2021 Curriculum

This year is our 7th year of homeschooling, and what an incredible journey its been! The curriculum is one of my favorite things to talk about, and I love sharing what we use. I hope to help others see what all is out there because there is A LOT. I’m pretty excited about what we selected for this school year! (We started this school year a couple of months ago to show a few examples of the lessons)

MORNING TIME SUBJECTS

I love to use this time for our Habits/Character, History, Science, Bible, and Read Aloud. (I alternate science and history to every other day). The kids drink their daily smoothies and eat breakfast while I read for each subject.

Habits and Character

“Get rid of the weeds, and foster the flowers.”

-Charlotte Mason

It’s essential to my husband and me that our children are well-rounded and respectful adults with manners and wholesome values.

 

Science

This year we are studying Mammals, Ecosystem, and the Human Body part 1 with The Good and the Beautiful. They have such marvelous choices for science.

Map of the animals and their location from TGATB

A little sample of a lesson

Most science units come with extra materials such as books or kits.

* You can find free samples of everything on their website. They even offer a free Marine Biology unit!

Our vocabulary wall- I’m working on ways to make it more aesthetic.

History

We are using TGATB History 1, which covers the following:

• Ancient Egypt
• The Middle Ages and Renaissance
• The French & Indian War – Revolutionary War
• The Victorian Era. The history of flight. The cold war era.

Little Miss’ presentation of the Nile River she made on her Ipad.

French

First Start French is a beautiful curriculum for beginners. The lessons are short and straightforward, and it comes with a DVD if you need help pronouncing anything. We haven’t done too much of this, but my daughter is pleased with it.

Bible and Read alouds

With time and my sons’ patience allowing, I get one or the other of these topics. The read-aloud gets swapped out and replaced with other books after we finish with the selected.

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• Ellie’s Log
• The Cabin Faced West
• Geraldine Woolkins
• Childrens First Book Of Virtues
• Amoung the Forest People
• Amoung the Pond People
• The Railway Children

*The Good and the Beautiful also offer a free download of clean and trustworthy books along with their library of wholesome books. You will never have to worry about what your child is reading again.

The Chronological Life Application Study Bible is new for us. Still, I wanted something a little more aesthetically pleasing since my daughter and I are both very visual people, and this bible checks all of the boxes. With charts, photos, maps, and notes, it makes it very reader-friendly!

MATH

For Math, we are doing level 4 with The Good and the Beautiful. Every day, she does her daily dose as pictured, then we move on with the main lesson. I am SUPER excited about their new Simply Good and Beautiful Math. Little Miss finished level 3 way before the new release date, so I snagged an old edition until then.

*The Good and The beautiful levels are advanced so it is recommended you take their placement test.

TYPING

For typing, I decided to give The Good and the Beautiful typing a try. I love how it entwines spelling and grammar. It also includes lovely artwork, poetry, and quotes. It is a highly affordable and beautiful curriculum. After they finish a portion, they put a sticker of completion! The lessons are short and are easy for a child to do alone. All I need to do is the timing of assessments.  

HANDWRITING

Little Miss is doing level 4 handwriting of The Good and the Beautiful, and she LOVES it! Its new rainbow cursive is so creative! Your child follows the steps in rainbow order to create the letter. They also include some activity at the bottom of each page. Perfect for a creative child.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Little Miss is on level 4 of the language Arts, which includes:

• Art
• Geography
• Grammar
• Literature
• Reading
• Spelling
• Vocabulary
• Writing

It is a very open and go curriculum and emphasizes good character and values. In level 4, it starts to teach the child more independence with their work. I have a tiny little box I read a day and possibly be a little more involved, then I’ll check her work. It takes her about 15-20 minutes to complete.

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  Example of an Art lesson

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  Example of Geography

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  Challenge word climbs

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  Beautiful art throughout

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  Example of grammar

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  Level 4 books

CO-OP

Co-op classes my daughter has include geography and lifestyle about different cultures. They discuss ideas and opinions and have hands-on activities. She also has other lessons about plants, soil, and the water cycle.

EXTRA

This summer we will introduce this unit gently to Miss 9. We absolutely love the topics they go over in TGATB Maturation and Sexual Reproduction unit.

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That’s a wrap of this year’s curriculum! I’d love to know what you are using for this year. Please message me with questions!

-M

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We all need a little Hygge.

I love creating a warm and cozy space for my family during the cold, drizzly months that autumn and winter bring, especially since we are a homeschool family and find ourselves home a little more. I think that’s why autumn and winter are my favorite months, because I always long for that coziness feeling. A fire in the wood stove, shorter cooler days, knitted blankets, bread baking, and my special people all cuddled up on the couch. There is a word for this happy feeling; the name is Hygge.

