This marks the fourth year of homeschooling for us, but I’m still tweaking things and searching out the best fit for our family.
Here’s the lineup for our relaxed classical homeschool this year:
Rachel – 3rd Grade
Adam – K
Thomas – K
Maeve – Tot School
I’ll touch on the individual grades and break down what we’re using, as well as subjects we do together as a group.
Homeschooling 3rd Grade
We’ve been a Memoria Press family since beginning our homeschooling journey. It’s a classical approach to homeschooling, and we shift things around a bit to meet our needs.
After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, Rachel will be taking part of her classes at the Highlands Latin School cottage school program. One day per week, she’ll receive instruction there, then review and complete her work at home.
Our Introduction to Composition course focuses on the concepts of narration, outlining, summarizing, dictation, and copywork. Recommended for Grades 3-4.
Language Arts
Memoria Press writes their own grammar and composition programs. Rachel has a fantastic grasp on reading and comprehension, so I’m anxious to see how she does with a formal writing curriculum.
We also work on creative writing using these free creative writing prompts. I love hearing her ideas and encouraging the use of her imagination.
For third grade, MP has a poetry study, but I plan to pull the poetry selections from the Kindergarten lesson plans and do them as a group.
Spelling Workout uses a sports theme that gives you and your students the tools you need to be an unbeatable team! Capitalizing on the close tie between spelling and phonics, the program leads students from simple sound-letter relationships to more complex spelling patterns.
Spelling
This has been a stumbling block for us in the past. Rachel is a fantastic reader, but struggles as a speller. It caused us so much frustration last year that I put it completely aside.
This year, I’m starting off fresh with Memoria’s recommendation of Spelling Workout. I checked out some guidelines from the Well Trained Mind, which suggested that we start with Level C.
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Memoria Press Astronomy
31.90
This astronomy program covers constellations, the motion of the earth, and the names of stars, as well as the sky as seen throughout all the seasons, including the โSummer Triangleโ and the fall and winter zodiacs.
Since the constellations are named after many characters in Greek mythology, DโAulaires Greek Myths is a great resource to have on hand with this program.
๏ปฟThe Book of Astronomy was developed with 3rd graders in mind, but it can be used with older students just as well.
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This astronomy program covers constellations, the motion of the earth, and the names of stars, as well as the sky as seen throughout all the seasons, including the โSummer Triangleโ and the fall and winter zodiacs.
Since the constellations are named after many characters in Greek mythology, DโAulaires Greek Myths is a great resource to have on hand with this program.
๏ปฟThe Book of Astronomy was developed with 3rd graders in mind, but it can be used with older students just as well.
Science
Memoria Press recommends Astronomy for 3rd grade, but we’re going to take a different approach. We’ll decide on topics together, with a big focus on nature studies.
Brett plans to spend time in science lessons as well. We’ve got this great Electricity and Magnetism book ready to go. Rachel and the boys will have fun creating their own batteries, and we will keep Maeve busy playing with magnets.
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Math
Memoria Press uses Rod and Staff math. I love it – simple, straightforward and easy for me to teach.
Latina Christiana is, quite simply, the best Latin grammar course available for younger beginning students. Cheryl Loweโs clear explanations, easy instructions, and step-by-step approach have led thousands of teachers and students to declare, โI love Latin!โ With the help of this course, you are sure to love Latin too!
Latina Christiana was designed as a beginning course for students of all ages. This course was specifically written for the teacher with no background in Latin.
Latin
We haven’t totally finished our Latin program from 2nd grade, Prima Latina, but we’ve got a good handle on it.
This year, Rachel will be studying Latina Christana at the cottage school. This beginner level Latin will go hand in hand with the grammar and composition she’s taking there. At home, we’ll play these fun Latin games for review.
Study Guides: This study guide thoroughly teaches the states and capitals of the United States. Each page includes a state map and room to write the stateโs capital, nickname, abbreviation, and fun facts. By the end of this year-long course, students will be able to label all 50 states on a U.S. map (with the capitals). Thorough teaching instructions are included, and the teacher key includes tests. We recommend that this guide be used with Donโt Know Much About the 50 States.
Flashcards: This set includes 50 cards with the name of each state and a map of the stateโs location within the United States on one side of the card, and the capital and detailed shape of the state on the other. Also included are 34 country cards that introduce key world countries and their capitals. Helpful teaching hints and suggested activities are also included.
Set includes:
- Donโt Know Much About the 50 States
- States & Capitals Student Guide
- States & Capitals Teacher Manual
- States & Capitals Flashcards
Social Studies
I’m excited for this fall, when we’ll embark on a study of the United States. I plan to have the boys nearby so they can listen in, too.
We’ll be using the Don’t Know Much About the 50 States book and the accompanying study guides.
