A New Plan

I knew that I would change my mind and I did. Regarding our writing program. This summer we will be finishing Classical Writing Aesop A and I think that will be the last one for us for that particular program. It seems like too much busy work for my son. He has been advance in all his subjects especially Language Arts and if we want to continue using CW, I have to let go of our Grammar program which is Rod and Staff. But my son told me that, he likes to learn grammar because of R&S. And he wants to continue using it because he enjoys it. So I started looking for another writing program. And with all the searching and reading reviews, I finally settled with Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). I bought the TWSS and will probably get it next week. It's a pretty pricey curriculum but you can use it in any grade level so I think it's worth it. They have a lot of supplemental materials to go with it so that is also a plus. I just have to watch the dvds and I hope I will be able to do that this summer.
Another curriculum that we are changing is our Science program. For the last 2 years, we had been using Elementary Apologia, my son loves them, but he got bored and wants to try something new. He wants something with Life, Earth and Physical Science in a year. This is my problem now. I couldn't find something. We used BJU Science before but we didn't like the format. I was leaning now to God Design Series. I was thinking of choosing their Animal Kingdom for Life Science, Our Planet Earth for Earth Science and I will use Living Learning Science Chemistry, which I bought last year that we didn't use. So far, that's the new plan and changes for us this year. If I can just stop tweaking and doubting my choices. I pray that this will be the last changes I will be making for this year.

Trip to Lake Elizabeth Park

We went to the park yesterday after going to the doctor. Jhoshua fell from his bike and broke his arm 6 weeks ago. And finally after 6 weeks, Jhoshua's cast is gone. It was very hard for him wearing a cast. He missed most of his baseball games. And it was also hard for him writing. So the remaining 5 weeks of our school was mostly done with narrations. He's probably very happy about that.
It was a beautiful day outside. We were at the park around 10am stayed there till 1pm. I took lunch with us and we had a picnic by the lake. Usually I bring them here only to play in the play area. We never really explore the place. But we had time yesterday and they actually agreed to walk around the lake. We really had a nice time.
It was also very nice for me. Now that school is over and I should be relaxing and enjoying my free time instead I busy myself thinking and planning about the next school year. And going out yesterday and spending time outside our house gave me a break of my worries. It made me realized that I should do this more often with my kids now that its summer and the weather permits. There are so many things we can do in this park. We found out yesterday that they have a boat ride during the weekends, so we'll probably check that out too.
I also started checking out places around here in Fremont,Ca. We moved here 6 mos ago and wilth all the stuff I have to do and do school at the same time, we didn't really have much time taking fieldtrips. But now that we are settled and I have ordered everything we need and planned everything for this school year. All I am planning doing is read my books and take my children to places and have lots of fun.

Curriculum Choice for School Year 2008-09

Well I have been planning our school this year for both my sons, Grade 4 and Pre k. So far this is what I came up for this year:

Grade 4

Math : Teaching Textbook 6 plus Singapore's Word Challenging Problems 4

Science: Apologia Exploring Creation with Botany
God's Design for Chemistry

History: Story of the World 2
Our Island Story

Language Arts:

Grammar: Rod and Staff 4
Writing: Classical Writing Aesop A
Spelling: Spelling Power
Handwriting: Copywork from Ambleside Online

Poetry: Poetry for Young People
* Emily Dickinson
* Robert Frost
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Foreign Language: Spanish: Rosetta Stone Explorer

Latin: Prima Latina

Elective: Typing: Mavis Beacon Deluxe

Pre K

Math: Singapore Early Bird Kindergarten 1A/1B

Reading: Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading
Literature: Before Five in a Row

and lots and lots of play....

Well that is my curriculum choice for this school year. I don't think I will change my mind anymore because I already bought everything and I don't want to spend anymore money. And I promise myself this year that whatever curriculum I decided to buy, I will use and try my best to make it work and not just give up easily. I have 2 months to read them and plan how to use them this year so that I will do. I just hope that with all our plans for summer, I will still have ample time to read and plan.