Sunday, February 27, 2011

Year 2 Booklist - updated


This is the revised Year 2 booklist for Maple Hill Academy.


This booklist is based on the Ambleside Online program, and the Milestones Academy program, with adjustments.



Follow the Ambleside Online Year 2 with the following changes:


Scriptures:
Penny Gardner Storied Scriptures

Scripture Memorizations (your choice)
Optional:
Reading from Church Magazines
Singing Primary Song (Select 1 per month. Can also sing in Foreign Language or ASL)


History:
Remove This Country of Ours
Add in Family History (Genealogy) - Learn about Grandparents


History Tales and/or Biography:
We do not do Trial and Triumph - your choice


Canadian History:
See Canadian History Plan


Geography:
no changes


Natural History/Science:
(Add in "Wild Days" - Karen Radcliffe as a reference for parent)
(Add in "Pocket Full of Pinecones" - Karen Andreola as a reference/inspiration for parent)
Add in (for reading practice as well as science) Christian Nature Reader Book 2 (or appropriate level) WHEN child is ready to read it.


Phonics: (Reading Instruction)
See Maple Hill posts on teaching reading
(Christian Nature Reader Book 2 (or appropriate level) WHEN child is ready to read it - for science as well as reading practice)


Math:
We strongly recommend the Mathmatics Enhancement Programme
Another free choice is Khan Academy which is nice for a little change, but can also be a stand-alone online program.


Foreign Language: (We are doing German, but it is your choice)

(See Year 1 if just starting)

Find 3 German story books with Audio CD's (1 per term)
Do copywork from the German books
Translate small passages into English orally
Find more German songs

Optional: Practice Primary song of the month in German
Optional: Primsleur German


Poetry:
no change.



Writing/Copywork:
Peterson Directed Handwriting (Cursive Step 3) (if moving from print, might want to start with Step 2 instead, but can start with Step 3 - it will move faster) If you have already done Step 2, still do Step 3 - it teaches a more adult proportion to the letters)

Selected copywork from readings/scriptures/etc.


Literature:
no changes

Canadian Literature:
See Canadian Literature Plan


Free Reading:
Remove "Abraham Lincoln"
Remove "Brighty of the Grand Canyon" (to make room for Canadian Literature)
Add "Levi's Life" - Kathryn Louis


Sketching/Painting
Basic Observation Drawing - some resources


Picture Study:
some info
Family Rotation


Music(read how-to) [note this How-to is on Milestones Academy]

Recommended - Violin, Piano OR Recorder (inexpensive) OR other similar instruments


Do NOT start more than one instrument at once! Wait until a student is very comfortable with 1 instrument before starting another.


Violin
- Suzuki Violin [we do this with an instructor ] - Recommended Resource "Step-by-Step" series by Kerstin Wartberg


Piano
- Suzuki Piano [we do this without an instructor] Recommended Resource "Studying Suzuki Piano: More than Music" by Bigler and Lloyd-Watts
- another option is Piano Adventures - Information and Video Lesson Guide here!


Recorder option for a very inexpensive music alternative, or for the parent that is too uncomfortable trying to teach something else on their own...

Nine-Note Recorder method (there is a "Beyond Nine-Note" book too, if you get to this point.) [note, we haven't tried this yet]


Other
Similar instruction in another instrument. (ie, Suzuki Cello)


Scouting:
Scouting Plan for their age
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Saturday, February 26, 2011

Year 1 Booklist - Revision 3


This is the revised Year 1 booklist for Maple Hill Academy. It is recommended for a child at or close to age 7, or older children just starting a Charlotte Mason style of education (up to about age 9 or 10)

The older booklists are still available.

This booklist is based on the Ambleside Online program, and the Milestones Academy program, with adjustments.

Follow the Ambleside Online Year 1 with the following changes:

Scriptures:
Penny Gardner Storied Scriptures
Scripture Memorizations (your choice)
Optional:
Reading from Church Magazines
Singing Primary Song (Select 1 per month. Can also sing in Foreign Language or ASL)

History:
We do not do Trial and Triumph - your choice
Skip all the Americn History Biography books
Add in Family History (Genealogy) - Learn about Mom and Dad

Canadian History:
See Canadian History Plan

Natural History/Science:
(Add in "Wild Days" - Karen Radcliffe as a reference for parent)
(Add in "Pocket Full of Pinecones" - Karen Andreola as a reference/inspiration for parent)
Add in (for reading practice as well as science) Christian Nature Reader Book 1 WHEN child is ready to read it.

