Welcome to the second week of the 2015 Virtual Curriculum Fair hosted by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts and Minds and Laura @ Day By Day In Our World This week the topic is Discovering Patterns: Mathematics, Logic, and Science. These are some of the favorite subjects in our house, but also it seems that they can be difficult topics to find the right curriculum fit.
Math has always been a no brainier for us as Amber has used Saxon math since her very first years in parochial school and we continue to use it at home. I know it's not for everyone, but Amber has a mathematically wired brain and she does exceptionally well with Saxon. This 7th grade year she is in Algebra 1 and earning high school credit for it too. However, we are a little off a standard school year schedule with math because Amber's dysautonomia causes severe brain fog and exhaustion some days.
At her current level if we did a book a year she would finish Saxon calculus at the end of 10th grade (maybe 11th grade if we spend 2 years on Advanced Math as recommended by Art Reed). This means we still have at least a whole extra year and can spend slightly more than one school year per Saxon book. We are using the 3rd edition of Saxon math which still has integrated analytical geometry in Algebra 2 and Advanced Math, unlike the newer 4th edition which requires the inclusion of a separate Geometry book. Using the 3rd edition also helps us find the breathing room Amber needs.
Math has always been a no brainier for us as Amber has used Saxon math since her very first years in parochial school and we continue to use it at home. I know it's not for everyone, but Amber has a mathematically wired brain and she does exceptionally well with Saxon. This 7th grade year she is in Algebra 1 and earning high school credit for it too. However, we are a little off a standard school year schedule with math because Amber's dysautonomia causes severe brain fog and exhaustion some days.
At her current level if we did a book a year she would finish Saxon calculus at the end of 10th grade (maybe 11th grade if we spend 2 years on Advanced Math as recommended by Art Reed). This means we still have at least a whole extra year and can spend slightly more than one school year per Saxon book. We are using the 3rd edition of Saxon math which still has integrated analytical geometry in Algebra 2 and Advanced Math, unlike the newer 4th edition which requires the inclusion of a separate Geometry book. Using the 3rd edition also helps us find the breathing room Amber needs.
Lately, science has been a struggle for Amber, which is unexpected for this science minded family. Amber could not trudge through our previous curriculum even though it was covering her favorite science topics and she previously did well with curriculum by the same author. The style simply no longer suited Amber's physical abilities or learning style. There was too much reading and writing with too little hands on work to compensate.
| Bed School Math, Working on her Weather Log, and reading her weather book. Our new Science curriculum. |
We were scheduled to have finished the current science topic by October so we could move on to the Chemistry book in the same series and then start Physics by August of 8th grade. That didn't happen by a long shot. In late October we did a curriculum search and selected Real Science 4 Kids Focus on Middle School: Astronomy and Geology sets. Then for good measure I bought the Apologia Physical Science that we decided to use next year, just in case we prefer to start early.
We then spent the remainder of first semester on a mom-planned weather unit, complete with field trip to a NWS office, since Amber is currently interested in becoming a meteorologist. It was a good way to decompress and get Amber interested in science as a school subject again. I knew something was terribly wrong when she dreaded science and the topic was astronomy! It goes to show how having a curriculum meet your child's specific learning style is so important. Unfortunately for me my child's learning style is changing as her condition progresses.
In previous years we've successfully used a logic curriculum from The Critical Thinking Company called Building Thinking Skills and we do somewhat miss it. I did purchase the next level, Critical Thinking, and intended for Amber to start it last January. We never got past the first lesson. There is just no time in Amber's schedule for sleep, doctors, food, absolutely necessary subjects, flute, 1/2 day of co-op enrichment classes, and formal logic. I've still got the logic books and we'll pull them out when the time feels right. For now our logic consists of the chess strategy class Amber took at co-op last semester, logic games, and the occasional brain teaser. This past week while still on a school break Amber has been working her way through the Professor Layton 3DS games and she loves it. It's a relaxing way to keep her brain active and engaged without the stress or formality of book work.
This is how math, science and logic work in our school this 7th grade year. We are always adjusting and changing to meet the needs and current learning style of our girl. If you are interested in a more detailed explanation you can view my 7th Grade Curricula page.
| Logic Games |
Come back next week to see how we have completely reworked our history lessons this year to still be literature based, but include more project and media learning.
Other Weeks from the 2015 Curriculum Fair
Please check out how the other members of the 2015 Virtual Curriculum Fair are Discovering Patterns with their children.
- Learning about Patterns in Our World Through Math and Science by Laura @ Day by Day in Our World
- Relaxed Homeschooling: Mathematics in the Early Elementary Years by Brittney @ Mom's Heart
- Using a Bible-Based Math Curriculum by Tauna M @ Proverbial Homemaker
- Math, Science and Logic for 2015 by Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses
- Playing with Numbers by Sarah @ Delivering Grace
- Unschooling Science by Kristen H. @ Sunrise to Sunset
- Logically Speaking: Math, Science, and Logic for 7th Grade by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
- Numbers and Molecules! by Michele @ Family, Faith and Fridays
- Math and Science in Our Homeschool by Jennifer @ A Glimpse of Our Life
- 5 Math & Logic Resources We Love by Becky @ Milo & Oats
- Giving Your Kids The Right Start With Math by Amy @ One Blessed Mamma
- Math in Our Classical / Charlotte Mason Homeschool by Sharra @ The Homeschool Marm
- Classical STEM by Lisa @ Golden Grasses
- Math, Science and Logic - How do we Tackle Them? by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory
- The Physics of Delight-Directed Learning by Susan @ The Every Day of Education
- Tackling High School Science by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter
- Choosing Math Curriculum for Special Learners by Heather @ Only Passionate Curiosity
- Math for all ages by Denise @ Fullnest
- Middle School Monday - Math With Fred by Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break
- Learning With Math and Science Resources by Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road
If you'd like to join the fair this week, use the linky below.
http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=483987
Some graphics created using elements from StoryRock
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