Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Not Back to School Plans - 2011


I have said now that I have two graduated from homeschool, I know how to do it now! And it is true that I have learned a lot over the years. Gabriel and Hannah will be sophomores at Pensacola Christian College this fall. Gabriel is studying pre-law and Hannah, graphic design. They love it there and we are blessed that they made the dean's list both semesters of their freshman year. That leaves me with just one at home.

Holly is going into 8th grade this year. Homeschooling one is entirely different than two or three or more! When I had all three at home and we were done with "school" for the day, they would spend time with each other. Even if they were in the same
room, doing different things, there was a togetherness.

(Picture taken in the Transylvanian Alps circa 2003)

This year, I found myself analyzing what did and did not work with Gabriel and Hannah and what would be the best options for Holly. She is like them in many ways but in other ways, she is very much her own person. She is very social and needs interaction with others. So, here is what I have decided to do for this year:


Middle School English Composition and Literature - To be taken at a local co-op. I am also hoping this will encourage her to read. She reads well but never chooses to. This will be my first experience with this group of homeschoolers!


Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
- This will be a first for us. I have heard many good things about it.


Abeka History of the World
- I like Abeka. It is very thorough!


Abeka Science Order and Design (Life Science)


Band - Continuing to learn the clarinet in a homeschool band group - if we can afford the gas. It is about 45 minutes away.

High School Art
- this is also at the co-op. I am a bit apprehensive about her taking a high school class but the teacher said it is for all skill levels and the middle school class is for 5th-7th graders.


Her interests at this time are either journalism or graphic design. In her spare time, should she have any, she will work on keyboarding and blogging. Time will tell what her actual college major will be. At this point in their lives, Gabriel was going to be an author and Hannah had no plans to go to college.

For more Not Back to School plans check out Heart of the Matter {online}

Not Back to School Blog Hop

8 comments:

  1. I could sure use your sage advice, since you've been there and done that! My oldest is 8th grade. Next year scares me, especially because he is so smart and I need to stay a step ahead of him.

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  2. It sounds like a good plan. We love Teaching Textbooks, I hope you like it too. I just finished up some of the nitty-gritty detail planning for history for this next year, so all's I have to do is fill in the blanks on my schedule for the first week of school and we are ready to go...just not sure when we will start. Not this month, I know that, and harvest will be late, so we will see. Maybe I'll just start in September and break for harvest when necessary.

    So when are you guys starting? Are you still working outside of the home Karen? Just curious?

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  3. Wow... I go from 3 students this year to 1 next year. I'm going to visit often to see how it works for you!

    sounds like a great line-up for school! We use both Teaching Textbooks and Saxon for math; as I have a daughter who does NOT do Saxon!

    ~ Ellen

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  4. I congratulate you for already graduating two. Right now I am just worried about pre-school. One step at a time I guess...

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  5. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I would love to use teaching textbooks but we can't afford it. Life of Fred has a very funny since of humor in it. So if you like odd ball joking the Life of Fred is a good fit. Which is why it is such a good fit for my son :^)

    Lil' Momma
    Living with a hard working husband, 1 toddler, 1 preschooler and 1 middle schooler who are Five in Training for HIM

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  6. We used to use A Beka! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I can imagine what a challenge it must be to suddenly rethink school for one after they've all been together. I'm sure it will go well, although it will feel different at first.
    Blessings,
    Laurie

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  7. Hello! I'm stopping by from the Heart of the Matter "not" back to school curriculum blog hop. So wonderful that you graduated two already who are now in college!
    www.ireaddoyou.blogspot.com

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  8. I need to sit down and make my Not Back to Plans. Life is so full this time of the year for us. I have to sit down and make my list and just order what little I need to tweak my plans. Make some goals and see what we can do for extra curricular activity. Thanks for inspiring me to just sit down and write out a plan. [o=

    Hope to write my post real soon. ((hugs))

    Blessings!
    -Mary

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