Our 2016-2017 Curriculum Plans and Checklists

by | Oct 15, 2016 | Curriculum, Home Education | 30 comments

Well, I had this whole post ready to go the first week of school, just waiting for a few photos, then blogger ate it. I nearly cried. I had been using the draft post to keep track of all my plans for the year and I didn’t have them written down anywhere else… sigh. Lesson learned. Thankfully I had already ordered most of the books we needed for the year so it wasn’t too hard to recreate my plans at the last minute. Now let’s see if I can “quickly” recreate all the links to share here on the blog! 😉

This year I am home educating all seven of our children. We have two 10th graders, an 8th grader, 6th grader, 4th grader, 1st grader and our youngest is officially Pre-K! This could potentially be our last year with a pre-schooler. Crazy! With our children all arriving 1 1/2 to 2 years apart, I never thought this day would come… It’s been over two years since my last miscarriage and I’m starting to think our youngest might just be our last. Seven is a great number and I’m really enjoying this new season in our family!

Five years ago, just before our youngest was born, I knew I needed help and solid deadlines to keep up with my goals for our home school. I enrolled our children in a local home-based charter that started in our hometown that year. The following year I nearly withdrew, but a good friend of mine was hired as an ES and assigned to our family. It was such an incredible blessing having her come to our home once a week and help tutor our children. She resigned at the end of last school year and now the benefits (an excellent tutor, allotment to use towards books, sports, driver’s ed, etc) no longer outweighed the drawbacks (so. much. paperwork, incompetent teachers/classes, all the required testing taking up weeks of our school year, inappropriate questions on the tests, etc) and we withdrew all six that were enrolled last year for this new school year! I sent in our state’s required “Home School Notification” (got a copy back that has been stamped “Approved”) and we are once again exclusively homeschooling! It was such a great feeling.  I’ve had to be creative in finding ways to pay for this year’s school books (basically work more along with selling the books we no longer need), and we will most likely have to cut back on sports, but my husband and I are confident that this was the best decision for our family at this time.

When I was filling out the Home School Notification I had to assign grades once again and we decided to move out rising 7th grader up to 8th grade. She has a late summer birthday and when she was enrolled in the charter we decided to “hold her back” (like we did with our oldest son who also has a summer birthday) just in case she struggled to keep up, but she is definitely going to be ready to start high school next year, so we officially made the switch.  She was excited to start this school year as an 8th grader!

Like I mentioned before, we decided to enroll our high schoolers in Kolbe Academy. They are working towards the Magna Cum Laude Diploma. My youngest two brothers (currently both seniors in college this year with full golf scholarships!) both graduated high school with Kolbe’s Magna Cum Laude Diploma. In addition to all the benefits of enrolling, I’m really loving the flexibility that Kolbe offers and that we can continue tailoring our curriculum to our family’s preferences and our children’s needs.

The one challenge we have had with transferring our high schoolers from the home-based charter school to Kolbe Academy has been with their Foreign Language credits. To graduate with the Magna Cum Laude Diploma they need 3 years of Foreign Language, with at least two years in the same language. The charter allowed them to earn 1 Foreign Language credit for completing First Form Latin. Kolbe requires both First and Second Form for Latin 1 credit… The boys were not fully prepared to move on to an approved Latin 2 course. I gave the boys three options:

Option 1: Complete Second Form Latin over the summer to complete Latin 1 for Kolbe, and then continue on with Third and Forth Form to earn credit for Latin 2, before switching to a second language for their third and final year of required foreign language.

Option 2: Retake Latin 1 using either Henle or Wheelock this year. No additional credit will be earned on your transcript this year, but you’ll be well prepared to continue on to Latin 2 as a junior and Latin 3 as a senior.  (Ranger choose this option and we enrolled him in Latin 1 with Lukeion.  He LOVES the class, even though it is bright – soon to be dark! – and early out here on the West Coast.) 

Option 3: Switch Languages. You already have one year of foreign language credit at this point, and you need two more. Choose a second language and complete two years. (This was the option Captain choose. After so many years of Latin from Memoria Press he has completely burned out on studying Latin… He is taking this year off foreign language and will most likely continue with French with either an online course or at the community college next year.) 

