Curriculum Plans for LionHeart 2017-2018

LionHeart and Ronnie Sidney, author of Nelson Beats the Odds

I can't believe its been almost two years since I did a curriculum share.  It's amazing to look back and see what you said you were going to use and compare it with what you actually used.  That's the beauty of homeschooling, the ability to change gears in mid-stream and do what's best.  This year I am trying something different with LionHeart.  The focus will be more on living books and experiences and less on curriculum, per se.  I have paid close attention to what he loves and incorporated it into our learning. I have also been doing lots of teacher development, first in a 3-day seminar through the Center for African Studies at Howard University focusing on Ethiopia, Mali and Ghana, followed by the Warrior Healer Builder workshop through the AYA Educational Institute.  I feel so full as a mother/teacher and excited to share what I have learned with my children.

Songs of the Baobab Tree

I found this gem at the African Art Museum.  Songs of the Baobab Tree will be the sounds we wake up to in the morning.

Young Living Oils

Everything is important with a Right Brain Learner.  They are sensitive and observant.  I plan to set the morning tone by diffusing Young Living Oils.  GeneYus and Vitiver essential oils top the list. These oils help supports the young mind in attention and focus. I'll also add a tasty essential fatty acid to the mix. Either Omega 3 Creme Delight or Coromega Omega 3.  Then after a healthy breakfast, learning can begin.

Reading Comprehension

I have found that pairing books with audio books helps LionHeart's fluency and comprehension.  He loved Crossover by Kwame Alexander.  The Red Pencil is written in a similar poetry fashion.  My aim is to create my own African-centered version of Sonlight.

Reading Comprehension and Character Development

 

A Treasure Within is a book of short stories in which young people have encounters with ancient African Ancestors to learn traditional morals, values, and culture.  The goal is to develop academic skills and cultivate character development as well as cultural awareness.

 Character Building for African Centered Scholars will also be used as a part of our character development studies.  This guide teaches character building principles from Ma’at, Iwa Pele, Nguzo Saba, the Adinkra Symbols ... I can't wait.  I get so excited because often I am learning too!

Grammar and Writing

We are still using Language Lessons for Today for grammar. I like the literature-based, Charlotte-Mason feel.  LionHeart's Right-Brain learning style tends to do better when learning about pieces as they relate to the whole.  A string of isolated grammar rules will make zero sense outside of a sentence.  We will do more writing this year utilizing a resource I learned about in one of the best books I ever read: The Dyslexic Advantage.  Educators Publishing Service also produces another one of my favorite homeschool resources - Explode the Code.

Science

In addition to our homeschool cooperative classes, LionHeart will do Astronomy at home.  We will look deeply into the Dogon people as a part of our science studies. We'll use Exploring Creation with Astronomy as our spine and have some hands on fun with MEL science.  I will be doing a full review of MEL science later this fall.

History

Crosswords are a fun way to learn history and an easy way for LionHeart to get started in the morning while I am making breakfast.  In fact, Seek and Learn: Journeys in Black Legacy will be the morning meal ticket.

 History is one of my favorite subjects, so we'll use lots of resources.  We will start from the African center and fan our way out.  We'll use the Howard Zinn Project to plot our timeline.  History is so vast that you can't possibly cover everything, but what you do cover should be important to YOU and venerate your history.  Kamali Academy is where you can find 50 Afrikans You Must Know and whatever you do, get a copy of Dr. Runoko Rashidi's book Assata-Garvey and Me: A Global African Journey for Children and follow him on Facebook.  It will change your life!

Since LionHeart is not yet ready for the seminal work The Philosophies and Opinions of Marcus Garvey (ok, I'll be honest, I have not read it yet),  we will start exploring  Marcus Garvey using the Marcus Garvey Activity Book.

World Religions

Children help you stretch and grow.  LionHeart certainly is doing that for me.  He has a keen interest in African spiritual systems and sadly, very sadly, I know very little.  So we will learn and explore together.  Luckily, we have friends who are Muslim, Buddhist, Akan Priests and more.  This month we will visit a Buddhist Temple and observe Buddhist Monks creating Sand Mandalas.  Our world is a beautiful and diverse place filled with amazing people, cultures and traditions to learn about.

