Actually “Wrapping Up” our Homeschool into a Post is next to an impossible task for me! Learning is happening around the clock, in the nooks and crannies of our Home, our Road Trips and Travel, the Conversations in the car, around the table, curled up on her bedroom floor- The art and writing and read alouds that fill the Seasons— the deep dives down rabbit holes that peak our interest and fill our souls… Its such a wonder to me that we are here, in our 6th year of this Journey—- Its been a ride!

I will get more in depth in future posts about my WHY, well, why we are still choosing this path, or how the year looked for us in other ways (like the 2 older kiddos moving out this year!!! What a crazy change!)

But for my record sanity sake, I will share here some of the curriculum we used, the books we loved, and the extras we discovered!

Let’s kick off with MATH. Oof. This one hit us this year. Pre-Algebra.

I was fully determined to make Math a big focus, as its Teagan’s most dreaded and challenging subject. Where she can completely SOAR in all other learning, Math frustrates her to no end! We started out the year using Saxon (as she wanted a textbook style- Isn’t big on using the computer much for lessons)… Made it to Christmas in TEARS and GRUNTS until I said “enough with all that!” and started the search for yet again, another program… I found Teaching Textbooks and by golly, Math just shifted for her! Now we not only get through the Lessons, we have a bit of fun through the process, can understand so much better by watching the videos and breaking down the notes, and Math is, for the most part, clicking…. We are still working through the last bit of Pre-Algebra, but I know moving forward, this online format will be working best for her!

English… Well, as you probably know, this is her JAM! She worked through Oak Meadow Grade 8 with flying colors… We modified some of the required reading, and a few assignments per usual, but she enjoyed it and can’t wait to get started on the 9th Grade Writers Craft Classes this next year! Birdy also took up Journalism on her own, explored more Shakespeare and Poetry, wrote a 60 page manual on OCD, created a few books we hope to Bind into Hardback, and creatively writes every day. I will share her favorite READS at the end ;)

Civics and Science was also done through Oak Meadow… She learned more on Debate, Critical Thinking, Community, Fact VS Opinion, Stewardship and Volunteering… She worked through the principles of physical science including Force, Energy, Sound, Light, and Color… She still continues to research in free time the Sciences that spark BIG interest such as our Universe, Astronomy, Astrology, Climate and Elements. Her favorite resources include NASA’s Websites ( especially the news articles) documentaries, and her DK/Lonely Planet Library right here at Home. We also completed a Course on Nature Journaling//Wildlife through Wild and Free, and have continued filling our Nature Journals with beautiful studies of plants and animals.

Teagan has also continued learning Spanish this year, dabbling in Latin and Japanese as well… She has been using Duo-Lingo, however the deeper she dives we may be moving over to Rosetta Stone… I have heard wonderful things about the program, and it goes a bit more in depth for high school learners! She continues playing the Piano when the mood strikes her, using the many sheets of music here, and completing lessons through Hoffman Academy (an online program)…

Art is still a focus for our Family, and this year we started an Art Journal! We have also discovered yet another fantastic Homeschool Curriculum, which is very hands on and filled with inspiration and intrigue- Harbor & Sprout. This Summer we started with Visual Arts, and have studied Art History, different genres and styles, and famous artists around the world…. (So that Art journal is really filling up!) We have played with more and more mediums including paints, charcoals, pastel, decoupage and paper mache- as well as fiber arts like plant dye, embroidery, weaving, and sewing… She also loves working in digital media, editing her videos and creating short films. She had an opportunity to join a Film Class at our local Library which was even featured on the local News Stations!

Birdy really put herself out there this past Winter, and joined a Local Homeschool Sports Association, going out for Track! It has been a crazy cool experience for her- She started running in the previous Autumn to prepare herself, as it was something she really wanted to try…. Who knew that we would show up to practice Day 1 and be greeted by 120 kids and families! The practices were brutal at first for her, but quickly became something she looked forward to each Tuesday and Thursday night…. She ended up being placed in the mile Run, and at the end of Season was encouraged by coaches and fellow Team Mates to go out for Cross Country in the Summer! The Wildcats has been awesome, giving her more confidence, and a deep love of Running… Lacing up those sneakers and setting her fit bit for a Run has allowed her brain to have a break, released endorphins you only channel through exercise, and truly helped with her OCD… Its been so great!

Book List Favorites for this Year

Poetry

Mary Oliver, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickensen, Shel Silverstein

(To name a few!)

Books

‘Under Wildwood’ Collin Meloy (Book 2 of the Trilogy!), ‘The Giver’ Lois Lowry, ‘The Alchemist’ Paulo Coelho, ‘The Magnolia Sword’ Sherry Thomas, ‘Life of Pi’ Yann Martel, ‘Prince Caspian’ C.S. Lewis, ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’ JK Rowling, ‘A wrinkle in Time’ Madeleine L’Engle, ‘In the Shadow of Man’ Jane Goodall, ‘The Last Cuentista’ Donna Barba Higuera, ‘Echo’ Pam Munoz Ryan, ‘Walking’ Henry David Thoreau, ‘Huck Finn’ Mark Twain, and some fun reads like “Series of Unfortunate Events’ Lemony Snicket and “Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow’ Jessica Townsend

Of course, there were many many others, but these are her tops…. <3

The year was full, 8th Grade was beautiful….. Marching into High School feeling prepared and excited! Ill mention more on the ‘Home Aspect’ Learning in a later post ;)

Till next time- xoxo

Birdy Homeschool wrap up.... 8th Grade

Poetry

Books