This one package offers lesson plans for both preschool and kindergarten.
Preschool segment: (124 pages)
Rather than traditional lesson plans, which would be too confining for such young children, CHC offers an "activity calendar and record book" along with weekly activity suggestions and a monthly theme page that offers simple suggestions for liturgical year activities, art and craft ideas related to special days and more.
NOTE: A more recent edition of this syllabus was published in 2007 - this review is based on the 2003 edition.
This syllabus outlines a complete year of study in British Literature intended for 12th graders.
Books used in this course:
Required:
The Harp and Laurel Wreath by Laura Berquist
Beowulf
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Primary Works of Literature:
I have just finished planning the school year for my 5th and 8th graders using the new CHC Lesson Plan Guide for the Middle School Years, and I have never had such a productive and enjoyable time of it! Normally, I like to plan, but there never seemed to be enough time or information in one place to do it effectively or efficiently. I prefer a customized curriculum for each of my students, emphasizing their particular interests while shoring up their weaker subjects. With six students alongside little ones, planning the school year's curriculum is a very time-consuming process.
The overall format of these lesson plans is very similar to the 3rd grade lesson plans. Basic texts for core subjects are: Saxon Math 5/4, God's Little Angels, Rare Catholic Stories and Poems, My Catholic Speller Level C, Language of God Level C, Faith and Life 4, A Year with God, My Temple of the Holy Spirit (included in appendices), Catholic Boys and Girls Health, Everyday Science Sourcebook, Our United States (included in appendices)and 1001 Facts for Your Catholic Geography Bee.
The supplements are carefully woven into the third grade lesson assignments, but for those who prefer not to use the lesson plans the supplements alone could easily be used for enrichment and would make purchasing the plans worthwhile. For example the book report supplements contain clear guidelines for helping young students write book reports, a checklist to help the student in their efforts, creative ideas for written reports or oral reports and hands-on project reporting.
Do you remember third grade? I do – the field trips, the reading everything on which I could get my hands, the multiplication tables and pride when I had done all the way from zero to 12. Third grade is a marvelous year – independent learning starts and reading really takes off. Critical thinking, composition and communication skills broaden and strengthen. But, how does a home school parent ensure creating an environment that allows for these skills to grow, that encourages independence while nurturing?
See review of full 2nd grade Lesson Plans.
I love homeschooling and am fascinated with science but frankly I've been pulling my hair out over the past few years trying to keep up with what I'm "supposed" to be doing with science.
I continue to be impressed with each new grade level of the Catholic Heritage Curricula lesson plans. I could not imagine a more family-friendly format and the details are so impressive. On each two-page spread (which covers one week) there is a little "ideas" section which includes suggestions for celebrating feast days, an art masterpiece to display each month, and other things which help tie things together nicely. I love the beautiful quotes, simple games and other tidbits scattered throughout the lesson plans.
The First Grade Lesson Plans are similar in format to the Kindergarten Lesson Plans except that they offer a lot more as your child becomes more immersed in school. Now there are four pages dedicated to each week of lessons. the first two pages provide a parent's preparation check list, weekly goals, overviews of week's assignments and much more. The layout is both beautiful and easy-to-use. The final two pages for the week are a planner-format lessons chart with ample room around the edges for notes, additions, changes, etc.
After receiving the new Catholic Heritage Curricula (CHC) lesson plans a few weeks ago I was so excited I dropped the program that I had designed for our younger daughters and began using the CHC plans. They are thrilled and I'm overjoyed to find such complete, yet flexible, plans that are thoroughly Catholic.