Jumping on the planning bandwagon

We just attended our state curriculum fair this past weekend.  It's basically just a vendor fair - no workshops, etc. I love, love, love exhibit halls!  Love. Makes me all giddy to be around all that wonderful material.  Oh, my!  The sights...the feel of the books...the prices (yikes!)...the resources that are out there!!!!  Since the planning and set up is one of our favorite things to do, Monique, from http://theraymarkablelibbys.blogspot.com/, and myself are going to go into business helping troubled homeschoolers out there set up their school rooms and pick the curriculum to use...all while we stick our kids in public school!  The money will be flying in hand over fist, I tell ya.  Kidding!  Actually, our goal is to come up with some type of product or become an inspirational speaker and go onto the HS conference speaking circuit.  You gotta have a dream, people!

So, onto next year.  This is my plan, so far.  My decisions regarding curriculum tend to be fluid, so don't take what I put here as gospel.  :)

Phonics/Reading:  Institute for Excellence in Writing, Primary Arts of Language: Reading program, http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/pal-rc .  I plan to supplement with Abeka and other readers and theme based materials.

Handwriting:  A Reason for Handwriting, Level A.  http://www.areasonfor.com/article.php?id=19  We used Level K (Kindergarten) this year and enjoyed it.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Spelling:  A Reason for Spelling, Level A.  http://www.areasonfor.com/article.php?id=18  The weekly stories, spelling words, etc. all correspond to the scripture that we'll be doing in handwriting.  I like that link together.   (Note:  The only program I didn't buy from them was their reading and that was only because it teaches using a whole language approach and I don't think we have a good phonics base to go with that.  I loved the reading books though.  All bible story based.  Too expensive to just buy to have.)

Math:  Right Start Math, http://www.alabacus.com/pageView.cfm?pageID=285.  We use Singapore Early Bird this year and love it.  I didn't like the Plain Jane look of their 1st grade level, so I was planning on doing Math in Focus next year (Saxon's version of Singapore), but changed my mind after going to a conference in South Carolina.  I still love M in F (it's very colorful and looks fun), but it's is pricey!  It would have run us around $110 for the first semester. I went to a vendor workshop for Right Start Math in SC and had hubby go hear the dog and pony show this past weekend (it was the same woman presenting here too) and we're convinced it's a good fit.  It's very hands on (it's a Montessori approach) and teaches math by "grouping" numbers (like it's taught in Asia) rather than one to one counting.  

Science:  A Reason for Science, http://www.areasonfor.com/article.php?id=16 .  We'll focus on Life, Earth and Physical Sciences broken down into 36 weekly lessons and experiments. This year was self-directed and theme based information and experiments.  Yes, this company is getting the majority of our money next year.  Ha!

Geography:  I'm not sure what we are doing yet.  We did brief overview of world geography this year and she loved it.  I'm debating continuing it next year, but adding more detail and some different countries or switching to US Geography. 

Art/Music/PE, etc:  These will all be integrated throughout the other subjects.  We may do some things with specific composers or artists. 

Unit Studies:  I know these are supposed to stand alone, but I may incorporate them into other things along the way. 

Hmm, did I miss anything for first grade or am I being too ambitious?  lol