Wow.  I totally feel like I was just making last year’s homeschool plans.  This year has flown by incredibly fast.  It’s time to start planning for the upcoming homeschool year, where I will be homeschooling a 9th grader, 5th grader, 2nd grader, 1st grader, and of course, the ever-busy preschooler.

We are mixing things up a bit and my big 2 kids are going to do the majority of their social studies, science, and language arts with a tutor one day a week and I’ll be reinforcing their learning throughout the week.  That’s definitely different for us and I am hoping it goes well.  Sometimes you get to a point where you need to outsource a few things, and that’s okay!

If you care to look back, you can see what we used in the 2015-2016 year here or in the 2016-2017 school year here.  Some of it is the same and some has changed.

Also, be sure to read my article- Homeschooling a Preschooler – See What Works for Us!.

Here’s what we are doing this year:

Math:

Math, we are once again using Horizons Math, but only for my middle 3 children. We use the math books plus we supplement with the extra worksheets for more practice. For my oldest, we will continue with Math-U-See.  We are also continuing with XtraMath.org.  I can’t say enough great things about this website!  It’s a completely free way to make sure your kids understand all of their math facts.  As a mom, I can login and see how they are doing as well and what needs improvement.

Language Arts:

We will be using  Wordly Wise 3000 for my 5th grader to cover vocabulary and reading comprehension.  We will be continuing Easy Grammar with the older 3 children.  It only takes a couple minutes a day.

My 5th grader will continue with  A Reason For Handwriting, however the 1st and 2nd grader will be working on Horizons Penmanship since I think they need a little more writing practice before moving on to cursive.

All 4 of my school age children will also be working through Q&A For Kids: A 3 Year Journal.  I’m pretty excited about this and that it will only take a few moments to work on.

We are continuing Building Spelling Skills for the middle 3 to work on spelling.

My 1st and 2nd graders will also continue working on Explode the Code.  This is a very simple program, but can help with the fundamentals for the little kids.  Takes just a couple minutes each day and they are fun!

Little 2 girls are going to continue with ReadingEggs since it’s a fun program and helps greatly with reading and phonics.  This is one of those things that is worth outsourcing to me, even though it’s an online program, so it frees me up to help someone else with something.

Bible:

This past year we greatly slacked on our Bible lessons.  For Bible this year we are continuing to use Catechism for Kids, which I just love and the kids enjoy, too.  I also plan to introduce more scripture writing for handwriting practice.  I’ve been writing scripture to help get myself more in the Word and I think that the kids would enjoy this, too, especially with fancy journals and colored pens.

All the kids will also continue with VeritasBible.com.

Social Studies:

History we will continue to pull from Allinonehomeschool.com for the little girls and of course the vast variety of books at the library.

Science:

My littles will be continuing through Apologia’s Zoology.  We really enjoyed their Astronomy set last year and are eager to learn more with their Zoology program.

I think that’s it!  Seems like a nice rounded program this year, however I’m not super eager to start.  I’m enjoying having a break right now from teaching, but planning is still in order!  What are your homeschool plans for the year?

This time of year, the local homeschool groups are all abuzz about testing.  It’s always the same questions – What are my options for Homeschool Testing in Georgia?

 What is Required?

Where can I test?

When should I test?

Can I administer it myself?

Who do I need to pay?

Which grades need testing?

Where do I send my results?

Per Georgia State requirements for 2016-2017:

Standardized Tests: Children must take a national standardized achievement test every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. “Test scores are not required to be submitted to public school authorities.” Ga. Code Ann. ? 20-2-690(c)(7). Parent must write an annual progress report and retain it for three years. Ga. Code Ann. ? 20-2-690(c)(8).

 

Now what?

How can you find a standardized test and which one is right for your family?

Here are a few options that we have found:

• Hewitt Homeschooling PASS Test: This is a great test that can be administered by a parent and this is the testing that we use.  It is untimed so children do not have to stress on rushing.
• CAT5: No college degree required to administer test, so this is great for parents as well.  This test is timed.  I have no experience with this test, but I know several that have and like it.
• Check with your local homeschool co-ops.  Many will know a teacher willing to administer the standardized test to your child for a fee.

Once you have finished testing, the parent just needs to keep the results on record.

You should also check out the Georgia homeschool requirements to make sure that your are within all the laws and are fully aware of how to start homeschooling in Georgia.

Also make note of the homeschool expo, such as the GHEA Convention.  There are a ton of great tips and ideas that can be gleaned from those sources.

For more great homeschooling tips, visit our Homeschool tab.

If you have any other options you’d like to add, please leave a comment!