Easy Way Curriculum Planning | Special Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

easy way curriculum planning | Curriculum Planning The Easy Way? It never gets old, the feeling of excitement OR dread when you are planning your homeschool curriculum. #Homeschool #homeschooling #podcast #easycurriculumEasy Way Curriculum Planning

Special Replay | Episode 252, Easy Way Curriculum Planning

Curriculum Planning The Easy Way?

It never gets old, the feeling of excitement OR dread when you are planning your homeschool curriculum. What is curriculum? It is the books, and the methodology you will use to homeschool your children. I won’t go into all the styles of homeschooling, this has been done in other podcasts.

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Easy Way Curriculum Planning:

An overview of methods and links to these podcasts on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network are as follows:

  • Charlotte Mason
  • Classical Method
  • Unit Studies
  • Principle Approach
  • Textbook and Workbook
  • Unschooling and Delayed Academics
  • Homeschooling Elementary Years
  • Homeschooling Middle School
  • Homeschooling 101

There are more, and that is an eclectic approach mixing some of these methods.

For example, I used the Unit Study method for the majority of the elementary years, but I supplemented it with textbooks when needed or unschooling, allowing the children to pursue or go off on tangents that interested them – or an idea that was sparked by our unit study.

This type of learning is the most effective because the children are excited to learn and that is when most “real” learning takes place. I notice this now in my older children. My son was interested in weaponry – making weapons after studying ancient history. This carried on in later years and my son has made throwing stars, knives out of steel, a sword, a bow and arrow, and display cases. It is a fun hobby that he does in his spare time.

My daughter, on the other hand, learned her love for oceanography after studying the topic and went on to Scuba dive, getting her advanced certificates while in college. This daughter has gone on to homeschool her children.

We are going to take a quick commercial break and when we come back we will discuss planning your year – using the 4-Square Planning Method. We’ll be right back.

 

Okay – where were we? Planning your Curriculum.

  1. Decide your method. Which will you select? It really depends on the method of homeschooling you select on how to plan your curriculum. Here I’m assuming you have the curriculum in hand or are thinking about what you want to do for the coming year. If you study the different methods of homeschooling, textbooks, unit studies or unschooling the variety of options are endless. Regardless to your method you still need to accomplish, even if you are unschooling – that is not using any set curriculum and using student-led topics, you still need to accomplish learning for the year. This needs to be planned at some point and scheduled. If you are using the Classical approach there are various cycles, so you want to look at your student’s age/grade and figure out where they are in the study or approach. Charlotte Mason uses experiential, literature and nature studies. For the Principal each subject is based on Biblical principles and students are taught to think and reason using a Christian worldview and ideas using a notebook method to research, reason, relate and record. It still requires books which takes us to the next point.
  2. Look at how many weeks you will schedule your homeschool. Typically we homeschool 180 days of school, 5 days a week, for a total of 36 weeks. Just divide the number of days a week you want to homeschool into 180 days of school and that will help you. I used a yearly calendar and circled the days we would school in pencil. Just think! There are 52 weeks in the school year. If you homeschool 36 of those weeks it gives you plenty of downtime – time to take a break.
  3. Look at your books – where will you begin? It is different if you are using different methods. Here are some example of two methods I am most familiar with and ways to set them up.
  4. Textbook/workbook – take the number of days you will homeschool, the number of pages in the book and divide the number of pages by days. So if there are 320 pages in your child’s math book and 180 days it will take 1.7 days to complete – so, doing 2 pages per day will allow you to complete the book in 160 days which gives you 20 days of cushion. Cushion time: This is a great relief to homeschool families, to have the time to get ahead of if you take a break, you’ll know how many days you can miss without getting behind.
  5. Unit study – plan your topics for the year. Then, decide how many weeks you will use to study the unit. The best unit studies take at least 6-8 weeks of study. My own Creation Study Guides used this method.  In this amount of time, you can read about the topic, do science or history projects and really delve into the topic thoroughly.
  6. Schedule in time for breaks such as field trips — Schedule time for vacations. Even staycations. Also include breaks for planning, planning time for long weekends, vacations
  7. Field trips were a big part of our homeschool and needs a number all of its own. You can schedule your field trips around the topics you are studying or just schedule your field trip as a stand-alone. We studied the ancient Greeks and Romans and then we decided to visit various restaurants to sample Greek and Roman foods.

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Flash Sale – Curriculum!

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Creation Science Curriculum Flash Sale

Creation Science Study Guide

 

creation-science-study-guide-cover-imageThe Creation Science Study Guide from Media Angels Publishing is one of a series of unit study guides. The guide was created to give students a strong foundation in the young-earth creationist viewpoint as well as to point out weaknesses within Darwinian theory. It is organized in a way that makes it easy to use with multiple students at different levels. It includes recommendations for real books to read, directions for experiments and hands-on activities for students K-3, grades 4-8 and students in grades 9-12.