He’s not the only one taking a break from studying Latin this year. I sold almost all of our Memoria Press Latin materials and all the younger children are also taking a break. Combined with our writing and grammar courses it has been too much the last couple years, and I’ve missed having that extra time to focus on history and science.  I’m also not convinced that all the time we have spent has been very productive. To quote Lukeion: “There are many programs now available for younger students. In our experience, however, these programs demand a lot of busy work but deliver very little in the way of learning the functional nuts-and-bolts of Classical languages. Students are not generally prepared to master these languages until they have reached the logic stage. You will accomplish much more in a fraction of the time if you wait until your student is 12 to 15 before you start formal instruction in Latin and Greek. Better still, waiting to start these logic based languages may mean your student will enjoy them more.” 

UPDATE: I was able to rename the Latin class Ranger took at home last year to “Intro to Latin” and now he’ll be able to earn Latin 1 credit this year after all for the online class he is currently taking! Kolbe Academy has been so great to work with this year.

Anyway, enough about all the changes… Here’s the list of books we are using this school year:

Captain and Ranger :: 10th Grade 

Theology: 
Understanding the Scriptures: A Complete Course On Bible Study
Understanding the Scriptures Student Workbook (Ranger)
Understanding the ScripturesMy Catholic Faith Delivered (Captain)
Preparation for Confirmation According to the Baltimore Catechism (with Dad)

Additional Resources:

Ignatius Catholic Bible (compact)
The Ignatius Bible: Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (leather bound)
Catholic Bible Indexing Tabs

Love this bible and ended up ordering a 2nd copy for our other high schooler.

English 10: 
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: Level C (Year 1 of 2)
Fix It! Grammar: Little Mermaid (Book 4) with Teacher’s Manual
Phonetic Zoo, Level C (continue)

Literature – Introduction to Literary Analysis:
Teaching the Classics DVD Seminar and Workbook

History – World History II:
A Light to the Nations, Part II: Development of Christian Civilization and Teacher’s Manual
with Kolbe Academy’s Course Plans & Tests (with high school options)
Additional Literature, Audio Books, and DVDs. 

Mathematics: 
Saxon Algebra 2 with Mastering Algebra John Saxon’s Way: Algebra 2 DVD Set
Saxon Algebra 2 Solutions Manual and Homeschool Testing Book
1 hour (shared with other students) of tutoring at weekly co-op 

Science: 
Prentice Hall Chemistry
with Kolbe Academy’s Course Plans & Tests and Answer Key
with weekly science lab at co-op

Foreign Language: 
Lukeion Latin I (online class – Ranger only)

Fine Arts:
Meet the Masters: Track D
(Maybe Track E too, but I’m not going to commit to that at this time. One Track might be all we are able to finish this year.) 

Physical Education:
High School Hockey
High School Golf

Additional Non-Academic Credit and/or Activities:
FIRST LEGO League Robotics (Mentors)
Drivers Education (at community college next summer – Ranger only)
Train to serve at a Pontifical High Mass next summer

Twinkle Toes :: 8th Grade

Religion:
Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (continue with Dad)
Living For Holiness (Living My Religion Series, Book 8)
Additional Reading Assignments/Saint Stories

Mathematics:
Saxon Math 8/7 with Pre-Algebra with Mastering Algebra John Saxon’s Way: Math 87 DVD set
Solutions Manual and Saxon 8/7 Tests and Worksheets
1/2 hour of tutoring each week as needed

Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course: Level C (Year 1 of 2)
Fix It! Grammar: Frog Prince, or Just Deserts (Book 3) with Teacher’s Manual
Phonetic Zoo, Level C
Better Handwriting for Young Catholics
Additional Literature for Independent Reading

History & Geography:
From Sea to Shining Sea: The Story of America
U.S. Elections Unit Study from Homeschool in the Woods
Maps Charts and Graphs Level G: The World (first semester)
Maps, Charts, Graphs: United States, Past and Present, Level H (second semester)
Additional Literature for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds along with additional projects/lap books and activities. 

