Phonics: Explode the Code, Books A, B , C.
Math: MCP Mathematics, Level K.
Science: God's Creation Series -The World God Made, Grade K, from Christian Liberty Press.
Big Book of God's Amazing Creation - Science and Nature Activities for Ages 3 to 12,
from Gospel Light.
History/Geography: Little Pilgrims in God's World, Grade K, from Christian Liberty Press.
Beginning Geography, Grades K-2, from Evan Moor.
Art: Art for the Very Young, Ages 3-6, from Instructional Fair.
Foreign Language: Let's Learn Spanish, Kindergarten, from Hayes School Publishing Co.
My First English-Spanish Picture Dictionary, from Publications International.
Other Additional Resources: Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills, Grades Preschool and K,
from American Education Publishing.
Favorite Poems Old and New, from Delacorte Press.
The Growing Readers Phonics Bible, from Tyndale House Publishers.
I will also be utilizing various children's story books (which I already have on hand) to reinforce some of the lessons in the texts I am using. Photocopies of free worksheets from the internet will be used to help teach numbers, letters, nursery rhymes, and other concepts to my preschooler. I may also search the internet for seasonal or holiday craft project ideas.
Showing posts with label Curriculum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curriculum. Show all posts
Monday, September 2, 2013
Thursday, November 22, 2012
"Child-led" Learning...
While educating my own children, I never really thought much about what some homeschooling families call "child-led" learning, which may or may not have anything to do with "un-schooling". To me, those phrases concocted images of a child being left pretty much on his own, playing all day, and not really learning much of anything. I educated my children in a fairly traditional way, much along the ways of your typical public school classroom. The main exception was that I chose my own curriculum which focused on conservative values, capitalism, and divine creation - a good thing, but, at first, I did not give much thought to what each individual child was interested in. My initial mindset was that THIS is what my child is supposed to learn at this particular grade level, and so, THAT is what I'll be teaching!
Of course, as time went on, I realized that if a child was not interested in something, it will be very difficult to get him or her to learn from it. I also began to understand that what works well for one child, may not work well for another. I discovered that while we must cover all the basic subjects required by law, we can focus less on the boring stuff, and study more intently what interests the child. My young (4 year old) grandson is already making his preferences known!
My grandson is a very intelligent, very active, "hands-on" little guy. He's not much into "paper and pencil" work. He is very interested in anything having to do with machines, construction, tools, science, cooking, sewing, biology, experimentation, history, etc. He does not like learning his A-B-Cs or 1-2-3s. So, to teach those subjects, I must incorporate interesting info about an animal or a special person or object, and add an internet video or craft project to get my grandson to remember the letter or number.
Lately, my grandson has been enjoying watching the cartoon "Rescue Heroes". He will sometimes wear a cape and mask and become a super hero. Other times he will dress in his "scrubs" and play with his doctor kit. Recently, in class, we studied about our major internal organs and "dissected" a "human" body (science kit) that I had purchased from Walmart. He absolutely loved that! (There are pictures of my grandson doing this activity here on my blog.) Recently, we discussed dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency, and talked about what constituted an "emergency" - Pappaw falling off of the roof, for example! (A few days before this discussion, my husband had been up on the roof, cleaning off sticks and leaves, and my grandson had been afraid that he might fall off.) Boy, did my grandson's eyes light up after learning what to do in an emergency! I'm beginning to fear that the cops or an ambulance may just show up at my door any day now! Ha! Ha!
Earlier, this week, my grandson came across a First-Aid book that I have. It has many pictures and shows how to do various types of First-Aid procedures on children.
My grandson's interest was stirred by these pages:
He brought me the book and asked me to read it to him. I explained that this book showed what to do in emergencies; for example, what to do if a child had broken his arm. My grandson said, "I want to do that. I want a broke arm!" lol! The next day, my grandson took this book to his Pappaw and asked him to read it to him.
Okay, I've gotten the hint! It looks like I'm going to have to teach this 4 year old kid how to do First-Aid!
