Our Curriculum: 2014-2015 (2nd Grade)

Many of you are probably wondering if I am still homeschooling.   The answer is YES!   Homeschooling is going wonderfully!   The kids are thriving academically, socially, and emotionally.    And I can honestly say that I love being apart of their education. 

Homeschooling does make for busy days---which is why this blog has gone neglected.   However, I thought I would sneak away for a bit and talk about our curricula choices for the school year.

Marcus is 7 and in 2nd grade.   Sophie is 6 and technically in first grade....but she insist on keeping up with her older brother.  Here is a look at the materials we are using.   To see what all of this looks like in practice, make sure and check out my "Day in the Life" post. 

Reading

I See Sam Readers Set 3

I See Sam Readers Set 4

I See Sam Readers Set 5

I See Sam Readers Set 6

Sonlight Grade 2 Readers

We started out the year using All About Reading level 2.    We had used AAR Pre-level 1 (which I love) and Level 1 in past years.   However, after REALLY giving the program a chance, I decided that it wasn't the right reading program for me.   (I hope to write a review of WHY this program didn't work for us in the future.  It seems no one hears from people who tried AAR and didn't like it.)

We ended up switching to the I See Sam readers on a whim---and I am SO glad I did.   The program has been incredibly effectual for my children.   It has raised their reading by two grade levels in a short 6 month period!!  Plus, it has made learning to read fun again.    I highly recommend those books.  

Our plan right now is to finish up the first 6 sets of the I See Sam books.  (We are almost done with set 5 now.)   Then, we are going to continue on with the Sonlight Grade 2 readers to help build fluency and increase their self confidence in reading.

By that time, the grade 2 readers will probably feel easy for Marcus and Sophie.  But that is OK!   I approach reading the same way I do training for an athletic event.    Sometimes we push ourselves and read books that are very challenging.  Other times, we want an easier read so they can learn that reading can be fun and relaxing too.   My ultimate goal is to raise children who LOVE to read. 

Spelling

All About Spelling 2

We used All About Spelling 1 last year, and this year are continuing on with All About Spelling 2. 

Grammar

First Language Lessons 2

We finished up level 1 of this series in first grade, and are continuing on with level 2.   These books are pure genius in that they manage to teach some very challenging grammar concepts in a very gentle and systematic way.  

Writing

Writing With Ease 2

Another continuation we have from last year is the Writing With Ease program.    We finished WWE level 1 last year, and have started WWE 2 this year.

I can't say that I LOVE this program because there are some things about it that annoy me.  However, I haven't currently found anything I like as well for these early elementary years.   Plus, I do love how the writing instruction is broken into very small incremental chunks.  And I feel strongly that any child who completes WWE will have a strong foundation for later writing instruction.   For those reasons, we keep plugging away with this program.

My current long term plan is to continue on with WWE until we finish level 3 in third grade.   At that point, we are going to do a year of IEW to practice some stylistic techniques and outlining.   After IEW, we will probably start to use a writing program based on the progymnasta.   (There are so many great options that I haven't picked one.)

UPDATE:   I decided to take a break from WWE for awhile and have started using Write from History.   It contains many of the stories that I *want* to read to my children about history anyways.   We still continue the basic narration, copywork, and dictation model of teaching writing at this age.   

 

Handwriting:

Cursive using Joy of Handwriting

This is a great, budget friendly handwriting program that I highly recommend.   Marcus has always had some fine motor delays, but is picking up beautiful cursive handwriting thanks to this program.   So it really works well!

Next year we will continue doing basic cursive copywork (for practice) and learn to type.

Poetry

IEW's Linguistic Development Through Poetry Memorization

Math

Singapore 2A and 2B (US Eddition)

Xtra Math

One change we made from last year is our math curricula.   Last year we used Math Mammoth 1A & 1B.  The kids thrived in that program, and I highly recommend it.   (Both tested in the 97th and 98th percentile in math compared to peers across the USA.)  So we didn't switch from Math Mammoth because we didn't like it.   HOWEVER, I believe that Singapore math is just slighly more academically rigorous than even Math Mammoth.   It is just a really, really strong math program.

My kids LOVE math--and the Singapore method challenges them so they don't become bored.   So this is a switch I am glad we made.  

