Posted in Our Curriculum
I like to know what others are doing...it helps me figure out what I want to do with my kids. I thought Id share with you what we are planning for Kindergarten. My daughter will me 5 this month as seems ready for more "school". We are approaching this with a flexible attitude since I am still finding my feet in all of this. Most of my ideas came from many nights pouring over Ambleside Online and Lindafay's blog. I am using a lot of "helps" this year because I feel that I need it...Im sure I could do ok on my own but am not confident that I know how explain things in a way that makes them understandable.
Here is the plan so far:
Bible/Character
Read from Story Bible and also from regular "grown up" Bible
Psalm a day from "grown up" Bible
Memory verses (will list these soon)
A Childs Book of Character Building volume 1 & 2 by Ron Coriell
Character Development Visuals (Large flash cards) from Abeka.com - we often review these and then act out the right and wrong way to do things.
Review Family rules - work on memorizing them
Chore chart - with pictures
Habit of the month - Make a poster of habit to be worked on and display in a prominent place. Keep on top of it...e.g Pick up after yourself and remind child to so every time it is necessary
At beginning of each week ask child, "Who could we help this week?" Think of something helpful and kind to do for someone else and do it.
Phonics
Hooked on Phonics
(Note: We bought Hooked on Phonics many years ago and began using it once our daughter knew the basic sounds of all her letters. We have moved through it very slowly and kept the lessons short. Since learning more about home schooling and also about the Charlotte Mason method I may have chosen something different - but my daughter has really enjoyed it and she is learning to read! It has also helped me when I am not sure what to do..so we are sticking with it for now).
Math
Saxon Math K
Lesson are short. Keeps them wanting more. My daughter begs to do math even on Sundays.
Calendar - we have a felt calendar - not sure about this yet - might be better to do a paper calendar and have child fill in special dates etc.
Handwriting and Copywork
Handwriting without Tears - http://www.hwtears.com/
(I like this because it gives me ideas of what to say to help my child know how to make the letter)
Write notes of encouragement to friends, family and church members.
Label things throughout the house
Make Books - copy simple books and illustrate. May also dictate stories to mum and fill in a few words.
History
History Stories for Children - Dr. John W. Wayland
My America - Abeka History - 1st grade (We will go through this slowly. I dont plan to finish it in one year)
Bible Time line - draw pictures of Bible stories and place in order on wall or in binder
Living Long Ago - Usborne Books
Over the River and Through the Woods - illustrated by Steve Gurney
My First Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dagliesh
Talk about major holidays as they occur
Art Appreciation
How to use Child size Masterpieces by Aline D. Wolf
Art Expression
How Great Thou art - Little Annies Art Book of Etiquette and Good Manners -http://www.howgreatthouart.com/
Make various crafts
Am still looking into a good learning to draw book - Possibly How Great Thou Art - I Can Do All Things or Drawing With Children by Mona Brookes (If you know of a good one please let me know)
Clay work
Nature Study
Keep a Nature journal - tap leaves, leaf rubbings, tree rubbings, press flowers, take photographs, draw, paint animals, flowers etc. I am going to be laid back with this.
Christian Liberty Nature Reader - Book 1
James Herriots Treasury for Children by James Herriot
The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice Provensen and Martin Provensen
Borrow books from library about other things in Nature we are interested in or research online anything we come across in nature that intrigues us.
Play outside lots
Take walks
Help with garden
Music
Music exercises in What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch
Learn 3 Hymns
Learn 1-2 Folksongs
For Music Appreciation we will listen to composers and real a little about them - not too serious yet. Am very interested in the Cornerstone curriculum for next year.
Science
Not sure if we will add much more besides our Nature Studies this year.
The Human Body - My daughter is very interested in how the human body works, I am looking for a good book on this. Please let me know if you have used a good one.
How our House works by Larry Burkett
Poetry
Favorite Poems of Childhood edited by Phillip Smith
Something Big Has been Here by Jack Prelusky
Memorize a short poem each term
Sign Language
Continue learning signs and put them into simple sentences.
Watch Signing Time DVDs ( www.signingtime.com) also one on one time with mum learning from books.
Literature to Read Aloud
Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran
Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack
Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
Petunia by Roger Duvoisin
Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle
Foolish Tortoise by Richard Buckley and Eric Carle
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Mixed-up Chameleon by Eric Carle
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle By Betty MacDonald and Hilary Knight
Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss
Other Dr. Seuss Books
Other books we would like to read
I Cant, said the Ant by Polly Cameron
Stories of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
I Spy Series by Jean Marzollo
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Aesops Fables illustrated by Milo Winter
Childs Book of Virtues by William Bennet
Handicrafts
Still looking into this...we are planning to make a doll quilt and also some pottery.
That is what I have so far. It does look like a lot to me by my daughter loves to read and seems ready for this. When I look at all the lists for Kindergarten and 1st grade I find her right in the middle. As Charlotte Mason recommends, our lessons will be short and much time will be spent outdoors.
As of tomorrow I will be away from the computer for almost a week. We will be going to Bible camp with my husband. He is directing a small camp for 9-11 year olds, we are going to dig in the dirt, play in the river, have fun watching silly skits, join in the singing, and spend some time with Dad during his breaks. See you all when I get back (wasnt I just gone!? Am I crazy!?)
Stacy
