2026 Curriculum & Book Choices

                        2026 Curriculum and Book Choices: 

11th and 7th Grade




Note: 

Each year, I give a detailed plan of our schedule and our chosen resources. 

Our 2020 schedule and resources can be found here, our schedule and resources from 2021 can be found here , our resources from 2022 can be found here, our resources for 2023 can be found here, our resources and curriculum choices for 2024 can be found here, and our resources and curriculum choices for 2025 can be found here. 

In addition, you can find free printables of my 2021-2024 schedules here. 

We begin each school year in January, but I choose resources and plan for the following year well in advance. So, I have made these choices to begin our 2026 year with an 11th and 7th grader in January. I will update with any changes or additions throughout 2026. 


Group Lessons 

Treasure Time 

Recitation: TBD
Scripture Memory: Philippians 1 
Citizenship Memory: West Point Cadet Prayer 
Poetry Memory: Nikki Grimes Poem of Choice 
Poetry: Nikki Grimes
Studio Art: Drawing 
Art History: Survey of Modern Art (Various Books, Videos, Etc.)  

Fun Facts: 
100 Things to Know About Numbers, Computers, and Coding
Weird But True: Middle Ages
Mass Historia: 365 Days of Historical Facts and (Mostly) Fictions by Chris Regan 
99 Amazing Books & Films Inspired by the Bible
Brainteasers and Riddles for Gritty Kids 
Weird But True: USA

Read Alouds: 
Literature:  
Dracula 
Frankenstein 
Contemporary Horror Books of Each Boy's Choice 
How They Choked: Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous 
Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Everyone 
The Vampire Book 
For the Love of Physics 
Fingerprints and Talking Bones 
Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians 

Starters/Mind Movers: 
Continue Workbooks 
Continue Gratitude Journals 
Otherwise TBD 


History


American
Civil War- Civil Rights 

Two Miserable Presidents  (Spine) 
DK Eyewitness: Civil War  (Reference) 
Mr. Lincoln's High Tech War (Reader) 
History Pockets: Civil War 

Plus, a variety of picture books. 
 

World
Modern 

Combination of:
SOTW Volume 3 & 4 
History Unboxed Boxes
 
Plus, a variety of Readers. 

Spycraft 
Delighting in Exploration: Spycraft 


Humanities 

Cultural Studies 

Delighting in the World: NYC
Delighting in the World: Paris (releasing in 2026) 


Religions
Delighting in the World: Christian Denominations (releasing in 2026) 



Citizenship: 

Ongoing- 
Delighting in History: Presidency 

Systematic Civics- Military History
Tanks and Military Vehicles 
Civil War Weapons Illustrated Guide 
Aircraft of World War II 
The Military History Book by DK 
Military History Definitive Visual Guide by DK 

Topical Citizenship- Government Institutions 
Let's Talk About the USPS (published by Delightfully Feasting) 
Free Resources From Federal Reserve, Banks, and Museums 

General Civics- Patriotism 
What Unites Us: The Graphic Novel by Dan Rather 



Geography
Delighting in the World: Wonders of the World (published in 2026) 
Delighting in the World: Rivers of the World (published in 2026) 
LIFE: Wonders of the World 
Look Down and See: Natural Wonders of the World 
Great Rivers of the World 


Grammar and Practice: 
Delighting in Language Volume 2 (published in 2026) 

Writing:
Write With Front Desk

Handwriting: 
Cursive Logic

Shakespeare
Delighting in Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew (published late 2025) 

Tales: 
Monsterology and The Monsterology Handbook 

Foreign Language 

Spanish: 
Continue Spanish for Everyone
Language Guide Vocabulary


Group Math 

General: 
Delighting in Math Volume 3 

Personal Finance:
Teenprenuer Business Course  and Budget Project from Wonder House Creative 
Khan Academy: Personal Finance

Group Skills 
Delighting in Exploration: Careercraft Volume 1 
Help Your Kids With Adolescence 



Music 

Hymn Study: 
TBD

Folk Song: 
TBD

Music History: 
Delightfully Feasting Rock Through the Decades 


Christian Studies 
Bible:
New Testament Study:
Overview 
Step by Step Through the New Testament 

Old Testament Study: 
Covenants and Themes 
God's Bible Timeline 
Bible Infographics 

Systematic Theology:
Eschatology 
I will be building these lessons myself out of many resources. 