I think that now I finally understand the concept of "Child-led Learning".
Of course, as time went on, I realized that if a child was not interested in something, it will be very difficult to get him or her to learn from it. I also began to understand that what works well for one child, may not work well for another. I discovered that while we must cover all the basic subjects required by law, we can focus less on the boring stuff, and study more intently what interests the child. My young (4 year old) grandson is already making his preferences known!
My grandson is a very intelligent, very active, "hands-on" little guy. He's not much into "paper and pencil" work. He is very interested in anything having to do with machines, construction, tools, science, cooking, sewing, biology, experimentation, history, etc. He does not like learning his A-B-Cs or 1-2-3s. So, to teach those subjects, I must incorporate interesting info about an animal or a special person or object, and add an internet video or craft project to get my grandson to remember the letter or number.
Lately, my grandson has been enjoying watching the cartoon "Rescue Heroes". He will sometimes wear a cape and mask and become a super hero. Other times he will dress in his "scrubs" and play with his doctor kit. Recently, in class, we studied about our major internal organs and "dissected" a "human" body (science kit) that I had purchased from Walmart. He absolutely loved that! (There are pictures of my grandson doing this activity here on my blog.) Recently, we discussed dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency, and talked about what constituted an "emergency" - Pappaw falling off of the roof, for example! (A few days before this discussion, my husband had been up on the roof, cleaning off sticks and leaves, and my grandson had been afraid that he might fall off.) Boy, did my grandson's eyes light up after learning what to do in an emergency! I'm beginning to fear that the cops or an ambulance may just show up at my door any day now! Ha! Ha!
Earlier, this week, my grandson came across a First-Aid book that I have. It has many pictures and shows how to do various types of First-Aid procedures on children.
My grandson's interest was stirred by these pages:
He brought me the book and asked me to read it to him. I explained that this book showed what to do in emergencies; for example, what to do if a child had broken his arm. My grandson said, "I want to do that. I want a broke arm!" lol! The next day, my grandson took this book to his Pappaw and asked him to read it to him.
Okay, I've gotten the hint! It looks like I'm going to have to teach this 4 year old kid how to do First-Aid!
I think that now I finally understand the concept of "Child-led Learning".
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A Great Science / Biology Lab for all grade levels!
"Squishy Human Body" by: SmartLab
(purchased from Walmart)
The kit contains a large "text" booklet describing each body part shown and the function of each; a 12 and a half inches tall human "body" with bones, muscles, and vital organs which can be removed; forceps and tweezers for performing the "operations"; and an organizer chart to display the removed organs. (This pic shows that the rib cage, stomach, and intestines have already been removed. My just-turned four year old grandson absolutely LOVES this educational toy! There is so much information in the booklet, that we will probably need 2 weeks to thoroughly study and dissect this human "body"!)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Number "4" and Shapes...
This week week we are learning the number 4 - how to recognize it, write it, and count objects to 4. We are also learning to recognize the shapes that have 4 sides and 4 corners / angles, as well as learning to draw them.
The visual aids are hand-made from construction paper and laminated. Self-stick magnets were attached to the back for display on my magnetic wipe-off white board. The number 4 is a painted wooden magnet that I purchased.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Numbers / File Folder Book
We use stickers (placed in the box) to show "how many" the number indicates.
Alphabet Book / Three-Ring Binder
Pictures to color can be found on the internet. For example, enter into your search engine: anteater coloring picture. Preschool writing paper can also be copied from internet sources. Place each completed page in clear, three-ring binder pockets.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A Great (FREE) Preschool Curriculum...
I've just discovered a great preschool curriculum (plans, suggestions, etc.) online that you can print off for free! It is called "Letter of the Week" by Brightly Beaming Resources. But, it isn't just letters - it also incorporates numbers, shapes, colors, science facts, nursery rhymes, stories, etc.
www.letteroftheweek.com/preschool_age_3.html
www.letteroftheweek.com/Preparatory.html
www.letteroftheweek.com/preschool_age_3.html
www.letteroftheweek.com/Preparatory.html
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Homeschooling Through High School - You Can Do It!
