Studies for 2009-2010~ The Littles

We're continuing to enjoy Ambleside Online for our main curriculum. 

Together, Whistler, 3rd grade,  and Reaches Up, 2nd grade, are in Year 2 of AO (which doesn't correspond to grade levels.)  They're studying the Middle Ages with a great selection of living books and will start making a timeline this year.   The rest of their curriculum is as follows:

Bible:  Daily Quiet Time reading from Old/New Testaments alternately, Scripture Memorization, Catechism

Math: Math Mammoth, Calculadder Math Drills, Pattern Blocks, Wrap-Ups

Science:  Considering God's Creation, Science Experiments from My Big Science Book

Grammar:  English for the Thoughtful Child

Handwriting:  Italic, Daily Copywork

Physical Ed:  Run 1 mile 3x a week; regular outside play

Poetry:  Walter De la Mare (for this first term)

Geography:  Beginning Geography:  How to Use a Map; Land Forms and Bodies of Water

Music:  Whistler (piano)  Reaches Up (Recorder)

Discipleship:  Plants Grown Up and Polished Cornerstones

Handiwork:  Whistler (crocheting)  Reaches Up (models with his brothers)

Nature Study:  Nature Study Readers, exploring outside, nature journals

Art:  Teaching Art to Children and various projects from art websites

Spelling:  Sequential Spelling

Since Whistler and Reaches Up are only 18 months apart, I can keep them together in many of their studies while just customizing the individual subjects to their own levels.

They both give daily narrations each day from our history readings as well.  Charlotte Mason encouraged short lessons at this age, and I find that to be a wonderfully effective method for retention as well as for developing a love for learning.

Boo was excited to start lessons this year, too (very informally and moreso because she loves to do things that her siblings are doing....she's always asking for an "activity.")

Bible:  ABC Bible Memory Book, Beginner's Bible, Catechism

I really like the Kumon workbooks, and she's working through those learning tracing, cutting, pasting, writing, and counting skills.  She and Little Bit still watch the Signing Time DVDs.  Of course, we do plenty of reading aloud, and all the Littles still enjoy plenty of play time.