Well-Trained Mind: Grade Nine

Classical Education and Charlotte Mason 

Are they compatible?

"Charlotte Mason and Classical Education"

Here's the complete article written by Susan Wise-Bauer. (author of The Well-Trained Mind.

Ancient History 

Tapestry of Grace Year 1

This thorough plan for history has been the foundation of our history program. We are using the rhetoric stage plan for history as well as some of our literature. I love the structure but also the flexibility to pick and choose how to use the materials in our family.

It does take some planning upfront. I spent a few hours per unit planning out the books and activities that we would include in our study.

The discussions at the end of each week have become something we look forward to. The teacher's notes make a discussion possible even if I haven't read the books.

We don't complete very many of the worksheets provided with the program but I do use the discussion questions as the basis of my son's written work. My son likes to use the notebooking pages from History Scholar to record his studies.

History extras 

History Scholar

These are fantastic if you have a child that likes a flexible fill-in-the-blanks type notebooking page.

Literature or Great Books 

The Well-Trained Mind

Source of the reading list

Tapestry of Grace

Additional resources

The Teaching Company

Excellent source for DVD courses to supplement our literature.

Teaching Company Courses used for Literature/History 

Iliad of Homer

This course taught by Elizabeth Vandiver really helps with our understanding of the Iliad. We use the book that comes with the DVDs to plan out our reading for each week.

Books that Have Made History

Rufus Fears teaches this course that has helped us with our understanding of Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible book of Exodus, Pericles, Euripedes, Socrates, Aristotle, the Bible book of Job, the Gospel of Mark, and Confucius.

Science 

Ninth Grade-Apologia Biology

Apologia Biology

We are using the book, the companion CD, and the dissection kit from Apologia.

Dissection kit

This is a must have for the second semester.

Slide Set

We have learned a lot by viewing these under our microscope.

Biology Learn N' Folder Notebook

This is a great tool to use with the Apologia Biology. This lapbook sort of product is designed especially for this text and has really helped my son complete the On Your Own Questions and the Study Guide in a way that makes it interesting and the information easy to remember. It is a hit at our home.

Free Schedule for Apologia Biology

Free schedule for completing Apologia Biology in one year at donnayoung.org She also has bookmarks with each module's vocabulary on them as a free download. There are also printable lab sheets to go along with the textbook. This is a great resource.

The Sonlight Ultra Microscope

We have been using this now for about a year in our home. My boys both find it easy to use and very useful in their science studies. It is powerful enough to use with our biology studies.

Apologia Biology and Charlotte Mason

This link will explain in detail how we adapted this textbook into a more Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling.

Algebra 

Math U See

Algebra

This company is very nice to work with. I always take the time to stop by their booth at our local homeschooling convention and they are very helpful.

Math Mammoth 1-B

We are using these for quick reviews and quizzes.

Language Arts 

Vocabulary, Writing, Grammar, Spelling, Dictation

Vocabulary from Classical Roots

Our main text for vocabulary. Each workbook lasts us about a year. We cover a lesson a week. My son completes the workbook pages and then I correct them. We go over any words he missed or was unsure about and I verbally quiz him to see if he needs further review. My older son made flashcards for all the roots but I no longer require the younger boys to do that.

English from the Roots Up

We have been slowly making our way through these roots for the last three years. I use only the box of cards and we cover one root per week.

Institute for Excellence in Writing

This is the gem of our year. We have thoroughly enjoyed working through these DVD lessons each week. I take the concepts from the DVD lesson and apply them to my son's writing assignments in history, science, and literature.

Science Roots

This is a new program for us this year and it has been a little rocky getting started. We have used it alongside the Apologia Biology and have found it very useful with all the vocabulary. I would suggest starting this before you do the Apologia Biology but you can use it side by side. I would also recommend buying the blank card set.

Spelling Wisdom

This is also a new program for our family this year but it is a big success. We are using one copywork sheet per week and at the end of the week, I dictate the selection to my son and he writes it down as perfectly as he can. It incorporates lots of different skills: grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and listening. I highly recommend this program.

Spanish 

The Easy Spanish

We have struggled with several different Spanish programs before landing in this one. I love the Charlotte Mason approach to learning and my son is making so many connections with this program and is able to have conversations in Spanish now.

Rosetta Stone

We have been going through the Rosetta Stone Spanish program for two years but this year it has really clicked and I hear a big difference in my children's confidence in Spanish. I think the combination of The Easy Spanish and the computer work with Rosetta Stone has been a great way to increase their vocabulary and their conversational skills.

Art History 

Harmony Fine Arts

This is my newest year that I have put together for my art and music appreciation program. It will soon be available for purchase on my website.

Artistic Pursuits Sr. High Book One

This art program is an option to go along with Harmony Fine Arts.

Hearts and Trees Notebooking pages

I am also using the notebooking pages that Amanda offers for her online art show studies. These are a fantastic resource.

Music Appreciation 

Free Harmony Fine Arts plan for music

I offer my ninth grade music appreciation program for free as a download from my website. This 16 page PDF file gives you a whole year of music appreciation planned out for you. You can see the materials used in this plan below.

Want to join a Well-Trained Mind group? 

How about a Charlotte Mason group? or Tapestry of Grace?

Well-Trained Mind board

These are the boards to read if you are getting started with the Well-Trained Mind method of homeschooling. Lots of answers and ideas here.

WTM High School Yahoo Group

This group is specific to high school using the Well-Trained Mind method of homeschooling.

Charlotte Mason-Ambleside

This group is specific to those that are using or thinking of using the free online Ambleside Online curriculum for the upper grades.

Tapestry of Grace Yr One

This yahoo group is for those that are using or thinking of using Tapestry of Grace year one (ancient history).