 It was difficult to locate children's resources on the Akan spiritual system.  This series pictured above on Buddhism can be purchased through www.tharpa.com.

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things will be a key feature of our homeschool this year.  I learned about the importance of sharing these kinds of stories with our children during a workshop facilitated by the amazing educator team Wekesa and Afiya Madzimoyo, founders of the AYA Educational Institute.  When we start looking for the heroes in our own families and communities, we are less likely to fall into the super hero trap crippling our minds from thinking that individual people cannot affect change. I picked up these books at festivals.  I purchased directly from the authors.  Nelson Beats the Odds is about overcoming Dyslexia and was written by a school therapist who struggled with learning disabilities. Noah's Walk is about a man who decided to walk 1,800 miles to highlight homelessness.  Truly ordinary people, doing extraordinary things.

Math

Right-Brain learners grasp math very differently.  Sometimes they understand complex concepts, but not the simple math facts.  Their creative side leans toward real life mathematics, like money and cooking.  Personification of math concepts also gives "Velcro" to random math facts for Right-Brain learners.  I have found that if the concept or math fact is wrapped up in a good story, he's got it.  Child First Publications produces an assortment of Right-Brain friendly learning materials.  I love the philosophy of the founder who believes, "in every child’s ability to learn," especially when supported in their own unique gifts. 

Entrepreneurship

Like his father, LionHeart is always thinking of ways to make money.  He definitely has the entrepreneurial spirit.  Last spring he and a friend taught a sports class in our homeschool collective.  I admired his confidence and tenacity.  I have always had a side hustle too, but for some reason didn't think of myself as an entrepreneur.  I'm definitely not a salesperson, but when an opportunity to arose to become a Young Living Essential Oils distributor, I took a leap.  I was told all I had to do was share my story about the oils.  They have changed my life.  My goal is to share what I have learned with LionHeart and one of our projects will be to create a signature cologne, using essential oils, that he can sell at our African Marketplace during our homeschool collective.

Percussion Instruments from Around the World

Last, but certainly not least I plan to use something that he absolutely loves to teach research skills, geography, presentation skills and writing.  There is no curriculum to purchase, so this one I am creating on my own, as I go. We'll attend concerts, seek out musicians, find percussion workshops and just have fun with it.  The resource that I will use to kick off my study is the Glossary of World Percussion Instruments. Studying our way through this list will probably take us all year.  Stay tuned for how it all works out.

I am feeling good about this year and though we may not get through all of it, having a plan is the best way to start.

Curriculum Plans for 2014-2015

 
KingMan is officially a high schooler.  It seems like just yesterday I was nursing him in my arms.  Now he is taller, bigger and stronger than I.  Where does the time go?  Amazingly enough, KingMan has never been to school.  When we first started this journey, I had intended to homeschool through middle school and then he would go off to high school.  But in the words of the African American Spiritual, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round."  So much has evolved since I started homeschooling more than 10 years ago.  The sky is the limit for homeschoolers and there is no need to get into a box after living and schooling so many years outside of it.  KingMan will begin the process of studying for his first CLEP exam this year, a process by which he can earn college credits and high school credits at the same time.  The only downside to not attending a brick and mortar high school for KingMan is sports.  He is a gifted athlete and has been playing competitively for years.  His sports of choice are baseball and, his first love, basketball.  But in the words of his Auntie Renee, "If our babies want to go to the moon, then Mama will just have to give NASA a call."  We had a good laugh about that, but it's true.  Homeschooling teaches you to go after your dreams and let nothing stand in your way. We'll find a way to make sports happen!