Topical/Practical Theology: 
Inductive Bible Study (variety of resources) 
The Bible Recap For Kids (Sheldon) and The Bible Recap (Teddy) & Journal (Both) 

Habits and Character: 
Moderation (Discussion & Videos)  

Natural History and Science 

Special Studies
Delighting in Creation: The Human Body 

Science 
Science 1: Anatomy 
Human Body and Forensics from Winter Promise 
Learning With Friends Science: Anatomy Bundle 
Smithsonian: Human Body by DK
Dr. Frankenstein's Human Body Book 
Plus, a Variety of Readers, References, & Models 

Science 2: Physics  
Learning With Friends Science: Physics Bundle 
Super Simple Physics 
Jiggle, Jostle, and Jolt from Winter Promise 

Science 3: Forensics 

Critical Thinking 

Psychology: 
Delighting in Creation: Psychology 
Super Simple Psychology
Intro to Psychology from Wonder House Creative 


Philosophy: 
Teaching Children Philosophy and Ethics from The Prindle Institute 
Introducing Philosophy: A Graphic Guide

Technology: 
A Smart Kid's Guide to Social Media
Khan Academy: Internet Safety
Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding 

Group Logic: 
(Review for Teddy, First Time for Sheldon) 
The Fallacy Detective
Art of Argument 
An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments 


Individual Lessons 

Language 

Language Arts
6th Grade: 
Melancholy Grammar Volume 2 from Mint and Bloom 
Gross Out Grammar and Revolting Writing 
Hearth and Story Novel Study 
Hearth and Story Poetry 


10th Grade:
Writing Tools
Reading and Vocabulary from Khan Academy 

Math 

6th Grade:
Humble Math
Everything You Need to Ace Math in One Big Fat Notebook 
Math Minutes 

10th Grade:
Flipped Math


Logic & Rhetoric 
6th Grade: 
Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking from Evan Moor 
Another Logic Workbook for Gritty Kids 
Hearth and Story Brain Food 


10th Grade: 
Fitting Words 


Skills
6th Grade: 
Thriving With ADHD Workbook (And, Executive Functioning Workbook) 

10th Grade: 
TBD 

Independent Lists
Explode the Code 
Memory Games
Math Facts Practice 
Current Events 
Additional Items TBD 

By No comments:

2025 Curriculum Choices

            2025 Curriculum and Book Choices: 

10th and 6th Grade


Note: 

Each year, I give a detailed plan of our schedule and our chosen resources. 

Our 2020 schedule and resources can be found here, our schedule and resources from 2021 can be found here , our resources from 2022 can be found here, our resources for 2023 can be found here, and our resources and curriculum choices for 2024 can be found here. 

In addition, you can find free printables of my 2021-2024 schedules here. 

We begin each school year in January, but I choose resources and plan for the following year well in advance. So, I have made these choices to begin our 2025 year with a 10th and 6th grade in January. I will update with any changes or additions throughout 2025. 


Group Lessons 

Treasure Time 

Recitation: May I Walk in Beauty / A Navajo Blanket 
Scripture Memory: Colossians 1 
Citizenship Memory: Declaration of Independence 
Poetry Memory: American Poetry of Choice 
Skills: Skill of the Week 

Fun Facts: 
100 Things to Know About Numbers, Computers, and Coding
Weird But True: Middle Ages

History


American
Revolution  

Two "Spines":
George vs George
King George: What Was His Problem? 

Curriculum: 
Investigating American History
History Pockets: American Revolution 

Plus, a variety of picture books. 
 

