Hill Preparatory Academy for Girls


Hill Prep is gearing up for our second year in business. We have made our final selections regarding curriculum and ordered books. We should be ready to start week after next. This year, I felt the need to be much more purposeful and prayerful about the choices we made in curriculum. Not that we made bad or haphazard choices last year. It’s just that now that I have a year of experience under my belt, I felt the need to tweak a little and pray a lot. After much research and much time on my knees, here are our choices for the coming year…

Math: We are sticking with Saxon Math. It worked very well for us last year. MA started the second grade books at the beginning of last year, so we will pick up where we left off. We will supplement with the University of Chicago’s Everyday Math. Saxon seems to teach fundamentals better, while Everyday Math gives more practical application. I really like using them together.

Bible: Our church has written it’s own Sunday School curriculum, and we will use it as our jumping off point. Last year, we studied an overview of the Old Testament, and this year, we will do the New Testament. We will begin the week with the Sunday School lesson, and build on it during the week by adding corresponding readings from the Bible, Bible storybooks, worksheets, and MUCH discussion about how that week’s lesson applies to our lives.

Reading/Literature: Since MA has pretty good reading skills, we will read chapter books, with an emphasis on classic literature. Throughout the year we will read Little House on the Prairie, The Railway Children, Sarah Plain and Tall, and many others. We will continue a read-aloud book which is above her reading level.

Grammar: We are switching to Shurley Grammar this year. It comes highly recommended. I have looked through it and am excited to begin using it. I think we will learn more than our curriculum we used last year.

Memory Work: We will be using poetry selections from Harp and Laurel Wreath, as well as the poetry selections by Andrew Pudewa. We will continue using the Charlotte Mason scripture memory system to memorize longer passages of scripture. We will memorize states and capitals, as well as other useful lists of information.

Writing: We are going to stick with Writing with Ease. Mary Anneliese enjoyed the passages from this series last year, so we will continue with it. We will supplement with a vocabulary word of the day.

Science: I did not use a very strong science curriculum last year, and this year I want to do better. I have chosen Considering God’s Creation, and have heard great things about it. It teaches science from a Creationist viewpoint. Can’t wait to get started. I’m sure I will add in reading materials from the library.

History: We are continuing with Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. I ordered the text and activities books, as we thoroughly enjoyed both of those last year. We learned more about history than I thought a first grader was capable of understanding.

Fine Arts: We are continuing with ballet at Briarwood Ballet. We are also continuing with children’s choir. We will study various forms of art and hold our annual art show in April. The Birmingham Children’s Theater has a full slate of children’s shows, as does the Riley Center in Meridian. We will begin piano lessons this year, as well.

PE/Health: Last year, this was one of our hardest subjects to complete. I believe that children need one hour of exercise everyday, and that can sometimes be hard to get as a homeschool student. We will redouble our efforts this year.

Home/Service/Social: We won’t use a curriculum for this, but rather monitor these activities to be sure we are learning homemaking skills and discipline, social responsibility, and service to others. Mary Anneliese’s coffee business will fall under this category.

There you have it. I think we will stay pretty busy!!

Comments

  1. amyandcarltonwatt says

    WOW!! I must say I am impressed and I think I want to enroll in Hill Prep!! LOL! I have taught both Saxon Math and Shurly English. Loved teaching both of them! Your curriculum sounds great! Your children are so lucky to have you!

  2. We are like two peas in a pod with our curriculum choices. Can't wait to follow along with your progress! I'm giddy with excitement to get started.
    Hugs and blessings,
    edie

  3. Sun-Kissed Savages says

    It sounds like you have a great year planned, and prayed for!

    We are also using Considering God's Creation, along with Christian Liberty Nature Readers. For the older kids I use Handbook of Nature Study.

    Story of the World is on our list, too. We'll be digging into volume 2 next.

    Thanks for sharing!! Have a blessed and productive year!

  4. knit1kids4 says

    some of those I haven't heard of… I'll have to check them out!

  5. You have a great plan! Have a wonderful time with your new school year!

  6. Julie Heriard Culpepper says

    You are such a wonderful and thoughtful mother with an amazing heart for God! I am proud to call you friend! Lan and I would also like to know how much tuition for Hill Prep will cost us?!

  7. Sounds like you have a great year planned. I agree with you having a read aloud going above their reading level is really important. Memorizing passages of scripture is a great way to spend our time and energy.
    I'm interested to learn more about your childs coffee business.
    I found you by way of the curriculum blog hop.
    Blessings

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