History:  (2 times per week)

Ancient History using Story of the World Volume 1 with Activity Book and Audio Book

Science

(2 times per week + 1 day for labs)

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey, Earth and Space, level 1

Supplemented with LOTS of Science books

History

Story of the World Volume 1 (Ancient History)

Story of the World Activity Book 1

Story of the World Volume 1 Audio Book

Another change from last year is our history curriculum.   Last year we used Sonlight, but this year we are using Story of the World.   We love studying history with this book. 

Read Alouds

One thing that we loved about our Sonlight days were their read aloud choices.   Reading good quality literature aloud is still a HUGE part of our day.   However, this year I made my own read aloud list.   AND....what can I say?   I love my picks!   ;)   I hope to be able to share my schedule in a future blog post. 

Nature Study

Outdoor Secrets

Outdoor Secrets Companion

Fine Arts

Artistic Pursuits Early Elementary Book 1 (K-3)

SQUILT: Music Appreciation (Vol. 1 Baroque Era)

Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid Review

The following review was written by guest blogger Jennifer Marple. 

I recently tried out the Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid: Chronos from my local babywearing group’s lending library. I own a Breeze (gauze) wrap from the same manufacturer, and have tried other traditional stretchy wraps and wovens, and was interested in how the hybrid stretch would compare. I was looking to evaluate how it worked with a slightly older baby (about 6 months old and 15 lbs), and in particular how it faired with back carries, which I’ve become comfortable with just in the last few months.

Stretchy wraps in general are designed to be very soft and comfortable, with no diggy fabric or buckles, straps or buttons. The Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid specifically is intended to be used up to 35 lbs on front hip or back. This is one of the key differentiators between this and more traditional stretchy wraps, which are intended for front carries only. My understanding is that any back carry with more than one pass across the baby is safe with this carrier, so I was able to use my growing woven wrap repertoire in my experiments.

The fabric seemed a bit thinner than other stretchy wraps I’d tried, but stretches less freely, which is what allows it to be more supportive at higher weights. This is a one size fits all wrap, and the tails are tapered in a way that makes it not bulky when tying the ends around after wrapping baby.

I found the Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid to be supportive and comfortable for my daughter, in front and back carries. It was no warmer to wear than my favorite heavy-ish cotton woven wrap, and almost as supportive. It was not “diggy” in the least on my shoulders, as most wovens can be if you’re not very precise with your wrapping job.

Overall, I was pleased at how the Wrapsody Stretch-Hybrid performed for us. If a friend was having a baby and interested in babywearing, I would definitely recommend it over other stretchy wraps, due to the versatility of being able to use it for hip and back carries, and get better support at higher weights. For me, I’m already too far down the woven rabbit hole, and we will not be having any more squishy newborns in our house – but I would really enjoy helping a friend learn how to carry their little one in this wrap, knowing that it could last them the full duration of their babywearing time.


Pros:
Easy to care for the fabric
Several color and pattern choices to suit different styles (mostly patterns, not solids)
Can pre-tie before leaving the house keeps the wrap out of parking lot puddles
Can also be used with hip or back carries
Comfortable for wearer and baby
No complicated sizing
No rings, buckles or straps to dig like a soft-structured carrier or ring sling
More affordable than a woven wrap
No significant bounce, even with a larger infant

Cons:
Thicker than a gauze wrap, can be warm in summer
No sizing can mean excess fabric for some wearers, depending on carries chosen (but tapered tails help with this)
More expensive than a traditional stretchy wrap



NOTE:   Wrapsody donated the Wrapsody Stretch Hybrid Carrier to our local babywearing lending library in exchange for this review.    The views expressed in this review are Jennifer's own and were not influenced by this donation.   Our community whole-heartedly thanks Wrapsody for their very generous donation.   

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Boba Wrap Review

The following review was written by guest blogger and fellow "Attached Mama" Jennifer Marple.  

 I recently tried out the Boba Wrap (orange) from my local babywearing group’s lending library. I’d previously used a Moby and a Sleepy Wrap in exactly the same color, which I learned was the former name of Boba Wrap, as well as more recently some woven wraps.  It had been some time since I last used the Sleepy Wrap, having passed it along to another mama before my daughter was born, so I was looking to evaluate how it worked with a slightly older baby (about 6 months old and 15 lbs).

Stretchy wraps in general are designed to be very soft and comfortable, with no diggy fabric or buckles, straps or buttons. The Boba Wrap specifically is intended to be used with newborns up until 18 months for weights 7-35 lbs. The Boba Wrap’s fabric is different from Moby, having more of a jersey knit type texture – there’s a definite right and wrong side. To me, the fabric seems to make the difference in being able to use this wrap with a larger-than-infant size baby. Having experience with both this style of wrap and woven wraps, I did not experience much difficulty in getting the Boba Wrap on and baby into it. I did have to tighten it up the first time, as I’d forgotten just how much stretch there was and to not leave slack. My daughter seemed very comfortable and cozy in it, and enjoyed several wrap naps during my borrowing period.

