I am super excited to be sharing the plan I’ve made for Raeca’s grade two year, especially since today is our first official day of homeschooling for the year!

This curriculum will also be turned into a free app like the preschool one, I’ll update here when that’s up!

After last year I decided that I really wanted to focus on character and attitude this year and I really based 98% of the curriculum on that (everything but science!).

I already shared our homeschool “schedule” a few weeks ago, in essence, the kids will have mornings for getting themselves ready for the day and free play. Our school portion of the day will occur after lunch and we’ll hopefully get everything done in two hours. The nice thing about homeschooling though is it’s extremely flexible, if we need to move things around, we will.

I recently described our homeschool method as a minimalist version of Charlotte Mason with a touch of unschooling and I think you’ll notice that when you see our curriculum. If you’ve seen the Ambleside Online curriculum at all you’ll see that ours is similar in idea but vastly different in content.

A few things before we dive in . . . we generally “do school” Monday-Thursday and the occasional Friday so I just made a weekly plan and we can decide each week how we want to break it up throughout the days.

You’ll notice there are some subjects that aren’t included here . . .

First of all, there is no spelling. Personally I don’t see why this is such a big focus for a lot of people, if there are words that Raeca repeatedly struggles we’ll practice those but I don’t see a reason to really have “spelling lessons”, maybe I’ll change my tune in the future but that’s where I stand on that now.

I was originally going to include history and geography into the plan but I decided to nix that idea and just study them as they come up organically in our other studies (there’s my unschooling side). I do plan on making a history timeline binder so whenever we come across people or events in history we’ll add them to the binder. For geography we’ll just study countries as they come up, for instance our second book for the year is George Muller: Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans, and we’ll study a bit of England and a bit of the Industrial Revolution during that time.

Also, there is no math. For ourselves we are going to do a combination of math workbook pages, unschooling and living math books. I honestly have nothing in the way of math plans, but I’m not too concerned about it. I’m hoping we get into a good math groove this year, but I wasn’t too worried about including it here because I know a lot of people purchase separate math curriculum. Oddly I don’t think we’ll ever be that family (I’m not sure why I think that’s odd).

That mostly covers what’s not there, now for what is there . . .

 

CHARACTER TRAIT/BOOK OF VIRTUES

I decided to have a character trait for each month, I got these from The Book of Virtues which I came across a few months ago. Each week we’ll read a few stories from The Book of Virtues that correlate to our character trait for the month.

 

BIBLE READING

We will be reading through Genesis, Exodus, Matthew, Mark and a number of the Psalms throughout the year. Before we start a new book we’ll watch the video for that book via The Bible Project.

 

THE OLOGY

I am really looking forward to this. I had a number of people recommend The Ology to me over the last few months and finally got us a copy! I think reading through this book will be good for not just Raeca but for me as well! We will be reading two sections a week.

 

MEMORY VERSE

We will also be memorizing verses throughout the year. I decided to give us two weeks for each verse. I specifically thought about verses that I wanted Raeca to know now and ones I know she’ll be coming back to throughout the years. I do want to write a post in the next few weeks with how we are going to be memorizing them, one thing we will be doing though is using the Bible Memory Helper app my husband made.

 

LITERATURE

Of course we’ve got to read a number of good books this year! Once again I specifically chose books that have good character traits or growth or tackle hard subjects. I’ve also included a couple of missionary biographies which will also be good additions to our year. Each week we’ll read a portion of our current book and do at least one notebooking/copywork page as well as study some of the history and geography.

 

SCIENCE

We are studying earth science and astronomy this year. We will be using a science encyclopedia for a spine for this, but I haven’t quite nailed down which one yet (if you have a suggestion, let me know!), I’m currently leaning towards this one or this one, and we will also be using the Nature Anatomy book where there are pages that line up with what we are studying.. My plan is to study one topic a week and do some hands-on experiments and a notebooking page each week. I have not yet linked to our hands-on experiments, I plan on adding them in as the weeks go on.

 

DESIGNATED READING TIME

One thing that I didn’t add to my original homeschool schedule was some designated reading time in the day, during this time I’d like for Raeca to read one of the books I have in her basket. Ambleside Onlnie calls these “free reads” but are they really free if you are telling them what to read? I need a good name for this . . . I’m working on a list of these “not-so-free reads” now and will share it when it’s ready.

