I couldn't have ever imagined the ways in which the pandemic would affect our homeschool. There weren't the usual trips to the library, meet up days at the park, field trips to museums, only day in and day out school work.
We ended up changing the curriculum around March when my niece came to stay with us temporarily. Our school days needed a more "parent-free" curriculum. So we decided on Accelerated Christian Education ministries curriculum. They've been around 50 years, speak directly to the student and focus on Christian character development. We continued to use Angela O'Dell's The World's Story for history and added in living books where we could.
As time passed my niece went back home and we continued on with the PACE work. It has definitely made it easier for my high schooler to be an independent learner.
My 6th grader:
Bible:
We were using a Bible study from "Not Consumed" but it was a short study. I'm still on the hunt for a good "Bible" program for him. I haven't really looked into PACEs because I want him to have some variety from them. Right now, he reads a devotional in that time slot.
History:
He is reading through The World's Story, Volume 1. It's from Creation to the Roman Empire. I've only had him doing some of the worksheets, alternating with narrations. He has really enjoyed it.
Geography:
We were doing our own Countries and Cultures study but it ended up being delayed until next year. We made it all the way through Europe though and we will pick up with Asia next year.
Language Arts:
We started using ACE ministries PACES for English/Literature & Creative Writing/Word Building while my niece was here. It kept things simple for my son to stay on top of his own work and surprisingly the Word Building has really improved his spelling. I'm not pleased with the Literature choices and have been giving some thought to changing that portion. The English grammar portion has worked out fantastic as well. We will stick with that for sure.
Math:
We are using ACE PACES for math as well and LOVE it. Its a mastery program and it speaks to the child. My son is learning and retaining and we will likely stick with this all the way to graduation!
Science:
Well, Science gets the job done in PACEs. I can't say that he is really enjoying it or even that he's retaining all the fill in the blanks. He likes it because he can get it done faster but I want it to be richer. I think we will flip back to Sabbath Mood Homeschool Sciences next year.
My 9th grader:
Bible:
We used Heart of Dakota's "Comparative Religions" course in their World Geography bundle. It was AMAZING! My daughter loved it and learned so much about world religions from within a Biblical worldview.
She also read Be Your Own Selfish Pig by Susan Schaffer Macaulay, and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer.
History
Because my daughter so loved Angela O'Dell's America's Story in younger grades we went ahead and beefed up O'Dell's middle school program for Olivia to take "Introduction to Ancient and Medieval Studies" using Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the The World's Story. She has learned a lot through just Angela's books but we also added Primary Sources and a whole slew of living books and biographies.
Geography
As you know our Countries and Cultures study was delayed but my high schooler did continue with her Current Events studies which included mapping. So, we were able to incorporate map work through events and her historical reading.
Math
Math has been a struggle, only because I kept changing curriculum. She has used ACE all year filling in gaps and hopefully this summer will actually start Algebra I. Our goal is for her to be in geometry before her sophomore year is up, we will see.
Science
We used Biology PACES from ACE ministries this year. She took a biology "lab" course at the beginning of the year so that fulfilled the lab component. She also watched the lab videos and filled out the lab sheets as she completed her course work. Biology isn't a favorite of hers. I'm not sure if its because of the subject matter or the course work. In anycase, we are switching back to Sabbath Mood for her next year too.
Electives
Electives have been hit and miss this year.
Health-she read select chapters from ABEKA and also completed Georgia Virtual's course online
Driver's Ed- she's still working on
Computer Literacy- she's also still working on. We found a great site, GCFGlobal, that offers free tutorials and typing lessons. She hasn't been very consistent up to this point but she does like the course work.
