2010-2011 Curriculum Blog Hop

Heart of the Matter is hosting the Not Back to School Blog Hop this year. What a cool way for homeschoolers to get excited about school starting! We get to share our families choices for curriculum and various resources over the next 4 weeks.

Week 1 is Curriculum Week

Week 2 is School Room Week

Week 3 is Student Photo Week

Week 4 is Day-in-the-Life- Week

Well, this it it! After planning and planning and some more planning this is what we are doing for our 2010-2011 school year. Why so much planning? Well, like you, I have a strong desire for my children to enjoy school.

2nd Grade

Writing/Spelling
Complete Writer Level 1
Reason for Handwriting
Spelling Workbook Level B

Language

Explode the Code (on-line)

Daily Language Review

First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind

Math

Horizons Level 2, book 1

Electives

Piano, SpongeBob Typing, Sign Language

Subjects we will do together

Geography/Science

Children's Geography - Explore His Earth

Apologia Land Animals and Live and Learn Press Lapbook

Nature Study - Handbook of Nature Study

History
Story of the World

Art

Artistic Pursuits

4th Grade

Writing/Spelling
Complete Writer Level 2
A Beka Cursive Handwriting

Language

Explode the Code (on-line)

Daily Language Review

First Language Lessons

for the Well Trained Mind

Math

Horizons Level 2, book 2

Electives

Drums, SpongeBob Typing, Sign Language

Take care!

Amy

Ants

Challenge #4 - We need to focus on a subject. The boys chose Ants.

Did you know that Ants have pets? I had no idea and it never even occurred to me! Ants are like farmers, they milk their pet Aphid. Yes, they have aphid's as pets. Those pesty things that eat my garden. So here is the scoop, the ants keep the aphid's in their nest during the winter months. In the Spring the ants move them to a plant. The ants eat the honeydew that they milk from the aphid. How do they milk them? The ants rub their antennae on the back of the aphid and the milk or honeydew comes out of the tummy or if you want to be techinical the aphid's abdomen.

Also, the pet aphid is protected by the ants. If you are not a pet and you are a FREE APHID, the lady bugs are gonna get you!

Free Museum Day 2010

Free Museum Day 2010 is quickly approaching! Mark your calendars and participate this year. On September 25th, you and a guest will get free general admission to hundreds of museums and cultural spots around the country. Important note! You can’t just show up and get in for free. They won’t let you in. You need to visit the Free Museum Day website and download a free admission card.

Smithsonian magazine is the organization you have to thank for this annual event. If you aren’t lucky enough to live near the plethora of free Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., this annual free museum day is the next best thing.