 

Not included here but I am also planning on using a bit of Grammar-Land and Rae will also be reading from The Action Bible, we currently have it out from the library and she’s been reading it like crazy, her birthday is in October and we’ll definitely be buying it for her.

 

OKAY! I think that’s it for an introduction! Let’s get on to the curriculum!

FREE GRADE TWO
HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM

 

WEEK ONE

Character Trait: Friendship

The Book of Virtues: A Time to Talk & Ruth and Naomi

Bible: Genesis 1-4 & watch The Bible Project’s video on Genesis 1-11

The Ology: #1: God Always Was and Always Will Be & #2: God is Three in One

Memory Verse:

Let everything you say be good and helpful,
so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

A Little Princess: Chapters 1-5

Science: Earth’s Crust

* this 3D diagram of the layers of the earth

WEEK TWO

Character Trait: Friendship

The Book of Virtues: Jonathan and David

Bible: Genesis 5-9

The Ology: #3: God Created Everything out of Nothing at All & #4: God is All-Powerful

Memory Verse:

Let everything you say be good and helpful,
so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

A Little Princess: Chapters 6-10

Science: Earthquakes

WEEK THREE

Character Trait: Friendship

The Book of Virtues: The Velveteen Rabbit

Bible: Genesis 10-14 & watch The Bible Project’s video on Genesis 12-50

The Ology: #5: God is in Control & #6: God Knows All Things

Memory Verse:

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

A Little Princess: Chapters 11-15

Science: Mountains

WEEK FOUR

Character Trait: Friendship

The Book of Virtues: The Bear and the Travelers

Bible: Genesis 15-18

The Ology: #7: God is Everywhere & #8: God is Perfect

Memory Verse:

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)

A Little Princess: Chapters 16-19

Science: Volcanoes

WEEK FIVE

Character Trait: Self-Discipline

The Book of Virtues: Please

Bible: Genesis 19-22

The Ology: #9: God Created Man and Woman in His Image & #10: The First Husband and Wife

Memory Verse:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)

George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans: Chapters 1-4

Science: Hot Springs

WEEK SIX

Character Trait: Self-Discipline

The Book of Virtues: The Loveable Child & The King and His Hawk

Bible: Genesis 23-26

The Ology: #11: God Walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden & #12: Sin

Memory Verse:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)

George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans: Chapters 5-8

Science: Oceans

WEEK SEVEN

Character Trait: Self-Discipline

The Book of Virtues: The Boy and the Nuts & The Fox and the Crow

Bible: Genesis 27-30

The Ology: #13: Satan’s First Temptation & #14: Sin Entered the World Through Adam

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans: Chapters 9-12

Science: Ocean Floor

WEEK EIGHT

Character Trait: Self-Discipline

The Book of Virtues: The Fisherman and His Wife

Bible: Genesis 31-34

The Ology: #15: Sin Separates Us from God and from Each Other & #16: Sin Always Brings Judgement

Memory Verse:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)

George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans: Chapters 13-17

Science: Rainforests

WEEK NINE

Character Trait: Compassion

The Book of Virtues: Kindness to Animals & The Lion and the Mouse

Bible: Genesis 35-38

The Ology: #17: God’s Promise of Salvation & #18: God Sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden

Memory Verse:

Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:9-10 (ESV)

Wonderstruck: Part One

Science: Tropical Grasslands

WEEK TEN

Character Trait: Compassion

The Book of Virtues: A Child’s Prayer & LIttle Thumbelina

Bible: Genesis 39-42

The Ology: #19: Sin Spreads Like a Disease & #20: God Makes a Promise

Memory Verse:

Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:9-10 (ESV)

Wonderstruck: Part Two

Science: Deserts

WEEK ELEVEN

Character Trait: Compassion

The Book of Virtues: The Legend of the Dipper

Bible: Genesis 43-46

The Ology: #21: God Keeps His Promise & #22: The Ten Commandments

Memory Verse:

