US Geography: The 2nd and 3rd grade Version

We study the 50 states around here in 2nd and 3rd grade. We usually get through 25 the first year, and 25 the second. Works out well :)

So Jelly Bean did the first 25 last year and is working on the second half this year. We are in the "New" states right now.

I have been using most of the following resources since Flower started homeschooling in 3rd grade in 2008, but I have picked up a couple things new this year. We generally study Geography every day, but it is only for 10-15 minutes a day.

We usually start out the week reading about the state from this book, Children's Illustrated Atlas of the United States. It is pretty good. It was advanced reading for her when she was in 2nd grade but doesn't have any problems reading it this year.

Then we will go to studying the State Quarter. I will usually get a coloring page from this site and information about the quarter from this site.

On another day, she will usually color the state and other state information from this book. (I actually picked up my book from a garage sale for FREE. Woo-hoo! Love little deals like that!)

On the same day that she colors in the Dover book, she also colors the state flag and other state information from this site.

On Thursday, she will usually spend a few minutes looking at the state on the Discovery Map (shown below.) The kids found this map at the thrift store for $1.00. The map has viewholes over each state and you can dial through and see one of six themes: Capital, Scenery, Landmark, Person, Fun Fact 1, and Fun Fact 2. You use the attached magnifier viewer to look at the viewholes. My kids really like it.

She will also usually do an activity or two from the US States Kit from Montessori For Everyone. We are BIG fans of Montessori For Everyone and have many items from them. (The image below is from the Montessori For Everyone website.)

On Fridays, she will take out all the states out of the Montessori US Map Puzzle except for the one that she is working on and then put the puzzle back together. Last year, she would put the pieces in the control map when she took them out. This year, she mixes the pieces up on the table and then puts the pieces back in. After that, she takes out the state that she is working on and traces the state that she is working on on a 5" x 5" (inset) paper. She is compiling a state book.


So that's it. That's how we study US States here at Montgomery Academy!

Tweaking the Elementary Curriculum

We've been tweaking The Plan around here. Somethings are going well (LOVING Story of the World and Apologia Botany and Astronomy), but some things were just not working. By the way, here is the run-down of children and their grades: Jelly Bean is in 2nd, Helper is in 3rd, Flower is in 4th, and Scooter is in 5th. Jelly Bean and Flower are mine, and Helper and Scooter are my nephews. My sister teaches History and Language (copywriting, grammar, spelling, writing, etc.) in the mornings. I teach Math, Science, Geography and the "Specials" (Art, Music, Instruments, Poetry and Shakespeare) in the afternoons.
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- We are still using Spell and Write for Spelling. Jelly Bean and Helper are using their grade level book, and Scooter and Flower are using Grade 6.

- We were using Rod and Staff Beginning Wisely for the Youngers and God's Gift of Language A for the Olders. The older kids didn't mind their book much, but Beginning Wisely wasn't working for the youngers. So we have recently moved to using the Living Langauge Lessons on Serendipity (it uses the Ruth Heller grammar books), using Montessori Grammar Symbols/Cards, from Montessori Everyone and using the Grammar portion of the Language Manual found at the Cultivating Dharma site. I'll have a whole post soon on our new grammar program.

- We aren't using Writing Strands. They are doing daily copywork with short seasonal quotes and various other writing activities.

- Jelly Bean was using Saxon 2. It was too much review drill for her, so I moved her to Math U See Beta with Helper. I also added Math Minutes (addition/subtraction/multiplication/division as a 10 minute drill) for everyone .

- Flower is using Saxon 54 instead of Everyday Math 4.

- The olders are doing Continent Study for Geography (starting with North America) similar to this study found on Serendipity. The youngers are doing US State History, similar to the program that Flower used last year.

- We are doing Picture Study using Museum ABC. This is going really well.

- We are also doing Music Study using M is for Melody, Poetry Study using R is for Rhyme, Art Study using M is for Masterpiece, for everyone.

- We are alternating Science (Astronomy on MWF and Botany on T/Th) and everyone is learning both.

- We aren't using Workboxes in the traditional way. We use them for supplemental activities. Some contain things like geoboards, tanagrams, origami, dominoes, etc. Other boxes contain 3 part/flashcards for the subjects that we are doing this year.

- We've added Fridays with Shakespeare, again, from Serendipity.

Montgomery Academy - Elementary Version

In the Document section, I have a document that shows the books/curriculum we will be using this year, and I did a post here about our plan for homeschooling. Most of this is still true, but I thought I'd let you know, now that we've done things for a couple weeks, what we have ended up doing.

First of all, my sister did end up joining me as my teacher assistant. Yea! She brings her two sons, Scooter (age 10) and Helper (age 8) and her daughter (16 months.) She has another daughter, Princess (age 5), who attends public school. My sister teaches Language Arts (spelling, literature, grammar, writing) and History in the morning. She teaches upstairs. The older kids sit on the couches in the living room, or around the table in the dining room. Her toddler and Little Boy, the toddler that I watch (age 17 months) play in the living room while she teaches. Meanwhile, I teach preschool downstairs in the Preschool area.

