Looking Back :: Our 2015-2016 Curriculum
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| The Catholic Daily Planner and 2016 Saints Calendar (You can order the 2017 Saints Calendar & 16-Month Planner now, ready to use beginning in September!) |
This past school year our children were in 9th, 9th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, Kindergarten, and Pre-K.
Ranger actually started the year as an 8th grader, even though he has been studying at the same level as his older brother for a few years now, but by the end of September we made it official and he was moved up to 9th grade!
Our children have been enrolled in a home-based charter school for a number of years now. We‘ve jumped through the required hoops (testing, weekly samples, etc) in the past in order to be able to use the “allotment” our children receive to pay for extra-curricular activities, sports, and tutoring.
Originally I thought Ranger would be able to earn high school credit in 8th grade for his high school level courses, but that wasn’t the case. If he wanted to earn the credit he had to be enrolled as a high schooler by the end of the year. We had three options that we considered:
1. Leave him in 8th grade and basically have him complete 5 years of high school, filling in the graduation requirements with advance classes or dual-credit classes at the community college. (He wasn’t thrilled about this option.)
2. Move him up to 9th grade at the end of the school year depending on how he did in the high school classes. (This is what the charter school director was suggesting, but we didn’t like that it would mean that he would miss out on a year of high school sports, if he ended up being moved up from 8th to 10th at the end of the school year.)
3. Move him up to 9th grade at the beginning of the year, with approval from the school depending on his beginning-of-the-year test scores. (My youngest two brothers did the same thing: Kevin was held back a year due to his Auditory Processing Challenges, just like our oldest son, and David skipped 8th grade, just like our second son. They are 22 and 20 now and will both be seniors in college this fall with full golf scholarships! I had quite a few conversations with my mom on whether it was the right thing to do or not. We also had conversations with Ranger about whether or not he wanted to be a little older his senior year – mainly due to the competitive sports – and if he wanted to have a year in those sports without his older brother. Not to mention that going this route meant we would have our oldest two leaving for college at the SAME time!)
We ended up going with the 3rd option and Ranger had a great school year! He was at the top of his Science class, had the best test scores in the school (he scored in the 96 percentile of all 9th graders statewide at the end of the year on the state math test), and finished the year with a 4.0. We also had the added benefit of having a built in tutor as well. Late at night I’d often find Ranger explaining math concepts to his older brother. Such a blessing! The Regional Varsity golf tournament was hard for him. I had to remind him that not only were he and his brother some of the only freshman out on the course that day, he was by far the youngest, and he didn’t come in last – far from it! We were so proud of them for their hard work and just qualifying to complete with all the older Varsity players from all the other schools with so little experience! (Other than week long summer golf camps, this was their first year playing golf.) In addition to earning the Varsity Award for hockey and golf, the boys both received Athlete-of-the-Week during golf season and Kiwanis Student-of-the-Month Awards!
The charter did have quite a few challenges though… I’m not going to go into them all right now, but I will say that we have decided to withdraw at least our boys. We have already enrolled our high-schoolers in Kolbe Academy for this upcoming fall! I think it will be a perfect fit for our family and they will be working towards the Magna Cum Laude Diploma.
We continued using Saxon Math with all the children, as well as courses from Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) and All About Learning (AAL) for Language Arts, Focus on Science Geology from Real Science for Kids, Latin from Memoria Press (making changes for next year), portions of Connecting with History from RC History, and Meet the Masters for Art.
Captain and Ranger :: 9th Grade
Theology:
Our Quest for Happiness: Our Goals and Our Guides (with Dad)
The History of the Church (supplemental reading)
Christ 101 (partially completed, plan to continue)
Additional resources:
Beginning Apologetics
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Ignatius Catholic Bible (Compact)
Imitation of Christ
English:
The Elegant Essay: Building Blocks for Analytical Writing (1st Semester)
Speech Boot Camp (2nd Semester)
Fix It! Grammar: Frog Prince, or Just Deserts (all year)
Phonetic Zoo, Level C (all year)
History & Literature – World History I:
A Light to the Nations, Part I: Development of Christian Civilization
Tests from A Light to the Nations Student Workbook and Teachers Manual
Additional Literature chosen from Connecting with History Volume 2 (starting at Unit 5) and Volume 3 for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds – I will try and share the booklists and checklists I created for them for the year.
Mathematics:
Saxon Algebra 1 with Art Reed DVDs and 1-2 hours of weekly tutoring
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| We had been using the Saxon Teacher CDs (which were working fine) but switched the older boys to the Art Reed DVDs for 2015-2016. They are excellent! I’ve already ordered the Art Reed DVDs for the girls for next year. |
Science:
with weekly science labs at our local charter school
Latin I:
First Form Latin with DVDs and Quizzes & Test Booklet
(We will be making changes for 2016-2017. I’ll share the details when I post our curriculum plans.)