2014-2015 Plans for KingMan

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning with other homeschoolers has been a central part of our learning and it's a part of our culture.  On Fridays, KingMan will participate with the Sankofa Homeschool Collective.  He'll take classes in African History, Speech Communications, African and African-American Art and Poetry.  He doesn't "love" to write, so being in a class with other highly motivated peers will be just the nudge he needs.  He will also participate in the Cheverly STEM program.  This will be KingMan's second year of Coding and Engineering. He'll also take Cell Biology, Chemistry, Yoga, and Newspaper -- resulting in the publication of a homeschool newspaper.  I have a journalism background, so I'm excited to help out with this endeavor.

Writing

I learned of the Aya Education Institute at the Liberated Minds Homeschool Expo.  It's a full middle school and high school program delivered via a live, web-conference platform where students and instructors can see each other real-time and interact real-time.  KingMan will learn with African people from all over the world.  I plan on enrolling him in the Sankofa Word class, which will include writing essays, storytelling, reports, reflections, speeches and digital media presentations.

 Grammar

This year KingMan will participate in a homeschool newspaper class, so we are switching up from Rod and Staff, the solid grammar program we have used for years, to give Editor-in-Chief a try.  It's a software-based grammar program that teaches through editing.  There is a book format as well.  We are also incorporating Afrikan Centered Grammar from Kamali Academy.  Though it's geared toward middle grades, we're using it for review and for the historical nuggets that are buried in the grammar.

Math

After many years devoted to Singapore Math, we are moving in a different direction.  Teaching or should I say learning Singapore Math alongside my son has been a most rewarding experience.  When I was in 5th grade, I thought math and science were for boys.  I wonder if I would have pursued a career in STEM had I learned math in that way.  For Algebra, we are using Video Text Interactive.  I still plan to learn alongside my son, but the interactive Video Text will be doing the teaching.  Because of his interest in Engineering and my lack of background in mathematics, I don't want to slow him down. I also just discovered Afrikan-Centered Algebra from Nkala Education Services.  I have not seen the full text, but the website says it includes practical mathematics for real-world applications, ancient Afrikan problem solving techniques, instructions in English and Akan/Twi, and problem-based learning from real engineering challenges.  Sounds exciting! The Algebra I text is not yet available.  KingMan is also blessed to have one of the most passionate math teachers I have ever encountered.  Mama Lifoma makes math come alive.  During our homeschool co-ops, I have seen with my own eyes children who were willing to skip lunch to continue working on a math problem.  Stay tuned for a full blog post dedicated to this gifted educator.

Foreign Language

Despite my desire for KingMan to explore Swahili, Amharic, or any indigenous African langague, KingMan wants to tackle Spanish.  I have a background in Spanish, so I can help him.  We'll just dust off our Rosetta Stone for language study this year. 

Vocabulary and Spelling

We will continue to use Vocabulary from Latin Roots and Vocabulary Cartoons to continue building vocabulary and comprehension.  We'll finish up the Spelling Workout series, which KingMan really loved.

History

I am very grateful that KingMan has been a part of not only learning history, but reliving history through his participation with Mass Emphasis Children's History and Theatre Company.  He has been taking history classes with Baba Obi for the past three years.  I love how history is taught based upon where African people find themselves in the world and the relationship to that particular place.  For example, when he learns American History, he doesn't just a bunch of random facts that he'll soon forget, instead he learns what was happening in the African Diaspora during that particular time in history.  We also plan to use the text Journey of Liberation developed by Dr. Molefi Asante, for the required examination of American History.

Art and Music

I give art as much weight as math in our homeschool.  It's not an extra.  It is a worthy expression.  I am blessed that he will be learning and creating African and African-American as a part of our homeschool collective. KingMan will continue to grow and learn with the Farafina Kan family where he studies African drum with Baba Mahiri who has poured not just the skill of drumming but a love of culture into my son.  I am so proud of his most recent performance at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Farafina Kan.  You can see KingMan's solo here.  He'll also continue with piano at Levine School of Music where he also studies piano.  Here is KingMan in a master class performance. 

Physical Education

I am so happy that KingMan will participate in a regular yoga class through a homeschool cooperative.  I believe yoga is so important for athletes to help protect against injury.  Team participation in basketball and indoor soccer will keep KingMan busy.  We are still searching for a baseball team.