I have become aware that there are some Christian homeschooling families who homeschool their children only during their elementary and middle school years and then put them in public school for their high school years. I personally feel that this can potentially cause more harm than good, for it is the environment of the public high schools that can have the most negative influences on your children. It has been my own experience with my own children that these negative influences (peer pressure, disrespect for parents, violence, sexual harrassment, immoral lifestyles, smoking, drugs, etc.) actually begin showing themselves in the public middle schools - by the 6th & 7th grades, if not sooner. If parents homeschool for the lower grades only, then it is more than probable that the good they tried to instill in their children will become undone by the time they graduate high school. Sure, there is a chance that these kids will turn out fine despite the negative influences during their most formative years, but that chance is slim because the parents will no longer be the major power exerted over the minds and behavior of their children. More waking hours will be spent in the company of their immature peers who, for the most part, lack proper social skills than in the company of their mature parents who know the proper way to act in social situations. Also, these formerly homeschooled children will now be exposed to textbooks which promote evolution as being fact rather than a theory, humanist propaganda rather than history, and a tolerance/acceptance for immoral and unnatural lifestyles.
Some homeschooling parents feel that they are somehow inadequate or too unlearned themselves to educate their children through high school, and that is why they stop homeschooling after elementary or middle school. While I can understand their reasoning, I want to assure these parents that homeschooling through high school CAN be done despite these fears. I've been there, I know!
(You can read more about my homeschooling experiences with my own children on my earlier blogs - from June, July, etc. of 2011.)
I graduated from a public high school knowing only basic math and basic science, yet I was able to take my kids through high school at home in all the major subjects which included Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Biology, & Chemistry. I was able to do this through a combination of lessons on video, a private tutor which we used for Algebra 1 for a few months, and a community college class in Algebra 2 which my daughter and I both took together. Needless to say, I educated myself alongside my homeschooled children. Two of my three children went on to attend college after graduating high school at home. Both of them were ready for all college-level courses. They did not have to take any remedial classes. The one child (my older son) that did not attend college, frequently tutored his girlfriend during her first year of college, despite the fact that he'd never taken a college class himself.
All three of my children ended up with great jobs, though my daughter has now become a stay-at-home mom and has asked me to help her homeschool her own children.
So, parents, please don't let your own lack of education hinder you from homeschooling your children through high school. Listed below are a few homeschooling publishers from which you may obtain lessons on video or via internet connection to homeschool instructors. Also, check with your community college for "dual enrollment" classes for your high school student. Each state will have a minimum age for enrollment in these community college classes. In my own state it is 16 years old.
www.abeka.com
www.bjupress.com
http://schooloftomorrowusa.com
www.libertyonlineacademy.com
www.chalkdust.com
www.teachingtextbooks.com
You could do an internet search for other sources. Try "homeschooling curriculum on DVD" and see what comes up.
Blessings to you on your homeschooling journey!
Some homeschooling parents feel that they are somehow inadequate or too unlearned themselves to educate their children through high school, and that is why they stop homeschooling after elementary or middle school. While I can understand their reasoning, I want to assure these parents that homeschooling through high school CAN be done despite these fears. I've been there, I know!
(You can read more about my homeschooling experiences with my own children on my earlier blogs - from June, July, etc. of 2011.)
I graduated from a public high school knowing only basic math and basic science, yet I was able to take my kids through high school at home in all the major subjects which included Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Biology, & Chemistry. I was able to do this through a combination of lessons on video, a private tutor which we used for Algebra 1 for a few months, and a community college class in Algebra 2 which my daughter and I both took together. Needless to say, I educated myself alongside my homeschooled children. Two of my three children went on to attend college after graduating high school at home. Both of them were ready for all college-level courses. They did not have to take any remedial classes. The one child (my older son) that did not attend college, frequently tutored his girlfriend during her first year of college, despite the fact that he'd never taken a college class himself.