Science:
Physical Science: Concepts In Action; With Earth and Space Science (Prentice Hall)
with Kolbe Academy’s Course Plans & Tests and Answer Key
Nature and Observations Notebook (continue weekly nature study)

Health:
Teenagers & Nutrition
Yourself and Your House Wonderful

Fine Arts:
Meet the Masters: Track D

Physical Education:
Middle School Golf

Computer/Technology:
FIRST LEGO League Robotics

Typing

Chiquita :: 6th Grade

Religion:
Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (with Dad)
Living In God’s Church (Living My Religion Series) Book 6
Additional Reading Assignments/Saint Stories

Mathematics:

Saxon Math 7/6 with Mastering Algebra – Math 76 DVD
Saxon 7/6 Tests and Worksheets and Solutions Manual
1/2 – 1 hour of tutoring each week as needed

Logic:
Orbiting with Logic
Logic Safari Book 3

Language Arts:
Following Narnia Volume 1: The Lion’s Song
Chronicles of Narnia:
The Magician’s Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and The Horse and His Boy
Fix It! Grammar: Frog Prince, or Just Deserts (Book 3) with Teacher’s Manual
Phonetic Zoo, Level A/B
Better Handwriting for Young Catholics

History & Geography:
From Sea to Shining Sea: The Story of America
U.S. Elections Unit Study from Homeschool in the Woods
Maps Charts and Graphs Level F: Eastern Hemisphere
Additional Literature for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds along with additional projects/lap books and activities. 

Science:
Focus on Middle School Astronomy with Laboratory Workbook, Quizzes, and Teacher’s Manual
Nature’s Beautiful Order with Student Guide and Teacher’s Key
Nature and Observations Notebook (continue weekly nature study)

Spanish:
Spanish for You!
(at weekly co-op)

Fine Arts:
Meet the Masters: Track D

Physical Education:
Middle School Golf

Computer/Technology:
FIRST LEGO League Robotics
Typing

First LEGO Robotics Meeting and Introduction, just before the school year started. 

Snuggles :: 4th Grade 

Religion:
Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 1 (with Dad)
Living For God (Living My Religion Series) Book 4
Supplemental Religion Books and Saint Stories from Our Monthly Book Baskets

Mathematics:
Saxon 5/4 with Saxon Teacher 5/4 CDs
Solutions Manual and Saxon 5/4 Tests and Worksheets

Logic:
Logic Countdown
Logic Safari Book 2

Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive, Level A
Phonetic Zoo, Level A
Fix It! Grammar: The Nose Tree (Book 1) and Teacher’s Manual
Handwriting for Young Catholics

 

History & Geography:
Maps Charts and Graphs Level D: States & Regions
State-by-State Study
From Sea to Shining Sea: The Story of America
U.S. Elections Unit Study from Homeschool in the Woods
Additional Literature for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds along with additional projects/lap books and activities. 

Science:
Focus on Middle School Astronomy with Laboratory Workbook, Quizzes, and Teacher’s Manual
Weekly Nature Study

Art: 
Meet the Masters: Track D

Physical Education:

In-House Hockey League (Nov-Mar — still undecided due to cost and time commitment)

Rose :: 1st Grade

Religion:
St. Joseph First Communion Catechism (with Dad)
Saint Stories from Our Monthly Book Baskets
Additional Supplemental Religion & First Sacraments Books
(the following pictures show some of the catechism resources we use in our home) 

My Path to Heaven: A Young Person’s Guide to the Faith
Chat’s With God’s Little OnesTheir Hearts Are His GardenManner’s in God’s HouseMy First Communion CatechismThe Little Children’s Prayer BookTrue Stories for First Communicants
My Confession For Little CatholicsLeading The Little Ones to MaryJesus and I 
My Confession BookMy Jesus and IIllustrated CatechismCatholic Nursery Rhymes

Mathematics:
Saxon Math 1

Language Arts:
Primary Arts of Language: Writing and Reading
All About Spelling
Handwriting 1 for Young Catholics
Supplemental Readers and Additional Literature

History & Geography:
Maps, Charts and Graphs Level A: The Places Around Me
Early American History (lots of picture books) 
Presidential Election Unit Study (maybe)

    Science:
    Focus on Elementary Astronomy with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
    Miracle of Life Coloring & Activity Book

    Art: 
    Meet the Masters: Track D
    various Arts & Crafts projects throughout the year

    Bud :: Pre-Kindergarten 

    Catholic Children’s Treasure Box Books
    Little Saints Pre-School (various themes as we can fit them in)
    Primary Arts of Language: Writing and Reading (he’s ready so we are starting now)
    All About Spelling Level 1 (once it’s added to our P.A.L. lessons)
    Miracle of Life Coloring & Activity Book
    Early American History (lots of picture books)
    Misc Workbooks for Practice & Fun: Do It CarefullyEverywhere We Go (he loves workbooks)
    Math Manipulative & Worksheets

