Big Change: Curriculum Choices for 2013-2014

We are making a big move this year...in curriculum!  ;)

Last year was wonderful as we used Heart of Dakota's program.  I even posted the top 10 reasons why we loved it so much.  It was perfect for Old Crow's 1st grade year.  As I began to look at how Heart of Dakota would fit both Old Crow in 2nd grade and Crazy Horse in Kindergarten, it became difficult to make it work.  Their learning would be completely different and their subjects would be separated.  I began to feel pulled in the direction of combined teaching or multiple-age learning.  I wanted as much of our learning to be together as possible.   So I began looking into new curriculum choices. 

I researched and researched until I felt physically sick (no joke).  My husband finally told me to stop looking at it.  I laid it all out for him and let him make the decision.  Wheewww!  The weight that was lifted off of me was indescribable.  Why do we moms do that to ourselves? :)  

Our final choice...We have joined our local Classical Conversations community and are so excited about beginning in August.

Taken from CC's website:

Classical Conversations is a leader in the home-centered education movement. It is a mission: To know God and to make Him known. It is a model: Classical Conversations combines the classical method of learning with a biblical worldview. It is a method: Classical Conversations families meet in communities where parents train parents to implement home-centered education well.

Here is the breakdown of our curriculum for this coming year:

Old Crow:  2nd Grade

Math: Singapore Math 2A/2B

Reading:  Heart of Dakota's Drawn into the Heart of Reading Program Level 2

English:  First Language Lessons Level 2

Spelling:  All About Spelling Level 3

Copywork and Writing:  Various portions of poems, classical stories, and scripture

Crazy Horse:  Kindergarten

Math:  Singapore Math Earlybird Kindergarten A & B

Reading:  All About Reading Pre-Reading

Handwriting:  A Reason for Handwriting Level K

Everything else we will all learn together through our Classical Conversations work.

Bible, History, Science, Geography, Latin, Fine Arts, English Grammar are all included with CC.  We will read living books and complete activities to expand on what is learned.

Looking forward to a new year,

Jenny