Thursday, April 22, 2021

New Books I Recommend

We have found some awesome new books lately!  It seems that more publishers are realizing that homeschooling is growing substantially and they're accommodating by coming out with some great materials.

Smithsonian has these Super Simple books and I got all 3.  They are laid out very well and of course super simple.  I find that these can work in any grade, though they are advertised as for grades 6-12.  Adults will even find these valuable!









Z really loves these Ultimate pop-up books, he has looked through them countless times since getting them a few months ago:







Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Z's 3rd Grade Curriculum Plans

Here are the plans for Z's 3rd grade year.  We are adding in a lot this year - Latin, cursive, piano lessons, archery, architecture, woodworking and chess.


Bible - Bible Study Guide for All Ages

Reading - Assigned Book List; Fun Book List & Family Read-alouds
 
Math - Saxon Math 5/4
 
Grammar - First Language Lessons 3
 
Writing - Writing With Ease 
 
Spelling - Spelling Workout E & F
 
Vocabulary - Worldly Wise B & C
 
Latin & Cursive - MP Prima Latina & MP New American Cursive w/ Prima Latina copybook
 
Science - Christian Kids Explore Chemistry
 
History - A Child's History of the World
 
Art - Home Art Studio
 
Music - Piano lessons 

Extras - Archery; Architecture; Woodworking; Chess


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Z's 2nd Grade Astronomy

After finishing up Earth Science, we are moving on to Astronomy.  I'm using 2 encyclopedias as my main spine and then fleshing them out with numerous books, videos, games and other fun extras!  The spines are Usborne's First Encyclopedia of Space and DK's First Space Encyclopedia (my favorite one).  I also have Christian Kid's Explore Earth & Space but it didn't have enough for Z.

I created an outline using the 2 spines (USB and DK) and divided the subject material into categories.  Some of these are short and some are packed full of material, like space exploration and the solar system.


Astronomy Outline of Categories

  1. Intro to Space - USB 4-7; DK 4-7
  2. Telescopes -USB 8-11; DK 8-13
  3. Galaxies, Stars & Universe - USB 46-53; DK 14-23, 96-97, 102-105
  4. Space Exploration - USB 12-25; DK 24-49
  5. The Solar System - USB 28-43: DK 50-75
  6. Comets and Meteors - USB 44-45; DK 76-87
  7. Mysteries of Space - USB 26-27, 54-55; DK 88-95, 98-101
  8. Constellations & Stargazing - USB 56-59; DK 106-117