Nerding Out

Nerdy lovebirds enjoying time together during some of our first dates…

My self image has been that of a nerd for some years. And don’t get me wrong, that’s not a negative thing in my mind. I married a super-nerd and we just love our nerdy selves! We play computer games together, we watch Dr. Who together, we talk about math and I love my excel spreadsheets. True love doesn’t get any better.

Today, I have been having soooooooo much fun nerding out. What have I been doing, you wonder? I have been poring over homeschool curriculum. Ooooh, I’m so excited I get to actually pick some of these out and use them! It’s a thrill! And, true to my first couple years homeschooling, I’m picking out a wide range of curriculum brands again, mixing and matching for that perfect fit. 🙂 It’s only March? Well, I wasn’t going to research or shop until this summer, but Alpha Omega sent me their wonderful catalog and I just couldn’t resist. (Does it matter to me that the current year’s more moderate stack of books is going to drag out through August? Nah. Setting up school is my favorite part!)

I dunno why the kids don’t get as excited as me about school! (First day of second grade in this picture)

Ok – things could change before fall, but here’s what my list says today. And yes, I realize it’s a bit heavy for a 3rd grader, so we’ll see what changes as I keep working at the list:

Anna (3rd)

1. Math – Horizons workbooks 5 days/week $32
2. Spelling – Sequential spelling 5 days/week $31
3. Grammar – Growing with Grammar (Alt: Easy Grammar Systems $20) 3 days/week $38
4. Penmanship – Simple writing projects, such as guided journaling and pertinent copy work. $0 3 days/week(alt: Horizons workbook 5 days/week $20)
5. History/Geography/Social Studies – Story of the World audiobooks and activities 1-2 days/week $55
6. Health – Horizons student books 2 days/week $20
7. Science – Continue expanding and elaborating on the Field Guide we started this year 1+ days/week $0 (alternate:Apologia Exploring Creation 1+ days/week $67)
8. Extracurricular – AWANA, gymnastics, and hopefully field trips (parks, hikes, friends, museums, plays, tours, etc.)

Other required Washington subjects that will just happen in the course of the above and independently just for fun:
Occupational Education – chores, typing, word processing
Art & Music Appreciation – independent crafts, gymnastics?
Writing – independent
Reading – independent

Maggie (K/1st)

$15 Reading – Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
$0 Writing/Spelling/Penmanship – simple letters, stories, poems
$32 Math – Horizons workbooks
$10 Spelling – with Anna if she’s ready for it
$21 History – Story of the World with Anna
$20 Health – Horizons
$0 Science – Field Guide expansion with Anna (alternate:Apologia Exploring Creation with Anna (jr. workbook) $27)
$0 Occupational Education – chores, typing?
Extracurricular – AWANA, gymnastics, field trips

Ta-da! Now my list is online with helpful linky things so that I can keep checking back in and editing (over and over) until it’s time to buy it.

Added notes:
Supplemental videos (list garnered primarily from the facebook group, “Homeschooling with Netflix“):

1. Disneynature videos – Wings of Life, Crimson Wing, African Cats, Earth, Chimpanzee, Oceans, Monkey Kingdom, Bears (Not sure where to get)
2. National Geographic – Brain Games (15 episodes on Netflix)
3. American History – The Men Who Built America, The Story of America, Dear America, America: The Story of US, The Ultimate Guide to Presidents
4. March of the Penguins
5. List too long to put here now

Additional Wish Items:
$60 Geosafari Laptop
$65 Microscope
$15 Prepared Microscope Slides
$30 Weather guide