For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Wonderstruck: Part Three

Science: Mediterranean Climates

WEEK TWELVE

Character Trait: Compassion

The Book of Virtues: The Angel of the Battlefield

Bible: Genesis 47-50

The Ology: #23: Breaking One Law Breaks the Whole Law & #24: God’s Holiness Cannot Be in the Same Place as Sin

Memory Verse:

For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

Love That Dog

Science: Temperate Climates

WEEK THIRTEEN

Character Trait: Responsibility

The Book of Virtues: The Three Little Kittens & King Alfred and the Cakes

Bible: Matthew 1-4 & watch The Bible Project video on Matthew 1-13

The Ology: #25: God Gave a Way to Cover Sin & #26: Jesus is the Sacrifice We Need

Memory Verse:

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Crenshaw: Chapters 1-13

Science: Polar Regions

WEEK FOURTEEN

Character Trait: Responsibility

The Book of Virtues: The Boy We Want & For Want of a Horseshoe Nail

Bible: Matthew 5-8

The Ology: #27: The Son of God Comes to Earth & #28: The Son Stepped off His Throne

Memory Verse:

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Crenshaw: Chapters 14-26

Science: Clouds

WEEK FIFTEEN

Character Trait: Responsibility

The Book of Virtues: If You Were & Sir Walter Raleigh

Bible: Matthew 9-12

The Ology: #29: Jesus Always Loved God and People & #30: Jesus Is Completely Human

Memory Verse:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (ESV)

Crenshaw: Chapters 27-39

Science: The Water Cycle

WEEK SIXTEEN

Character Trait: Responsibility

The Book of Virtues: What a Baby Costs & The Sword of Damocles

Bible: Matthew 13-16 & watch The Bible Project video on Matthew 14-28

The Ology: #31: Jesus is Completely God & #32: Jesus Dies in Our Place

Memory Verse:

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 (ESV)

Crenshaw: Chapters 40-51

Science: Tornadoes

WEEK SEVENTEEN

Character Trait: Courage

The Book of Virtues: How the Little Kite Learned to Fly

Bible: Matthew 17-20

The Ology: #33: Jesus’ Resurrection Defeated Death & #34: We Are Safely Hidden in Christ

Memory Verse:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime

Science: Hurricanes

WEEK EIGHTEEN

Character Trait: Courage

The Book of Virtues: Jack and the Beanstalk & The Road Not Taken

Bible: Matthew 21-24

The Ology: #35: Jesus Sends His Disciples on a Mission & #36: Jesus Promised to Send the Holy Spirit

Memory Verse:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime

Science: Tsunamis

WEEK NINETEEN

Character Trait: Courage

The Book of Virtues: Hansel and Gretel

Bible: Matthew 25-28

The Ology: #37: The Spirit Arrives on Pentecost & #38: The Holy Spirit: God’s Best Gift

Memory Verse:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime

Science: Igneous Rock

WEEK TWENTY

Character Trait: Courage

The Book of Virtues: If— & It Can Be Done

Bible: Psalm 1-4 & watch The Bible Project video on Psalms

The Ology: #39: Chosen & #40: Called

Memory Verse:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime

Science: Sedimentary Rock

WEEK TWENTY-ONE

Character Trait: Work

The Book of Virtues: The Little Red Hen & The Sheep and the Pig Who Built a House

Bible: Psalm 5-8

The Ology: #41: Born Again & #42: Faith

Memory Verse:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)

On the Banks of Plum Creek: Chapters 1-10

Science: Metamorphic Rock

WEEK TWENTY-TWO

Character Trait: Work

The Book of Virtues: The Three Little Pigs

Bible: Psalm 9-12

The Ology: #43: Jesus Paid It All & #44: Adopted

Memory Verse:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)

On the Banks of Plum Creek: Chapters 11-20

Science: Fossils

WEEK TWENTY-THREE

Character Trait: Work

The Book of Virtues: Mr. Meant-To & The Husband Who Was to Mind the House

Bible: Psalm 13-16

The Ology: #45: Sin Isn’t in Charge Anymore & #46: Set Apart, Holy for God

Memory Verse:

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

On the Banks of Plum Creek: Chapters 21-30

Science: Soil

WEEK TWENTY-FOUR

Character Trait: Work

The Book of Virtues: The Rebellion Against the Stomach

Bible: Psalm 17-20

The Ology: #47: We Grow a Little at a Time & #48: Put off the Old, Put on the New

