2013 6th Grade Curriculum

The Curriculum 2013-2014

First up is Lou :)  My Beautiful 6th Grader

This year I made a plan, which I make a plan every year..... But no really this year I NEEDED A PLAN THAT WORKED!! So I decided, since Lou is a self starter and doesn't need my undivided attention on certain subjects or my MARVELOUS teaching skills (ughhhhummm) - that I would try the Workbox System. So far...I LOVE LOVE LOVE Workboxes! Pretty sure Miss Priss does too. It keeps me accountable, and her organized... a TWO-FER!!! Organization and Accountability is something I so desperately need all the time, but especially in the school area, because if I am not organized.... no one is learning anything that day, week, month, year.... etc.......

Curriculum for 6th Grade- (Lou) 

Math - 

Math U See- DELTA

Supplement with printables and Learn at Home: Grade 6, and Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills, Grade 6 

English- 

Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills, Grade 6

Bible- 

Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?) -- Biblical Worldview of God and Truth (What We Believe, Volume 1)
Who Is God? Notebooking Journal (What We Believe)
Who Is God? Coloring Book  

The One Year Mother-Daughter Devo

Writing- 

Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills, Grade 6 

Spelling- 

Learn at Home: Grade 6 - Spelling

Reading- 

I have written a book list for the year- first few books we will be reading are:

Sarah, Plain and Tall(currently reading alone)

The Moffats(currently reading alone ) 

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)(October read together) 

The Giver (Readers Circle (Laurel-Leaf)) (October read together ) 

Reading Comprehension Activities- 

Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills, Grade 6

HER FAVORITE - Guinness World Records® Reading, Grade 5 

Science- 

Finishing up Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology (Young Explorer Series)
along with Anatomy Notebooking Journal (Young Explorer Series)  

Supplemental - Magic School Bus Experiments, Science Packs, Units and DVDs

History- 

In Depth Timeline and Discovery of The American Revolution 

Liberty's Kids and Units/Lessons

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor along with
The Story of the World, Activity Book 1: Ancient Times

Geography-

Story of the World --- Map Activities

Geography, Grades 4 - 5 (Exploring)

Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?

Character Building/Elective/Homemaking-

Lessons in Responsibility for Girls Series 

Sewing Practice

Fine Arts/Music Appreciation-

Unit Studies, Intro to Fine Arts 

Art-

See the Light (elective) 

How do you pick your Curriculum?  (reader question) 

I made these decisions based upon my daughters learning style which is a little bit of all styles wrapped up into one. I do not think she fits under any one style more than the other. When it comes to learning she is very well rounded. It is a Huge Blessing that God molded her into the child that she is, because she is very bright and able to learn in so many different ways. I know from observation, and the fact that I have more than one child, that not all children are alike and so far, my 2 little men do not share the same approach to learning as Lou... as of right now anyways. So in saying that- when picking a curriculum for your child, my advice is to study them, evaluate them, take notes, follow their lead when it comes to learning because what works traditionally for one, may not work for the other. When planning curriculum for my kids in the past few years I have started to include them in the planning. Which in turn, made a HUGE difference in what they retained. I am only in my 4th year of homeschooling, so I am still a baby, but one thing I have FINALLY learned is that even though it is becoming more of a growing trend in the past few years to homeschool your child and stick to traditional school core standards, I am by no means, traditional. What I mean by that is, I do not and should not feel guilty or pressured to follow certain standards that regular "Traditional" Schools do. I do not need to be so stressed out over my child being ON the right level. One of the biggest perks of homeschooling for me, is being in charge of what my children are learning~ I truly believe kids learn best and retain what they want to especially when they are interested in what they are learning and it makes them thrive. With that being said, that doesn't mean I as the parent/teacher don't have my own say when it comes to their learning. I just try and revolve the "Required" stuff around their individual interests. There is nothing wrong with being traditional or following guidelines if that works for you, this is just my answer to a readers question- and this is what works best for our family :) Thanks for the question and I hope my explanation made sense ~!!

This blog does include affiliate links. Which means, if you click on certain links on my site, it will bring you to the site showing you where you can purchase the item. If you choose to purchase I do make a VERY small commission, which is greatly appreciated. Please do not feel obligated to purchase anything. I just want my readers to have easy reference to the tools that I use. I do not blog to make money, I do it for my kids and to hopefully help or be a blessing to other moms. Thanks :}

Why A Facebook Page???

WOW! What a big step I have taken out of my little comfort zone. I enjoy what I do and like sharing it with my family and a close friend, but lately I had noticed I was starting to write a whole lot of information that was not really useful to my close family, not that they were even meant to in the first place, I just mean I was putting a whole lot more into them rather than your typical, "look what we did today" kind of posts. I wondered why my posts were starting to shift and move into different topics and directions. Then as I sat down to write one day I felt like God was saying, it was time to share. Of course I wanted people to see my blog but on the other hand, I feared it. I mean really, raise your hand if you like rejection... Yea well, me either. Obviously, rejection being a fear and weakness of mine, God, in all his humor, decided he would lend a hand, and give me a way out and a way to overcome that fear. So of course I was going to take my precious time and wait until I was ready, which would have probably been UH, never! I am a pretty much keep to myself kind of gal.