We have lunch and PE, and then I teach the older kids in the afternoon downstairs in the school room. The toddlers are napping sometime during this time, and the two preschool aged daycare children have quiet time for an hour, and then watch an educational video or work on things from the preschool area. I teach Math, Picture Study, Science (we are alternating Botany and Astronomy), Geography, and "Specials" (Art, Music, Instruments, Poetry, and Shakespeare.) I use the Penny Gardner version of Picture study.

I'll give you the Afternoon Schedule and the books we are using. When I get a copy of my sister's schedule, I'll post that too.

Monday
Math (30 Minutes)
Picture Study – View, Turn Over, Narrate (15 minutes)
Botany (30 minutes) -
Music Study - Story of the Orchestra – Read/Listen (15 minutes)
Geography (30 minutes)

Tuesday
Math (30 minutes)
Picture Study – View, Turn Over, Sketch Black & White (15 minutes)
Astronomy (30 minutes)
Recorder/Keyboard Instruction (15 minutes)
Alphabet Art (30 minutes)

Wednesday
Math (30 minutes)
Picture Study – View, Turn Over, Sketch Color
Botany (30 minutes)
Music Study - Story of the Orchestra - Composer or Instrument Study /Listen (15 minutes)
Geography (30 minutes)

Thursday
Math (30 min)
Picture Study – View, Turn Over, Free Choice of Art Material (15 min)
Astronomy(30 min)
Keyboard/Recorder (15 min)
Alphabet Poetry (30 min)

Friday
Math (30 min)
Free Choice Bins (15 min)
Botany (30 min)
Free Choice Bins (15 min)
Shakespeare (30 min)
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Here are the books we are using:

Math
Math U See Beta (M-Th) & Saxon 2 (F) – Jelly Bean & Helper
Saxon 5/4 (M-Th) & Geometry (F) – Flower
Saxon 6/5 (M-Th) & Geometry (F) - Scooter

Picture Study
Museum ABC

Music Study
Story of the Orchestra

Botany
Apologia Botany

Astronomy
Apologia Astronomy

Geography
Continent/Country Study – Flower and Scooter (Puzzles, Continent Boxes, Continent Research Guide Form)
U.S. State Study – Jelly Bean and Helper (Puzzle, H.I.P Quarters, US Atlas book)

Art
M is for Masterpiece

Poetry
R is for Rhyme

Shakespeare
Tales From Shakespeare

Homeschool Plan - 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th

My sister, if everything works out, is going to be my assistant in the fall. She has 4 children - a 10 year old boy, an 8 year old boy, a 5 year old girl, and a 1 year old girl. She is planning on sending her 5 year old to public school for Kindergarten, but she is hoping to homeschool the boys. I have 3 children - a 9 year old girl, a 7 year old girl, and a 4 year old boy. Flower is the 9 year old girl, and she was homeschooled last year. I am planning on also homeschooling Jelly Bean, who is the 7 year old girl. Super is the 4 year old boy, and he attends preschool here in the morning, and Pre-K at the local elementary in the afternoon. So for elementary, we are planning on homeschooling 4 children from 2nd grade through 5th grade.

After much looking at a variety of different curriculums, we are going with primarily a classical curriculum from The Well-Trained Mind. I am also filling in with books listed in the Core Knowledge book Books To Build On, and other books that I like, and as always, lots of library books. I've got many of the books so far.

Here is a list of the main books that we will be using:

2nd Grade

Spelling: Spell and Write Grade 3
(Will purchase at the local school shop - $8)
Grammar: Rod and Staff Beginning Wisely
(Haven't purchased yet)
Writing: Writing Strands 2
(Lent to me for free)
Poetry: R is for Rhyme
(Bought last year for Flower)
Literature: Books from Literature Book List for Core Knowledge Grade 2 & Books about Ancients (Library)
Math: Saxon Math 2
(Bought at Curriculum Sale for $2.50)
History: Story of the World 1
(Lent to me for free)
Geography: Blackline Maps of World History: The Ancients
(Need to purchase)
Study of Africa, Europe, Asia
(Montessori For Everyone downloads, wooden puzzle maps, toothpick flags)
(Need to purchase - approximately $250. May not be able to afford any, or perhaps just enough for one country.)
Science: Usborne First Encyclopedia of Our World
(Need to purchase)
Apologia Botany
(Lent to me for free)
Music: M is for Melody
(purchased last year for Flower)
Story of the Orchestra
(Purchased at the Curriculum Sale for $5)
Art: M is for Masterpiece
(Purchased last year for Flower)
Picture/Artist Study (Library/Internet, etc.)

