School planning

I have been in the organizing and scheduling mode this week, and I am really trying to take advantage of that. I am working on scheduling our homeschool for the coming school year, as well as working on my household binder, which I had started working on a few months ago.

I thought I would share what I have accomplished so far and update as I go.

First, our curriculum for Zach's Grade 1  school year:

Bible:
We will be continuing our breakfast time Bible reading from the One Year Bible for Children, as well as our devotion time before bed from The Big Book of Questions and Answers.
I also want to implement more Bible memory but I have not decided on how yet.

Math:
We are switching to Singapore Math Primary Mathematics workbook and textbook. I have been doing a lot of research on teaching math, since Zach is not into math at all. The results of my research has led me to understand that he is a visual leaner with no perceivable dominance between his right and left brain. (I am working on writing a post on the whole subject in the coming weeks). Singapore math apparently works well for visual and right brain learners, as it emphasizes the why of math and the whole picture, as opposed to the steps and rote memorization.
I will keep the Horizon under my elbow still, for possible reinforcement.

Language Arts:
We will be continuing with First Language Lessons and BJU Readers 2 with narration.

Spelling:
We will continue with Building Spelling Skills 1

Hanwriting:
I will give BJU handwritting 2 a rest for now, since Zach does not like writing at all, and really resists it (which is a right brain feature as well). I am still hoping to do some sort of handwriting, but I am not sure what yet.

Language:
I am planning on continuing with our day to day French ( as I am a French speaker) and  to start Prima Latina in January.

History:
I am really hoping to go through History for Little Pilgrims which I was planning on reading last year, but did not do. (I am planning on doing TOG around Grade 2 or 3, when Joho will be old enough to follow along.)

Geography :
We will be reading library books and Atlases for which I am going to make a list of.

Science:
We will be reading books, watch videos and do experiments for which I am going to be making a list and a schedule as well (i am working on that one). A definite book we are going to use from the library is Science Play.

Art:
I am still trying to figure that one out, although I am leaning toward getting books from the library, and do art projects. One definite one is Kids's crazy Art Concoctions.

Another thing I decided on for this year is our schooling rythm. I am going to break the shcool year into 8-10 weeks chunks, with a 1 week off in between each trunks, 3-4 weeks at Christmas and 2 weeks at Easter, with June as a catch up month.

For Joho who is officially JK I am planning on keeping it loose. He will be continuing with the BJU readers 1 (which he reads quite well). I need to get him a handwriting curriculum. And for Math, I am planning on him joining in with Zach, as well as for the other readings.  All of this on top of all our other play and games. (Zach isn't into games very much.)
That's all I have for now. I'll save the progress on my binder for another post. Watch out also for my other school planning posts.

Have a great day, Joelle