Electives:
High School Robotics
Drivers Education (summer – Captain only)
Fine Arts:
Meet the Masters: Tracks B & C (8 artists, 4 per semester)
Physical Education:
High School Hockey – Varsity Team (winter)
In-House Hockey League (Oct-Mar)
High School Golf – Varsity Team (spring)
Religion:
Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (continue with Dad)
Mathematics:
Saxon Math 7/6 with Teacher CDs
Student Writing Intensive Continuation Course Level B
Fix It! Grammar: Robin Hood
Phonetic Zoo, Level B
Pictures in Cursive and Copybook Cursive (Latin Hymns and Prayers)
Additional Literature
Latin:
First Form Latin with DVDs
History & Geography:
Maps Charts and Graphs Level F: Eastern Hemisphere
The World’s Story
Additional Literature chosen from Connecting with History Volume 2 (starting at Unit 5) and Volume 3 for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds
Science:
Life Is Precious: A Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students
Focus on Middle School Geology with Laboratory Workbook, Quizzes, and Teacher’s Manual
Fine Arts:
Meet the Masters: Tracks B & C
Physical Education:
Hockey Lessons
Middle School Golf
Religion:
Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 (with Dad)
Mathematics:
Language Arts:
Fix It! Grammar: Robin Hood
Phonetic Zoo, Level A
Pictures in Cursive and Copybook Cursive (Latin Hymns and Prayers)
Additional Literature
Maps Charts and Graphs Level E: United States and It’s Neighbors
Founders of Freedom
Additional Literature chosen from Connecting with History Volume 2 (starting at Unit 5) and Volume 3 for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds
Science:
Life Is Precious: A Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students
Focus on Middle School Geology with Laboratory Workbook, Quizzes, and Teacher’s Manual
Religion:
Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 1 (with Dad)
Mathematics:
Saxon Math 3
Logic:
Logic Safari Book 1
Language Arts:
Student Writing Intensive, Level A (begin at a slow pace with lots of reinforcement, will continue next year in 4th grade)
Phonetic Zoo, Level A
Handwriting Worksheets
Lots of Readers – Faith and Freedom Readers, Saint Books, All About Reading Readers, Gospel Trekkers, Tales of the RAF, Farmer Boy, The Hobbit and much more (His reading really took off this year. He was reading all the time and to anyone who would listen!)
History & Geography:
Maps Charts and Graphs Level C: Communities
Founders of Freedom
Additional Literature chosen from Connecting with History Volume 2 (starting at Unit 5) and Volume 3 for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds
Life Is Precious: A Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students
Focus on Elementary Geology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
Religion:
St. Joseph First Communion Catechism (with Dad)
Mathematics:
Saxon Math 1 (begin this year, will continue next year)
Language Arts:
Primary Arts of Language: Writing and Reading
All About Spelling Level 1
History & Geography:
Founders of Freedom
Additional Literature chosen from Connecting with History Volume 2 (starting at Unit 5) and Volume 3 for Independent Reading, various Audio Books, and Family Read-Alouds
Life Is Precious: A Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students
Focus on Elementary Geology with Laboratory Workbook and Teacher’s Manual
In addition to the Life Is Precious: A Culture of Life Unit Study for Elementary Students we incorporate lots of picture books, family field trips, educational games, and religion lessons with Daddy each week. Our pre-schooler also loves celebrating the saints and participating in our family art classes. He still has one more year before he will officially begin Kindergarten in 2017-2018.
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| Looks like one of my teens had some fun with the handwriting manipulatives. #handwritingwithouttears #highschooledition |
I have come to realize that just because I haven’t been able to keep up with my own hopes and expectations for our younger children, it doesn’t mean that the education they are receiving is lacking.
But we’ll see… Maybe this next school year will be the year that I’ll be able to add more of that back in to our plans.
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| Searching for “Hidden Treasure” courtesy of their older sisters whose geology experiment this week included burying a treasure, creating a map, and giving that map to a friend. #homeschoolingrocks #focusongeology |
I also have a WHOLE SET (Text Book, Test Book, Activity Book, Teacher’s Manual, Timeline, Dramatized Audio Book, and video lecture series – a $154.70 value!) of The Story of Civilization: Volume 1 – The Ancient World from TAN to review and giveaway (I’m looking forward to using this when we get back to Ancient History in a couple years) so be sure to watch for that in the next couple weeks.
Also, don’t forget Sacred Heart Books and Gifts when ordering your curriculum! I have a shopping cart going right now as I finalize our plans for this upcoming year. Not only does Linda offer great prices, you can also get free shipping on orders of $40+ with coupon code JMJFS OR free shipping and $5 off on orders of $60+ with coupon code JMJFS5 good through August 3, 2016.
