Reading Lists 2007/2008

I have finally completed my lesson plans for the year and I have been asked a few times recently about my reading lists. I generally compile a list of 'must read' books for my children for the school year. These are not exhaustive because the children read much more than this... these are just the books that I require them to read. Most likely I will have to come back toward the end of the year and add books. Sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn't. In the past, I've taken the more traditional route and used daily or weekly lesson plans. Some years I have followed a format that incorporates Ambleside Online's weekly lesson design. But, I find that what works best for me is to have an overall theme for the year which includes a certain time period of history and my goals for each child's development which culminates in a rather thorough book list as the spine of our school year. This year I've been a little slower getting that all together but I am happy to say, I've arrived!

The children have started on these books and some of the books are completed. As they read the books, they record them in my lesson plan book adding in additional books that they read on their own. The only thing I really add to this is math which includes fact memorization as well as the daily lesson from their curriculum. I require writing in the form of an essay a day from everyone according to their ability. Even Cindy Lou can write a paragraph on a topic she's assigned. The older ones sometimes are asked to write a more indepth paper which can take a week or more. And, sometimes I just ask them to record facts or important information in their notebooks or even a blog post! It depends on the topic.

There are other things required here and there throughout the year like projects, baking, typing, sewing, building, collecting, observing, and field trips. Those things are the 'fluff' that make it all that much more fun!

For those of you that would like to see the lists, they are linked here. We have a permanent link to this list in our sidebar so you can keep track of how we're doing throughout the year. Check back often!

Happy Homeschooling!