Curriculum
What curriculum do you use? Where do you buy it? Have you found a “gem†that you must share with others? Was something in particular a complete failure for you and your kids?
We were out and about all day yesterday but I didn’t want to miss out on the last day of the week of homeschooling!
I love that Randi posted the curriculum list for her daughter’s first grade year. Alice is starting first grade as well…and I have to say we have probably three times as many books as Randi! But that’s the worksheet/’playing school’ person in me that picked those. Sure Alice wanted one here or there, and most are a continuation of the kindergarten version of the book, but I realize we probably won’t get to all of them – and that’s okay.
I think of my neighbors when I think of how long school ‘should’ last. I know the oldest daughter follows a curriculum and has work to do for three to four hours a day. Last year I think we only spent about an hour a day really doing stuff – sure we cooked, crafted, did flash cards, played with a Barbie computer (said Christmas gift that still rocks the house) and more – but only about an hour was spent on worksheets and structured sitting down and working together time. I remember trying to stretch that to two hours but Alice just wasn’t having it. I agree with the thinking that kids will get it, work with them, don’t force, and they’ll just catch on. Sure they need to keep learning and moving forward, but it’ll happen. I like to think I don’t stress about stuff, but I’m sure my Mom would remind me of times that I have. 😉
I remember when Alice learned a concept with addition – she was counting on her fingers but say it was 4 + 5, she would count four on one hand, then five on the other, then count them all together. Then one day it hit her – she had five fingers already so bam start counting at five, eliminating a step. Seeing her so excited to realize that was awesome.
And so far I’ve bought the curriculum online or at Barnes & Noble (where I should buy stock, I’m so not kidding!). Every time we are in there I’m looking for a new workbook or a new book for the kids area in the house. I like the Evan Moor workbooks. I did venture into at least looking for a full on curriculum from a publisher but got overwhelmed very fast.
Find the last day of the week of homeschooling posts over at I Have To Say…
I think particularly smaller children benefit greatly from only a little focused “schooling” and a lot of casual learning throughout the day.
Older kids do, too, but it is harder to let go. It becomes easier when you have been working with them all along!
I think particularly smaller children benefit greatly from only a little focused “schooling” and a lot of casual learning throughout the day.
Older kids do, too, but it is harder to let go. It becomes easier when you have been working with them all along!