We follow Charlotte Mason's teaching for most of our homeschool. I just simply love her teachings. We have used some Montessori techniques when Little Britches was smaller. However, now that she is in 2nd grade we feel that Charlotte Mason works better for her. Using Charlotte Mason's method of teaching has allowed Petunia to finish most of her high school requirements early so that her senior year can mostly be dedicated to her photography and preparing for college.
Note: I am still working on this page so please be patient.
Websites we have found Useful
Complete Curriculums
Ambleside Online
An Old Fashioned Education
Easy Peasy All in One Homeschool
Charlotte Mason Resource Sites
Outdoor Hour Challenges
Simply Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason and Home Education
How we Homeschool
We school year round, but typically our summers are a lighter load (no more than 2 subjects). This allows us the freedom to take time off during the school year as we see fit. For instance, we have been known to take most of the month of December off. Since, I have two children at different ends of the spectrum (1 finishing high school, 1 just getting started in elementary) one child gets me in the morning and the other child gets me in the afternoon. The exception to this rule is that the little one has 2 reading sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This gives her a little extra practice.
Our 2014-2015 school year
Little Britches (2nd Grade)
Math-Singapore
Science-The Handbook of Nature Study, Planets, Science with Air, Minn of the Mississippi
Reading-McGuffey's Readers along with various beginning readers (currently the Frog and Toad series)
Literature-Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare, Children's Book of Virtues (this includes our Poetry), The Wind in the Willows, Misty of Chincoteague
Geography-Minn of the Mississippi, Paddle to the Sea, Learning the Planets, Learn the 50 states (mapwork corresponding to books)
History-Story of the World Books, 3 field trips
Bible Study-continue Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Our Heavenly Father Faith and Life Series II
Art-Early Elementary Art Basics, Studying Famous Paintings/Painters
Music-Piano
Petunia (11th Grade)
Math-Saxon Algebra II
Science-Ecology
History-the 20th century(lots of essays, speeches, biographies, etc.)
Poetry- An Intro to Literature
Short Stories-An Intro to Literature
Bible/Worldview-The Screwtape Letters, The Deadliest Monster
Literature- Animal Farm, Brave New World, Hamlet, Something Wicked this Way Comes, The Gulag Arichipelago
Art History-Gardner's Art through the Ages I and II
Photography-various workshops that are available
Petunia is writing many papers this year. She will finish her English, History and Science requirements for graduation. The only thing we will need to focus on next year is Math and a couple of electives. She has worked hard and is pleased to have a senior year to focus on her photography. We are currently working on scholarships and colleges that offer BFAs in photography. It looks like we will be applying to Savannah College of Art and Design, New England School of Photography, and the Academy of Art so far. I am sure there are a few others out there that we might wind up applying to. Scholarship money is sooooo much easier to find now than it used to be when I was working on finding money to go to school. I just can't believe how many scholarship opportunities are out there for money. Some are very small amounts, but every little bit can add up.
College Scholarships
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