The season for us to begin homeschooling is just around the corner. I love seeing what other homeschooling families choose for their curriculum, so I thought I would share with you our grade 2 homeschool curriculum picks for 2018-2019.

I honestly love the process of choosing curriculum. Researching it, getting people’s feedback and reviews, and implementing it.

I don’t consider curriculum choices permanent, because I don’t know everything. My children change and develop, I change and develop and there’s more homeschool curriculum choices than ever before!

A big factor for my family and I when choosing curriculum, is being led by the Spirit in these decisions. Why we homeschool in the first place has everything to do with the Lord’s direction for our lives and less to do with what’s around us. So, I’m excited about this year and what Holy Spirit is going to do in us and through us.

Our Grade 2 Homeschool Curriculum Picks

AFTERNOON BASKET

Newly added to our homeschool this year is an afternoon circle time basket.

My children’s focus and concentration is fresh in the mornings for core subjects like language arts and math. But, when the afternoons come, attention span is a struggle.

To work with the afternoons, we’re going to change things up and have a more relaxed, gentle approach, that includes reading, art, science, social studies, music and physical education.

To create our afternoon circle time basket, I’ll be incorporating:

• Read-alouds
• Writing
• Poems
• Grammar
• Social studies
• Science
• Coloring books
• Drawing books
• Markers, crayons, pencil crayons, pencils
• Puzzles
• Nature journaling
• Music

LANGUAGE ARTS

Brave Writer
I’m so looking forward to this new curriculum in our homeschool. I have already appreciated the approach and format as I study it. (Rebecca from Homeschool On does a great job of explaining it here!)

All About Reading Level 2
We started All About Reading Level 2 curriculum last year and my daughter really took to its approach, so we”ll finish it and work towards All About Reading Level 3.

All About Spelling Level 2
We completed All About Spelling Level 1 last year and my daughter enjoyed it, so we’ll keep going with the program.

First Language Lessons Level 2
We did First Language Lessons Level 1 last year (I have a detailed review here), and found its gentle approach to grammar, copywriting, memory work, and narration easy to digest.

Read-Alouds
We’ll incorporate more read-alouds this year, including, The Cricket in Times Square, The Mouse & The Motorcycle, Pippi Longstockings, The Tale of Desperaux.

Readers
We need to take reading slow for my daughter so that she doesn’t get frustrated and burned out from it. She does okay with reading, but at times, it’s an emotional experience based on her personality. We’ll include BOB Books to help reinforce confidence, along with the challenge of beginning readers.

MATH

Saxon Math 2

We will be doing Saxon Math 2 this year as we did last year.

SCIENCE

Exploring Nature with Children

I‘m super excited to bring this curriculum into our science this year. My daughter and I have learned to watercolor using the amazing book: Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days. And we love observing nature through nature journaling.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Canada, My Country

We’ll dive into learning about our country, Canada, this year for social studies using Canada, My Country.

Story of the World Volume 1

With my daughter hungry to learn about history and bring the history of the Bible to life, we are eager to add this new curriculum.

BIBLE

American Standard Bible Society

We’ll be doing devotions from our kids Bible, while studying it using the S.O.A.P. method.

ART

Artistic Pursuits K-3: Book 1

This is a really amazing art curriculum. We’re using an older format from Artistic Pursuits, but it’s still great quality. Last year we got halfway through this book due to my daughter changing things up with her own crafting projects along the way. But, my daughter and I both are looking forward to the next set of Artistic Pursuit books already!

MUSIC

Piano Lessons

I, myself, completed grade 10 in my Royal Conservatory of Music and taught piano lessons for two years, so I’ll be teaching piano lessons to my children.

Singing

We have a natural inclination to sing in our home, so we’ll continue to listen to a variety of styles of music, worship songs, and slide in some composer study naturally along the way, etc.

HEALTH

Learning about good nutrition and well-being is important to us, and something that we’ll naturally talk about.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Dance Lessons

Ballet and Jazz are on the list this year. My daughter has a natural gift to dance, so we’ll keep helping her develop what comes naturally to her.

Swimming Lessons

We will register for homeschool swim lessons this year. It’s such an important life skill.

BMX

This will be new for our son, this year. He loves the idea of going on a dirt bike, but I’d prefer for him to learn the basics of those skills needed, and BMX seems just right!

Have you chose any of these homeschooling products for your homeschool? If so, which ones? I would love to know if you’d like a review on any in particular. Let me know; I’d love to hear from you!

Anchored in Jesus,
Melanie