Phonics: (Reading Instruction)
See Maple Hill posts on teaching reading
(Christian Nature Reader Book 1 WHEN child is ready to read it - for science as well as reading practice)


Math:
We strongly recommend the Mathmatics Enhancement Programme
Another free choice is Khan Academy which is nice for a little change, but can also be a stand-alone online program.

Foreign Language:
We are doing German, but do what makes sense for you. There are free lessons here for Spanish, French, and German. Also recommend getting a few fairy-tales with Audio CD to read over and over.
My Very First Little German Book

Poetry:
Remove the 3rd term poetry options. (to make room for Dennis Lee)
Add Dennis Lee (Canadian Poet) - do in first term - move other poets back 1 term


Writing/Copywork:
Peterson Directed Handwriting (Cursive Step 2) Note that Cursive Step 1 can be helpful to have for finger-tracing practice.
Selected copywork from readings/scriptures/etc.

Literature:
Remove "The Blue Fairy Book" - stories just seemed long and uninteresting.
Add "Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know" - edited by Hamilton Wright Mabie (Selections below)

  • Beauty & the Beast
  • Hansel & Grethle
  • One eye, Two eyes, Three eyes
  • Cinderella
  • The Magic Mirror
  • Alladin
  • Fair One with the Golden Locks
  • Jack & the Beanstock
  • Sleeping Beauty


Canadian Literature:

see Canadian Literature Plan

Free Reading:
Remove "The Red Fairy Book"
Remove "Pocahontas"
Add "Follow My Leader" by James Garfield

Sketching/Painting
Draw Write Now 4-8 (or 1-4 if you haven't done them)
OR
1-2-3 Draw books by Freddie Levin - pick 3 or 4,
OR
Drawing with Children
OR
Basic Observation Drawing - some resources

Picture Study:
some info
Family Rotation

Music(read how-to) [note this How-to is on Milestones Academy]

Recommended - Violin, Piano OR Recorder (inexpensive) OR other similar instruments
Do NOT start more than one instrument at once! We have been doing Suzuki Violin for three or four years before getting to year 1!

Violin
- Suzuki Violin [we do this with an instructor ] Recommended Resource "Step-by-Step" series by Kerstin Wartberg

Piano
- Suzuki Piano [we do this without an instructor] Recommended Resource "Studying Suzuki Piano: More than Music" by Bigler and Lloyd-Watts
another option is My First Piano Adventures - Information and Video Lesson Guide here!

Recorder
option for a very inexpensive music alternative, or for the parent that is too uncomfortable trying to teach something else on their own...
Nine-Note Recorder method [note, we haven't tried this yet]

Other
Similar instruction in another instrument. (ie, Suzuki Cello)

Scouting
Scouting Plan for their age

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Friday, February 25, 2011

Canadian History Plan - Updated!


Note - this is now out of date, but is still useful for Canadians using AO. Also, many of these resources will be being used with the new rotation system.
See new plan
II have decided to make things line up more with the AO History timeline. I am keeping the original plan on the blog, but this is an alternative.

Depending on the resources available to you, I am providing two options.
Option 1:
The main resource is "Great Canadian Lives - Portraits in History to 1867" (hereafter called GCL) - Unfortunately this book is out of print and can be expensive. (My library has several copies.) There is a copy online here. I'm not sure what would be up with the copyright, but this seems to be an educational site.

The other resource is "My First History of Canada" by Donalda Dickie & Rudiger Krause (Hereafter called MFH)
I generally read the time period in "My First History of Canada" as an overview, then read "Great Canadian Lives" for the short biographies.
Option 2:
The resource for this option is "The Story of Canada" by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore. (Hereafter called SOC)
For Both Options:
One other good resource is the Canadian Minutes - the little ads from TV. They can be found here. I think that new ones are being added still - But am putting suggestions in the plan.

I expect to change some of the AO biographies from Americans to Canadians....