Meet the Moffats. There is Sylvie, the oldest, the cleverest, and-most days at least-the responsible one; Joey, who though only twelve is the man of the houseโฆsometimes; Janey, who has a terrific upside-down way of looking at the world; and Rufus, who may be the littlest but always gets in the biggest trouble.
Even the most ordinary Moffat day is packed with extraordinary fun. Only a Moffat could get locked in a bread box all afternoon, or dance with a dog in front of the whole town, or hitch a ride on a boxcar during kindergarten recess. And only a Moffat could turn mistakes and mischief into hilarious one-of-a-kind adventure.
The Moffats Set includes The Moffats by Eleanor Estes, the Student Study Guide, and the Teacher Guide.
Literature
This year, Rachel will be working through Farmer Boy, Charlotte’s Web and The Moffats
Memoria Press has written a fantastic series of literature guides covering vocabulary, comprehension, and supplemental learning. They make teaching literature so easy!
While Rome illuminates the formation of governments and societies, Greece illuminates the human condition. Introduce your students to the kinds of characters they will surely meet in life through the entertaining and exaggerated stories of the Greek gods. You will want to read it to your family first and then let your children read the stories again and again. The beautiful artwork is a wonderful teaching tool that allows you to ask questions about each detail. Greek myths are timeless and universal stories that serve as archetypes for the human character and the search for the divine.
Set includes:
DโAulairesโ Book of Greek Myths
DโAulairesโ Book of Greek Myths Student Guide
DโAulairesโ Book of Greek Myths Teacher Guide
DโAulairesโ Book of Greek Myths Flashcards
Classical Studies
This year, we’ll embark on a classical studies journey. Beginning in third grade, Memoria Press students begin Classical Studies, learning about Greek mythology at first.
I loved Greek mythology as a child,so I can’t wait to work with Rachel! The children are familiar with some of the stories, having heard them on Audible and Story Nory.
We’ll be using D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths as a read aloud, since the boys love hearing stories about monsters, gods and heros!
We’re going to take a slower approach with this course and plan to cover this over two years’ time.
Kindergarten
We’ll be using the Memoria Press curriculum for the boys as well, on a year round schedule. Much of their Kindergarten work will be during family time – only phonics and math will be solo.
Phonics
I’m a little hesitant to admit that I still haven’t decided which program I’m planning to use for the boys’ phonics.
Teaching them to learn how to read has been a big struggle for me. They have a bit of a speech delay and it’s a challenge for me to try and teach letter sounds when they can hear them, but not repeat them.
Memoria Press created First Start Reading – I loved this program with Rachel, but it might be a bit writing heavy for the boys. (I’m still trying to teach a proper pencil grip, too!)
Math
I’m looking forward to using Rod and Staff with the boys, since I’m familiar with the simple layout.
I think math will go smoothly for the boys. They have learned so much just by being in the same room while I teach Rachel.
Tot School
I don’t have an official plan for Maeve – she’s only two!
But, she LOVES being in the middle of our school, so I’ve got to plan ahead and have lots of things for her to do.
I need to fire up my printer and laminator, and get more printable packs (like these dinosaurs) ready for her to ‘work’ on while we do lessons.
Family Subjects
With so many little ones in the house, we’re going to take a ‘one room schoolhouse’ approach to a some of our subjects.
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Religious Education
We keep it simple. I use the selections from the Memoria Press lesson plans, then read them twice during the week. Memoria Press uses the Golden Children’s Bible, but we prefer to use our Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories.
We’ll be supplementing her learning with our Catholic Saints Studies and other resources for learning our faith. We use our Catholic Book Baskets and our Catholic Family Calendar to help infuse our faith into our daily lives
Art
We’ll take the Kindergarten art cards from Memoria Press and explore those together as a group. Then I’ll let Rachel choose which artist we study.
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Literature for the Littles
We’ll be following MP’s selections, as well as a few ideas from Before Five in a Row.
Both programs take a similar approach: choose a beautiful book and explore it in detail, reading it multiple times, tying in science, social studies, art, field trips and more.
I’ll be sharing more of our ideas as the year progresses, but the kids have chosen these books to study this year:
The Little Rabbit
I am an Artist
Jenny’s Surprise Summer
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Thundercake and Storm in the Night
Corduroy
Katy No Pocket
The Salamander Room
The Big Green Pocketbook
Music
We’ll be doing a combination of MP’s kindergarten music selections and my favorite Making Music Praying Twice. This system is based on the liturgical seasons of our Catholic Church, including both children’s music and traditional hymns.
I’m not musically talented, but we have loads of fun playing with our instrument box and singing together.
If a classical education doesn’t fit your style, don’t worry! You can drop by the Not Back to School Blog Hop, sponsored by iHomeschool Network. Peruse the hundreds of curriculum ideas there and link up your own!