Well if you know God, he never gives up! I got another tug and knock on my heart...So I said, (and I am pretty sure it was out loud) "ok already, sheesh" (and I believe he probably smiled at my immature outburst) and started to tell a few people about it. Then a few hours later,  I got an email from a lady telling me how much she enjoyed my ideas and all the different things that I do with Cowboy, and she asked if I would link to her site and start to share my ideas with her and others. Well that made my day and probably my year. I was one happy momma!  It’s so funny what a compliment, even from a total stranger, can do for someone! I would encourage those of you reading, to give someone a compliment today, you never know how much they may need one, it could, at the very least put a smile on their face for a day, or you may even make their year, like in my case :)

 So long story short, I decided to take a Leap of Faith and make a Facebook Page to share with more people. I don't know what God's plan is for me as far as this is concerned, and I have not a clue who it’s for. It may only be for one person out there. Maybe there is someone who is trying to get started with home school and doesn’t know where to begin. Or maybe there is a momma who feels like she’s the only mom out there who loses it from time to time, and feels as if she is all alone and by reading this blog she will CLEARLY see she is not. I have no idea, it may just be for me just to pull me up out of my fears, whatever the reason, here I am.

I will go ahead and tell you, which you can probably already tell, I write like I talk. Im just real with it. Also, Punctuation is great and I loved it, but being a mom of 3 with limited time to type and read and proof etc, also made me hate it and have no time for it, I mean I try but usually get so annoyed at trying to be perfect I end up screwing it up anyway, so in that case why try? So if you are like the pinterest board, and it aggravates you when someone forgets a period or quotation,  all I can say is whoops :P Finally, for those of you who have checked out my site, and taken the time to like my page, even if you never come back, I just want to say thanks! I look forward to this new Journey I am on :) Learning In Grace.

Introduction

So I guess I will start off by introducing what this blog is really all about ...and my life in general. "My little Responsibilities." I call them that because a friend of mine jokes about how I never have time for her any more due to my Responsibilities. But she is of course joking, and loves them all :) I thought to keep this semi private that I would come up with little names for each of them. Its not a huge deal but I think it would be fun and it tells a little about each of their own personalities.

First BORN- My Princess, my heaven sent Angel- LOU. She gets all the credit, besides God first and foremost, for making me into the person I am today. She was my lifesaver, and to this day, my "Act Right" Stick. She keeps me in check for sure. Why Lou? Well she just is and always will be my Lou Bell thats always been her little name so its only fitting that it stays. If it works, work it :) She is 10 years old and trust me, she is going on 30 with her wisdom and outlook on life. Lou is an amazing BIG sister, but wasn't always one.. she had us all to herself for 7 years. In saying that she took right to the job of Big Sis and has not complained ehh ok maybe once or twice, but mostly just has those back in the day flash backs at times. She is currently moving into the 5th grade. She has the most amazing teacher! PAHAHAHA Just kidding sorry just choked a little bit- But no really she is homeschooled, and if you asked her she would be all " I love it" which I'm sure she does but she has her moments for sure.

First SON- My wittle Man- my first boy, my solider... my COWBOY. Cowboy is something of a turbo charged non stop engine. He is 3 years old and lives currently in his fathers shadow. He was such a mommas boy when he was born, but he hit 2 and that was all she wrote. Cowboy loves to dress up and act as if he is a real cowboy. He often climbs on furniture and dances around all the while singing I'm a Cowboy- that is in no reference to Kid Rock, this kid makes up his own kinda sayings. His first actually that I would have to call his trademark would be BLICKA BLICKA WHA- and I'm still not sure what he was trying to tell us when he would say that but who cares, it was so darn cute. I am going to attempt to teach him a few things this year in what I would call trial run preschool. Cowboy has somewhat of a strong WILL to say the least and I am sure going to give me a run for my money. I am totally looking forward to that- and I wish you could hear the sarcasm in my voice right now.

Second SON- None other than- BUTTER... Did you gasp and say "Butter?" Why in the world? Well when he was born Cowboy was 2 and couldn't really talk well, instead of brother, or bubba, he could only say Butter... So it stuck, I know I know... poor kid! But no really he is our Butter we all call him that and he was a surprising addition to our family, but The Lord knew what he was doing. Butter is 13 months old. He is so easy going and laid back. But WARNING- TODDLER ALERT THIS JUST IN - in the past few weeks he has developed somewhat of a temper/attitude. He could also easily be named the boss. Because he likes his stuff and is tired of Cowboy taking it all, which also bleeds over into if we take something from him he wants to fuss at us too. The main things about butter is #1 this kid loves food... if your yards away from him and he hears a bag or anything crinkle.. you can bet... he is on the move toward you. Hands lifted high! Butter also likes to sleep FINALLY I am thankful for that. He kept us awake for the first 11 months of his life. Its going to be fun for sure trying to keep this little guy entertained while trying to teach the other two. But GOD ! We got this :)

And last but fo sho not least- My Honey-Do :), my best friend, my helper,my jack of all trades, my Clyde- Joey- he doesn't get a fun name because well I cant think of one at the moment, I mean I have a few ideas, Obviously see above- but if you knew me, making decisions is not my thing. I hate it. But anyways- This man is a keeper for sure. He can fix anything. He can solve pretty much any issue and makes life alot easier for me :) since I am no good at it. Where I fall, hes there to catch me. I love that about him. He loves the Lord, and for that alone I am truly thankful for. He is the bread winner, the go getter the HUSTLER!! AHHHH that should have been his name but I'm not so sure how that would come across. When I say Hustler, I am meaning he is always trying new things to benefit and provide for our family. We own a handyman business and Sell and fix up Golf Carts. And we love craigslist and auctions YUPPPPP- I say "we" like I help, in which I do in fact today's post will have a few ways I contribute - but handy Britt- Negative. I try to be smart when he talks about tools,controllers, motors,Sheetrock and fittings, but lets just be real- I can use a power tool, but only if forced and daddy is not home. I love him and he makes me a better me. Thank you Honey-Do Hustler :)