Mary's Homeschool Plan

Mary at 10 years old is convinced that she was born in the wrong century. She would rather live in a time of long skirts, pressing flowers and sewing than anything.

These are her subjects that I have assigned:

Math - Saxon Math 65. This is Mary's weakest subject. One day this week it took her four hours to complete one lesson. Because it is hard? No, because she likes to dream and doesn't like math at all. She is also required to go through her flash cards three times per week.

Science - Exploring Creation with Botany by Jeannie Fulbright. Mary loves these science books and actually started this on during the summer on her own. She works through this at her own pace because I know she enjoys it so much that she won't be slack with it. Our weakness here is the experiments. I have never done well with science experiments and need to change that.

History - War Between the States: America's Uncivil War by John Dwyer. We are approaching this one with caution. This is a high school text book that Ray came across and Mary wanted to try. He is discussing a lot of it with her and she has a lot of vocabulary word to learn from it. She is taking it very slowly and seems to be doing very well with it.

Grammar - We just got the Easy Grammar workbook set so she is planning to start it tomorrow. We have enjoyed these so much because they work well for kids to do pretty much on their own.

Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting E. Just more practice in cursive.

Spelling - Spelling Power F. Remember, I'm not worrying about spelling rules.

Spanish - is working with our friend Natalie.

Reading - This is a no-brainer - whatever she can get her hands on. She loves to read! I am going through the Veritas Press reading lists to make sure she is reading enough of the classics.

Piano - Mary is taking piano lessons at Funderful World of Music in Gainesville and is required to practice every day. (But this is not a chore for her.)

Violin - Lessons with Ms. Natalie start back tomorrow.

Exercise - This is the first year I have put exercise on her list of requirements, because Mary isn't a natural go-getter. She would much rather work her brain than work her physical muscles. She is supposed to get outside and move hard for at least 20 minutes a week. That doesn't sound like much, but knowing Mary it is hard for her to do.