My daughter start Kindergarten this Fall. DH wants me to homeschool and I'm really not prepared.
She is a super active, energetic, stubborn (challenging..ha) 5 yr old. I have major concerns with HOW I'm going to get her to do anything. She is an only child, we are in the process of moving, so I don't know about any co-op groups in our new area yet. We are hoping to be moved within the month and then I will need to start school.
Anyone have any creative ideas? Easy curriculum for K....do you even need a curric for K-level?
See?...I'm just lost.
This is just what I would do....so take it with a grain of salt. I would focus on Reading (lots of it) and Math first and second. If she's not already reading, I would buy that 100 Easy Lessons to Teach Your Child to Read, I think that is what it is called. Then I would buy Singapore Math (for the lower grades). You can buy both of these over on Rainbow Resource Center. Some people say that they don't think a K. needs a math curriculum, but that's just me. Then, read Rebecca Rupp's Home Learning Year by Year to follow her guidelines and get the living book titles for History and Science so you can read, discuss, do a few experiments on the K. level, etc. Then, plenty of art, music, learning through play, etc. You'll do great!
I agree with reading and math being a big part of a kinders curriculum. You can also get this book http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Kindergartner-Needs-Know/dp/0385318413 I know some people use it as a full curriculum. We use K12 through a public charter and my kids like that. Plus I dont have to worry about buying curriculum and I cant mess up. But if I was doing it on my own I would do this.
no you dont need a curric for k level,
the best curr is you! have fun with her, play with her, teach her songs, poems, (memories at this age are very good), cook with her, lots of hands on stuff, games, read to her(you can let her color or draw while you read even)
if you think shes ready to learn to read/phonics , start with her name or the letter a, do fun things with it, hands on , heres a place thats fun for kids on comp http://www.starfall.com/,
science- find some bugs outside to study, or moths or lady bugs or aphids, worms snakes etc, lay down and watch the sky, plant a small autumn garden, or some fall flowers, draw some cloud shapes, watch the night sky
math- count the bugs you find, its good that the child can associate an item with a number before she learns adding sub times divide , use marbles, pennies, candy, socks, count silverware as you set table, everyday things you do in the house can be used to teach her, cooking,
handwriting-if shes ready, do some air writing, sand writing, painting letter or circles etc
art- include this, if shes not ready for the above stuff just do art till she is! they learn so much from this
everyday things will teach her so much, give her some chores, let her help out in the house,. make it fun, i always gave my kids a squirt bottle and a rag so they could clean right along with me! (i put water in the bottle till older)
Thank you ladies for the responses. Oredeb, I really appreciate the break-down. Those ideas, along with the sites mentioned above, give me a great starting point. I think I'm just "over thinking" and stressing over things I shouldn't stress about at this point.
It is hard though, because I have 2 nieces the same age as my daughter and I know there will be comparisons going on.
I agree with Reading and Math being the main focus. Because home school is not the class room, I like curriculum that is created by home educators, or lesson plans created by you, the parent, from real life experiences. By physically involving the child in the learning process, the most rebellious children become more co-operative.
Reading, phonics, and Language Arts Curriculum designed by home educators.
Math curriculum designed by a home school dad.
Don't fall into the comparisons, even though it happens to all of us! Overthinking is common, however you have to remember the benefit of homeschooling is individualizing the process. If she likes moving around, let her! She doesn't have to sit still to learn. You can work on sitting etiquette when she gets a little older. Another fun place online is confessionsofahomeschooler.com It is religous but it is easily removed without messing up the worksheets and stuff. Her K-4 program can work for kindergarten too.
Quoting leskraft:Thank you ladies for the responses. Oredeb, I really appreciate the break-down. Those ideas, along with the sites mentioned above, give me a great starting point. I think I'm just "over thinking" and stressing over things I shouldn't stress about at this point.
It is hard though, because I have 2 nieces the same age as my daughter and I know there will be comparisons going on.
Kindergarten? Just have fun!! Play with your child and read to her a lot. Play educational games, color, do puzzles, ect...
That was a good book.
Quoting debramommyof4:I agree with reading and math being a big part of a kinders curriculum. You can also get this book http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Kindergartner-Needs-Know/dp/0385318413 I know some people use it as a full curriculum. We use K12 through a public charter and my kids like that. Plus I dont have to worry about buying curriculum and I cant mess up. But if I was doing it on my own I would do this.
I have to admit, I'm on the other end of the sprectrum then most of the responses on here (which is cool. I like seeing how everyone else makes it work). I used a boxed curriculum & it works for my son. I don't know what my daughter will be like though. She's a bit more. ..feisty than he is lol
How would they know...
What's the difference STATE BY STATE!
- leskraft
on Aug. 4, 2012 at 10:30 AM