“Hygge is all about being in the moment, feeling completely relaxed and centred, letting go of the hectic world around you, either alone or with loved ones. Hygge time in Scandinavia is enjoyed after a busy day of activities. No phones and computers allowed in those magical moments.” — Ole Henriksen, quoted in Vogue (Australia), 12 Aug. 2018

I believe that applying Hygge to our homeschool during these months is what keeps me from feeling down. I wanted to share some very simple ways for anyone who might need some encouragement and motivation. Homeschool or not, I promise that little bits here and there are a real mood booster, especially for any mamas that are home most of the day.

How I include Hygge in my homeschooled home environment

Health.

I usually like to workout in the morning. If I am not able to finish my usual 30-40 minute workout, then I’ll settle for even 15 minutes of gentle yoga or a walk around the block. Anything will make me feel put together. Working out in the morning relaxes me knowing I have moved my body somehow, especially with all they comfort food that this time of the year brings.

Rise slowly

For our family, we love to have cuddle time in the morning when we all wake in our big family bed. The best time is on weekends, when my husband isn’t working and we all slowly wake up together and cuddle while we discuss any plans for the day.

Oil diffuser

Sweet, spicey, and pleasant aromas that fill my home. My favorite go to oils are:

• Christmas spirit
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Nutmeg
• Vanilla
• Thieves
• Orange
• Spearmint
• And Peppermint

Walks

Finding a balance between being inside and outside is really important We love taking a stroll in the golden sun. Holding hands with my husband while we watch our kids go ahead and crunch all of the crisp leaves. We try really hard to take the time to slow our walks so the kids can observe their surroundings, collect mossy sticks, count birds nests, or search for acorns.

Nature drives

Bundling up in our warm hats and coats, some knitted blankets, and hot cocoa, we pack the kids in the car for a nature drive as a family. Making stops to breathe the fresh air and being thankful for that moment. Nature drives and getting out to walk make for a gentle nature study.

Meals

Fresh homemade bread and soup, please. Cooking is a great family activity to do together. Mac and cheese, homemade butter, or chocolate chip cookies. We enjoy the memories we make in the kitchen together. Dinner time at the table, soft music, meaningful conversations, and candles or flowers that were picked by our sweet child’s hand. Clean up can be a fun family activity, too.

Warm beverages

Hot chocolate, tea, cider, and eggnog are popular beverages in our household during the cold months. My daughter loves when we do tea time and get dressed up in fancy clothes, hats, and gloves. It’s such a big bonus when we are able to have friends and family join us for tea time.

Blankets

Whether it be knitted, homemade quilts, comfortors, or weighted. Any kind really. Cuddling on the couch with my loves while reading a good book or as we watch a family movie with warm blanket in our cozy home is magical.

Fire

School books sprawled on the floor, sipping cider all while the warm fire crackles and we listen to the wind whistle outside.

Books

Books. Books. Books. Did I mention books? Books hold a special place in my heart, and it fills me with happiness knowing my children are surrounded by so many wonderful reads. I still dream that one day I will have a home library like the one Belle has in Beauty and the Beast.

Music.

I like to play soothing music during school time, when my youngest will let me turn off “when the wheels on the bus go round and round”. Some of my favorites:

• Tim Janis
• Kenny G
• Anything Celtic
• AnythingNative American
• Any Christmas music
• Paul Cardall
• Classical

Fairy lights

We love stringing fairy lights throughout the whole house. Our house would look like the Griswalds if my husband allowed me to have that many lights.

Simplify

Simplify our school days time to time by taking out a subject for the day, taking a break, or just simply making our schedules less busy. I try to give myself a little grace when things do not go as planned.

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Comfortable clothing

Sweat pants, my husband shirts, leggings, sweaters (sadly, I get warm very easily, so sweaters aren’t common for me) and fuzzy socks. I’m a legging and bra off kind of gal when I’m at home.

Battery candles.

Oh, how I love candles, but a lot of them give me a headaches and I have a very rambunctious two year old. Battery candles have just the same warm glow as the real ones and I dont need to worry about my son around them!

These are my tips for creating a Hygge environment in your home and/or homeschool.

Bringing hygge to your homeschool or home, whether it be a big or small change is to bring light and cheer into your life when you might need it. What might be considered Hygge for me might not be for you and that’s ok! Make your life magical and meaningful. We all need a little Hygge in our lives

I’d love to know how you add Hygge to your home and/or homeschool!

-M