About

Background:

I am a brainstormer and a big-picture sort of person.  When we made the decision to homeschool, I asked, “What do we want our kids to look like when they are ready to leave home?”

  • We want them to be kind, compassionate, loving and generous
  • We want them to think deeply and ask good questions
  • We want them to understand their community and the world well
  • We want them to be prepared to lead and serve with integrity

As I researched curricula, I had a clear concept in mind of what I sought, but I wasn’t finding it.  So I set out to develop it.  What you see here is the ever-evolving result of this years-long process.

What’s in it?

  • An emphasis on building a family vocabulary of “character words” – to facilitate meaningful conversations about choices
  • Frequent opportunities to engage even very young children in age-appropriate conversations about challenging social topics
  • Biblical wisdom, particularly from the Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus
  • Geographical and cultural awareness, as annually you take a virtual trip through all the world’s countries
  • A bibliography of artistically and linguistically rich picture books
  • An anthology of quality music in a wide variety of styles, including global music and many traditional hymns
  • Familiarization with important historical events and routes
  • A complementary Kindergarten curriculum, based on the Genesis account of the Creation story, that encourages exploration

How does it work?

This curriculum is designed as an open framework or “scaffolding.”  The depth and detail emerge as you encourage yourself and your children/students to ask questions and search together for the answers.  Each day of the 144-day course, you are given a character vocabulary word, a picture book and a bit of related Scripture to read, at least one short video to watch together and discuss, a country or countries to visit, and possibly a historical reference.

Our family follows a 36-week course of 4 lessons per week and repeats the course every year.  Much like a trip through the liturgical year, this lends a sense of rhythm and familiar expectation to our school year.  And yet, every time, it seems new, as new questions are asked, new ideas are explored, new resources are utilized, and new aspects are emphasized.

What are the limitations?

The “Core Curriculum” you find here is by no means a comprehensive or complete curriculum.  It is designed to be a supplementary, discussion-based door into the humanities.  Geography, religion, culture, anthropology, psychology, music, art, poetry, human relations, history, and life sciences are introduced but it is up to you to flesh these out.  The intent is to generate a great deal of interest in a wide variety of subject areas, suggest topics for further study, and nurture an environment for meaningful conversation.  For more specific suggestions on possible ways to use it, see The How.

What else is available on this site?

Aside from the core curriculum, you will also find some class curriculum, primarily for classes I have taught at the Wenatchee Christian Homeschool Co-op.  I am a flight instructor and was an airline pilot before I started homeschooling, so there are a good number of aviation-related classes for children.

The weekly geography class that I teach at the co-op is based on our core curriculum but is not directly correlated – that is, it contains much of the same information but not in the same order.  Most of the family books are available read aloud on YouTube; I have attached links for some.  Its playlists are correlated to the day listed on the lower right hand corner of each lesson sheet.  If you are looking primarily for a weekly geography and social studies class with related challenge questions, then this may meet your needs.

The Resource Room, also found in the top tab menu, contains resources that we use regularly in our home school.  If you are looking for the blank Country Fact Sheet for the geography class, you will find it there.

Enjoy the journey!

-Rachel