Saint Anne’s Colors
According to Catholic Tradition, “Saint Anne has two colors, red and green, one for love, the other for rebirth, as she bore the New Eve, Mary. No artist is bound to paint the mother of Mary wearing these two colors, and a number of holy cards do not do so, but it is more often the case that Saint Anne is seen with one or both of these colors in her robes. Like the Virgin Mary she usually has a white lily for purity in the scene and often roses, too, again a parallel with the Virgin. The other symbol is an open book because it is she who steeped the Mother of God in the holy mysteries.”
Feast of St. James the Greater
A certain someone baked Madeleines again today… This time she made “Bacon and Chocolate” to celebrate her bacon-loving older brother’s nameday! Happy Feast of St. James!
The Summer Book of Days
I haven’t had a chance to share much about The 2016 Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference yet (hopefully soon!) but thanks to some of my wonderful and always generous sponsors (Catholic Child, Prayer Pillowcases, De Montfort Music, Culture of Life Studies, and author Cay Gibson) I had all sorts of awesome prizes to give away during my workshops!
In addition to the copies of Catholic Mosaic and Christmas Mosaic that Cay sent for the giveaways, she also sent me a copy of her new seasonal planner, The Summer Book of Days.
The Autoimmune Protocol :: Homemade Guacamole
The Autoimmune Protocol :: Homemade Guacamole
I never did get around to sharing my guacamole recipe last year, after posting the Seven Snacks That Helped Me Survive the AIP Diet. I have had a few more requests for it lately so I dug the post out of my draft folder to finish up and share with you all! I don’t have exact measurements for you – it ends up a little different every time I make it depending on what I have on hand – but here’s what I use:
3-4 avocados, peeled and diced
1 large cucumber (or 4 small cucumbers), diced
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 lime, juiced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
olive oil (I just drizzle some over)
apple cider vinegar (same thing, just drizzle some over)
1/4-1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tsp sea salt
Mix avocado, cucumber, onion and garlic in bowl. Stir in lime juice. Drizzle olive oil and apple cider vinegar over, sprinkle sea salt and stir together. Taste to make sure it has enough salt. Garnish with cilantro. Use as a dip or a condiment. Enjoy!
I enjoy this autoimmune protocol homemade guacamole with plantain chips, with baby carrots, on my lettuce wrapped hamburgers, on my salads, on my fish taco lettuce wraps, or even by the spoonful! 😉 Mmmmmmm!
From the Archives:
The Autoimmune Protocol :: My Journey Towards Better Health & Weight Loss with the AIP Diet
Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
“Mary Magdalen was well known as a sinner when she first saw Our Lord. She was very beautiful and very proud, but after she met Jesus, she felt great sorrow for her evil life. When Jesus went to supper at the home of a rich man named Simon, Mary came to weep at His feet. Then with her long beautiful hair, she wiped his feet dry and anointed them with expensive perfume. Some people were surprised that Jesus let such a sinner touch Him, but Our Lord could see into Mary’s heart, and He said: “Many sins are forgiven her, because she has loved much.” Then to Mary He said kindly, “Your faith has made you safe. Go in peace.”
From then on, with the other holy women, Mary humbly served Jesus and His Apostles. And when Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the food of His cross, unafraid for herself, and thinking only of His sufferings. No wonder Jesus said of her: “She has loved much.”
After Jesus’ body had been placed in the tomb, Mary went to anoint it with spices early Easter Sunday morning. Not finding the sacred body, she began to weep, and seeing someone whom she thought was a gardener, she asked him if he knew where the Body of her beloved Master had been taken. But then the Person spoke in a voice she knew well: “Mary!” It was Jesus, risen from the dead! And He had chosen to show Himself first to Mary Magdalen, the repentant sinner.”
Our 4 year old discovered the Risen Jesus and Mary Magdalene in his Easter Basket earlier this year, along with the He Is Risen! set from Naturally Catholic. Our little ones pulled it out of the basket to play with as we read the story of St. Mary Magdalene today.
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| I had to go to the office and work for a few hours this afternoon. When I got back home the little kids were “playing Mass,” our oldest son had started preparing dinner, and our oldest daughter was finishing up a batch of Madeleines (her very first time making them!) to celebrate today’s FEAST of Saint Mary Magdalene! |
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| Saint Mary Magdalen form Saints: A Year in Faith and Art Photo Credit: Twinkle Toes |
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| “Playing Mass!” – Photo Credit: Twinkle Toes |
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| Mary Magdalene from Lives and Legends of the Saints |
Marvel’s Avengers :: Captain America Birthday Party
Captain turned SIXTEEN this week!!! We started celebrating the night before with a Captain America Movie Night with a few friends and continued the party with extended family on his actual birthday. Captain America theme of course!