3rd Grade
Spelling: Spelling Grade 3
(Will purchase at a local teacher supply store - $8)
Grammar: Rod and Staff Beginning Wisely
Writing: Writing Strands 2
Poetry: R is for Rhyme
Literature: Books from Literature Book List from Core Knowledge Grade 3 & Books about the Ancients (Library)
Math: Math-U-See Beta
(Need to buy Student Book and Test booklet)
History: Story of the World 1
Geography: Blackline Maps of World History: The Ancients
Study of Africa, Europe, Asia
(Montessori For Everyone downloads, wooden puzzle maps, toothpick flags)
Science: Usborne First Encyclopedia of Our World
Apologia Botany
Music: M is for Melody
Story of the Orchestra
Art: M is for Masterpiece
Picture/Artist Study

4th Grade
Spelling: Spell and Write Grade 6
Grammar: Abeka God’s Gift of Language A
(Bought Book, Teacher's Book and Tests for $15 at Curriculum Sale.)
Writing: Writing Strands 3
(Bought at Curriculum Sale for $3.)
Poetry: Poem/Poet Study
(Purchased Set of 6 books through Scholastic for $20.)
Literature: Books from Literature Book List from Core Knowledge Grade 4 & Books about the Ancients (Library)
Math: Everyday Math 4
(Lent to me for free)
History: Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
(Need to purchase)
Geography: Blackline Maps of World History: The Ancients
Study of Africa, Europe, Asia
(Montessori For Everyone downloads, wooden puzzle maps, toothpick flags)
Science: Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of Science
(Need to purchase)
Apologia Astronomy
(Lent to me for free)
Music: Music Lessons
Story of the Orchestra
Art: Art Lessons
Picture/Artist Study

5th Grade
Logic: Mind Benders
(Need to purchase)
Spelling: Spell and Write Grade 6
(Need to purchase)
Grammar: Abeka God’s Gift of Language A
Writing: Writing Strands 3
Poetry: Poem/Poet Study
Literature: Books from Literature Book List from Core Knowledge Grade 5 & Books about Ancients (Library)
Math: Saxon Math 6/5
(Purchased at Curriculum Sale for $35)
History: Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
Geography: Blackline Maps of World History: The Ancients
Study of Africa, Europe, Asia
(Montessori For Everyone downloads, wooden puzzle maps, toothpick flags)
Science: Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of Science
Apologia Astronomy
Music: Music Lessons
Story of the Orchestra
Art: Art Lessons
Picture/Artist Study

We will also be using Workboxes for supplemental learning in each subject. Each student will have a Language binder with dividers for Journal, Reading Log, Grammar, Writing and Copywork/Dictation, and a Main Lesson Book for Literature, Poetry, History, Science, Nature Study, Art, Art History and Music History.

Well, it took the better part of a month

and I'm not quite done yet (still have to go through the kids papers and decide what to keep), but things are packed up at Montgomery Academy for the summer. I took everything out of the preschool storage closet, and reorganized it, and put some things away. (Oh, and the pictures are out of order - the room starts with the sensory table, then practical life, art, sensorial, geometry, language, math, and ends with the toddler drawers.)

Here's what is still on the shelves:

Sensory Table (not pictured)
Clay & Tools
Tree Blocks, Mega Blocks, Wood Blocks

Tot Shelf
Potato Head
Puppets
Animals

(Part of Math area) Large Wood Dominoes

Art & Writing
Crayons, Markers, Dry Erase Markers, Pencils, Scissors, Glue
Dry Erase Books
Paper, Cardstock, inset paper

Math

Fraction Circles, Pattern Beads, Counting Bears
Pegboard with pegs, Cards and counters, Number bowling
Number puzzle, Number magnets, Sandpaper numbers

Language 2
Small chalkboard, Wikki Stix Letter books, Moveable Alphabet,
Language cards, Matching Cards
Magnadoodle, Letter magnets


Language 1
Picture books
Sandpaper Letters
Alphabet cards
Leapfrog letters


Geometry
Insets (sorry, I cut off the top of the picture, but they are on a shelf the above pencil holder and inset tray.)
Geometry Puzzles - Triangles, Circles, Squares, Rectangles, Geoboard
Pattern blocks, Geometric Solids, 3 part cards, Sandpaper shapes
Felt shapes, paper mache shapes, simple shape puzzle, shape sorter


Music/Puzzles
CD/Tape Player and CD/Tapes
Lap Harp, Percussion Instruments
Puzzles


Sensorial
Workbooks
Color Tablets 1 and 2, Color Sorting
Block Tower, Knobbed Cylinders
Brown Stair

Practical Life
Sew N Sew, Shoe Tying, Nuts and Bolts
Sweeping, Dusting, Cutting Food
Rugs, Dressing Vests


Ironing Board/Iron/Cloths
Clothesline/Clothes Pins/Cloths

Outside
Garden
Table
Playhouse
Small Pool
Climber
Rocker
Car
Wagon
Slide
Basketball Hoop
Hop Balls
Misc. outdoor toys/balls
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Montgomery Academy is expanding! No, not me! In addition to homeschooling Flower, Jellybean will be joining us next year. We hopefully will also have my sister as an assitant, my nephews for homeschooling, and my niece for Tot School. Tot School is also new. There is a link for it on my blog list. We will be doing Tot School for the toddler that I watch and my niece.

The elementary aged kids will also have a room of their own! I've been hard at work on getting supplies for the room and arranging the room. Pics of this room coming soon!