• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Whispering Glen

embrace being still | lean in and listen | psalm 46:10a

  • about
  • blog
  • home making
  • home education
  • motherhood
  • favorites
  • shop
  • contact
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Combined Subjects: 2020-2021 Curriculum Picks

November 25, 2020 home education 2 Comments

The end of the first half of the school year is quickly approaching! I’m not entirely sure when that happened, but when I look back on what we’ve accomplished in three month’s time, it really is a lot. I always want to do SOOO much more than time and the kids’ attention spans provide, but I am trying to remember that we have many more years of school ahead to dive deeper into subjects, people, and places.

As promised, in this post I’ve included my six (Grade 1) and eight-year-old’s (Grade 3) combined subject materials for the 2020-2021 school year. This includes history/social studies, science/nature study, the arts, Five In A Row, and morning time.

History + Social Studies

This is our fourth year using Story of the World for our history spine. We LOVE it. It is written in an engaging way and literally weaves a story of the major happenings throughout world history. I love that it touches on things happening in different parts of the world at the same time in history. (This is a secular curriculum, and by that I mean it is not overtly Christian. I will say more on this later, but we try to weave our faith into everything we do, so I don’t pick curriculum based on religious content alone.) We are using volume 4 this year, The Modern Age, as we started on volume 1 in my oldest son’s kindergarten year. I believe it is meant to be started in the 1st grade, but he REALLY loves this kind of stuff, so he was fully invested even in kindergarten. It’s his favorite subject! My current 1st grader doesn’t really mind it, but it’s not her favorite. Her words, “Does everybody die in this story?” ha!! Maybe a more gentle, community helpers lesson is more her social studies’ style? (We’ve done those too.)

The activity book, which is optional, includes follow-up review/narration questions to ask the student(s), suggested literature selections, and further history reading to go along with the chapter’s topic. It also suggests craft ideas, games, recipes, and activities for delving deeper into each chapter. I just pick and choose what we will do according to what we need to get done that week, what I think my children would be interested in doing, and what energy I want to put into it. (Can I just be real?) At the very least, I check out books related to the chapter’s topic and the children (including the four-year-old) color the coloring page for the chapter. We don’t always do the map work, but we used to do it for every single chapter. It is a bit much for my six year old, but my eight year old can handle it just fine.

I have been using and loving a site that has curated extra picture books and chapter books to go along with each chapter of each volume of Story of the World. That is from Lexi at Lextin Eclectic. I have used this all year so far and love to have the extra suggestions beyond what the publisher has provided (v4 picture books/v4 chapter books). I believe the intention of using Story of the World is to cycle back through all four volumes again, touching on different things and maybe delving in further than the first time through. My plan is to do that at some point in future years (and to be more intentional with a history timeline), but I think I may have a different plan for next school year!

Science + Nature Study

Science is another favorite around our household! I believe my children’s favorite subjects are the ones that take me the most time to prepare for. Hmm. Oh well. For our spine this year, we are using the web-based Mystery Science curriculum along with Lynn Seddon’s (from Raising Little Shoots) Exploring Nature with Children. These are both secular options for science and nature study. For our family, it is not mandatory for our science curriculum to be marketed as faith-based because we weave that into everything we study any way. That is just my opinion for our family, but you need to do what serves your family best. We use other resources that are faith-based, the center of our home is Christ (we are NOT perfect in that), and the truth of God’s creation is taught. We believe that faith and science can coexist, because science is the study of all that God created! As Albert Einstein once said: “The more I study science, the more I believe in God.”

Mystery Science is set up in units, each with about one to eight lessons in it and each with suggested age ranges. For example, under the Plant & Animal Secrets unit, the first lesson is Animal Needs: Food. Each lesson is approached as a question, or a mystery, to be solved. The question for this particular lesson is Why do woodpeckers peck wood? You and the student explore the question with Doug and then there is an activity or experiment. My kids LOVE it. It’s engaging and NOT boring at all. You can look to see what things you may need before starting each lesson, minimal prep in my opinion, and the lessons take anywhere from 10-45 minutes depending on what you are doing that day. They also have mini-lessons and seasonally themed lessons that pop up periodically and they are fun as well!

As for the rest of our science resources, as I mentioned, we use Exploring Nature with Children and try to stick to the weekly themes for each month. There are so many great ideas for extension activities and crafts to be found on Instagram just by following hashtags for the weekly theme (i.e. #enwcfungiweek or #exploringnaturewithchildren). The curriculum includes a poem for each week, a suggested art piece to study with the theme, and non-fiction and fiction book suggestions. We are really enjoying using it more this year, because we didn’t get around to it much last year.

