First Impressions of the New School Year: 2023-2024
Introduction
Hey there, lovely readers! Welcome back to Making Everyday Magic. For those of you who are new here, I’m Shanna, and we’re a homeschooling family in our seventh year of this amazing journey. Today, I’m excited to share my first impressions of the 2023-2024 school year with you. So, let’s dive right in!
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to sign up for our newsletter. You can also connect with me in the comments below or over on Instagram at @makingeverydaymagic.
Homeschooling Journey
Before I get into the nitty-gritty, I just want to take a moment to express how much I truly love homeschooling. It’s been seven years, and I’ve never once regretted our decision. Sure, we’ve had our moments of doubt and little panics, but in the grand scheme of things, homeschooling has been an incredible choice for our family.
If you’re new to homeschooling and feeling a bit overwhelmed, I want to encourage you to hang in there. You’ll get through the tough moments and find your groove. Trust me, it’s so worth it!
Homeschooling Overview
Let me give you a quick overview of our homeschool setup. We have a sixth-grader and a second-grader, and this year, we’ve made some changes to our curriculum. Overall, I’m thrilled with how it’s going.
Curriculum Choices
Link To Our Favorites Page With What We Are Using This Year
Mom And Me Mondays
Our Mom And Me Mondays have been running incredibly smoothly. Many of our activities this year are video-based, which makes Mondays a breeze. We’re currently enjoying Crash Course Mythology, which has been quite an adventure. Some topics get pretty weird, but we’re managing just fine. Plus, it covers a lot of ground, including origin stories, which dovetail nicely with our Big History Project.
Speaking of which, I absolutely love the Big History Project on Khan Academy. It aligns perfectly with our goals and is super convenient. Everything is right there, and we’re loving the timelines. Linked HERE
US Map Study
Our US map study is going well. It’s more about reading fun facts about each state, which keeps it light and informative. We’re not drilling state capitals, but the kids are getting valuable information.
Spanish with The Cultured Kid
We’re doing Spanish as a family through The Cultured Kid, and I’m loving it. I’ll share more about it in a dedicated update soon, but it’s been a fantastic addition to our curriculum.
Math & Language Arts
In sixth grade, we’re diving into pre-algebra, and the mastery-based approach has its merits. Our Math curriculum has some differences from what’s taught in public schools, but I’m confident it’s the right path for us.
We’re also using Michael Clay Thompson’s Essay Voyage, which is proving to be meatier than anticipated. We’re taking it slow and focusing on understanding the material thoroughly. Likewise, Caesar’s English is a hit, and my daughter enjoys the flashcards, fostering a bit of friendly competition.
For our second-grader, math is currently exploring multiplication, and we’re supplementing it with Times Tales. All About Reading Level 4 is going exceptionally well, and she’s making great strides in her reading journey.
Science Adventures
As for science, we’re embarking on quite the adventure this year. We’ve introduced the Discover Science curriculum, but I’ve modified how we approach it. Rather than following the curriculum to the letter, we’re picking and choosing activities and experiments that resonate with us. This modification has made science more enjoyable for everyone.
On top of that, we’re still watching Mystery Science for fun, adding another layer of science exploration to our homeschooling journey.
Critical Thinking & Geography
Both kids are engaging in critical thinking exercises through the Gritty Kids program. It’s been impressive, and I’ll dive deeper into it in a dedicated video soon.
Our geography studies continue with the Evan-Moor Geography resources, which have been consistently delightful.
Cursive Writing & Typing
This year, our second-grader is venturing into cursive writing with the Zaner-Bloser program. We skipped the manuscript portion since she was eager to jump into cursive. She’s also progressing well with typing using Typing Instructor Gold for Kids.
The Vocal Gym & More
We’ve recently discovered The Vocal Gym, which is a fantastic addition to our homeschooling routine. I’ll provide more details in an upcoming video.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap on my first impressions of the new school year. It’s been an exciting start, and I’m looking forward to sharing more updates as the year unfolds. If you have any questions or specific topics you’d like me to cover, feel free to let me know in the comments.
Thanks for joining me on this homeschooling journey, and remember, you’ve got this! Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll delve into the emotional side of our homeschooling adventure this year.
Until next time, take care, and keep making everyday magic in your homeschool!
