Charlotte's Web by EB White
Recently Read:
Superfudge by Judy Blume
For previous weeks, click archives above
Hello!
NEW! Journal
Welcome to our homeschooling site! This site will allow you to keep up with what we're doing, and will give you the basic information you need to start homeschooling in Iowa.
We, as a family, have always obeyed the law as it relates to homeschooling. Our right to homeschool is affirmed by the State of Iowa. I encourage all homeschoolers to dilligently follow the law, while remembering that one does not have to surrender individual rights in order to comply fully with any legal requirements.
Important Links
NICHE - The Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators. We are members. NICHE is probably the largest homeschooling organization in the state. They provide necessary forms, hold a huge annual conference, and publish a monthly newsletter.HSLDA - Home School Legal Defense Association. They provide members with legal assistance in asserting their right to homeschool - home education is legal in all 50 states!
The Core Knowledge Series, one of the many resources we use in our homeschool.
A source for books by Dr. Ruth Beechick.
Home Learning year by Year, an absolutely EXCELLENT resource which clearly illustrates when and what to teach, from preschool through high school.
Our Curriculum
Materials used:
NOTE - Please see the JOURNAL for an overview of what has been accomplished this year in our homeschool.This is just a sampling of the wide variety of materials we use - it would take me hours to list everything, but here is a very incomplete list as a general idea:
Language Arts/Reading:
Ability-appropriate reading material from a variety of sources, including the Algona Public Library
Worksheets from a subscription-based web site and from Grade 2 Super Workbook, published by Instructional Fair Inc, among other sources
Activities and guidance from the Core Knowledge Series book, What Your Second Grader Needs to Know
Journaling
Creative Writing
Independent reading
Report writing
Narrations
Letter writing
Five in a Row, Jane Claire Lambert
UPDATE:
Since we no longer need them, I will be selling our set of FIAR books soon!
Math:
McGraw Hill Math
Cuisenaire Rods
Unit studies gleaned from a variety of sources
History/Social Studies:
We are currently using Susan Wise Bauer's excellent Story of the World, Volume I and the workbook.
Top Secret Adventures, a Highlights publication
Other:
Sam plays around with the recorder we purchased! Fun!
Thomas Edison
"When Thomas Edison was seven, after 12 weeks in a one-room schoolhouse with 39 other students of all ages, Tom's overworked and short tempered teacher lost his patience with the child's persistent questioning and relatively self centered behavior. He also noted that Tom's head was "slightly larger than average," and made no secret of his belief that the youngster's might be "addled" or scrambled...when his beloved mother - the person whom Edison said "was the making of me because she was the only person who truly understood me... was so true to me and sure of me and someone to live for that I must not disappoint"- became aware of the situation, she promptly withdrew him from school and began to "home-teach" him."