When I tested the Boba Wrap, it was the hottest time of the year where I live, and I was taking frequent walks while babywearing, at a pace intended for exercise.  So, it was hot, and the thick fabric isn’t exactly breathable and cooling, but it wasn’t any hotter than my favorite cotton woven wrap, and was more comfortable than my slightly cooler gauze wrap. I was walking at a pretty good speed when testing this wrap, and I found that my daughter “bounced” in the Boba more than I was accustomed to. Not quite to a level where I was concerned of any danger, but much more than I experience on a day to day basis with a woven wrap. She is heavier than I’d ever used a stretchy wrap with in the past, but still 20 lbs below the top end of the recommended weight range the manufacturer listed. She didn’t seem bothered by it, but I did find it distracting and impacting on my personal gait/balance. When walking at a more leisurely stroll I did not experience the bounce. I also know that this was not an issue with my son when he was a newborn using this same wrap under the old branding.

Overall, I was surprised at how well the Boba Wrap did with my 6 month old, as I’d never considered using a stretchy wrap past 2-3 months of age. It’s a great option for a comfortable, affordable babywearing solution from birth on – though I still do not think I’d recommend it much beyond perhaps 8 months, not into toddlerhood as Boba’s site states is feasible.


Pros:
Easy to care for the fabric
Easy to store (comes with a storage bag)
Several color choices to meet each person’s preference (mostly solids, a few prints)
Pre-tie before leaving the house keeps the wrap out of parking lot puddles
Comfortable for wearer and baby
No complicated sizing
Simple instructions, less learning curve than woven wraps
No rings, buckles or straps to dig like a soft-structured carrier or ring sling
Affordable

Cons:
Thick, heavy, can be warm in summer
No sizing means lots of excess fabric for most wearers
Not as supportive for larger babies (allows a lot of sag or bounce past the infant stage)









NOTE:   Boba donated the Boba Wrap Carrier to our local babywearing lending library in exchange for this review.    The views expressed in this review are Jennifer's own and were not influenced by this donation.   Our community whole-heartedly thanks Boba for their very generous donation.  

Boba Carrier 4G Review

The following review was written by guest blogger and fellow"Attached Mama" Kate Burgener.   You can check out Kate's website at www.kateburgener.com

When an opportunity to review a soft structured carrier (SSC) came along, I was pretty excited. At that point, my husband and I had only used a Moby, a ring sling, and a borrowed mei tai with our son Henry.   We loved wearing him, but we were interested in something that would come together a little faster. Having zero experience with a SSC, I envisioned clipping the carrier around my waist, popping Henry into the seat, and away we'd go. I expected the straps to be kind of "set it and forget it," which appealed to me. The ring sling required all kinds of minute adjustments, and I didn't always feel as if I had him seated just right.  What could be easier than a SSC?

I got the Boba 4G model to review because I had a 3 month old. The Boba 4G comes with a nifty infant insert that I was eager to try. A leader from our local babywearing group patiently walked me through the finer points of the carrier.  We clipped the waist belt on me, and she showed off the neat elastic loops for rolling excess straps up and getting them out of the way.  Next came the infant insert.  The infant insert had a moon-shaped little spot for a baby bottom to rest allowing the legs to be supported. After snapping it in and testing Henry in it, however, it became apparent that my long, skinny, cloth-diapered kid was already WAY too tall for it.   You are supposed to have the baby's head within "kissing distance"--however Henry was withing teeth-bashing distance!  So, my local babywearing group leader suggested we try the carrier without the infant insert.

The Boba 4G Carrier Infant Insert:  Instructions for a newborn hold can be found here.

What surprised me most was that after getting into the carrier and arranging Henry, I'd be adjusting the shoulder straps each time. Not what I was expecting from a SSC! (Not a drawback, just not what I had pictured.) A few more tips from my local babywearing group leader, and we were on our way with our brand-spanking-new carrier to test out!

Carrier Adjusted From Front

The first thing I should say about the Boba 4G (and I have no previous models to compare it too, please remember), is that I was surprised at how soft it was. Again, I hadn't explored any other SSC, but I kept expecting them to be kind of like backpack canvas.  The Boba 4G carrier material was downright cozy.  The fabric turned out to be a magnet for cat hair, but a good lint-rolling from time to time would keep you presentable if you cared about that sort of thing.