2014-2015 Plans for LionHeart

The Sun smiled on me the day LionHeart was born.  Our educational journey has made me re-think everything I thought I knew.  KingMan marveled at me one day when we were in the middle of our homeschool lessons. He said, "Mom, I think it's really cool how you can switch up like that -- going from middle school teacher to elementary school teacher."  Keen observation! LionHeart is my right-brain learner.  What I had perceived as a resistance to learning was his way of articulating that what I was putting before him did not resonate.  When I discovered the website The Right Side of Normal, my whole attitude changed.  If my job, as the ancient Afrikan proverb says, is to "make my student shine like a star," well--bring in on!

Cooperative Learning

LionHeart will also participate with the Sankofa Homeschool Collective, where he'll take classes in Geography, Art and Jr. Lego League.  For science, he will continue in the tradition of his big brother through his participation in the Little Genius Science and Math Program, a STEM program designed to introduce our children to not just the field of science at an early age, but to actually see people of color working in the field.

Reading

In addition to working with our beloved tutor at Selah Educational Services, we'll use All About Reading at home, as well as the Seeing Stars program.

Spelling

All About Spelling is a program designed to work with children whose eyes would glaze over trying to memorize lists of words.  Instead, this program is designed to engage a child whose learning style requires the use of sight, sound and touch.  Click on this video to learn more.  All About Spelling is a wonderful mainstream spelling program, but is also used by parents whose children display symptoms of Dyslexia.  This is one of the best definitions I've seen of dyslexia.  Click here to read it.

Learning to Spell through Copywork is another resource that I will utilize.  I love simple programs, especially ones that can be adapted to be more culturally affirming and interactive.  I will definitely need to adapt the language to make more this program more culturally relevant and appealing to LionHeart.

Writing

I will continue to use the Primary Arts of Language: Writing program (PAL).  I wrote extensively about it in a previous blog post.  For more on that click here. This is a program that I can pair with folk tales and all kinds of African-American literature as the source material.  I will use the portion of  PAL curriculum that is focused on early grammar, story sequence analysis, and writing paragraphs. I will adapt it until LionHeart is ready for the Institute for Excellence in Writing's Student Writing Intensive Level A.

Grammar  

Language Lessons for Today is a simple, incremental program.  It is Charlotte Mason-based and has short, simple lessons that focus on English usage, punctuation, composition, oral language skills, letter writing, narration, picture study, copywork and dictation. LionHeart is a storyteller, so he’ll love this part of the program.  In addition to the picture study that is included, I plan to use DiscoveringAfrican American Art for Children (ComeLook With Me) as our source material.

Math 

We are delving into a extraordinary right brain math experience for LionHeart with a program called African Math.  It is a program that teaches the way the ancients computed math, quickly, mentally and at a very high level.  We'll do drills using Flash Anzan.  These math exercises will strengthen his mental imagery and appeal to his learning style.   I plan to do a full curriculum review of the African Math program later.  I will still incorporate Montessori Math to present math concepts and Singapore Math for practice.

History

Anthony Browder's Timeline

LionHeart is also a part of Mass Emphasis History and Theater Company.  He is learning history while performing; something he loves to do. In addition, I will pull together our history curriculum from a variety of resources to make it interactive and fun.  I will not use a text and the emphasis will be on OUR story.   In addition to reading lots of library books, I may use Lessons In History: A Celebration In Blackness by Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu as a a guide for topics to explore.  But we'll mostly read lots of biographies and picture books about our Heros and Sheroes, such as this book about Queen Nzingha, which can be purchased from Seeds Publishing.  There is so much history and geography in that story alone.  Approached in this way, history is never boring, but always a new and exciting story.  We'll probably also use a timeline as a way of visually organizing the information. Ideally, I'd love to have Anthony Browder's timeline, but I'll have to start saving now.  It is more of an investment in art and history.  In the meantime, we'll use art paper to create a timeline.  In this way, I can be selective about the history I present.  We will NOT start our history with slavery. 

