Once again, many thanks for the replies. This discussion is just what I needed. I have definitely realized that I need to chill a little bit. :tongue_smilie: And I figured as much, but both my son and I have been super fired up for school stuff the past two weeks. And I get so excited when he is excited about learning! Like I said previously, I think I am going to revist the idea of FIAR. I think, even though my son is begging for more structured stuff and workbooks, that I need to relax on the idea of a highly structured, academic curriculum. All of that will come in time--the last thing I want his for him to detest doing the ocasional worksheet or get burnt out altogether. Also, like someone else pointed out, if I start too far ahead now, I'm going to end up with a child not ready for all of the writing that comes with the more advanced curriculum. All of the suggestions for "extras" are very helpful, too, as well as the math suggestions. My child also places in level B for RightStart, but I seriously question that, so it's helpful to know that another parent was in the same situation and chose to go with A anyway.

Also very helpful--I didn't see this 'till after I posted my latest reply. Thanks!

Thank you for your replies! rieshy, yes, I have seen ambleside, but because I wasn't interested in it as a curriculum I mostly forgot about it--so thank you for the reminder! It could definitely be a good resource to help incorporate nature walks and whatnot (and the book lists are another good resource). I have heard good things about Oak Meadow, and while I think it would be a lot of fun, I don't think it would be a great fit right now. Mostly because academically my son seems beyond their kindergarten curriculum (he already knows numbers 1-10 & beyond, all uppercase & lowercase letters and their sounds, is starting to blend and read a little bit, etc.), and so I can't justify the cost for all of the other stuff. Which looks good, but...if I pushed myself a bit more I could probably work out a schedule of similar activities for us to do on my own. Which I should. But I haven't. I have looked at FIAR in the past, and while at first I thought that I would love a truly literature-based curriculum (we are big readers in this household, and I do know that whatever I do, I want to incorporate a lot of great literature), I tried and bombed (we did try Peak with Books last year and again earlier this year. I thought doing some organized activities based on some good books would be a hit...I never got in the groove, and while the kiddo loves books, he never got into it, either). I think I want something slightly more traditional, with lots of good literature pulled in...am I totally backwards, or wishing for something that doesn't exist? :tongue_smilie: Of course I could just let things go for another year, and just try to do more nature-type stuff, some good art and music activities, and continue with what we've been doing (which involves lots of reading). I think this would all be perfectly sufficient for a 4-year old, but my son has other things in mind. He loves to do hands-on projects and activities, and he would live outside if I let him. BUT he begs me to let him do workbooks and worksheets, and he begs for math activities. He will sit with me and the c-rods for 30 minutes or more. He'll work on a workbook just as long as well. And let me tell you, I never expected I'd be buying workbooks/worksheets for my kiddo. I had envisioned a lot more hands-on stuff, especially at this age! But he really truly enjoys it, so...I figure I should let him learn in all of the ways he enjoys, not just the ways I think are best? I'm going to look more closely at FIAR again and see what I think. It's been awhile since I checked it out. In the meantime, please keep the ideas coming! This is all very helpful as I try to figure things out. :)

I've been lurking for a few days, but this is my first post here--hi all! Well, I'd like some suggestions, as my title implies. I know I am probably the zillionth new homeschooling parent to ask these questions, but I would greatly appreciate any ideas, guidance, or discussion that you fine folks have to offer me. Let me see if I can break this down as simply as possible without writing a novel! My son is 4, and while I'm content to let formal schooling wait awhile, he is begging for more structured activities. So, I figured we'd go ahead and start with something so we can both get our feet wet before we need to officially start kindergarten. Academically he's beyond what most prescool curriculum has to offer (and I don't see the need, for us anyway, to spend money on a program of themes and arts and crafts--we can do that ourselves) so if I'm looking for something with academics more on his level, I guess I am looking at kindergarten curriculum. I don't necessarily need or want a complete boxed curriculum (and I don't think the perfect complete curriculum exists for us, anyway--I imagine they don't exist for most families!). I am drawn to a classical approach, and I need it to be secular. But I also want a lot of hands-on stuff, things that are fun and engaging. I want to incorporate environment and nature studies. I am drawn to the art elements of waldorf-type programs, though I am thinking that we need something a bit more structured academically than most of the waldorf or waldorf-ish curriculums out there. Does anyone have any ideas where I should start? I have scoured the internet and done quite a bit of research, but I think I'm at that point where the more I read the more confused I become. So far I have taken a liking to the Moving Beyond the Page curriculum, as well as the Right Start math (which is what MBtP recommends to use with their program, anyway). MBtP, if I am gauging it correctly, looks to incorporate so many of those elements I am drawn too--good literature, hands-on, but a somewhat academic focus. The Right Start math also looks very hands-on, and I like the way it presents certain skills. Saxon or Singapore or Miquon...I'm just not feeling those, though I am completely opened to being convinced otherwise (or being introduced to something I haven't discovered yet!). Like I said, I am not necessarily looking for something complete, but I think I do need a good foundation to start with--something I can use to get myself organized, and then I'll supplement from there. I don't mind adding other areas to a basic curriculum (like math or art), but I need suggestions for those, too! I'm also wondering if I'm looking at too much for this age. I don't know if we should be diving in head first like this. On one hand, he's begging for it. But I want to ensure that I keep it low-pressure, relaxed, and most importantly, fun! I think we're both excited to get started on something more structured, but I don't want either of us to get burned out. I hope I have not rambled too much--any help is appreciated! :)