This year counts! A little confused with my curriculum (Rod and Staff).

[eastkygal]

I ordered Rod and Staff for Kindergarten and right now, I'm seeing that it is very heavy on learning to write and letter recognition, but no phonics. We are starting letter recognition with A and going alphabetically. The only thing I know to do is to teach the phoincs through online free curriculums. So, do you approach it as teaching letter recognition first, then going through and teaching letter sounds? It seems I remember learning it all at once and alphabetically.
I don't know about the Grade One Rod and Staff curriculum. It seems from the sample I ordered that it starts right out of the gate with reading fairly large words. There is a gap there somewhere it seems. Anyone familiar with this curriculum.
I'm thinking about changing to Oak Meadow, but I saw that there curriculum is seasonally based starting with fall, and I want to do year around school just as it works out, but making sure we get in all mandatory days. Also, a religious curriculum is not a necessity. I do like spirituality however, and I want my girls to learn about all religions eventually. I chose Rod and Staff for spirituality, good citizenship, the basis in nature, and domestic life too. Just curious. I love it for all of those things. Does it get very dogmatic after Pre-K/K?

[eastkygal]

:bump

[sbgrace]

If I'm reading right you're less concerned with using Rod and Staff now and more questioning grade 1? Or do you mean you're thinking about Oak Meadow for now? Are you happy with the K level phonics in your present materials or you're looking for something for that? I'm not sure what you are asking but if you clarify I think I've got some ideas for you.

I can tell you how I did phonics (I'm really pleased with what we did) if that's what you need. I think it would work well for you.

[elizawill]

to my knowledge, R&S doesn't teach phonics until grade 1, that's probably why you're not seeing it in your K curriculum. we currently use CLE for my first grader, so i don't have experience with R&S phonics (although we've used their math & currently use their science with my dd). R&S will start off gradual & there shouldn't be a huge gap from what i can see between K & 1.

here's the phonics program:

http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list...Staff_Phonics/

do you have any of this yet??


ETA - not sure what you mean by dogmatic. it is written by mennonites, so it doesn't ease up on their worldview, which is completely conservative christian (if that's what you mean). honestly, i can't imagine trying to use R&S if you had any other perspective, as they even manage to make math holy, lol. we are really pleased with the science curriculum though. it is written at my 3rd grader's reading level & it goes nicely with the CLP nature readers. the math was way too repetitive and we've found CLE to be a better fit in that regard. as for other R&S subjects, we've never used them, but i imagine they teach every subject from their worldview. hth.

[eastkygal]

Sorry I'm confusing... Thus why I'm confused.
I'm fine with what I have right now, but I'm wondering when I should start with phonics. I've not been clear on that as I learned phonics in kindergarten along with letter recognition. The Grade 1 sampler isn't clear on how that is accomplished either, though I should probably take a closer look. I'm wondering if I should do phonics from sources online right now, or wait if it is covered adequately in Grade 1. I am considering Oak Meadow for next year, but would really like a more general curriculum that I can adapt to year around schooling.

As far as the worldview, I'm perfectly ok with what I see so far. It is beautiful really. We have most of the Little Jewel books, and all of the Pre/K and K workbooks. I am not what I would call a "conservative" Christian as one could idenitify that with Republican in many cases. But, I believe in Christ Jesus and the Bible and the teachings therein without it being placed in politics in as much as it can be these days. So, as long as it is as it is now and doesn't get political, judgemental, or limiting to my little girls, I'm just fine with it. I don't imagine it will, being anabaptist. But, I had someone mention that they changed curriculums after K because of the doctrine, so I thought I'd check on opinions.

thanks for your help.

[phathui5]

I haven't seen Rod & Staff or CLE address politics at all, other than talk about being peaceful.

[Lisa1970]

The samples usually only show what is at the beginning. By the end, it usually does a lot more. I have never heard anyone have issues going from one level to the next with R&S so I am sure you will be ok.