Last year was challenging (but when is homeschooling not challenging really) because I have always struggled with doing things the “right” way using the Biblical Principle Approach. Actually the BPA is beautifully simple. Not necessarily easy, but simple. Adding a 5yo to my 6th and 3rd graders had me a bit stressed. I wrestled with the idea of individual subjects, of textbooks, of private school. Some health issues have added to my struggle and I wasn’t sure what I could do, much less if I could do what I wanted to do. Then in a conversation with my husband it all fell beautifully into place.
So here are our plans for this year.
Bible: Judah Bible Curriculum (my favorite) and trying to work in some study of the Days of Awe. We are in grade 4.10 of the rotation.
Integrated studies for history, literature, English and geography. I am using a history backbone and we are learning through literature. Lots of great books. I am using Genevieve Foster’s book Abraham Lincoln’s World as a basis for our history and it’s working out great. The time period this year is mainly the 1800′s and we will finish the year with a study of our state’s history. Our overarching Principle for this year is America’s Heritage of Christian Character.
Math: Ray’s and other resources I have to add variety, along with studying a few mathematicians.
Science: tons of experiments from Janice VanCleave’s books. Earth science, oceanography, astronomy, and cytology.
Music: it’s always happening here. Two children take lessons at a local music school and my husband is a musician. We do some extra music games and then we try to have family praise & worship.
Foreign language: the girls want to learn Spanish so we are using The Easy Spanish. It really is easy (gentle lessons).
What will make what we do Biblical Principle Approach? Ask Renae.
Here’s what our weekly schedule looks like:
- daily: Bible, math and integrated study
- science, Spanish and art 3 days a week
- oldest daughter is starting homemaker lessons that she is working on independently
- I also work with my 5yo on phonics and a few simple things separately
Not complicated, not too much. Mainly reading great literature and learning from books (which is what literature means). I am finally getting to see my dream fulfilled and I am so thankful. (If you note the date on that post you will see how long this process has taken me!) I will try to post more often about how our year is progressing, like I did in my journal’s early years here (feel free to peruse the archives).
If you have written about your home educating plans, please feel free to leave a comment & link to it.
i have found a Bible curriculum called Firm Foundations. It takes you providentially through the Bible from creation to Christ. We are using Right Start Math, Spell to Write to Read. i am using a Trial Guide to Us Geo. and injecting the principles into it.
We are using the workbox system and it works wonderfully. My oldest is doing Christian Kids Explore Chemistry and is loving it while we are waiting for Ruth Smith to publish the next history book. I have my younger ones in Self-Government in the MIghty Works of God series that Ruth wrote.
We have studied Aesop’s Fables are are going onto literature books. i would love to do some unit studies /w the literature and link everything together.
funny, i always thought that unit studies would work well w/ BPA as it would show how God’s hand is in all things at the same time.
blessings,
amy
Amy,
that’s a good way to put it–God’s hand in all things at the same time. My hang up has always been the rudiments of each subject and maintaining its individuality, so this has been a slow process for me to think through. And doing an integrated study or two a year around a good book is a nice balance. You can have separate subjects and then bring them together naturally with good literature.
The difference is that we are home educators and not classroom teachers. We have different grades to teach every year, and different material to cover. Our requirements are unique and we must lean on God for our plans, because He alone knows what our children need. So integrated studies make a lot of sense for us (and they have proven to be successful in the traditional classroom as well) because we have a one-room schoolhouse. I think it’s a great opportunity to connect learning across the curriculum, as real life does. Children can make connections, reason and draw conclusions that are difficult with separate subjects. Sorry to ramble. Just typing as I am thinking.
Love it Anna! It is so simple – very similar to what we are doing this year – funny, instead of getting more complicated each year, I am drawn to simplifying our schedule a little more. Reading John Taylor Gatto and Ruth Beechick’s writings have been thought provoking and have helped me simplify many areas. I find our school to be a good mix of Charlotte Mason, Ruth Beechick and PA all combined. I have been thinking about posting our schedule for the year on my blog too. We’ll see what time permits. ( :
Thanks for sharing!
Love,
Mandi
I just want to say”THANK YOU” for all of the time you have put in to keep up your blog to share such wonderful wisdom, resources and encouragement for us who are struggling on how to implent this wonderful philosophy of teaching to our children.
Pressing on toward the goal! In His strength.
Blessings to you!
Cindy