Also pictured above are our Christian Liberty Nature Readers which we read occasionally and the Louie Giglio science devotionals Indescribable and How Great Is Our God. I try to pick ones that correlate with whatever we are studying in science that week. And the last thing I will mention is that we love using the Julia Rothman Collection of books for reference, along with Anna Botsford Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study. This is not an exhaustive list of resources mind you, just the things we use the most.

The Arts

This year for our art and music study I decided to stick to artists and composers/musicians that were alive and creating during the span of time that our history covers. So, we started the year off with Vincent van Gogh. There were so many good books available in our library system and the kids really enjoyed learning about this very eclectic, troubled artist. (He’s always been my favorite to tell the truth.) Since my children are still fairly young, we keep things light and I don’t do anything too involved. Just some reading and learning about the artist and some of their works, along with trying our hand at some of their techniques. I have one child that isn’t super into the creative aspect of art study, but they are very engaged with learning about the artist. The Mike Venezia books are a favorite around here!

As for music appreciation, we are a musical family. My husband sings, plays the violin, and the piano a bit. I also grew up singing, playing guitar, and taking flute lessons and playing in a flute choir. (Yes, that was a thing.) I couldn’t really play the flute now to save my life! We appreciate all kinds of music and we hope that our children develop a love as well, and will pick up an instrument or two. We have not really started any formal lessons, but hope to in the near future if the interest is there. I try to pick a composer a month and use the same general guide as I do for artist study. Literature about the composer, along with listening to the composer’s pieces, and discussing them on a level that suits my children’s ages. I have looked at some more “formal” music appreciation resources, but this is working for now. If you have any recommendations, please pass them along!

Five In A Row

This is our second year using Five In A Row Volume 1 (there are 4 total along with mini-units). This is meant to be used as a stand alone curriculum for the younger years (with the addition of math and phonics). Think pre-school and kindergarten. However, I have only used it as a supplement to everything else we do. The idea is that you read a book for five days in a row (hence the name) and each day you focus in on a different subject area as it pertains to the book. Areas like literature, art, music, geography, social studies, math, and science. For instance, in the book Storm in the Night above, we used geometric shapes to create quilt squares for the math focus one day. The curriculum offers suggestions for each subject area and you can just pick and choose what you want to do with your children. It’s such a great way to introduce beautiful, classic, quality picture books. We tend to row a book for two weeks at a time, and we don’t do it every day. For instance, I don’t think we are going to do one this month at all. I wanted to do Cranberry Thanksgiving, but I’m finding it hard to get my hands on one to borrow.

Morning Time

Lastly, I wanted to talk about morning time. This is a phrase thrown all around in the homeschool world, but essentially at it’s core it is special time set aside for some slower things. Things like poetry, hymn study, calendar & weather time (as seen below), Bible devotions, etc. Some families include their history, science, art, and/or music appreciation in their “morning time”. It can really be whatever you want it to be. It also doesn’t have to be in the morning. It can be during the baby’s nap time in the afternoon or as a pre-bed ritual. I have a lot of moving pieces right now with my children (aged 2-8), so we fit it in whenever we possibly can in the morning, but sometimes don’t get to it until the afternoon! I haven’t been the best about keeping a consistent rhythm this school year. I blame that on the two and four-year-old.

We have been working our way through Leading Little Ones to God as our main Bible study/devotional. My oldest two both have their own NIrV Adventure Bible and covers. My 1st grader also loves using her own Bible Reader from My Father’s World. It has select stories from the Old Testament and New Testament that are written at a 1st grade reading level. She feels very empowered when she reads it.

I also like to read through the Morning Exercises book (pictured above) each day. It includes things like poetry selections, character study, and historical trivia. It was published a long time ago, but it’s just fun and we enjoy learning little nuggets from it. We don’t necessarily get to it every day.

These are the subjects where my love of resource hunting really comes out. I LOVE scouring the internet for resources to use alongside what we are learning. These are the subjects where I feel like the beauty of homeschooling really shines! We can rest in a certain period in history, or a certain moment in history, and just research it until we are satiated. My kids love these subjects the most and I feel like they teach us the most about the world and our place in it.

What are your child(ren)’s favorite subjects? What are your favorite subjects to teach? What is your LEAST favorite? Leave a comment below and let me know!

This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through a link on this page, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hope says

    January 1, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    I enjoyed reading your selection and learned about new resources too. Thanks for sharing Hanna!
    I also played the flute but probably can’t play much now.