    Some Additional Family Resources:

    A Year With The Saints: A Virtue for Every Month of the Year
    My Catholic Faith
    Treasure and Tradition

    Natural Science Through the Seasons: 100 Teaching Units
    The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling

    “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
    Choosing our curriculum and setting goals for the year is just the first step…  The next step is to create a plan for achieving our goals in a timely manner, especially for the older children who will need to complete their courses in order to earn credit on their high school transcripts. I’ve created weekly checklists for each grade and have included the links to my documents above. I’m still working on fine tuning my own routine and schedule, which has been much harder to pin down since my work schedule varies from week to week, but I’m getting there even if it’s very slowly. So far our school year is off to a great start! 

    30 Comments

    1. Stacie F

      Thank you posting your checklists! I have a question. Your art supplies always look so organized. What art supplies do you use? Are these oil pastels in the pic?

      2016-10-15 02:30:35

      Reply
    2. Sharyn

      Oh no! Don't tell everyone about A Year With the Saints! They'll buy the second hand copy that I'm hoping to buy soon lol 😉

      Just a note for those who are interested though. The kindle edition option in the link is the Paul Thigpen version. I'm not sure how they differ so you might want to look into it if you have a preference for one or the other.

      Thanks for sharing Jessica! Always interesting to see what you are using!

      God bless!

      2016-10-15 05:35:36

      Reply
    3. Vic

      What a lot of work! Do you spend time "teaching" your high school students each day, or do they do the reading material and assignements completely solo?

      2016-10-15 16:15:35

      Reply
    4. Jessica Gordon

      Hmmm, I don't think I have any oil pastels pictured in this post, but maybe you are referring to the Lyra Aquarelle Gel Crayons that are in one of the sections of the wooden art caddy? You can also see my little ones using their Stockmar Beeswax Crayons. Most of the art supplies are currently kept in the dining room hutch, but I do have a decorative wooden tray that is usually in the middle of the table and it has a big glass jar filled with crayons and then a bunch of smaller jars that hold color pencils, scissors, glue sticks, etc. It's easy for my little ones to grad the smaller containers when they need them and then put them back when they are done. It's also easy for me to move the whole tray off the table when I want to set the table for a special occasion.

      2016-10-15 18:49:00

      Reply
    5. Jessica Gordon

      Ohhh, It's such a great book! I hope you are able to order a second hand copy soon. I purchased mine used as well!

      I had been wanting a copy for so many years and plan to start reading it aloud to our children beginning in January. I love that it focuses on a different virtue each month of the year.

      I'm glad you mentioned the Paul Thigpen version! I purchased his book first (the leather bound edition), thinking it was the updated version of the book I had been looking for, but realized after it arrived that they are not the same book… It's interesting (and confusing!) that Amazon is listing the kindle option for the Thigpen book, A Year with the Saints: Daily Meditations with the Holy Ones of God, on the same page as A Year With the Saints: A Virtue for Every Month of the Year.

      2016-10-15 19:11:39

      Reply
    6. Jessica Gordon

      It is a lot of work, but I'm really happy with our current curriculum and how it is working for our family at this time. My goal is to get our older children working as independently as possible. There are a few subjects that I still teach my high school students, but I do have help with the rest! They started attending a weekly co-op (classes are taught by Kathleen, the same tutor I've had work with them here at our home in the past, and her sister!) this year which is such a blessing!

      • Theology
      – The boys read Understanding the Scriptures on their own, complete the review questions, and then go over it all with their Dad on Sunday afternoons or Monday evening. I give them their quarterly exams.

      • English 10
      – Phonetic Zoo, Level C – CD, completely independent.
      – SWI CC-C – DVD lessons taught by Mr. Pudewa, they review the lessons at co-op once a week. Each Monday they email their new paper to Kathleen for her to edit and she goes over it with them at co-op.
      – Fix It! Grammar Book 4 – Once a week I sit down with them and review their answers on the previous week's work and then teach them their new lesson for the upcoming week.

