Our plans for 2016-2017: Morning time and memory Work
Today is our first homeschool day. I'm in complete denial that we are at the end of summer break. I know that summer still has a few weeks left, but I'm lamenting its fleetingness. In recent years, I have developed a real love for fall though, so I'm hoping that as we get into a rhythm that love is rekindled and that I embrace this new season wholeheartedly.
One thing I'm really excited about, and I will share more soon about our plans, schedule, and curriculum for the year for those who are interested, is having consistent morning time on our homeschool days (something we were not able to have last semester).
I decided to set a schedule for the year for some of our memory work, and I'm hopeful that it will help us accomplish more as a learning team. Here's what our morning time will look like when we come to the table to start our days (I'm thinking it'll be about a 45 minutes to an hour):
Prayer Devotional (working through Exploring Grace Together) Memory work: 1. Catechism (we use the New City Catechism) 2. Scripture/Hymn (see below) 3. Poetry (see below; mostly from Favorite Poems of Childhood) 4. Shakespeare (passages taken from How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare) 5. Social Studies/Science Facts (states & capitals, presidents, preamble, taxonomy, solar system- many of these linked to on my Learning board on Pinterest)
Read-aloud literature (right now we are finishing up On the Banks of Plum Creek and The Miserable Mill)
Scripture/Hymn/Poetry Schedule
Many of the poems are planned to fit in seasonally, and I chose hymns which we sing in our church that I want my kids to grow up being familiar with.
September • Philippians 4: 8 • The Doxology • Hearts are Like Doors by Anon.
October • Philippians 4:4-5 • Be Thou My Vision • Trees by Sara Coloridge
November • Philippians 4:6-7 • Jesus Paid it All • November Night by Adelaide Crapsey
December • Review Phil. 4:4-8 • Christmas Hymns
January • Galatians 6:9 • ‘Tis So Sweet • The Purple Cow by Gelett Burgess
February • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 • Come Thou Fount • Who Has Seen the Wind? by Christina Rosetti
March • Psalm 71:5 • All Creatures of our God and King • The Eagle by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
April • Psalm 133:1 • Rock of Ages • Review poems
May • Review Jan-April • Review Hymns • Swimming by Clinton Scollard
June • Review Phil. 4:4-8 • Review Hymns • Tomorrow’s the Fair by Anon.
Here's to a great year! I hope that we are successful in hiding God's word in our hearts and dwelling on many other lovely excellent bits of literature and music and knowledge. May these words impress on our hearts in similar ways to the beauty of granite and pines that spoke to us this summer in Yosemite. xo
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