    Reply
    • The Whispering Glen says

      January 6, 2021 at 3:53 pm

      You are most welcome! Thank you for reading, Hope! Oh yeah, I couldn’t play much flute now either. ha! My sister told me over Christmas that I should pick it up again. I haven’t touched my guitar in forever either. I need to remedy that!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Looking for something?

Join my community!

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Latest on the ‘gram

🌿 G I V E A W A Y 🌿 Enjoy this Easter seaso 🌿 G I V E A W A Y 🌿

Enjoy this Easter season with your family celebrating and centering your hearts on the sacrifice Jesus made and the power of his resurrection with An Expectant Easter curriculum from @treehouse_schoolhouse!

We are all excited to begin and would love to bless one family with An Expectant Easter Curriculum, 9 picture books that go with the curriculum (2 not pictured), Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman, Resurrection Eggs, and a He Is Risen Wooden Craft Kit.

To Enter:

🌸 LIKE & SAVE this post

🌸 FOLLOW ALL accounts:
@treehouse_schoolhouse
@littleschoolofsmiths
@littlemindscreative
@withhisgrace
@raising.wild.wests
@twigsandsage
@letterstolyra
@thebenikbunch
@littlehouse_northwoods
@thedelightedlearner 
@thewhisperingglen
@jenpoletti
@rainbowsandfireflies

🌸 TAG friends in the comments for extra entries (one tag per comment). 

🌸 SHARE in your stories for additional entries (if your account is private, just screenshot and DM me your story).

✨ Enter before 1PM PST Friday, March 5th. Winner will be announced Friday, March 5th at 4PM PST. Open to US residents only.

**If one of the books becomes unavailable, another of equal value will be in its place 😊. (This giveaway is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Instagram.)
I’ve had the most fun the last few days gatherin I’ve had the most fun the last few days gathering our supplies to begin An Expectant Easter on March 15th. Nothing earth shattering to share, just getting excited to share the Easter story with my kids in a new and engaging way. 

Yesterday and today I spent a few minutes getting all of my little pieces made or curated from our home for the Bible story egg hunt portion of the study. These little items will go into eggs that the kids will hunt for 12 of the 15 days and will begin the conversation about what the days’ lesson will be centered on. 

Link in my profile to check this beautiful curriculum out for yourself! 

✨THEWHISPERINGGLEN10 for 10% off✨

#anexpectanteaster @treehouse_schoolhouse
Two boys. Two stories. Both heroes in their own ri Two boys. Two stories. Both heroes in their own rights. Both of my older kids each read one of these out loud today. I think it helps for them to read and experience the words and stories from their own perspective instead of just hearing me read everything to them. 

Henry “Box” Brown mailed himself to freedom. Ron McNair stood up for what he knew was right and changes followed. Both stories induced tears for me. The human heart is capable of such evil, but it is also capable of such love. 

Have you read these stories yet? We have a few more library books to read, but Black history isn’t just for February. It’s a constant education. Learning about all types of people groups who don’t look just like us. Trying to sympathize with their stories and learn from them. 

I think what has most stood out to me this month is the rawness of these stories. The absolute trials and triumphs of our black brothers and sisters who have led the way. May God continue to soften hearts and minds. May we all seek to love each other as kingdom people. 

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistorykidsbooks #readaloudrevival #readaloudfamily #ronmcnair #henryboxbrown
Audrey’s story was my favorite of our reads toda Audrey’s story was my favorite of our reads today. Not that the others weren’t fantastic as well, but this story just hit somewhere different. The youngest known marcher during the children’s marches of 1963, Audrey volunteered to join the march knowing that she would end up in jail for at least a week. What must she have been thinking? Feeling? 

Have you ever felt so strongly about something that must be done that you stepped out in faith believing it would accomplish it’s goal? Stepping out in faith is hard, but Audrey knew as children they had less to lose than their parents. She stood in the gap. So thankful for young people who see a need and step up and out. 

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistorykidsbooks #standinginthegap #stepoutinfaith #thisishomeschool #reallifehomeschool #readaloudfamily #readaloudrevival
Pioneers. Innovators. Courageous. Gutsy. Glamorous Pioneers. Innovators. Courageous. Gutsy. Glamorous. Leaders. Geniuses. Weavers of words. Creatives. In possession of immeasurable talents.

These are just a small fraction of words I could use to describe the 50 some women detailed in this gorgeous book. Women who despite the opposition, oppression, hurdles, and hardships, persevered to make their mark on our world and our hearts. 