Geography

Because we read so many library books about people from around the world, geography is a subject that we learn through living books.  I like Galloping the Globe, but it's a little too paper based to be my only source.  My off-the page learner needs something a little more tangible.  So we are going to give Little Passports a try.  It's similar to Montessori's Continent Boxes where you get real stuff from the country your child is learning about. I know LionHeart will be excited to get mail each month and I can only imagine the fun we'll have exploring the items and stamping his passport.  The package comes with a little suitcase and a map. We love map work!

Keyboarding

Now is the time to master typing, and not the one finger method.  We'll using Typing Instructor Kids Platinum.  He's already fascinated that mommy can type while looking away from the keyboard.  So he's motivated to learn how to do the same. 

Art

LionHeart loves to draw.  We will continue using Draw Write Now books, which combine art, handwriting, spelling, history and science.  This blog does the series better justice than the website so click here.  He will also be participating in an afterschool art program.

Music

LionHeart will be switching from violin to piano, like his big brother.  He will continue African drum instruction with the Farafina Kan family.  It's hard to believe that LionHeart already has 5 years of study under his belt.  African rhythms are a part of his soul now.  If he hears the drum anywhere, he responds.  It's amazing to see.  Click here to see a solo. I believe in my soul that studying music, specifically African drums enhances his learning.

Physical Education

LionHeart will continue instruction in Capoeira and tennis.  He will also play organized soccer and basketball.  New to the physical lineup - speedskating! After having so much fun with friends in iceskating summer camp, he wants to give it a whirl.  The only wrinkle - and it's a big one - is the start time.  He has to be on the ice by 6:30 a.m.  Ouch!

Curriculum Plans for 2012-2013

My Man-child, usually very serious, letting loose.

2012-2013 Curriculum Choices for KingMan

Okay, I'll admit it.  This is one of my favorite aspects of homeschooling -- getting ready for the new year.  It's almost like the nesting phase right before you give birth.  I love all of the back to school sales, the used curriculum e-mails flying all over listservs, and especially the homeschool conferences.  Now that all of that has settled down a bit, I was able to meditate on our plans.  Here are our curriculum choices  for the 2012-2013 year.

Curriculum Plans for 2011-2012

Final Game of the Diplomats 2011 Season

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Before writing this post, I looked over my plans from 2010-2011 year.  Was I serious? I think in an ideal world I would have loved to do all of those things, but then reality or should I say life happens.  My mother and grandmother, the most beloved women in my life, became ill at the same time.  I've spent most of the year caring or coordinating care for them.  Add to that a myriad of homeschool classes, music, sports and my part-time job.  Can you spell B-U-R-N-O-U-T!!!!  As our elders often say, when you know better, you do better.  This fall, I hope to do better.  I am starting by making a bold move: no outside classes from September through March.  Yep, that's right.  As difficult as this will be for me and I'm sure for the children (my youngest wakes up every morning and asks where are we going), I think it will lay a very important foundation in our homeschooling.  I'll have the time and the consistency to actually experience some continuity in our lessons, which seem so disjointed when you start a project on Monday and can't get back to it until the following Thursday. 

In the fall, our mornings will be sacred and dedicated to enjoying our learning together.  Afternoons will be dedicated to music lessons, sports and my part-time job.  I do not consider the arts or sports extra-curricular activities, but an integral part of a well-rounded education.  In the springtime, when the snow melts, the weather begins to warm, and the flowers begin to bloom, we will come out of hibernation and re-enter the world of homeschool co-op classes.

Curriculum Plans for KingMan (my oldest son, a name given to him by his father):

Math

We will continue with Singapore Math.  This is one area where I feel confident and know we'll stick with this curriculum.  The Singapore Math review by Cathy Duffy explains why I feel so confident, not to mention that my son loves it! As time permits, we'll include Khan Academy for reinforcement and the Life of Fred Math Series for Living Math fun.

