Re: Home School Curriculum

[Guest guest]

Nina-

I can't say that I'm particularly fond of any all-in-one package

curriculum-- so I don't think I can help out much with my suggestions.

I think that many of the pkgs can give too much of a " seat work " which our

kids won't really get much out of (not many kids do actually)

Especially for Kindergarten-- which is super easy to find separate pieces of

curricula to work for the kids-- I would do that instead so you are targeting

your child's specific needs.

jhmo

Becky

In a message dated 7/6/2008 9:27:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

ninahicks@... writes:

We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was thinking of

trying another for comparison.

Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one package.

Thanks,

Nina

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[Guest guest]

Thanks so much -- your suggestions are very valid. I know what you

mean.

Nina :-)

>

> Nina-

>

> I can't say that I'm particularly fond of any all-in-one package

> curriculum-- so I don't think I can help out much with my suggestions.

> I think that many of the pkgs can give too much of a " seat work "

which our

> kids won't really get much out of (not many kids do actually)

>

> Especially for Kindergarten-- which is super easy to find separate

pieces of

> curricula to work for the kids-- I would do that instead so you are

targeting

> your child's specific needs.

>

> jhmo

>

> Becky

>

>

> In a message dated 7/6/2008 9:27:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> ninahicks@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

thinking of

> trying another for comparison.

>

> Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one

package.

>

> Thanks,

> Nina

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

> fuel-efficient used cars.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We are doing kindergarten at home next year. I did not choose an all in

one. The goal is simply numbers, which you can do math facts on a

magnadoodle, letters and writing which magnadoodle, paper and pen are

your friend. Social studies by field trip, science by nature walks. Art

by any old thing. Art and science can be done together via use of the

book nature's art box. Honestly, for such young kids you could

literally plan a curriculum by looking at the featured kids books

available each month. Yesterday for instance I noticed a book called

Good night NJ (as in Good night moon). It featured the beach, the

bridge, etc. On that book alone, a $6 investment, we could go to the

beach (social studies, science) count shells (math) spell out the names

of things (letter recognition, pre reading) etc.

I am sort of a hippie when it comes to kindergarten...still want her

world to be big. I have to save curriculum cash at this age for trips

to the zoo. Trips like that provide a forum for integrated learning and

the boring stuff (sight words, writing, math facts) can be done in a

short time each day at home saving time and $ for trips, playdates and

activities.

Mind you I have yet to do this so it is all theory. I'll keep you

posted on reality, even if that includes me pounding down the school

door in Sept:)

>

> We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

thinking of

> trying another for comparison.

>

> Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one

package.

>

> Thanks,

> Nina

>

[Guest guest]

I have used Alpha Omega Kindergarten Lifepacs (Math and Language Arts)

and Rod and Staff's Preschool workbooks (very cute for the artsy

craftsy children) and Before Five in a Row.

With my just turned 5yo we use Kumon's First Steps workbooks (he has

very short fingers and is missing some). He can read! I just read and

read to him real books like " Whistle for Willie " by Jack Ezra Keats and

other Before Five in a Row titles. I've never used phonics or anything

geared to teaching reading.

>

> We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

thinking of

> trying another for comparison.

>

> Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one

package.

>

> Thanks,

> Nina

>

[Guest guest]

I wanted to add we've used PECS cards for 2 1/2 years now and having

pictures labelled must have helped him learn to read.

>

> We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

thinking of

> trying another for comparison.

>

> Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one

package.

>

> Thanks,

> Nina

>

[Guest guest]

For kindergarten, we had started with a virtual school (for one

month) and after we withdrew we were able to keep some of the books

(the ones mostly written in) so we used those, which were Calvert. I

didn't care for them much. What we're using now for 1st is what I'd

wish I had done for kindergarten. I have a book called " What you're

1st grader needs to know " by ED Hirsch (comes in grades preschool

thru 6), and I use workbooks from & Nobles for speeling,

grammar, reading comp, writing, and math. I use the need to know

book for history and I bought a science text and workbook off ebay.

All totalled about $80. We only spend about an hour on seatwork,

everything else is life learning.

My apraxic son is just about to turn 3 and I " m looking for things for

him for preschool (I " ve got the preschool need to know book so far).

We've got a bunch of books (phonics readers, easy readers, and

regular books) but most of his learning is going to be done naturally.

Personally, I think kids learn best when it's done naturally. Seat

work seems artificial so it's used in my home as reinforcement mostly

some concepts (such as histroy) as first learned thru sit down

reading but I try to show how everything is connected to everyday

life so my boys understand why it's important to learn what I'm

teaching.

Good luck, Kim

> >

> > We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

> thinking of

> > trying another for comparison.

> >

> > Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one

> package.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Nina

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I completely agree, Kim!

Becky

In a message dated 7/8/2008 9:23:20 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

cleoven99@... writes:

Personally, I think kids learn best when it's done naturally. Seat

work seems artificial so it's used in my home as reinforcement mostly

some concepts (such as histroy) as first learned thru sit down

reading but I try to show how everything is connected to everyday

life so my boys understand why it's important to learn what I'm

teaching.

**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for

fuel-efficient used cars.

(http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the input -- I love your ideas. You're going to be such a

wonderful homeschool teacher!

Nina

> >

> > We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

> thinking of

> > trying another for comparison.

> >

> > Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one

> package.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Nina

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, everybody, for all the wonderful ideas -- your input is very

much appreciated!

Nina :-)

>

> We used Calvert's Curriculum last year and liked it, but I was

thinking of

> trying another for comparison.

>

> Any suggestions -- I'm just looking for Kindergarten all-in-one package.

>

> Thanks,

> Nina

>

[Guest guest]

Ha, you are too kind. Let's see how the year goes. My favorite

homeschool resource that may help is:

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Learning-Year-Homeschool-

Curriculum/dp/0609805851