Next week, we’ll show off our classroom – if I have things organized in time!
I didn’t see those Art Cards before. I have some great art books, but I’ve been thinking I need to invest in cards to make it easier to put the art on display and catch my kids’ eyes. One more thing to add to the fall shopping list…
Loved reading about all your choices!
The art cards are gorgeous. I’m not sure when they were added to the catalog. If you follow the forums at MP, you’ll hear about a lot of things in beta … before they are officially released!
Great to see you here, my friend!
Great resources!
“Relaxed Classical” is what we call our homeschool style, too. We may be a bit more “relaxed” than you, though. ๐
Girl, God has had to beat me over the head to get me to settle down with school and relax. Since I work outside the home 2 days a week, we will end up doing school 3 – 4 days per week, all year round. We’ll still read on the days I work, but that’s all I’ll have on my to do list.
I wish I’d approached this homeschooling journey with this approach when we started.
Thanks for dropping in!
Dianna this is a treasure trove of resources! And I love how you have included your Pinterest boards – with even more resources. Looks like a fantastic year. And hooray for chalk pastels – and for big sister teaching ๐
Hi, Tricia! Always a pleasure to find you here!
I use Pinterest like I use to use a bookmark folder (does anyone ever use those anymore?). I’m such a visual person, it helps me so much more to be able to see the idea instead of reading its title.
We have the chalks ready to go! I need to double check in the supply stash and see if we have the newsprint, but I think I saw it there when I was cleaning.
Abby will enjoy herself — being a college girl, school is all work for her. It’s going to be good for her to have some fun.
I love Spelling Workout! My son enjoys using it, and it’s easy to get done. win-win. ๐
It looks like a wonderful year you have planned.
Oooh, I’m so glad to hear that, Sara! We had so much trouble with spelling last year that I simply threw it out. AAACK!
Rachel is a fabulous reader, but spelling is a stumbling block for her. Since I’m a good speller, that threw me for a loop. I’m looking forward to a fresh start.
I know Tricia from Hodgepodge loves Spelling Workout, too!
Thanks for coming by!
We are doing Classical Composition too! We did parts of Grammar Recitation and we really liked it! You have lots of Memoria Press going on in your homeshcool this year! I didn’t realize you have 5 year old twins, we have 4 year old twins. Twins can be so fun and sometimes twice as mischievous but they are always a double blessing. Looks like a fun year! ๐
Oh, yes, Kyle ….. we are HUGE Memoria Press fans here. It’s a local company to us … the Highlands Latin School is one of three local classical private schools here in our area. HLS is owned and operated by the Memoria Press folks .. they use the MP curriculum there. Rachel will be attending cottage school there. I’m a little nervous, as is she, but I think it will be a good move for all of us.
My boys …. ๐ They actually turned six this May. I’m taking a slower approach to school with them. They have a slight speech delay, which has made phonics difficult for me. I’m just going to take my time and incorporate lots of hands on activities and time to run, run, run!
Thanks for coming by! ๐
Looks like a great year ahead! We will be “rowing” some books ourselves.
Happy Homeschooling!
I have always called my methods “lazy classical”, too funny ๐ Glad I found your blog, we could totally be friends! Loved Prima Latina, love Spelling Workout, we do some Rod & Staff grammar, and some First Language Lessons, and love Math U See. I have always wanted to look more into the Memoria Press stuff, but felt kinda overwhelmed last year. We are in Classical Conversations and using that as our guide for what we do at home, but I’m looking forward to adding a little more and challenging my 5th grader a bit this year. I also have 2nd grade, pre-K, and a baby, with an 8th grader in Catholic school.
I’m using the Spelling Workout series with my first grader this year. So far, it’s going well. ๐
How do you like the Art Cards from Memoria Press? I am considering buying them to use when we finish our artist study we’re currently working on.
Your post is fantastic! I love how you included your pinterest boards in each category. I just became a follower ๐ We use and like All About Spelling at home, it is an excellent program. Visiting via BenandMe linkup.
Looks like a great line up, Dianna! That cottage school sounds really interesting. I’ve told my husband that if there was a half-day classical school, I would be all about that (I think)! Get some instruction at the school, and then do some work at home.
My son is also a fantastic reader but struggles with spelling. We started All About Spelling last year for that reason and I really like it. It’s perfect, except that it is teacher intensive (if that’s a problem for anyone).
Those literature guides look nice! We are not really there yet (soon though, I think!) but I’m going to check them out. Veritas Press has similar guides, so I’d like to see how they compare.
Thanks for sharing what you’re all doing!
Great resource!
One of the great things about homeschooling is that you can give your child one on one attention and help. This one on one attention helps you to see how your child is coping with the different subjects. You can also easily see what subjects they need to do extra work on or need help with.
Anne