(Last Updated on March 9, 2024)
Read the first post in this series here and check out Our Curriculum Choices – Year 1.
Year 2 Snapshot
Well, we made it through the first year and came back for more. Just when I was starting to figure a few things out, Year 2 brought new challenges.
My oldest was now in first grade and our three year old wasn’t content to sit on the sidelines. Finding ways to engage them both was a trick. It’s not easy to find a balance where everyone is met at their own level and not frustrated (with work that’s too hard) or bored (by work that’s too easy).
This is the year I learned the most about what doesn’t work for us. Important but painful lessons to learn! I also started to understand more tangibly how important community (both local and online) was to our success in this homeschooling endeavor.
Here are the resources we used for our second year of homeschooling.
Year 2 Curriculum Choices – First Grade
- Bible & Character: Long Story Short and The Ology both by Marty Machowski
- Math: Math-U-See (MUS) Beta and Starfall.com
- Phonics & Reading: Word Mastery (*FREE*) and Starfall.com plus games and activities found on Pinterest and reading lots of books of all kinds
- Spelling: Natural Speller with this awesome list of spelling practice ideas from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
- Writing: Comprehensive Composition including journaling, letters and (very) short creative writing exercises
- Handwriting: The Three R’s by Ruth Beechick with copywork and spelling/writing work
- Science: Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU) K-2
- History & Geography: Tapestry of Grace Primer
- Health & Safety: A Beka Book Health, Safety & Manners 3
- Logic: Lollipop Logic Books 1 & 2
Year 2 Curriculum Choices – PreK (age 3/4)
Our preschooler listened in on our Bible, Science, Health and History/Geography lessons when he wanted to (which was often). He also worked through Lollipop Logic Vol. 1 and practiced reading with Bob Books and library books. For math we mostly played games I found online or I’d find printables when he wanted a worksheet like his brother. Starfall.com was always a favorite for him, too, which covered language arts, math and other preschool basics like weather and calendars.
Other Fun Stuff
We continued with our weekly co-op and this was the first year my oldest joined the ranks of “kids-who-get-to-switch-classes-every-hour” instead of staying in the same room all morning. He loved this big-kid privilege and took four enrichment classes there: LEGO WeDo, Beginning Spanish, Gym and World Explorers.
Our preschooler started attending co-op, too, and enjoyed the crafts, music, group games and introduction to Spanish.
Both boys took a Homeschool Gym & Swim class plus we continued with Homeschool Open Gym at our local park district. And, of course, we went on field trips whenever we had the chance!
Click here to see Our Curriculum Choices – Year 3!
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