The second feature I noticed (which ended up being my favorite part and is now non-negotiable for future SSC purchases) was the napping hood. Henry desires to be in arms at all times. (I mean, a little less now, but still isn't happy with more than 15 minutes of alone time.) This started to get super difficult after the various grandparents and relatives were back home and my husband and I were left to the task of figuring out how to get the kid to sleep during the day. Carrier naps became our go-to for mid-day naps, if only to give our arms a break. Plus, let's face it, snugly napping is awesome, even if that means the wearer doesn't get a chance to take a nap themselves. However, as Henry got more aware of the world, it became harder and harder for him to relax and nap in a carrier. The napping hood allowed him to still peek out if he needed to, but provided a much darker and less stimulating environment for him to drift off in. Because he was in front-carries only, his little head was usually leaning against our chests, so the hood was less about support for us. We made sure we could peek in and keep an eye for an open airway, even when the hood was up.

Henry Naps Happily on Dad

Another thing that we loved about the carrier was that Henry just felt super secure in it. When he wriggled in the ring sling, I would get nervous that he'd give an especially mighty kick and knock the seat out. With straps and buckles, I felt confident that he wasn't going anywhere. I picked a little basil from our garden while wearing Henry and I felt much better about bending down to reach things than I do with the sling. My husband and I also both found it faster to use, even with the strap adjusting, and would have made it a go-to style for quick trips if we were keeping it. The way the weight distributed on our shoulders was also great, wearing our son for a few hours was easy, with the padded waist belt providing extra support. 

Baby Henry Helps Mama in the Garden

My husband and I did find a few drawbacks to how the Boba 4G fit, at least for us. We're both pretty tall people, so this could entirely be a torso-length thing, but the backpack-style straps ended up cutting right under our arms from the back. We adjusted and adjusted, moving the chest strap around and the waist belt up and down, and neither of us could get it quite comfortable on our bodies. When I was in a tank top, this was especially irritating, because it meant that one or more buckles was rubbing against my bare arm as I was wearing him. Not ideal. (For what it's worth, knowing that style isn't great for us was super helpful because now we're focused on SSCs with straps that can cross in the back and have since purchased two that work a lot better for us. Again, it's just how it hits your body, I think, because I've read that some people love the Boba 4G and how it fits.) The other problem that I continually had was in adjusting the straps every time I put the carrier on, I found it very easy to accidentally over-tighten the straps. While it didn't seem to make a difference in how Henry fit in the carrier, it would eventually make my shoulders ache from being pulled a bit forward. I usually didn't notice until after 20 minutes of wearing, by which time my kid would be asleep and I'd be reluctant to mess with the straps for fear of jostling him awake. I got more mindful of it, but it was still not second-nature after a few weeks.

Carrier Adjusted From Front

Carrier Adjusted From Back

Overall, we liked our experience testing out the Boba 4G. It was the carrier my husband would grab first, always, and Henry always felt supported well on our bodies. We liked trying a SSC to see how it'd compare to our stretchy-wrap, ring sling and mei tai options. While there were definitely positive things about what was clearly a very well-made carrier, I'm so glad we had a chance to test it out for awhile, because carriers fit each body differently and babies definitely have their own ideas about what they prefer and what's comfortable for them.

NOTE:   Boba donated the Boba 4G Carrier to our local babywearing lending library in exchange for this review.    The views expressed in this review are Kate's own and were not influenced by this donation.   Our community whole-heartedly thanks Boba for their very generous donation.  

Catbird Baby Pikkolo Review

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The following review was written by guest blogger and fellow"Attached Mama" Susan Scantland Littleton

I was really excited for the opportunity to try out the Catbird Metropolitan (solid black) Pikkolo from our babywearing group's local lending library. My experience with SSCs (soft structured carriers) was zero; I’ve been using wraps since my son was born. So this gave me a chance not only to try a new SSC, but also to try a whole different form of babywearing. 

 The Pikkolo is designed to be ergonomic for front-facing in and front-facing out carries as well as back carries. As there are few carriers that allow ergonomic facing out, this will be an appealing feature for some wearers. Catbird advises facing out will be less comfortable after about 20 lbs., but I found it surprisingly comfortable with my 25 lb. 10-month-old. I wouldn’t want to carry him that way for long, but my son seemed to enjoy the new position for the twenty minutes I had him in it. By the end of that time, my back was protesting.

