it on
their own.
Make This Egyptian Temple
This is a fun hands on project but young ones will need
a lot of help. Save it for upper elementary and they can do it on
their own.
Make This Greek Temple This is a fun hands on
project but young ones will need a lot of help. Save it for upper
elementary and they can do it on their own.
Make This Roman Fort This is a fun hands on
project but young ones will need a lot of help. Save it for upper
elementary and they can do it on their own.
Make This Roman Villa This is a fun hands on
project but young ones will need a lot of help. Save it for upper
elementary and they can do it on their own.
Exploring Creation with Astronomy
If you are needing help scheduling this or looking for ways to beef up this
program for a more complete school year - I recommend the LBC
Guide To Astronomy. I did not know about this when I used this
program with my oldest but if I had, I would have used it.
Worksheets Include:
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