All three of my children ended up with great jobs, though my daughter has now become a stay-at-home mom and has asked me to help her homeschool her own children.
So, parents, please don't let your own lack of education hinder you from homeschooling your children through high school. Listed below are a few homeschooling publishers from which you may obtain lessons on video or via internet connection to homeschool instructors. Also, check with your community college for "dual enrollment" classes for your high school student. Each state will have a minimum age for enrollment in these community college classes. In my own state it is 16 years old.
www.abeka.com
www.bjupress.com
http://schooloftomorrowusa.com
www.libertyonlineacademy.com
www.chalkdust.com
www.teachingtextbooks.com
You could do an internet search for other sources. Try "homeschooling curriculum on DVD" and see what comes up.
Blessings to you on your homeschooling journey!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Homeschool Curriculum I Have Tried and Liked...
The list of sources/publishers of homeschool curriculum is practically endless, but the one I buy from most is Christian Book Distributors. (CBD) http://www.christianbook.com They sell curriculum from various publishers at discounted prices. From them you will find curriculum such as this:
Accelerated Christian Education (ACE/School of Tomorrow) - workbook format, easy to implement & great for beginning homeschoolers who are unsure of what they are doing (which was me at one time! lol!) Actually, it is a good curriculum for all ages if you prefer workbooks. DVDs with instructors are available for high school math. http://www.aceministries.com
Great ideas for preschoolers & kindergarten can be found at: http://totallytots.homestead.com & http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com
Bob Jones University has homeschool curriculum (textbooks) for all grade levels with video/DVD/or online instruction available. http://www.bjupress.com
Streams of Civilization is a world history course for high school which can be purchased from CBD.
Answers in Genesis has a host of creation science curriculum/DVDs http://answersingenesis.org
and Christian Liberty Press has curriculum for all grade levels http://christianlibertypress.com , also available from CBD.
For the last half of my homeschool journey, I used books/DVDs/videos from various publishers. I did not buy all of my curriculum from just one publisher. I shopped around in order to find curriculum which would appeal to each individual child, which would suit his/her needs the best, as well as what was more cost effective. I was so glad when I discovered Christian Book Distributors. They have just about everything a Christian homeschooling family would need.
I have heard good things about the Horizons curriculum for the lower grades, and Teaching Textbooks for upper level Math, and Mystery of History for middle school. I plan to use these later, as I homeschool my grandchildren.
Please feel free to leave a comment with your own homeschooling curriculum favorites.
Accelerated Christian Education (ACE/School of Tomorrow) - workbook format, easy to implement & great for beginning homeschoolers who are unsure of what they are doing (which was me at one time! lol!) Actually, it is a good curriculum for all ages if you prefer workbooks. DVDs with instructors are available for high school math. http://www.aceministries.com
Great ideas for preschoolers & kindergarten can be found at: http://totallytots.homestead.com & http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com
Bob Jones University has homeschool curriculum (textbooks) for all grade levels with video/DVD/or online instruction available. http://www.bjupress.com
Streams of Civilization is a world history course for high school which can be purchased from CBD.
Answers in Genesis has a host of creation science curriculum/DVDs http://answersingenesis.org
and Christian Liberty Press has curriculum for all grade levels http://christianlibertypress.com , also available from CBD.
For the last half of my homeschool journey, I used books/DVDs/videos from various publishers. I did not buy all of my curriculum from just one publisher. I shopped around in order to find curriculum which would appeal to each individual child, which would suit his/her needs the best, as well as what was more cost effective. I was so glad when I discovered Christian Book Distributors. They have just about everything a Christian homeschooling family would need.
I have heard good things about the Horizons curriculum for the lower grades, and Teaching Textbooks for upper level Math, and Mystery of History for middle school. I plan to use these later, as I homeschool my grandchildren.
Please feel free to leave a comment with your own homeschooling curriculum favorites.
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