Year 1 - AO timeline is "early history, focusing on people"

Details for this year are pending as I pre-read my selections. I am also open to good suggestions for books on Native Americans or Canadian Heros.
  • SOC - Ch. 1 "A Hundred Centuries" [skip evolutionary info as desired for family]
  • Minutes - Inukshuk (1931) - but done for centuries
Biographies (not necessarily in chronological position for Year 1)
  • "Child's History of United States" - Morris - Ch 1 NOTE: Used as a biography of Columbus. This is the only chapter used of this book, so use the free version here.
  • "John Cabot: The Ongoing search for a Westward Passage to Asia" - Marian Rengel OR
  • "Henry Hudson: English Explorer of the Northwest Passage" - Josepha Sherman
Year 2 - AO timeline is 1000 AD - 1550
Canadian Timeline - early/vikings/discovery
  • SOC - Ch 2. "Strangers on the Coast" OR
  • MFH - Chapter 1-2
  • GCL - The Mists of Time (Section 1 of Chapter 1, plus "Across the High Seas" and "John Cabot")
Year 3 - AO timeline is 1500-1600
Canadian Timeline - 1500-1700
  • SOC - Chapter 3 "Habitants and Voyageurs" up to but not including "Voyageurs" OR
  • MFH - Chapter 2 - 9
  • GCL - Rest of Chapter 1 - Chapter 3 "The Days of Frontenac"
Year 4 - AO timeline is 1700's to ~1800
Canadian Timeline - 1700-1812
  • SOC - Rest of Chapter 3, Chapter 4 "The Colonists" up to but not including "The War of 1812" OR
  • MFH - Chapter 10-13
  • GCL - Rest of Chapter 3 - Chapter 4
Year 5 - 1800-1920
Canadian Timeline - 1812-1910
  • SOC - Rest of Chapter 4 - Chapter 8 OR
  • MFH - Chapter 14-20
  • GCL - Chapter 5 - end
  • another resource TBD (from 1867+)
  • The Battles of the War of 1812 - Pierre Berton
  • Exploring the Frozen North - Pierre Berton
  • "A Pioneer Story" - Barbara Greenwood. (also called "A Pioneer Sampler"?)
  • "The Last Safe House: A Story of the Underground Railroad" - Barbara Greenwood
  • "Gold Rush Fever: A Story of the Klondike" - Barbara Greenwood
  • The Great Klondike Gold Rush - Pierre Berton
  • Full Steam to Canada
topics to include RCMP, Goldrush
Year 6 - 1920 to Present day (then a term in ancient history)
Canadian Timeline - 1910-Present
  • SOC - Chapter 9 - end OR
  • MFH - Chapter 20-21
  • another resource TBD
Later Years:
The later Years are still very much in draft mode, with gaps in resources at this stage. All resources mentioned are just being considered.
Year 7 - 800-1400's (Middle Ages)
Canadian Timeline - Pre-1496
Year 8 - 1400-1600's (Reniassance to Reformation)
Canadian Timeline - 1492-~1700
Year 9 - 1688-1815
Canadian Timeline - ~1700-1815
  • The Invasion of Canada (1812-1813) - Pierre Berton
  • Flames Across the Boarders (1813-1814) - Pierre Berton
Year 10 - 1815-1901
Canadian Timeline - 1815-~1900
  • The Arctic Grail: The Quest for the North West Passage and the North Pole (1818-1909) - Pierre Berton
  • The National Dream: The Great Railway (1871-1881) - Pierre Berton
  • The Last Spike: The Great Railway (1881-1885) - Pierre Berton
  • Klondike: The Last Great Gold Rush (1896-1899) - Pierre Berton
  • The Klondike Quest: A Photographic Essay (1897-1899) - Pierre Berton
  • The Promised Land:Settling the West (1896-1914) - Pierre Berton
Year 11 - 20th Century
Canadian Timeline - 20th Century
  • Marching As To War (1899-1953) - Pierre Berton
  • Vimy - [WWI] - Pierre Berton
  • The Great Depression (1829-1839) - Pierre Berton

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Friday, January 28, 2011

Helpful Changes


Well, it has been a busy month. Sorry for the lack of posts!

At the start of our term, I made a few changes to how we are doing things, and I've been very happy with how things have gone so far!

First off, I was given a copy of the Accountable Kids book - and made myself handmade sets. We are still only in Stage 1 of the 4 stage system, but we have been having some fairly good results. Delta earns most of his tickets. Echo sometimes earns some, sometimes doesn't. Foxtrot also earns some... she is technically a bit too young for the program.

