anyone want to start a Kindy thread? - Page 3

[frogguruami]

Originally Posted by meowee

"Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" is a phonics-based reading method. I like it, but the problem I have with it is that it introduces sounds bit by bit, so if your child burns out halfway through, you've only got half the phonemes done. It is scripted, but we just use it for the stories. And it's cheap! Just one fat book.

DS2 just decided that he wanted to read. We were at the library and he announced that he wanted a book to teach him to read. So we picked up 100 easy lessons book. He is not interested in all the scripting. Each time a new sound comes up I tell him what it is and he goes through and reads the words and sounds but we do none of the activities. So far he is doing great with this method, LOL. He will pull it out and go through a few pages at a time. Today he even started sounding out words in a book.

[Copper]

This is our first "official homeschooling year" i guess you could say and we are doing "K", dd is soon to be 6. It has taken a while but I am soo glad I can relax about the schedule and getting things done and am more flexible than I thought I could be....being a bit nervous about out decision.
I went ahead with a curriculum ABEKA. "K". We are whizzing through it ....we are almost done with the reading/phonics part...I was taking it slow thinking it is a bit advanced with the cursive writing (were not going to do but she begged to do)....her reading is great, math/numbers/adding/time and money great. I just feel like I am not challening her enough, but it feels "so early" to be doing all these things.

She loves the Magic Treehouse series of books and my SIL (a public school teacher ) gave us a bunch. I am trying to do my crafy things and waiting for the weather to break so we can get OUT!!!
This week she had art class and h.s. gymnastics class and Sat. we are going to a friend's house.

Next week will be nuts with daisy scouts, art, 4-h, gym, gymnastics, valentine parties and so forth. Though I have met some people that seem to be nice and all I am thrilled to have at least met one that is interested in doing "other things" i.e. getting together with the kids and all and we all went bowling a few weeks ago we get along, the two kids seem to and the dh's. I will keep my fingers cross .

[LoveBaby]

We just started a new approach. My intention at the beginning of the year (DD 1st grade) was to put together my own math, phonics, read-alouds etc. I really liked the idea of FIAR, but putting it into practice was a stumbling block for me. As much as I didn't want to go with a pre-packaged curriculum, I soon found that having something laid out in front of me was going to be necessary this first year or so while I figure out what we're doing!

I ordered My Father's World first grade and kindergarten for my kids. We are having a blast, it doesn't take all day and the read-alouds/hands-on activities are such that my 2yo. can join in! It's relieved so much of my anxiety about teaching my kids and the feeling that I'm not doing enough. We're generally done w/ school in no more than 1 1/2 hrs. Of course, there is plenty of learning going on otherwise, but at least the tangible stuff I can say we finished!

[Aeress]

DD decided that she wants to learn about dinosaurs, so I scrambling to gather materials for her.

I tend to go between following her lead and creating lesson plans.

I love the project approach to learning so I will try to use that when Bella shows interest in a subject.

[LeftField]

We've changing from total unschooling to something relaxed that is something else. Basically, I think my son is looking for something else with more substance. Currently, they play all day, which is awesome. But I forget to suggest things and he forgets to ask. Sometimes it comes up at the end of the day that he wanted to do science or something and it's too late. So, we sat down together and designed a loose weekly schedule. He chose a subject for each weekday. There's no time limit on those days, but it will serve as a reminder to us to do something in that area.

Thursday (I think) was math day but he lost interest after 10 minutes of worksheets (he loves worksheets) so that was it. I'm trying to brainstorm alternative ways of doing subjects. He loves to build things so I think there are lots of possibilities there.

Today is "painting and art day" per his design. We'll definitely pull out the paints and such later today. But I think I'm going to incorporate a simple study on an artist on this day as well. He loves the art museum and so I think he would be open to learning about different artists, even if it's only superficially. We'll start with Leonardo da Vinci, simply because I have a bunch of books on da Vinci, including a children's book.

I had also thought about introducing a musical composer periodically, just to tell the simple story of his life (e.g. Mozart was a child musician) and to play some music. The kids love different types of music, including classical. I started reading the Ambleside Online free curriculum yesterday so my head is full of random ideas now. I think I'm going to read some of the poetry Ambleside lists on our language arts day, because it seems fun.

[elizawill]

I have a dd in K. we use the free unit lessons from the core knowledge website (the Baltimore Curriculum ones). THen for math I use Saxon, and for phonics I use Explode the Code Books 1,2, and 3 and Happy Phonics. Then there is the library of course...my favorite resource of all )

[Aeress]

Dd just started showing interest in doing phonics. I have lots of games.

I also started making her some math games and such. We aren't technically K yet (per school yr) but DD is 5 so we are kinda doing pre-k/k depending on her interest.

[emilys_mom1]

I just picked up some great Disney Princess ABC and number work books at our local dollar store. These will work perfect for my DD that is 5. We are just starting to learn the alphabet and numbers by site, name, and sound.

We are using the letter of the week program http://www.letteroftheweek.com/

We also do circle time weekly where was study our Bible verse, storytime, music, flash cards of the letters that we have covered so far (A-D), and play board games to work on numbers.

We are starting a ballet/tap class this week, attend a bible study once a week, and we try to get to the library once a week. We also have computer time daily.

I've been working at adding art projects to our weekly schedule as well.

We just received our books on Friday: Singapore Math 1A and 1B and Writing without tears. These look like great books. We started 1A this weekend and she is loving the workbook.

[Mary-Beth]

Leftfield,
Starfall.com has a section with composers...they have a jutebox with Mozart and others. It would go along well with your idea.


At our house we follow the girls lead mostly. I introduce stuff too though...like telling them about Saint Valentine and suggesting we make cards and making glitter, glue, stickers, paper doiles, scissors, markers, etc available.


We're getting into science projects lately...pouring, mixing, making things bubble, etc.

[DesireeH]

Subscribing!

[Serendipity]

Originally Posted by Mary-Beth

Leftfield,
Starfall.com has a section with composers...they have a jutebox with Mozart and others. It would go along well with your idea.


At our house we follow the girls lead mostly. I introduce stuff too though...like telling them about Saint Valentine and suggesting we make cards and making glitter, glue, stickers, paper doiles, scissors, markers, etc available.


We're getting into science projects lately...pouring, mixing, making things bubble, etc.

i haven't looked at starfall in a long time and was thrilled after this post to find the artist and music sections, can't wait to show my boy!

[4evermom]

Unschooling here .

Ds has been enjoying playing with numbers, basically doing addition and simple multiplication. Stuff like "Hey mom, four 2s are eight!"

He's drawing more and more interested in being read to.

We put up a birdfeeder yesterday and are waiting for the birds to find it.

He plays a lot of computer games and has a lot of associated sight words.