Evan's 9th Grade Curriculum
Finishing up the last of Evan's schoolwork for 8th grade has us looking towards next year. We got a bit of a jump start on high school this year covering some Algebra, Writing, and Psychology already and in sitting down to map out his year and picking curriculum it looks like we'll be having a lot of fun with high school.
I try to shoot for 7 credits a year and this is what his 9th grade year is looking like:
Math: No- Nonsense Algebra-- we'll be swapping between the textbook and the supplemental workbook for added practice and retention. We'll also begin work each day by reviewing important pre-algebra concepts using Math Skills 1 credit
English/Language Arts: We'll be combining reading (he's working his way through the Lord of the Ring series including the Hobbit and all the graphic novels he's found to go along with them too!) with Vocabulary, Grammar, and WriteShop-- 2 credits.
American History: We will be using the two books from 8th grade that we forgot about and adding in movies and reading material from the library. US History: People & Events 1865- Present and Understanding the U. S. Constitution 1 credit
Science: Evan wanted to study either Earth or Environmental science and we found this Homework Helpers series on Earth Science that we plan to use and supplement with "real" books from the library and movies to go with each chapter that I'll pick out. 1 credit
Foreign Language: I talked him into learning French and I already have this French Grammar book and Easy French Step- by- Step we'll combine the books with Duolingo in whatever way ends up working best for Evan. 1 credit
Psychology: Since Evan's latest career plan is to become a psychologist we're picking one are of psychology to focus on each year of high school. He really wants to study Abnormal Psychology and I had such a hard time finding a book that I thought might be a good fit since they are all for college students... we finally settled on this one and I'm keeping my fingers crossed it works! I figure I can always supplement chapters with movies, other books/stories, etc. if needed. 1 credit
Photography: Evan decided to use photography as an art credit so as well as making sure he's taking lots of pictures each week we'll also be using this Digital Photography Complete Course to learn some photography basics as we go. 1 credit
Phys. Ed: I give my boys a 1/2 credit for phys. ed every year since we do so much hiking and nature walking and bike riding, etc.
Home Economics: Since all my boys help clean the house each week and rotate chores like dishes, cooking, shopping, & planning I give them 1/2 credit each year for these life skills as well.
If you add all that up Evan actually has 9 credits. I've learned to plan a bit extra so if we get caught up in one subject and neglect another we still meet our end credit goal and if not then he's all set up to graduate high school early.
Linking up with:
Very interesting to read this- thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteLooks like a great line up. We really like the No-Nonsense Algebra here too!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great program; I've used it with all three of my boys.
DeleteSounds awesome! I love that Evan wants to study abnormal psychology, but can totally understand it's hard to find a book that's suited to a high school student.
ReplyDeleteHe's pretty sure he wants to do something in the field of Psychology so we're going to pick one area each year for focusing on. I'm really excited!! Though he has made me promise to skip over anything having to do with sex/ Freud; and I'm totally fine with that.
DeleteVery impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It loos like it's going to be a fun year and I'm kind of excited to just have one student to focus on.
DeleteWhat a great curriculum! Enjoy reading LOTR!
ReplyDeleteThanks! He's loving it so far and has nearly completed the first book in the series.
DeleteGood luck with the algebra, I really struggled with helping my youngest with it when she was home learning during Covid. The LOTR books are fantastic and the psychology sounds so interesting.
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE Algebra (yeah, I know I'm weird like that). Luckily all three of my boys are pretty good at math and can easily spot patterns.
DeleteI love that he gets a say at what he will be studying too. And the life skills....that's how school should be!!
ReplyDeleteOXOX
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Absolutely! I always asked my boys what they wanted to learn about as a motivated learner is a lot more fun to work with.
DeleteI have heard so many good things about No-Nonsense Algebra. I love that you are incorporating psychology into his high school years! Such a great idea. I enjoyed seeing what he's going to be using as my daughter will be in 9th grade next year.
ReplyDeleteWe really like No-nonsense algebra a lot.
DeleteI am impressed as always, Joanne! My daughter-in-law is a school psychologist and my son has a BS in psychology as well as a MS in guidance counseling. I always thought guidance counseling might have been my missed calling!
ReplyDeleteMy BS in in psychology too so I am really excited to dive into all this with him!
DeleteHe will be busy, that looks like a fantastic curriculum! Exciting year!
ReplyDelete-Soma
I'm very excited for it; and I hope he likes it all once we get going too.
DeleteI love the list! Here is to a great 9th grade year.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Dawn
I am always so impressed with all you do in your homeschool curriculum. Do you have state guidelines that you follow or how do you know what to teach when? In Texas we have the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) for each grade. Teachers have to teach those essentials. A lot complain about having to teach to the 'TEKS' but I like having a guideline.
ReplyDeleteI know there will be lots of hands-on activities and hikes and nature experiences accompanying the book work. You are one great teacher!!
We do not have state guidelines that apply to homeschoolers since we fall under the category of "private school." I do base our credits on what the state guidelines are for public school graduation since I figure that translates to what colleges are looking for. Mostly I pick what I teach when based on skill level and interest and don't worry overly much about what skills are taught when.
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