      • Literature
      – I'm completing Teaching the Classics (DVD seminar) with them at home and they are working through Windows to the World at co-op. • History
      – The older boys read through Light to the Nations II on their own, following the Kolbe syllabus. They also write some of their papers (for English) on topics that tie into their History course.
      – I go over their review questions, etc, each week.

      • Math
      – DVD lessons taught by Art Reed, completed independently. At co-op they work on areas where they are struggling. This is not something that I can help them with… Tutors are a necessity for us – wish I would have had a tutor when I tried teaching myself Saxon Algebra as a homeschooler, back before the DVDs were available!

      • Science
      – We are so blessed to have Kathleen's sister (a pharmacist) teaching science at the weekly co-op. The class rotates though topics each year and this year it's Chemistry. Next year the boys (and our oldest daughter) will take Biology from her at the co-op. (This is why I have our daughter working through Physical Science this year as an 8th grader. I want her ready to take the Biology class when it is offered again next year.) They read through the material at home, and complete their homework assignments. On Tuesday evenings I grade their homework, using the Kolbe answer key. Last week she sent me home with a test which I will give them before their next class.

      • Latin
      – Completely online. Our son is responsible for making sure he is up and ready for his class on Tuesday mornings, most of the kids are still asleep when he is setting up the computer at 6:45am. He turns in his homework and takes the online quizzes on his own before the deadlines.

      • Fine Arts
      – Meet the Masters… I teach this one to all the kids at the same time, adjusting the assignments based on their age and ability. The goal is to complete study one artist each month, depending on our schedule.

      That's pretty much it for our high schoolers.

      For the younger children I try to group them together as much as possible. We all study the same time period in history (this year it's Early American History), mostly the same topic in science (Astronomy), etc, but it's still a LOT to keep up with each week! No wonder I'm tired… 😉

      2016-10-15 19:47:40

      Reply
    7. Jennifer

      Jessica, Do you have a typewriting program recommendation? Thank you!

      2016-10-15 22:38:42

      Reply
    8. Marie

      I love that Ignatius Bible! Our church ordered some to keep in the sanctuary and the adoration chapel and our pastor routinely gives out scripture verses as penances so I was using the Bible when I came out of the confessional. I liked that Bible so much, I went and ordered my own to have at home. I love all of the plans and book links!!!

      2016-10-16 02:08:33

      Reply
    9. Laura G.

      Hi, Jessica, I see that you are no longer using Connecting with History anymore. Just curious as to the reason why not. Thank you for providing your school plans with all of us.

      2016-10-16 19:39:04

      Reply
    10. Jessica Gordon

      I considered purchasing this Typing Instructor software but it didn't have the best reviews for the MAC version. I ended up going with Typist, free from the Mac App Store. So far it has worked great and the girls are really enjoying learning to type. It's still a little too challenging for our 4th grader.

      2016-10-16 20:48:18

      Reply
    11. Jessica Gordon

      I still love Connecting with History, even if we are taking a break from it again this year.

      The last time we cycled through American History (back in 2011) RC History hadn't published Volume 4 yet and I ended up creating my own plans, using From Sea to Shining Sea as our core text, adding in lots of additional literature and supplemental crafts and activities.

      You can see those plans here: https://showerofrosesblog.com/2011/07/america
      … and the Lap Books we made to go along with each unit:
      New World Explorers Unit Study and Lap Book
      Colonial Life Unit Study and Lap Book
      American Revolution
      The Early 19th Century
      The Civil War
      Industrial Revolution through the Great Depression Unit Study and Lap Book
      Presidential Election Lap Books and Unit Study

      I had hoped that by the time we got back to American History they would have it completed Volume 4, but at this point they only have the first four (of ten) units available.. I would love to take a look at what they do have, and possibly incorporate some of it this year, but haven't spent the money on it yet… Instead I am using those original plans I made for our younger children (Pre-K, 1st and 4th) and modifying the additional supplemental reading selections for my older girls (6th and 8th) to go along with From Sea to Shining Sea. As for our high schoolers, they really love the Catholic Textbook Projects history books (always have since they read From Sea to Shining Sea in 2011). Last year they used Light to their Nations Part I as their core text for Connecting with History Volume 3 (High Medieval through Explorers), so they this year, rather than moving on to American History, they are continuing with Light to the Nations Part 2. Next year they will use Lands of Hope and Promise. I am adding in some supplemental reading (and audio books) for them as well.