The unit study guide is based around Creation Science topics but includes ways to integrate lessons in geography, history, language arts, math, art, and music during the 6-8 weeks it takes to complete the lessons. It provides a detailed reading list, vocabulary and spelling lists and detailed information for the homeschool parent on teaching each section.

“This series very much reflects what I think science education should look like with its combination of real books, experiments, and other interesting activities that truly engage children in the study of science. “ ~ Cathy Duffy, Author, Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manuals

Flash Sale Price: $5.97

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An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects

An Insider’s Guide to Successful Science Fair Projects is a book that helps you work through the process of creating a science fair project you can be proud of! This easy-to-read, softcover book is full of information on science fair projects from beginning to winning: how to choose your topic, where to find resources, creating a journal, display board tips, advice on writing your report, your presentation and the judging criteria.  Also includes student forms for scheduling, planning and record-keeping. As a bonus, it covers ideas for organizing a homeschool Science Fair for homeschool support group leaders.

“This is an invaluable resource to anyone who wants to learn how to create a serious science fair project. It is also a great resource for those who would like to organize a science fair for their local homeschool group. Mrs. Gerwitz has done a remarkable job of gathering all of the information that you need and putting it into one easy-to-read book.” ~ Dr. Jay L. Wile, Author, Apologia Science Books

Flash Sale Price: $ 4.00

Flash Sale price includes all shipping and handling charges! 

 

 

 

 

The Truth Seekers Mystery Series -Two Volumes

This Flash Sale price of $6.97 includes two soft-cover novels from the Truth Seekers Mystery Series: The Missing Link: Found and Keys to the Past: Unlocked

Can Your KIDS defend the why they believe the Bible and not in the theory of evolution?

These fun to read adventure novels teach the truth, they teach justice and they teach your children how to defend their beliefs. Spark your child’s interest in Creation Science and teach apologetics without even trying! Using a “novel” approach your children will race through hundreds of pages of heart-pounding mystery, suspense, and edge-of-your-seat adventure. Perfect for homeschooling!

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Get both The Missing Link: Found and Keys to the Past: Unlocked PLUS the two Literature Guides that go with the novels and help you guide your child’s learning for…

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Flash Sale price includes all shipping and handling charges – both young adult novels and two education literature guides! 

It’s easy to order these books below or if you prefer a digital version, take a look at the E-book bundle which includes ALL these items, PLUS the digital versions of Dinosaur Quest at Diamond Peak, Creation Anatomy Unit Study Guide, Creation Astronomy Unit Study Guide, Creation Geology Unit Study Guide, three supplemental Hands-on Activity Packs for Anatomy, Astronomy and Creation Science, the Creation mini-books activity packs, Christian life e-books A Few Minutes With God and Secret Code Time, the Virtual Field Trips Handbook, Reach for the Stars a young writer’s guide to writing fiction (workbook), and the Information in a Nutshell books Writing and Publishing by Felice Gerwitz and Business Tips and Taxes for Writers, by Carol Topp. In addition, the Bundle has the Creation Camp bonus audios and printables with loads of extra learning activities centered around learning about creation at home!  Get the Media Angels: E-book Bundle

 

 

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Flash Sale -Books Available


Best Weekend Ever FPEA 2019 Convention

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Best Weekend Ever FPEA 2019 Convention

#FPEA2019Convention #WildFloridaLiveFree

FPEA 2019 Conference Join us for your BEST WEEKEND EVER! | #podcast #homeschoolpodcastPodcast #63

FPEA 2019 Conference Join us for your BEST WEEKEND EVER! There are so many reasons to attend FPEA’s annual homeschool convention. Listen in, as we tell you all about our upcoming convention. What’s new? Why should you attend!  Our convention offers more than you will find ANYWHERE else!

The Premier Event for Homeschool Families

May 23-25, 2019

Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Convention Center, Orlando, FL

Make your plans now to join us in Orlando in May. This is the biggest and BEST homeschool convention in the nation. There is something for everyone–great workshops, exciting events, a huge vendor hall and plenty of opportunities for fellowship!

And, YES!, we are moving–this year the Convention will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort! It is a beautiful golf resort with four pools and tons of outdoor space for your family.

Learn more about the FPEA 2019 Homeschool Convention and Register Here

How to Choose the Right Curriculum for Your Homeschool

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

How to Choose the Right Curriculum for Your HomeschoolDo you find sifting through the myriad of curriculum options out there overwhelming? Whether you are new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran, there is helpful information here for you! In this episode, Richele and Lindsey tackle practical ways to choose the right curriculum for your homeschool student, as well as, how to change mid-year if you feel something is not working out the way you thought it would. Like you, we are always looking for ways to save money, but at the same time increase efficiency in the homeschool room as we also create a quality and ever-interesting education for our children.

Links:

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