around here lately: HCPA '12-13 Curriculum

we kinda sorta not officially started school already. it was the last week of July, it was 110 degrees (no lie) and we were getting antsy. we pretty much threw routine out the window May through June, and it was super fun and relaxing, but by late July i could tell my little ones were starting to need some structure in their day. me, too.

so, we cracked open the books and started easing into our school year without much fanfare. we will call it official, with a kick-off breakfast and first day of school pictures, on Monday, August 20. 

this year at HCPA (Hall College Prep Academy) Big Girl (age 7) is doing 3rd grade work and Bubba (age 4) is beginning Kindergarten! this is our fourth year of homeschooling. both kids are also enrolled in a few classes at a local church that is offering elementary courses for homeschooled children. i'm looking forward to meeting other homeschooling families in our community! we will continue using many resources from Master Books, reference books on our bookshelves, our modified workbox system, and my custom lesson plan notebook.

our curriculum book list for 2012-2013
(you can read here our curriculum choices for Big Girl's Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd grade, and Bubba's PreK.)

Big Girl's 3nd Grade Year:

• Math- Singapore Math 2B and 3A
• Language- Easy Grammar: Grade 3
• Reading- Wordly Wise 3000 Grade 3, independent reading chapter books
• Writing- EIW All Things Fun & Fascinating
• Handwriting- Horizons Penmanship Cursive 3 and Happy Handwriting Scriptures
• Spelling- A Beka Spelling and Poetry 2, and weekly vocabulary words from My First Dictionary
• Science- Elementary Earth Science, Physical Science, Physics, and Chemistry (Tom DeRosa and Carolyn Reeves), BJU Science, hands-on science experiments, and caring for our class aquarium!
• Health/PE- Fitness & Nutrition, Stretch-n-Grow
• Bible- Wrong Way Jonah Study (Kay Arthur & Janna Arndt), daily devotionals
• History/Geography- Our Father's World
• Art & Music- open-ended, child-guided, possibly guitar lessons

Bubba's Kindergarten Year:

• Math- BJU Math K5
• Reading- Explode the Code 1 & 2, plus daily read-aloud
• Writing- various resources for handwriting practice
• Health/PE- Fitness & Nutrition, Stretch-n-Grow
• Bible- Adventure Bible devotionals and memory verses
• Art & Music- open-ended, child-guided, weekly drum lessons

being able to teach my children at home is such a blessing, even on the days when i threaten to drop them off at public school... [smile.] Big Girl reassures me on the tough days that she loves to be homeschooled and wouldn't have it any other way. Bubba melts my heart when he tells others proudly: "i go to homeschool." we are all very excited about another great year of homeschooling!

DaySpring Back to School supplies are on sale now!