Memory Verse:

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

On the Banks of Plum Creek: Chapters 31-41

Science: Weathering

WEEK TWENTY-FIVE

Character Trait: Perseverance

The Book of Virtues: The Tortoise and the Hare

Bible: Exodus 1-4 & watch The Bible Project video on Exodus 1-18

The Ology: #49: The Holy Spirit Helps Us Fight Against Sin & #50: The Fruit of the Spirit

Memory Verse:

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (ESV)

Rain Reign: Part One

Science: Erosion

WEEK TWENTY-SIX

Character Trait: Perseverance

The Book of Virtues: The Little Steam Engine & Try, Try Again

Bible: Exodus 5-8

The Ology: #51: Running the Race to the End & #52: The Church is Built with Living Stones

Memory Verse:

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (ESV)

Rain Reign: Part Two

Science: Moon & Moon Phases

WEEK TWENTY-SEVEN

Character Trait: Perseverance

The Book of Virtues: The Little Hero of Holland

Bible: Exodus 9-12

The Ology:#53: The Church is God’s Temple & #54: We Gather to Worship

Memory Verse:

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you,
as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)

Rain Reign: Part Three

Science: Constellations

WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT

Character Trait: Perseverance

The Book of Virtues: You Musn’t Quit & Can’t

Bible: Exodus 13-16

The Ology: #55: The Lord’s Supper & #56: Baptism

Memory Verse:

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you,
as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)

Rain Reign: Parts 4-5

Science: Sun

WEEK TWENTY-NINE

Character Trait: Honesty

The Book of Virtues: The Boy Who Cried “Wolf”

Bible: Exodus 17-20 & watch The Bible Project video on Exodus 19-40

The Ology: #57: The Gifts of the Spirit & #58: Persecution of the Saints

Memory Verse:

In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

Shiloh: Chapters 1-4

Science: Mercury

WEEK THIRTY

Character Trait: Honesty

The Book of Virtues: The Honest Woodman

Bible: Mark 1-4 & watch The Bible Project Video on Mark

The Ology: #59: A Picture of the Future & #60: The Return of Christ

Memory Verse:

In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

Shiloh: Chapters 5-8

Science: Venus

WEEK THIRTY-ONE

Character Trait: Honesty

The Book of Virtues: Pinocchio

Bible: Mark 5-8

The Ology: #61: The Final Judgement & #62: A Very Different Day for All God’s Children

Memory Verse:

That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)

Shiloh: Chapters 9-12

Science: Earth

WEEK THIRTY-TWO

Character Trait: Honesty

The Book of Virtues: Truth and Falsehood

Bible: Mark 9-12

The Ology: #63: The New Heavens and Earth & #64: The Special Place Where God Lives with His People

Memory Verse:

That Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)

Shiloh: Chapters 13-15

Science: Mars

WEEK THIRTY-THREE

Character Trait: Loyalty

The Book of Virtues: Loyalty to a Brother

Bible: Mark 13-16

The Ology: #65: The Final Wedding & #66: God Wrote the Bible Through People

Memory Verse:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

The Green Ember: Chapters 1-11

Science: Jupiter

WEEK THIRTY-FOUR

Character Trait: Loyalty

The Book of Virtues: Only a Dad

Bible: Psalm 21-24

The Ology: #67: God’s Word is True & #68: God Talks to You and You Talk to God

Memory Verse:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

The Green Ember: Chapters 12-22

Science: Saturn

WEEK THIRTY-FIVE

Character Trait: Loyalty

The Book of Virtues: In Flanders Fields

Bible: Psalm 25-28

The Ology: #69: The Bible is Our Spiritual Food & #70: The Holy Spirit Helps Us Understand God’s Word

Memory Verse:

For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)

The Green Ember: Chapters 23-33

Science: Uranus

WEEK THIRTY-SIX

Character Trait: Loyalty

The Book of Virtues: The Thousandth Man

Bible: Psalm 29-32

The Ology: #71: The Word of God Lives Forever

Memory Verse:

For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)

The Green Ember: Chapters 34-44

Science: Neptune