This Year's School Books

Yes, it is time for me to turn my focus to school. Many of you may have stopped reading already, too busy enjoying your summers to want to read about, hear about, or think about school. Here in my house it is inescapable. Our school year begins on Monday. Yep. I said it. Monday. One of the lovely things about homeschooling is that, for the most part, you make your own schedule. The kids get a good 6-7 weeks off in the summer, but we always start up again by mid-July. It is only a month before the public schools here go back and it is too hot to actually do much outside during July and August. We prefer to save our time off for the fall and spring when the weather is more conducive to fun.

I thought I would share a little preview, because I'm EXCITED about what I get to teach this year.

Bit will be in third grade. This year her history curriculum focuses on Ancient Greece and Rome and includes a host of excellent non-fiction. Many of her literature units also follow this focus. Here are some of the books we will be studying for that:

Here are some of the non-history unit related books she will be reading:

Some of the books I will (most likely-her choices come into play some here) be reading aloud to her (so you know what BIt reviews to look forward to):
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilosn

This will also be the year I begin teaching Little Man how to read. He is only four so we will NOT be tackling writing. Just reading. And I think it is high time he was introduced to our friend, Winnie the Pooh, and if that read aloud goes well we will tackle Charlotte's Web.

In addition to teaching my own kids I am teaching two classes at the homeschool co-op we are a part of.

Just as I did last year I will be teaching a 4th-6th grade literature class and this is what we will be studying:

I am also going to be teaching a 10th-12th grade Literary Analysis class (I'm super excited about this.) We only meet once a week so will only have time amidst all the short story reading and essay writing to read four books and they are:
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner (Cause I can. ♥)

Now I ask you: How could I NOT be excited about getting to teach all these amazing books?????

Can I just say? I love my life.

Comments

Betsy said…

SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Meanwhile, over here on the home front, we're wrapping up Pinocchio, looking ahead to Wind in the Willows, Just So Stories, and other fun group read alouds. Elf is suddenly beginning to cruise through some early chapter books (and the King is not far behind), so I anticipate some Clementine, Ramona, and Magic Treehouse action just around the corner :-).

July 14, 2012 at 11:37 AM

April said…

FUN. Can I take your 4-6th grade literature class? Please! I won't talk. Too much.

July 14, 2012 at 3:21 PM

Brandy said…

I wonder if I'll ever be able to do group read alouds. I think the 4 year age difference with my kiddos is never going to work for it.

July 14, 2012 at 8:51 PM

Brandy said…

Too bad you live so far away or I would say you could come assist me. :)

July 14, 2012 at 8:51 PM

Jade said…

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS THE CHRONICLES OF PRYDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

oh man reading all this makes me excited about the possibilities of reading to my own kids one day. PLEASE CONTINUE BEING THE READING MOMMY ROLE MODEL THAT YOU ARE.

also in third grade my history unit centered around local town history.

and enjooooooooooy you literary analysis class. I was just cruising the local high school websites to get an idea of where/with whom I might be working later this year, and I was drooling over the reading list/assigned questions for them to think about.

July 18, 2012 at 7:42 PM

Brandy said…

Week one and the plan already changed slightly.

Stuart Little is missing-The Little Man probably had something to do with that-so I told Bit to choose any other not so long fantasy book she could read. She chose The Book of Three and she is LOVING it. So looks like she will be doing Prydain on her own.

HA! I think most places third grade focuses on local history. We are rebels.

July 18, 2012 at 8:32 PM

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