Captain America’s Shield :: An Avenger Themed Birthday Cake {Dye-Free}
After making a Thor’s Hammer for Ranger’s Thor Birthday Party earlier this year, I knew I had to make Captain America’s Shield Birthday Cake for Captain’s 16th birthday! After looking through various ideas (and being inspired by one of Charlotte’s recent cakes!) I decided to make an M&M’s version (the M&M’s Archery Cake I made last year was easy and turned out great!) but this time I wanted to use Little Secrets Chocolates instead with “NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING.”
- 2 – 9″ round cakes
- White Frosting
- Red, Blue & White Little Secrets Chocolates
Captain America Movie Night & Birthday Golf
Wednesday night: “{very} Last minute plans for a movie night with friends {who leave for vacation in the morning} on the eve of our oldest son’s 16th {!!!} birthday. I’m baking a cake to decorate for tomorrow night, but decided to quickly decorate one more for tonight as well! Let the party begin!!!”
It only took about 5 minutes to decorate! I used a star cookie cutter as a guide when placing the berries and ended up just leaving it on the cake until I replaced it with the candles just before serving.
Twinkle Toes, who happens to be allergic to Red 40, was so happy that I made a special batch for her using Milk Chocolate Little Secrets. I discovered these last Christmas and she was so excited when she found some RED & white peppermint “M&M’s” in her stocking! I used these for his birthday cake too, which I’ll post about soon.
- Popcorn, popped
- Red & Blue Milk Chocolate Little Secrets (or Red, White & Blue M&M’s)
- Mini Marshmallows
- Melted Chocolate
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and cover with popcorn. Sprinkle chocolate candy and marshmallows over popcorn. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Let set until chocolate hardens. Serve.
In between the two movies the boys took a break for birthday cake! Captain was only able to blow out 15 of the candles… The kids all teased him that he had to wait until his actual birthday to be able to blow out all 16!
Thursday afternoon: Sean was able to get off work early today so that we could take the birthday boy (and Ranger) golfing! My first time… ⛳️ 😬😂😂
I had some AMAZING shots! My favorite was the one that landed over in the trees, IN A HOLE (but not the right hole) and under a stick! :/ I also managed to land behind a building and roll into the water. It was so awesome! I managed to score a 72, which isn’t really that bad, at least not when you are playing 18. We played 9. Even the squirrels were terrified. It was so much fun!
After golfing we headed back home to get ready for all the extended family who were coming over for pizza and cake. I’ll be back with the rest of the pictures soon. Happy 16th birthday, Captain!
A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis {Book Review & Giveaway}
Happy feast of St. Camillus de Lellis! In honor of today’s feast, author Susan Peek has generously offered to send one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses a copy of the second volume in her series
God’s Forgotten Friends: Lives of Little-known Saints: A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis.
Yesterday afternoon I pulled my son’s copy of A Soldier Surrenders (we actually own the out of print 2007 edition published by Ignatius Press) off his bookshelf to skim through before posting the giveaway. Here is an excerpt from the introduction written by the author’s husband Jeff Peek which caught my eye:
“If you, while skimming these words, are casually standing in your local bookstore browsing for a good book to read, but you feel you are already well advanced on the road to sanctity, this book is probably not for you. No, this book is a story for the rest of us, the common herd – we folk who, when entering the confessional, still find we have some actual sins to confess. Saint Camillus is for us. He is our champion. He could be aptly described as the unofficial patron of strugglers.”
Well, that would be me. I read through the rest of the introduction, then the first chapter, and then wasn’t able to put the book down. I’m looking forward to finishing it this week today. It is excellent! I have always loved reading historical novels about the saints. The books by author Louis de Wohl were some of my favorites as a young adult and Susan’s books are just as intriguing and inspiring!
At last . . . a saint for strugglers! Soldiering, gambling, brawling, drinking. As a young man, Saint Camillus excelled at them all. Add to that his fiery temper and innate knack for getting in trouble, and Camillus de Lellis seems the last person who could ever achieve holiness! But God had plans for the stubborn young soldier, whether Camillus liked it or not . . .
“This novel for adult and young adult readers will introduce them to a great saint – a physical giant who had to contend with many personal struggles, much weakness, and repeated failures before he could become a moral giant. The story of Camillus de Lellis’ conversion will leave no reader unmoved, and those that feel hopeless about themselves will find new hope, a hero, and a friend in Christ.”
Back in print by popular demand, this fast-paced and inspiring story of the wayward soldier-of-fortune who became an intrepid Soldier of Christ will appeal even to those who don’t normally like to read!
In addition to A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis, recommend for ages 15 and up, Susan Peek has also written Saint Magnus,The Last Viking, the first volume in her series God’s Forgotten Friends: Lives of Little-known Saints, which was awarded the Catholic Writers’ Guild Seal of Approval in June 2015, and Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades, which made it onto the list of the Top 50 Most Popular Homeschooling Books in 2013.
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