Second - Although I had been using the Simply Charlotte Mason Organizer for about a year, I recently made a change that has been helping. I'm now printing off the daily plan for Delta and Echo, and putting them in a planner for them. I highlight each item that I think they should be able to do on their own (not many at this stage, but usually a couple...). They get out their planners, and pick what they are going to do next - based a bit on my availability. I do sometimes have to remind them to mix-it-up so that they don't end up with all the readings at the end.... They get to check things off as they finish things - and it seems to give them a feeling of accomplishment. The general idea of planners and a bit more independant learning was from URtheMom.com

Third - I now plan our weekly schedule to be mostly accomplished between Monday and Thursday. (with a math lesson on Friday...) Yes, this makes a little more work each day, but it has done wonders! Why? Well, if the weeks work has been all done, then we have a "Wild Day". If not, then we get it done on Friday. (if still not done, we can do some on Saturday too...) So, our Wild Day involves getting out of the house and going wild. Many weeks it will include Nature Study, and/or Scouting activities. On other occasions, it may be a field trip, or other fun activity. Today there was a blizzard - so we drove carefully to the conservatory and had a picnic in the tropics! We have also gone swimming, and in the spring I look forward to hikes and other fun outside activities.

Between all these things, homeschool activities have gone a lot easier. The kids are more motivated to get things done, and we have found time again for the fun activities I've been missing (and I'm sure they have too.)
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Friday, January 14, 2011

Flowers are Red.....

Harry Chapin has a song, which explains one reason why we homeschool better than I ever could...




Flowers are Red
by Harry Chapin



The little boy went first day of school
He got some crayons and started to draw
He put colors all over the paper
For colors was what he saw
And the teacher said.. "What you doin' young man?"
"I'm paintin' flowers," he said
She said, "It's not the time for art young man
And anyway flowers are green and red."




"There's a time for everything young man
And a way it should be done
You've got to show concern for everyone else
For you're not the only one"

And she said...
"Flowers are red young man, and
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen "

But the little boy said...
"There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one"

Well the teacher said..



"You're sassy, there's ways that things should be
And you'll paint flowers the way they are
So repeat after me"

And she said...
"Flowers are red young man, and
Green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than they way they always have been seen "

But the little boy said...
"There are so many colors in the rainbow
So many colors in the morning sun
So many colors in the flower and I see every one "

The teacher put him in a corner
She said, "It's for your own good..
And you won't come out 'til you get it right
And are responding like you should "




Well finally he got lonely
Frightened thoughts filled his head
And he went up to the teacher
And this is what he said.. and he said

"Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen "

Time went by like it always does
And they moved to another town
And the little boy went to another school
And this is what he found
The teacher there was smilin'
She said..."Painting should be fun
And there are so many colors in a flower
So let's use every one "

But that little boy painted flowers
In neat rows of green and red
And when the teacher asked
him why This is what he said.. and he said

"Flowers are red, green leaves are green
There's no need to see flowers any other way
Than the way they always have been seen. "



Youtube Video

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Friday, December 10, 2010

HD Crash




Our Hard Drive crashed the other day, so I'll be busy for a bit gathering resources again.

Hope to post again in a couple of weeks.
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Sunday, December 5, 2010

Unexpected Nature to Study


So with winter, we haven't been getting outside as much as I'd like, and we haven't really done a proper nature study since before Golf was born. Delta and Echo have asked when we would do a Nature Study....

Well, we haven't done much but we did get a surprise opportunity to observe some nature from out window.

On Thursday, Delta looked out our front window and said "there is a deer in our yard!" It didn't stay very long, but we all got a good look. Now, deer are often in our neighbourhood, especially at night - but we don't see them very often during the day. So I'm figuring - what are the chances? Well, on Friday - there was a deer in our yard again. It didn't stay long but we did get a quick glimpse. On Saturday, we saw 2 run through the yard. And today? Well, I was at church, but Delta and Foxtrot were home with dad because they were sick - and apparently there was one in the yard again today.

Delta had the chance on Friday or Saturday to be outside for a while, and he observed their tracks (apparently at some time - probably at night - a deer came almost right to our living room window.) Delta has also observed their "scat" in our yard.

Ask and ye shall receive?
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