World
Middle Ages 

Combination of:
SOTW Volume 2
U Read Through Middle Ages 
History Unboxed Boxes
SOTW Lapbooks from Loving Learning as We Go 
 
Plus, a variety of Readers. 

Women's History 
Delighting in History: Women in Sports
Delighting in History: Women in Power 

Plus, a TON of readers and biographies! 


Humanities 

Cultural Studies 

Delighting in the World: London 
Delighting in the World: Japan 


World Religions
Repeat:
Delighting in the World: World Religions 

Add In: 
12 Major World Religions


Citizenship: 

Ongoing- 
Delighting in History: Presidency 

General Civics- 
Civic Online Reasoning from Stanford 

Topical Citizenship- National Monuments 
National Monuments of the USA

Topical Civics- Constitution 
Constitution 101 Course
Fault Lines in the Constitution and Graphic Novel Version
The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation
Fault Lines in the Constitution (Graphic Novel Version)



Language 

Group Language

Grammar and Practice: 
Delighting in Language Volume 1 

Writing: 
Write With Front Desk

General: 
Continue Teen Slang Unit from Wonder House Creative
Wizards: Wizardology

Shakespeare
Delighting in Shakespeare: The Tempest 

Foreign Language 

Spanish: 
Continue Spanish for Everyone
Language Guide Vocabulary


Group Math 

General: 
Delighting in Math Volume 3 


Personal Finance:
Teenprenuer Business Course  and Budget Project from Wonder House Creative 
Khan Academy: Personal Finance



Art 

Picture Study 
Overview of American Artists 

Art History 
Overview of Medieval Art

Handicrafts 
Film Review:  The Art of Watching Films 
Film History:  Crash Course Film History
The Movie Book by DK
52 Must See Movies & Why They Matter

Music 

Hymn Study: 
Semester 1- All Things Bright and Beautiful/ This is My Father's World 
Semester 2- O God Our Help in Ages Past/ God of Glory, God of Grace 
Folk Song: Lavendar's Blue 
Composer Study: 
Semester 1- Delightfully Feasting Composer Study: Beatles   
Semester 2- Delightfully Feasting Composer Study: Hip Hop 

Music Theory: 
Music Theory Overview


Christian Studies 
Bible:
New Testament Study: Colossians
Mini Bible Lessons
Completion & Reconciliation in Christ by John MacArthur 

Old Testament Study: Genesis 
Let's Talk About Beginnings and Let's Talk About Noah 
Herein is Love Commentary 


Systematic Theology:
Ecclesiology 
Mini Bible Lessons: Doctrine ("The Church" Section) 
Fundamentals of the Faith (Church Sections) 

Topical/Practical Theology: 
Prayer & Gratitude- How to Pray by CS Lewis / Gratitude Journals 
Fundamentals of the Faith (Prayer Sections) 

Habits and Character: 
Courage (Discussion & Videos)  

Natural History and Science 

Special Studies
Delighting in Creation: Medicinal Plants 

Science 
Science 1: Botany 
Botany in Eight Lessons
Trees, Leaves, Flowers, and Seeds
The Secret World of Plants

Science 2: Chemistry 
Middle School Chemistry
Intro to Chemistry from Wonder House Creative 
Super Simple Chemistry by DK 
Everything You Need to Ace Chemistry in One Big Fat Notebook
The Elements Book by DK 
Nature Study:
State Flowers and State Trees 
Book of State Trees and Book of State Flowers (Thinking Tree Workbooks) 


Critical Thinking 

Psychology: 
Delighting in Creation: Psychology 
Super Simple Psychology
Intro to Anxiety and Minds Matter Units from Wonder House Creative 


Philosophy: 
Teaching Children Philosophy and Ethics from The Prindle Institute 
Introducing Philosophy: A Graphic Guide

Technology: 
A Smart Kid's Guide to Social Media
Khan Academy: Internet Safety
Khan Academy: Social Media Literacy
Coding for Beginners & The Coding Book