Writing

We will finish the Institute for Excellence in Writing Student Intensive A, following it up with the IEW theme-based writing guide All Things Fun and Fascinating. From a writer's perspective, this is the best writing program I've seen.  It teaches how to write as opposed to being a series of writing exercises.  There is a big difference.

Grammar

We're sticking with Rod & Staff -- tried and true.  I honestly believe that my son likes grammar because of this program, simple, thorough and to the point.

Spelling

We have been using Spelling Workout, a recommendation from the Well Trained Mind, for years and love it.  I tried Sequential Spelling and Spell Well, but KingMan prefers Spelling Workout.  I think the cross word puzzles and the sports and fitness themes of the lessons appeal to him.

Vocabulary

I stumbled upon Vocabulary from Classical Roots at a homeschool curriculum two years ago and have been using it ever since.  This is another excellent program we'll continue using.  It's published by Educator's Publishing Service the same company who publishes Explode the Code.

Science

Because Khan Academy was such a huge hit with my son, we'll add more video-based learning with Super Charged Science.  We will also complete our Noeo Science Chemistry Curriculum (especially since I paid good money for it!)

History/Literature

Now here's the fun part.  After struggling with whether or not to use Moving Beyond the Page or Sonlight, I decided that if I am going to do literature-based history, why not learn about Classical African and African American history? I'm so giddy about this I can hardly type.  We'll start with Classical Africa, a text written by Dr. Molefi Asante, Professor of African American Studies at Temple University renowned for his work on African-centered thought and education.  Once we finish this text, we'll alternate using A Journey of Liberation, also written by Professor Asante, and Grace Abounding: The Core Knowledge Anthology of African-American Literature, Music and Art.  I found this encyclopedia-sized book used for $10 bucks and the website has all kinds of free PDF teacher resources.  I'm beside myself with joy.  I may be more excited about this than my son!  

Hip Hop

This category is cross-disciplinary as it covers music, history, social studies and language arts.  We'll study the history of Hip Hop, compare/contrast Old School Hip Hop with today's Hip Hop and hopefully engage in some thought-provoking critical analysis along the way.  We homeschool mamas are working to establish a co-op using Edlyrics, a Hip Hop curriculum created by the husband of a homeschool mom in my local homeschool group.  How cool is that!?  We plan to also include a present-day African history class taught by my dear friend Obi Egbuna who has volunteered to share his experience with the homeschool community.  We will continue using Hip Hop and the Classics. Poetry has never been more fun. What better way to learn about alliteration than through an LL Cool J Song!

Foreign Language

I had KingMan do three test drives:  Tell Me More, Power Speak (formerly Power Glide) and Rosetta Stone.  He liked Rosetta Stone the best. We will all study French and a childhood friend and author, Khalil Parker, who attends French Immersion school, will be his tutor (yes, they are the same age).  Again I ask, how cool is that?!

Music

KingMan will continue African Drumming with Tam Tam Mandingue under the loving direction of Baba Mahari and his piano studies at the Levine School of Music at THEARC.

Sports

KingMan made the travel soccer team so soccer with CapitalCF lives on.  He'll also continue with basketball.  We are in search of an AAU team because he wants more player development on par with the 5-Star Basketball summer programs he has attended.  Please send any recommendations my way.   We are also exploring competitive swimming with DC Wave in off-seasons.

Moving Beyond the Page

I almost went with full Moving Beyond the Page for ages 10-12.  It's a fantastic literature-based curriculum that includes language arts, history, social studies and science.  The co-writer is a homeschool mom just like me.  I respect that! This program actually inspired me to pull together my own literature-based, African-centered curriculum.  Though we will not use the entire curriculum, we will be incoporating it into our homeschool, especially since my son loved it so much.  I asked him to pick one literature unit and he chose Secret of the Andes, about a young boy's journey into his Inca roots.  We'll also explore the Aztecs, Incas and Mayas social studies unit.  KingMan specifically asked to do the Geography Unit, so we'll keep that too before hauling the big box back to UPS to return. I love that you can purchase the units al a carte if you desire.  I will offer more feedback on the program later in the year.

Exhale ... whew!  Now on to the next child.