I used to try to limit my daughter’s coloring time. It’s the only thing my little artist wanted to do! I would make her stop her creative process to get back to “important” school work. I have since learned that art is important work. Now our school days are filled with all the art we can create!

• Colorful drawings in Student-Created Science Journals

• Painted canvases proudly displayed on our art gallery wall(s).

• Watercolor Journals - our favorites are by Emily Lex Studio!

• Local Art Classes

My oldest child has always shown an interest in nature, so Science is a very important area of study for us. We have tried pre-made curriculum, such as TGATB Bird Study and Marine Biology Unit. Those studies were educational, but we have found that making our own science journals, is best practice for our family. We have completed and/or are currently working on the following journals:

• Tree Journal

• Flower Journal

• Bird Journal

• Insect Journal

• Reptile/Amphibian Journal

• Fish Journal

• Mammal Journal

We learn facts about each journal entry, while my daughter draws. Often, we find informative YouTube videos to enrich the learning. We pair our journaling with Social Studies (see next tab for details).

In addition to journals, we focus on Farm Study in person with local farmer(s), who offer homeschool classes and/or field trips. On the farm, we study:

• Gardening (in addition to growing our own garden at home)

• Beekeeping

• Goats

• Chickens

• Cows

• Horses (at a different farm, during horseback riding lessons)

• 4-H Involvement - Farm Study and an opportunity to focus on Fine Arts.

We have learned facts about each state across the U.S.A., such as the state tree, flower, bird … etc. We mark our progress on a dry erase wall map as we identify state facts, which we also record in our science journals. We recommend using wet erase or permanent markers so that your map will not smudge as you add each new fact. We also love our placemat coloring book of each of the United States of America. It includes several facts and details to color.

It is a great way to combine more than one subject, and build on our prior knowledge. For this one activity, we are learning science, map study, writing, reading, and art! Sometimes I even throw in a little music, as we jam out to songs that include given state names or facts; such as, California Love by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre (radio edit of course)!

Both of our kids are currently using the Horizons Math curriculum for their grade level. In addition to learning the material in the book, we continue to learn and review using hands-on math manipulatives, such as:

• Play Money/Cash Register

• Multiplication Chart Pop It

• Base Ten Blocks for Place Value

• Dry Erase Board

We also practice math skills when we are grocery shopping, using a measuring tape to work on our dollhouse project, or baking cookies from scratch using measuring cups and spoons. Meaningful learning happens in real life. No math book story problem could ever be as memorable as spending time in the garage with Dad or whipping up a new recipe with Mom. Make math real for your kids, by showing them how you need those skills each day.

Language Arts is embedded into every subject we learn. We used to stick with a curriculum for Phonics and Reading. When I realized our child needed a different approach to reading instruction, I had to get more creative.

• TGATB Handwriting

• Journaling

• Pen-Pal Letters

• Audiobooks (See list of our recommendations)

• Read-Alouds every night before bed

• Leveled readers of interest for independent practice (We like books about animals and superheroes).

• Regular trips to the library, so they can pick out all the books they enjoy!

Try to minimize worksheets, and instead incorporate living books - which is a term used in the Charlotte Mason style of teaching.

I have paired these two subjects, because often, studying scripture will lead us to listen to worship songs and hymns that go along with the lesson.

BIBLE:

The best curriculum that we have found for Bible Study is Not Consumed.

They offer Kids Bible Studies, Homeschool Curriculum, and Kids Devotionals. Every book we have purchased has been fabulous!

We use The Clear Focus Bible for Kids (NIrV) to allow for more independent reading of the text.

MUSIC:

We do not focus on music every school day, but typically a few days out of the week are spent reviewing Solfege scales, with hand signals. We then work on a page or two in some very old curriculum that a former homeschooling family passed on to us: Beginning in Music. It is simple and easy to use! The same company that sells Rod & Staff curriculum, Milestone Books, also offers a variety of other subjects, for all grade levels and abilities.