Individual Lessons 

Language 

Language Arts
6th Grade: 
Bookworms 5 from Open Up Resources 
Melancholy Grammar Volume 2 from Mint and Bloom 
Perfect Paragraphs

10th Grade:
High School Literacy from Open Up Resources 
How to Read Literature Like a Professor
Writing Tools
Continue Painless Grammar 
Reading and Vocabulary from Khan Academy 

Math 

6th Grade:
Humble Math and Evan Moor Workbooks (Combo) 


10th Grade:
Continue
Painless Algebra 
Flipped Math Algebra 1
Everything You Need to Ace Pre- Algebra and Algebra 1 in One Big Fat Notebook 


Logic 
6th Grade: 
Patterns and Logic Puzzles from Humble Math 
Skill Sharpeners: Critical Thinking from Evan Moor 

10th Grade: 
Continue Traditional Logic from Memoria Press 

Skills
6th Grade: 
Thriving With ADHD Workbook (And, Executive Functioning Workbook) 

10th Grade: 
Planning Your Career Workbook from NWT Literacy 
The Dyslexia Workbook for Adults

Independent Lists
Technology Scribble Book
Explode the Code 
Memory Games
STEM Adventures: Terrific Technology
Math Facts Practice 
Current Events 


By No comments:

High School Credits Are Not Found or Earned, They Are Built


If there’s one thing I see causing moms entirely unnecessary stress about homeschooling high school, it is the perception that there are fully constructed credits out there that they have to hunt down and secure. ⁣
⁣
But you don’t have to “find” credits.⁣
⁣
Credits are BUILT. ⁣
⁣
Work is done to *earn* them but not as a prize already constructed and needing to be obtained. ⁣
⁣
ALL work that a student does, throughout their high school career, is combined and constructed into the credits that they need. ⁣
⁣
Nothing is wasted. ⁣
⁣
Yes, there are courses and resources that have already built the credits for you, but you can follow the exact same process to build them yourself… ⁣
⁣
And if you’re pursuing any measure of communal, living, varied, rich high school education, you’re going to want to ensure that you know how. ⁣
⁣
Credits (Carnegie Units), are built of “hours”, which are not precisely 60 minute units of time. ⁣
⁣
Credit Hours Are Made Up of a Variety of Things: ⁣
⁣
1 Textbook (no matter how long it takes to complete)⁣
⁣
Experiences (Field Trips, Research, Projects, Internships, Interviews, Documentaries, etc) ⁣
⁣
16 Books (no matter how long they take to read) ⁣
⁣
One Semester of College Level Course Work⁣
⁣
Online or Local Classes (with books OR hours logged) ⁣
⁣
ANY combination of these can be used to build credit. ⁣
⁣
💡If a child completes an 80 hour internship spread across their 9th and 10th grade years, and then reads 9 books on a similar topic in their 12th grade year, they’ve earned a credit. ⁣
⁣
💡If a child completes about 3/4 of a writing textbook (no matter what grade) and also conducts an interview and writes a follow up report with the professional that they interned with, they’ve earned a Writing Credit… ⁣
⁣
💡If over 4 years they watch and discuss documentaries on a topic for around 100 hours (including discussion) and also write a final report on that topic, they’ve earned a credit. ⁣
⁣
Credits are built… ⁣
out of EVERYTHING a student does. ⁣
⁣
I teach this process in my CM High School Workshop… ⁣
⁣
but I also teach it in depth in my Peaceful Planning Course, which also provides needed High School Record Keeping Forms.




