Our curriculum for 2011-2012

With another school year beginning in the not so distant future, I thought I would share with all of you what we’re planning to us this school year.  My daughters will be in the 8th and 6th grades.

My 8^th grader will be studying -  

Bible Study: Who Is God? This past school year I reviewed book 1 in the Who Is God series by Apologia. You may read it HERE.
I also have her working on a couple devotionals directed for girls only that I picked up at the local
Christian bookstore.   

Math: Teaching Textbooks. We’re starting out with Pre-Algebra, then moving on to Algebra. I also plan to use Khan Academy for further assistance when needed.       

English: Ace paces by School of Tomorrow

Etymology: Ace paces by School of Tomorrow

Science: Physical Science by Apologia. Chances are we’ll finish with Physical Science early in the year. If that happens then I plan to move her to Apologia Biology.   

History: Story of the World - Book 1

Health: Growing Healthy Homes - Nutrition 101: Choose Life.  This was another book I was chosen to review. You may read about it HERE.

Language Arts: Total Language Plus.  

My 6^th Grader will be studying  

Bible Study:
Who Is God?  You may read my review HERE.

Math:

Teaching Textbooks. I’ll also be using Khan Academy for further assistance when needed.       

English:

Ace paces by School of Tomorrow

Word Builder:

Ace paces by School of Tomorrow

Spelling:

All About Spelling Book 2

Science:

We’ll be finishing up Exploring Creation with Astronomy by Apologia. When the book is completed then we’ll either move to some Ace Science Paces I have or move on into General Science by Apologia. I’ll have to wait and see how things go throughout the year.

History: Story of the World

Health: Growing Healthy Homes - Nutrition 101: Choose Life.  You may read my review HERE. 

Language Arts and Creative Writing:
Ace Paces by School of Tomorrow. I also have a couple Total Language Plus books we may do as well.  
 

And of course we’ll also be working on the many products I’m chosen to review as part of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew.

If you would like to read about what other homeschooler will be studying this year, check out the “Let’s Talk Curriculum” links at Training Children Up for Christ.

TOS Review: Who is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?)

Title: Who Is God? (And Can I Really Know Him?)

Price: $39

Publisher: Apologia

Excerpt from Apologia's website: Who is God and can I really Know Him?, introduces the concept of worldview laying the foundational truths upon which the evangelical Christian worldview is built: God is truth to people; He is the one true and almighty God; He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; He created everything; we are God's children and are made to love and to praise Him; God meets all our needs; sin keeps us from God; and Jesus is the only way to God.

We have used Apologia science books in our homeschool for the past few years and we absolutely love them. So when I was asked to review "Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him?" I was thrilled.  Apologia offers amazing products and this book is no exception.   

Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him is the first book in a four part series - What We Believe: Biblical Worldview of God and Truth, written by Mr. John Hay and Mr. David Webb. It was written directly to the student in a conversational style making it easy to read and understand.  The book is recommended for children ages 6-14. However, I personally feel the textbook would be of greater value to children ages 8/9 and older. I don’t feel the average 6 year old would understand the content.

 Who Is God is jammed packed with creative stories, thought provoking questions, stunning pictures, scripture memorization, fun experiments, yummy recipes, and so much more.  All the stories and pictures are combined with scripture to reinforce the lessons. Most of the scripture is from the New International Version (NIV), however, Apologia recommends you use which ever translation best suits your family.  I personally use the New Living Translation (NLT).

Does God really exist? If God created the world, why isn't it perfect? Who are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit? These questions and a plethora more are part of a continuous debate between biblical truths and worldviews. Without focusing on a particular denomination (religion), I feel Mr. Hay and Mr. Webb have done a superb job in showing us who God truly is, while revealing why so many of the worldviews are false.  

Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him has 252 pages divided into ten lessons.

1. Where Am I Building My Life?

2. How Can I Know What's True?

3. What is God Like? (Part I)

4. What is God Like? (Part II)

5. Who are the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit?

6. If God Created the World, Why Isn't it Perfect?

7. Why Did God Create Me?

8. Will God Meet All My Needs?

9. Why Does Sin Keep Me From Knowing God?

10. Is Jesus the Only Way to God?

Each lesson is then divided into several key elements.

• The Big Idea
• What You Will Do
• Short Story
• Think About It
• Words You Need to Know
• Hide It in Your Heart
• Integrated Learning
• What Should I Do?
• Prayer
• Worldview Study
• House of Truth

A sample schedule is provided, which divides the lessons up over six days, three days per week. The book is designed to be flexible for all families. We personally found it easier not to follow the sample schedule, and simply read and completed the activities until we were ready to move to another subject.

Apologia encourages the student to keep a notebook to help reinforce what they are learning. Numerous notebooking pages are available on the Apologia site. The access code can be found in the text.

Here is a sample ... Check out Lesson One and the Table of Contents to see what you can expect from Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him.

My daughters and I love this textbook and we are looking forward to reading the other three books in the series. Thank you, Apologia for such a wonderful book!

If you like what you've heard about Apologia's Who Is God and would like to purchase it for your family, click HERE.

Be sure to stop by and see what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say.

Disclaimer: I’m an independent contractor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew. I received the first book in the What We Believe series, Who Is God and Can I Really Know Him for free in exchange for my honest review.