Tips for the Beginning of the Year
From the Alveary Team:
If you are preparing to start your school year, here are a few items you’ll need that are easily forgotten. (Even those of us on the Alveary team have forgotten to order a few of these until the last minute!)
- Our Work books for students in grades 1-8. Go to your dashboard, then to “buy books” and locate the program for your grade(s). You’ll find the Our Work link in the program for each grade under resources (toward the end of the program). Print these at home, or through this link. You can also edit the book to add your own hymns or font choices here.
- Art prints. You’ll want these for high school students who don’t have an Our Work book, and many families like having high quality individual prints to display. You can find the prints in the program under art or at this link. They are also available in our print store, though shipping is higher than we would like on small orders. We have also had good luck with Humble Heart Press and their shipping is more reasonable for small orders.
- Science Lab Books and Copywork/Dictation books. These can also be found in the program for each grade under Science and English, respectively. (Are you noticing a theme? If you can’t find it, check the program!) You can print these at home, order them through our print marketplace individually or as part of a bundle with lesson plans, or upload them to a printer of your choice. Copywork/dictation books can also be edited.
- Modern Language student notebooks. If you guessed these were in the program, you are correct! Again, you can print these at home, order them through our print marketplace individually or as part of a bundle with lesson plans, or upload them to a printer of your choice.
- Science lab kits. This link isn’t in the program since it’s not a book to buy or a booklet to print - it’s in the supply list for each grade linked on your dashboard. You can order the kits ready to go from Home Science Tools.
Have a wonderful start to your school year, and let us know how we can help!
Notes
1. Office Hours: Join us for Office Hours on Thursday, August 15th, 3:30-4:30 (EST). We will talk about Picture Study and Handicrafts for this coming school year and we will have a picture study immersion. Please submit any questions in this Hive Event by Tuesday 8/13. We look forward to seeing you there!
2. Job Board: After many requests, we are delighted to announce that CMI now has a job board! If you’re looking for teachers or staff for your Alveary school or just looking for someone to share your teaching at home, this is the place for you. If you’re looking for a position, this might be the place you find one! We are excited about the ways this space can serve the community. *If you’re posting a job, be sure to use the code AMJOB to receive the member pricing.*
3. Book Discussion: Here is the link to the recording of last week’s Book Discussion on A New Book for Little Historians.
4. Latin On-Line classes: It is not too late to sign up for Latin Level 1 or Level 2. You have one whole year to complete the course so you can go at your own pace.
5. New Executive Director: CMI is entering a new phase! Founded by our first executive director, Carroll Smith, we are now excited to introduce you to our next Executive Director, Kerri Forney! Read a letter from her here.
6. Virtual Tickets for Joy of Making: Gather with friends and have a watch party (we’ll provide some ideas and inspiration for events like this), sneak in one recording at a time when you have the chance, watch with a spouse, grandparent, neighbor, or colleague, it’s up to you! Content will be available from September 14-December 31. While you wait, enjoy some past conference talks here!
7. #AlvearyBackToSchool: Start the school year strong with Alveary! Join us every Friday in August on Instagram for tips and inspiration. Share your back-to-school moments by tagging @Alveary and using #AlvearyBackToSchool.
August 2: Planning and Preparation 📸
August 9: Nature and Outdoor Learning 🌿
August 16: Creative Spaces 🏠
August 23: Living Books 📚
August 30: Handicrafts 🧵
8. Chemistry: If you have a high school student, the chemistry companion videos are in beta and being created throughout the year, so they aren't listed in the lesson plans. Be sure to check the links page for the list of videos to go with the lessons. If you are using Syllabird, you may want to paste the link to the corresponding videos into the lesson plans.
9. Homework Help: Note that the Homework Help link provided in some high school science courses is for students needing help with their questions related to the coursework. Teachers should continue to use the Contact Us link.
10. American Colonial History Book: This book is scheduled for high school history this year. It is currently listed as “out of stock” on the website. If you still need to purchase this book for your student(s) please contact Yale University Press customer service at 1-800-405-1619 to place an order. They have a limited number available and request that orders be placed before the end of September to be fulfilled.
11. Picture Study: Picture Talk Questions mentioned in lesson plans are now linked in Quick Links.
