We have been homeschooling for many years and I sometimes forget that what we do isn't the same for others. So, I decided to try adding a monthly homeschool recap to this blog to demonstrate one way (there are so many methods out there!) that homeschooling can work.
We use an eclectic method of homeschooling that leans very heavily towards the Charlotte Mason method of teaching. Without going into too much detail about this method, it can be described as very literature-heavy. We read and discuss A LOT of books. We don't spend a lot of time on workbooks, worksheets, etc., We have gravitated toward this method over the years and found that it works very well for our learners and family lifestyle.
We finished up our "book-schooling" for the year in the middle of the month. We officially homeschool all year long, but we cut it back to a lighter workload during some months of the year.
Here are some items that we have read, listened to or watched during the month of May:
*The Holy Bible
The Sword the Ring and the Parchment by Ed Dunlop
*The Dog Who Wouldn't Be by Farley Mowat
Richard Hallibuton's Book of Marvels - Orient
Facing the Facts by Stan Jones
Never Give In by Stephen Mansfield
George Washington's World by JoAnna Foster
Augustus Ceasars World by Genevieve Foster
The Story of the Greeks by HA Guerber
George Washington by Ingri d'Aulaire
Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin
Abigail Adams by Natalie Bober
*Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula
*The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Age of Fable by T. Bullfinch
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
*Mother West Wind books by Thornton Burgess
No Fear Shakespeare - Henry V by John Crowther
*Aesop's Fables
*Inhale-Exhale Devotional by Mercy Me
*Watch Mercy Me music videos on YouTube
The Reb and the Redcoats by Constance Savery
*Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson
It Couldn't Just Happen by Lawrence Richards
The Storybook of Science by Jean Henri Fabre
*Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
*Madam How and Lady Why by Charles Kingsley
The No Sweat Nature Study podcast by Cindy West: Homeschool Nature Study Podcast with Cindy West (ourjourneywestward.com)
Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
*Paddle to the Sea by Holling C Holling
Variety of Dickenson poems
Variety of Sandburg poems
Here's a list of more "formal" curriculum products that we have used during the month of May:
Song School Latin
Building Thinking Skills
*Right Start Math
*Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Here are some online classes that we have used:
Learn to Type | Type Better | Type Faster - Typing.com - Typing.com
Here are a few games/activities that we have enjoyed:
Rhyming flash cards
*Items marked with an asterisk are my personal favorites and highly recommended.
Here are a few field trips/activities that we have participated in during the month of May:
- We finished the year with our co-op. The boys participated in Apologetics, IEW writing and Anatomy classes. The girls participated in Bible, PE, Writing and Science classes. They ended the year with a Field Day. The weather didn't cooperate, but the kids still had a great time.
- The kids entered an art contest at Boyd's Station. They were rewarded with their pieces displayed in the local art gallery.
- Our son participated in a 4H entrepreneurial club meeting. He met other kids in the area that also want to start their own businesses. They shared ideas and business plans.
- While our son participated in his meeting, I enjoyed a breakfast with our daughter.
- Our son participated in the farmer's market. He runs his own booth at the Harrison County Farmer's Market where he sells worm tea, rabbit pellets and eggs.
- The kids attended an estate auction. Our daughter felt that making flower crowns with a friend was more enjoyable.
- The boys finished up their soccer season.
We participated in a field trip to Stepping Stone Farm.
- Our daughter decided to build a shelf for her room. After a little instruction and time in the workshop, it turned out perfect!
- The boys helped with a water conservation project.
- Our son worked to expand his worm farm operation by building another bucket system.
- Our son learned to sharpen a tool.
- We planted fruit trees.
- The kids continue to help with the animals.
- We picked strawberries at Red Barn Farm.
- We attended a field trip to Wendt's Wildlife Reserve.
- Our daughter had an accident while cleaning the bathroom that required multiple stitches. Doesn't everyone climb onto the sink to clean the mirror and then fly into the air to return to the ground? She handled the whole situation and procedure like a champ. (I'll spare you the really gory pictures).
Baby Updates:
She is pulling up and cruising around.
The girls are taking a more active role in caring for our littlest one. They keep her entertained and usually keep her out of trouble.
She's been helping with chores on the farm. It is hard work!
She enjoys snuggle-time on the porch.
She loves bath time.
In case you are interested, here are some links to the places/items mentioned above:
Leesburg Christian Church - Co-op
RightStart™ Mathematics by Activities for Learning, Inc. - (rightstartmath.com)
Boyd's Station Gallery — Boyd's Station (boydsstation.org)
Ice Cream, Candy, Baked Goods by The Sweet Boutique Near Cynthiana, KY (thesweetboutiquellc.com)
Home | Harrison Co Farmers (hcfmky.com)
Pumpkin Patch | Stepping Stone Farm | Paris (steppingstonefarmky.com)
Wildlife Park | Wendt's Wildlife Adventure | Carlisle (wendtswildlife.com)
*For those that enjoy the booklists, I have attached links to my Amazon affiliate account. As an Amazon associate, I will earn money from any qualifying purchases made by using these links.