While designed to be ergonomic with knee-to-knee coverage, my 31 in. boy’s legs were dangling a bit. I had a friend with a slightly smaller one-year-old try on the carrier for comparison, and it was still knee-to-knee on her daughter. It certainly provides a closer to ergonomic fit than a narrow-based carrier, but my son seems to have outgrown it relatively early. It’s designed for carrying 8 to 40 lbs., and I felt no back pain carrying my son in either the front, inward facing position nor in a back carry. The padded straps are cushy without being overly bulky, and the chest clip is easy to clasp in both front and back positions.

During the two weeks I borrowed this carrier, I used it for lots of chores around the house, some 60-90 minute walks, and for errands. I appreciated the ease with which I could get him up and comfortable, compared to how long it takes to achieve a supportive carry in a wrap. My son always seemed comfy, and I never had to worry about him “popping his seat” the way he can in a wrap. It’s not possible to get him up as high on my back as I can with him wrapped, even buckling the waist belt directly under my breasts. He likes to see over my shoulder, and if he can’t, he tries to lean down under my arm. He was secure enough that when he leaned around my side to see what I was doing, I didn’t have to worry he could go anywhere, but it made me off balance.

Overall, I think the Catbird Pikkolo is a great option for the first year of babywearing. It may not fit as long as a Tula or a Kinderpack, but it’s also a less expensive option. The ability to forward face will be really appealing from babywearers crossing over from narrow-based carriers as well as those with babies who are only happy facing out. I was impressed with how it felt, even with such a big baby. Because of the size, I won’t be purchasing a Pikkolo for this baby. But it did make me think an SSC may work for us someday, and it’s definitely one I would check out if I were shopping for a smaller baby. 

NOTE TO READERS FROM CATHY:   Catbird Baby VERY generously donated the carrier used in this review to the community's local lending library in exchange for a fair and honest review.   The opinions expressed in this review are the author's own and have not been influenced by the donation.  I wish to thank Catbird Baby for their generosity.  

2014-2015 Sonlight Blog Roll

May I proudly present.......  (drum roll)

The 2014-2015 Sonlight/Bookshark Blog Roll!

This blog roll will give fellow "Sonlight-ers" a place to connect and meet.  Feel free to bookmark or pin this page and refer to it anytime you need some inspiration. 

Are you a blogger using Sonlight for the 2014-2015 school year? 
If so, we would love it if you would join the Sonlight Blog Roll.  You don't even have to be using a 'complete' sonlight core.  Anyone using and blogging about Sonlight is welcome to join.

UPDATE:  I received an email asking if "Bookshark" users are welcome to join.  The answer is...yes!  We would love to have you included in our blog roll.  

Here's how to do it:
STEP 1)  Scroll down and grab the button code below and display it proudly on your blog.  All entries must have a link to this blog roll somewhere on the main page of their blog or you will not be allowed to participate.  This is so we can get the word out about the Sonlight Blog Roll. 

STEP 2)   Next, use the Linky Tool at the bottom of this page to link up your blog.  There is absolutely no weekly posting requirement--just link up and have fun.

NOTE:  Please include your blog's name with the core(s) you are using in parenthesis (if applicable).  Example:  The Attached Mama (Cores P3/4, B, and F)

STEP 3)  Leave a comment on my blog letting me know you linked up so I can come check out your blog. 

Are you a NEW SONLIGHT user?  If so, follow this link when registering for your Sonlight account.  It can save you $5 off your first order of $50 or more.  (ENTER REWARDS ID: DH20271164.)

Post a link to your blog here after grabbing button code (below):




Button Code:
Please select the size of button/banner you prefer by copying and pasting the code onto the main page of your blog. 

200px by 200px Button for Side Bar

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Do you still have questions?  Please feel free to contact me in the comment section below.  I would be glad to help!





Thanks so much!
Cathy aka The Attached Mama

My blog and the blogs linked to this page are not affiliated with the Sonlight Curriculum company in any way.  We are just fans and users of the curriculum.   The views expressed in these blogs do not represent Sonlight or their employees. 

Valentine's Day Boxes

Doug was in charge of helping the kids with their valentines day boxes this year.  They use these in their homeschool valentine exchange party.   I think they turned out great!  (They sure look better than the red shoe boxes covered in glitter glue and heart stickers that I used to make.)

Marcus helped create a purple minion box. 

And Sophie helped create an R2D2 box.