Unlike other umbrella schools in our area, Home Life Academy does not require a set list of subjects to be taught or require us to use the traditional A-F grading scale. They do require grades be submitted twice a year, but using Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, etc. is sufficient through the eighth grade. Another "perk" in my opinion is that HLA does not require standardized testing (except in rare circumstances regarding high school graduation). HLA uses a great online reporting system allowing me to update our attendance records regularly and also submit grades online.
HLA does require that we submit an educational plan for the year, which appears to be a listing of the books you want to use and subjects you want to teach - as individualized as you want it to be. Also, our state requires instruction for 180 days of the school year, 4 hours per day.
As of July, here is our "Educational Plan" for Kindergarten 2009/2010.
| Reading | Pathway Readers Series – Grades 2 & 3 |
| Literature | poetry by Robert Louis Stevenson Seasonal Poetry Anthologies Listen to reading of classic, living books |
| Penmanship | Handwriting without Tears - K |
| Memorization | Truth & Grace Memory Book Book 1 Selections from Robert Louis Stevenson |
| Nature Study (Science) | Observe and Record in Journal (Home Garden, Nature Walks) Read living science books |
| Fine Art | Little Einsteins Simply Charlotte Mason Module 2 Picture Study |
| History & Geography | Fifty Famous Stories Retold Family Book of History (Timeline book) |
| Music | Learn new hymn every month Practice basic music skills (rhythm, tone) |
| Physical Education | Informal outside play at home & parks |
| Bible | Joshua – Malachi |
| Math | Miquon Math - Orange and Red Book |