      2016-10-16 21:13:49

      Reply
    12. Beth

      Excited to see confirmation preparation on your oldest boys' checklists. I'm hopeful that means you had a fruitful encounter last summer with your Archbishop. I've been praying for you/them!

      2016-10-17 00:37:53

      Reply
    13. Jessica Gordon

      Thank you for the prayers, Beth! We are still waiting to hear back from the Archbishop and are still praying. My husband sent him a follow up letter a couple weeks ago. In the meantime, in addition to preparing them at home, we ended up putting them in a Confirmation class at another diocesan parish we've been attending since Lent (where the boys have been serving Mass on Sundays) despite the 1-hr drive each way… Our pastor wouldn't let us take them to my BIL's parish for confirmation, but he did give us the permission we needed this past week for them to participate in these classes. So far it is going well and the boys are enjoying the course at the parish. Not sure what's going to happen when hockey season starts since their high-school team's practice is usually the same night, but we are hopeful that it will all work out… I just wish everything wasn't so far away from home!

      2016-10-18 07:09:52

      Reply
    14. Sr. Madeleine Marie

      In case anybody wants to order the My Jesus and I wall chart and/or booklet, we keep them in stock in our bookstore. You can find them here: http://store.casamaria.org/my-jesus-and-i-wall-ch

      2016-10-17 15:26:32

      Reply
    15. Stephanie Forbes

      You are so so good to do this after a blogger disaster! Thank you! Wow, I love the classical language quote you included about waiting, I'm tucking that away. I also love how you shared the PEACE you feel about the decisions you've made to homeschool your children all at home again, even if it means being creative with money. I wish more mommies could trust that peace, I felt it finally for the first time this year! God bless your home!

      2016-10-17 20:32:51

      Reply
    16. Jessica Gordon

      I've been admiring that wall chart for years! It's good to know that you carry it. Thank you for sharing the link, Sister!

      2016-10-18 07:10:31

      Reply
    17. Erin

      Some fantastic, 'cream of the crop' choices there!! Suggestion re language my daughter (15) has been using Duolingo for the past couple of years to learn Spanish and doing so well. They have many languages and it's FREE!! Apparently 3months of duolingo is equivalent to doing a year of language in college. Most interested to read what you had to say about learning Latin young, I've often suspected that or at least it's how I've consoled myself that I just can't manage it.

      2016-10-19 19:52:37

      Reply
    18. Suzanne

      How did you create your marvelous checklists? I would love to tweek it to make it work for my kiddos.

      2016-10-21 00:11:35

      Reply
    19. Bridget

      Jessica, I already have children graduated from and currently in college (Christendom and Wyoming Catholic), but I have more to go and am looking forward to your posts on college prep and discernment. Your high school plans are wonderful!

      2016-10-22 22:51:31

      Reply
    20. Bridget

      We've made some of those same choices. We drive 30 minutes to an hour for our parish, homeschool classes, and sports. It's painful and exhausting sometimes, but so worth it to us for the marvelous parish, families, and coaches in our lives.

      2016-10-22 22:56:49

      Reply
    21. Kelsey

      Hi Jessica!

      Could you share a little more about the Focus On science you are using? What made you choose that approach over their Building Blocks program? Do you just choose which Focus On subjects you want to explore that year? What grades do you use this curriculum for, and then what do you switch to? I am having so much indecision when it comes to science!

      2016-10-26 01:07:25

      Reply
    22. georgiak1230

      Hello Jessica. Happy New Year! I pray your pregnancy is going well! Thank you for taking the time to create the post. Your blog has blessed our family beyond measure!! God Bless!!

      2017-01-07 20:03:22

      Reply
    23. Janet

      Hi Jessica, Thank you so much for the time and energy you put into these posts! I saw on a previous post that you were going to use Classically Catholic Memory, but I don't see it on your current plans. Do you still use it? I'm wondering if it's worth the investment:) God Bless You!

      2017-02-24 05:26:22

      Reply
    24. Genevieve

      Hi Jessica,

      Thank you for providing such an inspiring blog! I'm currently thinking of my rising 9th grader and wondering what to do with his religion plans. I noticed that you had switched from Quest for Happiness to Didache series. Could you elaborate a little why? I know Jennifer Mackintosh wrote a short positive review of Quest for Happiness series but was wondering about your take on them.