I am inspired and moved reading their stories and trying to understand the world from where they stand/stood. 

I’m reading Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” right now and it’s amazing, and hard, and hilarious, and gut wrenchingly sad. I want to learn though. I want to grow. I want God to give me an even deeper understanding for the human condition, the pain and suffering of those He died for. All of them. I want to learn to love just as He did and to be gracious and generous with my time, my talents, and my all. Getting outside of myself and sitting with the stories of others.

Who have you been inspired by lately? Whose life story has moved you and made an impact on your own life?
🤍 Tell someone you love them today. There is en 🤍 Tell someone you love them today. There is enough to go around. 🤍

These stories were so sweet and so moving in their own ways. Mrs. Bear making preparations for a special day with Mr. Bear, three friends finding a mystery letter which makes them feel so loved that they are inspired, and a man that feels unloved until he gets a piece of mail. 

Sometimes it doesn’t take much. Taking treats to your neighbors, writing a hand lettered card and putting it in the mail, praying with a friend on the phone... one small act of kindness and love trickles down. 

LOVE NEVER FAILS.
✨NEW on the BLOG✨ An Expectant Easter: Our E ✨NEW on the BLOG✨ 

An Expectant Easter: Our Easter School Plans

Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

Sharing what curriculum we plan to use to prepare for the celebration of Easter this year in our homeschool! I’ve also got a free printable for you if you are looking to access the booklist titles for Treehouse Schoolhouse’s “An Expectant Easter” virtually!

🌿Link in my profile to the post & the free download!
🌿If you plan to purchase An Expectant Easter from @treehouse_schoolhouse , save 10% by using the code THEWHISPERINGGLEN10 at checkout. 

✨Are you joining us for this Easter study?

#anexpectanteaster #easterschool #thisishomeschool #reallifehomeschool #easter @treehouse_schoolhouse
🎶 Music Study: We are currently using Peter & T 🎶 Music Study: We are currently using Peter & The Wolf to learn how to listen for different instruments and to differentiate between them. It doesn’t take a lot to learn...a few simple resources, a music playing device, and a bit of fun and wonder mixed in! I’m excited to incorporate some resources from @fiddlesticks.education (flash cards) and @crafterina (puppet theater) into this coming week’s lesson. 

🎻How do you incorporate music studies in your home school?

Books:
Peter & The Wolf Illustrated by Peter Malone, Recorded by Cincinnati Pops, Narration by Peter A. Thomas

The Story of the Orchestra by Robert Levine

#musicappreciation #peterandthewolf #thisishomeschool #homeschoolmusic #homeschool #interestledlearning #playfullearning #homeschoolfamily
“We went to sleep slaves and woke up free,” Ma “We went to sleep slaves and woke up free,” Mama told me and my little brother, Paul, the day freedom came. She looked at me and said, “Lizzie, bein’ free means we got to work harder than ever before. And I don’t just mean in the field. Real freedom means ‘rithmetic and writing.”

- Freedom’s School

#blackhistorymonth #blackhistorybooks #homeschooling #thisishomeschool #learntounderstand #educateyourself
Do you participate in the advent of Easter? The an Do you participate in the advent of Easter? The anticipation of the greatest sacrifice? My friend, Lyndsey, creator of A Connected Christmas that we used and loved during the Christmas season, has lovingly developed An Expectant Easter! This 3-week curriculum is designed to draw you and your children in to the beauty and story of Christ’s sacrifice through death and then defeat of death through his glorious resurrection.

This curriculum includes:
🌿 chronological Bible stories
🌿 hymns
🌿 poetry
🌿 art studies
🌿 picture books
🌿 simple projects
🌿 baking
🌿 tea time
🌿 nature studies

All woven together to provide your family this special time to connect and remember the greatest story of all time! 

PRE-ORDERS are available! I’ve got a 10% off code you can use when you pre-order. Also good for anything in Lyndsey’s shop. You will receive the booklist for An Expectant Easter curriculum when you place your order so you can begin to gather those. The full digital download will be distributed on February 21st. 

✨Use “THEWHISPERINGGLEN10” for 10% off your entire order.✨

We plan to start on March 15th! Do you plan to use this along with our family?

You can find more details at 
@treehouse_schoolhouse or www.treehouseschoolhouse.com/?aff=8

Photos by @treehouse_schoolhouse
Load More...

The Whispering Glen is part of affiliate networks. There is no extra cost to you, but I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support!

Copyright © 2021 — The Whispering Glen • All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy • Disclaimer