.

Monday, June 30, 2014

2nd grade History and Geography

Our textbooks for History and Geography will be from Story of the World, Volume 1. Both boys are pretty excited about studying ancient civilizations. Oliver {K} will be able to sit in on the readings and participate in the craft projects that go along with each chapter. I had debated between Mystery of History and SOTW, but after talking with many other homeschooling moms, we decided on SOTW {price was a big factor} In addition to the activity book from SOTW we will be using the Evan Moor History Pockets because my boys love hands-on projects and crafts. For an interactive time line, we are going with the "binder method". I plan on ordering from this LDS homeschool mother. She has drawn up some pretty great timeline figures. I was going to go with Sonlight's book of time, but this route is a little cheaper--and I'd rather give my money to her! If you check out my 2nd Grade History/Geo pinterest board, you'll find many resources that go along like lapbooks, videos, chapter books, etc. I plan on including these studies 3 days a week in our school schedule.
This is the subject I am looking forward to the most this upcoming school year! Lots to plan and print!!!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

2nd Grade Science

I thought I'd write up a post about each of the subjects that I am planning for the next school year. I will have a 3 year old preschooler, K-5 {early} Kinder {if he was going into public school, I would probably have held him back since Oliver has a late July birthday, but we are going to ease into things and hopefully he will enjoy it!} and a 2nd grader. It was a bit of a "controversial" choice for me to choose our science program because it is from Apologia. They have come forth with some pretty nasty comments about the LDS church, so I wanted to avoid buying from that company. Brigham and even Oliver, decided they REALLY wanted to learn about space. After looking into elementary astronomy courses, nothing fit the bill like Apologia's Astronomy. Darnit. So I searched high and low for used copies nearby so I wouldn't be paying them directly. It was a no-go. I found EVERY other Apologia used text for sale except the astronomy! Oh well. There were a couple places at the convention I went to that sold Apologia. Rainbow Resource Center sells just about everything and they have great prices! So we ended up getting the textbook and the corresponding junior notebook.
I also ordered the lapbook printables that go along with this from www.knowledgeboxcentral.com. If you sign up for their newsletter, you will receive $5 off your first order {which is the cost of Part 1 of the lapbook for Apologia Astronomy} I am sure that will be more than enough, but I also have some weather and rock lapbook units to work on if we have any "extra time" ha!
One of the extras I wanted to purchase along with having an astronomy unit was a telescope. The Nancy B Moonscope has such great reviews and is SUPER affordable. I plan on buying one before the school year starts up again...but there is a chance to win one right now on Dragon Fly Sweet Nest's blog! Giveaway ends next week, so get your entries in!! *UPDATE 7/8* Here is another giveaway for the Nancy B microscope! Another awesome tool for your homeschool!
Next up...History!