We are starting this year with a BANG! Our summer was quite the busy one with finally getting to move into our new home in the country, traveling to see family, and going to teen camps! Now that we are into our school schedule again, I’m sharing our choices for our 8th grade curriculum choices. I must input here, one of the many things that I have learned through homeschooling is that every child learns differently and every family must choosewhat works best for their children to encourage them to learn. With that said, let’s get started!
Bible
In Bible this year, we are focusing on having a personal Bible study and applying biblical principles and character traits. Teenagers need a good biblical foundation in order to overcome temptation in their lives. With so much confusion and fear given through social media today, our teens need to know that with Christ all can be overcome through His strength and reliance. Kids of Character by Homeschool Giveaways https://homeschoolgiveaways.com is such a great workbook to help or guide a preteen or teen in their daily Bible study.
Each section contains a character trait along with a monthly schedule of verses to read each day, copy work–writing the verse for penmanship practice and memorization, and personal reflection and application of each verse. There is the option of Bible versions from which to choose. We chose the King James Version of the Bible.
Arithmetic and Grammar
Last year we used the Principles of Mathematics Book 1 from Masterbooks. It was such a great study of not just Mathematical concepts but of the origin of math and historical application as well. This year, we decided to continue with the Principles of Mathematics Book 2 https://www.masterbooks.com/principles-of-mathematics-book-2-set for arithmetic. The personal application of math in every day life is a big plus for my son. It helps him to see how math is seen everyday in everything. This helps me as a parent to stop hearing the infamous question of, “How will I ever use this math in real life?” Last year the mathematical focus was on introducing Algebra 1 and Geometry 1. This year the curriculum will continue to introduce concepts needed in both areas to prepare for high school math.
In Grammar, we are continuing to use ABEKA Grammar & Composition https://www.abeka.com/abekaonline/bookdescription.aspx?sbn=308951 . We feel that this Curriculum contains the best grammar and writing skills instruction. One thing that I have added this year is a weekly writing assignment toenhance our son’s writing skills. Below is a summary of writing styles or skills on which we will focus:
- Poetry
- Biography
- Autobiography
- Inference
- Essay
- Research
- Expository
- Persuasive
- Creative
- Responses to Literature
- Technical documents
- Newspaper or online article comparison
- Movie vs book comparison
Although I will be using different add-ins for topic discussion or thematic writing, we will be using the Masterbooks
History and Geography
Our son absolutely loves history! So, this is one subject that gets no resistance in learning! We are continuing with Masterbooks history series. Last year we studied about the fall of Rome through the Middle Ages. This year we are studying about the Explorers to Present Day in the World’s Story 3 book https://www.masterbooks.com/the-worlds-story-series. The book covers not only historical times and people but also time period art and architecture.
In addition to the history curriculum, we have added a geography study as well. We are using Seven Amazing Continents by Thinking Tree https://www.funschooling.com and Oceans and Continents resource pack by Dyertyme https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Dyertyme.
Pictured above is also the Rand McNally Classroom Atlas. We find this to be a helpful resource. This can be found in most bookstores.
Science
In science this year, we are continuing to use the science books from Masterbooks curriculum https://www.masterbooks.com/wonders-of-creation-9-book-set .
Last year we completed the Astronomy book and Weather book. This year we will be completing one science book per quarter. We have started with the Minerals book. Second Quarter we will study Geology, third quarter Archeology, and fourth quarter the Ocean.
To compliment our study in each book, we have purchased the coordinating workbooks from Daily Skill Building https://dailyskillbuilding.com . These workbooks well so well with each chapter of the books! They are more like note booking or journaling pages that completely cover all parts of the chapters. Masterbooks provides a question and quiz booklet, but we have found that these workbooks are more fun and engaging and work for us. I usually give a test at the end of each book as a review of what has been learned. We also add in additional learning resources such as books, stem projects, or science projects and experiments throughout the year.
Literature
Last year I decided to have my son read a classic novel per quarter and do a coordinating book study with each. I made a list of approved books from which he could choose his books this year. He chose the following books:
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
- Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
The following study guides we are using with each book was purchased from https://www.christianbook.com . **Please note, I do not receive any monies from providing links to each item we have purchased at this time. I just want to share where each item can be purchased in case you are interested.**
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Study Guide from Progeny Press
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Study Guide from Progeny Press
- The Wind in the Willows Study Guide from Memoria Press
- Treasure Island Study Guide from Memoria Press
Some additional books that our son will be reading this year will be written as book reports and one of the biographies will be used as one of his resources for his research paper project due at the end of the year. Here are those book titles:
- Jacob Deshazer: Forgive your Enemies by Janet and Geoff Benge
- Douglas Macarthur: What Greater Honor by Janet and Geoff Benge
- Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s WWII Invasion by Samantha Seiple
- The Boy Who Dared (A novel based on the true story of a Hitler youth.) by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Additional Studies: Spanish and Typing
In Spanish class this year, we are in La Class Divertida book 2 by Dale and Robin Gamache https://www.funclase.com . This curriculum is great for families of one child to many! It contains materials for two students and can be copied for individual families if need be for additional children in that family. We actually purchased this Curriculum set a couple of years ago with the intention of finishing book two and moving on to book three this year, but when we sold our home and put our items in storage, I accidentally packed the DVD teaching lessons and had no idea where in storage they were at! Goodness gracious! That was muy Malo! So this year, we are doing book 2. Last year we did a review of book 1 which turned out to be a needed thing!
Book 2 lessons focus on more of the speaking of Spanish. It is a great refresher course for me and a great learning course for my son. It is very interesting! Not only does it contain the how to’s for speaking Spanish, book 2 focuses on the country of Spain and its food, geography, history, and customs. Book 1’s focus was on Mexico.
We are hitting typing skills hard this year in preparation for high school next year! We are reviewing the basics and hand placement using the typing curriculum from https://www.goodandbeautiful.com . I also registered my son in two online courses, Keyboarding and Computer, through Florida’s online https://www.flvs.net . Those should be starting soon.
Some additional studies that we will be covering this year are Composers and Artists. With these studies, we will focus on the composers and artists themselves with short biographies and some of their works of art and music. Of course, we feel it important for a child to be well balanced, so our son is involved in our church instrumental group, takes piano lessons, and is continuing his martial arts and golf lessons. These activities are also counting as Physical education since he does them everyday.
I hope that this list of our curriculum this year is helpful to you as you continue to make decisions in your own child’s education. Remember, each family must choose the curriculum and education that best suits their child or children’s needs.
Have a blessed day!
Stacy