      Thank you!

      Blessings, Genevieve

      2017-03-27 01:33:15

      Reply
    25. Noemi Munoz

      Hello Jessica: I have been following you for 4 years already and you make homeschool so easygoing. I have eight kids and one baby with down syndrome. I homeschool 4 kids for 5 years. when I find out that I was going to have my baby with down, I put my little ones in Catholic school. There I found it that they had learning disabilities too. Things became complicated and I could not afford it anymore. Last year I put them in public school and I do not like what I see now in my kids. We are very active in the church. We belong to the Neocathecumenal group. I do not know if you have heard of the group. However, my heart tells me to homeschool, I am afraid to give them more vices like they do not follow directions at all. My older kids want to stay home because they do not want to get up early and go running all over the place. I am not very organized either. Besides, I am always in therapies with my baby. In conclusion, I am afraid they will stay behind and become lazier. Any suggestions with this dilemma. I would really appreciate. Congrats to you baby it is such of blessing!.

      2017-07-21 04:08:40

      Reply
    26. CMerie

      Re looking at your plans as I start thinking about next year. I will have a 6th grader, 4th, 2nd, K and preschooler next year. I'm looking forward to thinking about high school to get an idea of the path we are on. I know you are busy, but I would love an update to see how last year went and what your plans are this year. What has your experience been with Kolbe?

      2018-02-07 02:32:04

      Reply
    27. Erica

      Hello, I love your blog. I am so thankful for everything you post. You are a great resource of great Catholic products. Do you have any suggestions for helping elementary age kids follow along with the Latin mass?

      Also, do you have any suggestions for books and how to better incorporate the Liturgical year into the home?

      2018-04-03 23:39:07

      Reply
    28. Guest

      For those who can make do with a soft copy, it appears that the scanned copy of the book is available online for free.

      Of course, someone who has the physical copy of the book will have to confirm that the book is the same.

      If yes, there appears to be at least three scanned copies available on archive.org — (1) https://archive.org/details/ayearwithsaints00unkn… (2) https://archive.org/details/ayearwithsaints00unkn… and (3) https://archive.org/details/AYearWithTheSaints.

      2016-10-17 05:36:55

      Reply
    29. Jacqueline

      Noemi

      I will pray for you!!! Take it to prayer with your husband. Through the sacrament of marriage God has given you two the tools you need to discern His will! He will give peace. That doesn't mean it will be easy (either choice) but you will know you are doing His will when you have peace in your heart. Dr Ray Geurendi has great books on discipline for every age and his wife homeschooled them all (10- all adopted)!

      Bottom line is if God is calling you to homeschool He will guide you. Trust Him and go forward in his peace.

      Prayers, Jacqueline

      2017-08-17 19:58:02

      Reply
    30. Jenny

      I'm interested in how you did Kolbe with your older kids. Do you do the exclusive books they use for the homeschool courses or do you do online courses? or are you able to supplement with your own choices? I'm trying to decided if I want to use Kolbe soon.

      2017-10-05 18:16:32

      Reply

    Submit a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Prayer of Mothers

    Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


    Our Family

    Sean & Jessica, Captain-23, Ranger-21, Twinkle Toes-20, Chiquita-18, Snuggles-16, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-6 and Joy-4 (blog nicknames)

    A Little About Me

    Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

    My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

    Please Visit My Sponsors…

    This Week's Popular Posts

    Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

    All About Spelling
    All About Reading
    All About Reading Pre-reading
    All About Reading Giveaways
    Illuminated_Ink_Advent_Candle_Kit_package_image_Holy_Heroes.jpg
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Our Advent & Christmas Books

    Shower of Roses Christmas Gift Guides

    Looking for Something?

    Looking Back

    • 2024 (5)
    • 2023 (30)
    • 2022 (48)
    • 2021 (48)
    • 2020 (57)
    • 2019 (61)
    • 2018 (90)
    • 2017 (128)
    • 2016 (148)
    • 2015 (172)
    • 2014 (227)
    • 2013 (238)
    • 2012 (308)
    • 2011 (297)
    • 2010 (313)
    • 2009 (486)
    • 2008 (564)
    • 2007 (148)

    Posts About:

    Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

    A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

    Our Lent and Easter Books

    Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



    All Saints Party Printables

    All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2023 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!