 

By No comments:

Theological Security Comes From Being Okay with the Discomfort of the "Messy Middle"



Recently, I spent 3 hours teaching an overview of Soteriology, giving an extensive coverage of Calvinism and Arminianism. (For Session 7 of my Love With Your Mind Theology Course) ⁣
⁣
An underlying theme of this session was Theological Security.⁣
⁣
Sometimes the “Middle Place” is a place between a place you’ve been and a place that you’re working towards and the things you simply don’t yet know or understand in between. ⁣
⁣
Sometimes the “Middle Place” is a place between a secondary position that you confidently hold and the value of someone else’s position that you curiously (and graciously) maintain as a valid possibility. ⁣
⁣
Sometimes the “Middle Place” is a place between two views or positions that you see as equally meritorious and have little interest in forming a strong stance on either way. ⁣
⁣
Sometimes the “Middle Place” is a place somewhere towards the center, albeit leaning to one side, of a tension that Scripture itself creates and that we aren’t actually intended to solve, such as with the Soteriologal tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. ⁣
⁣
Theological Security in any of these Middle Places isn’t rooted in either unsettledness nor in immovability. ⁣
⁣
Security isn’t frantic and fearful, but neither is it unteachable and incurious. ⁣
⁣
Confidence isn’t found in the “comfort” of no longer having any questions or of having solved every mystery. ⁣
⁣
We can’t find security in the belief that to find a position is to nullify the validity of other positions. ⁣
⁣
Security is found in being both settled and also peacefully searching. ⁣
⁣
This requires: ⁣
⁣
1️⃣ Humility ⁣
⁣
In everything secondary to the gospel itself, we have much to learn from each other and there should always be space to change our minds. ⁣
⁣
2️⃣ Investment ⁣
⁣
When we know that we’ve worked hard to be students of the heart of God (theologians), we can rest confidently not in having the answers but in God’s faithfulness to make use of our efforts. ⁣
⁣
3️⃣ Rest ⁣
⁣
We do the work of theologians but we also know that we are finite and that the One who is infinite has every answer and will perfect every one His plans, completing the good work He has begun in us.⁣
 

By No comments:

Philosophy Isn't Curriculum, Curriculum Isn't Philosophy




When it comes to the discussion of curriculum in the homeschooling world, particularly the Charlotte Mason corner of it, there are often two cognitively dissonant ideas attempting to work in tandem. ⁣
⁣
The first is: ⁣
“Your curriculum isn’t your philosophy; read Mason’s work for yourself.” ⁣
⁣
The second is: ⁣
“Some curriculum labels itself as ‘Charlotte Mason’ inspired but really isn’t rooted in her principles.” ⁣
⁣
Now, used in their proper form and context, I would endorse each of these statements and would also say that they are not opposing ideas. ⁣
⁣
So, what makes them so dissonant and problematic? ⁣
⁣
1️⃣ What is so often being implied in the first statement is that no curriculum itself is one’s educational philosophy but that if you read Mason’s work that HER philosophy can be your own. Which, isn’t possible because philosophy must be personally crafted. (See previous posts) ⁣
⁣
2️⃣ When coupled with that underlying implication of the first statement, the second one is meant to direct you right back to the curriculum that “isn’t your philosophy” but that (obviously) is the only correct interpretation of said philosophy. ⁣
⁣
(Side Note: This is a tactic utilized in every successful cult- take that for what you will.) ⁣
⁣
3️⃣ When used in the way that they often are, both statements display a gross and fundamental misunderstanding of Philosophy, Principles, Practices, and Methods. (I have a post and a workshop covering the difference.) ⁣
⁣
It is true that curriculum isn’t Philosophy.⁣
⁣
What is also true is that your Philosophy isn’t your curriculum. ⁣
⁣
This means that your curriculum choices are *informed* by your Philosophy but are not *dictated* or even *limited* by it. ⁣
⁣
Curriculum and resources often help you articulate and crystallize your philosophy and are always a framework and a set of tools for implementing practices and methods that carry out your philosophy. ⁣
⁣
Many tools not inspired by CM at all make better tools for implementing philosophies that are than many resources that claim her name. ⁣
⁣
When you truly understand philosophy, and have crafted your own, you can use (nearly) any curriculum or tool in a way that fits within it.
 

By No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)