Wow, now I have a lot more to consider after reading everyone's comments... Never thought about combining FLL and BW. I probably just need to read TWJ to understand the BW philosophy better. Thank you to everyone who replied! :)

What is TWSS?

Thanks so much, ladies, for the responses! One more question. Do you think BW is the "same" or "better" as FLL/WWE? Or is it like comparing apples and oranges? I think I will end up getting TWJ now. (Ooh DH, sorry!)... just wish it weren't so pricey!!

Forgot to mention that MFW 1st includes phonics instruction....

Hi, I've just stumbled across Brave Writer and I know it's on sale now at the HSBC until the end of May. My DD is a rising 1st grader. I'm wondering if anyone has used the Wand or Jot It Down? We plan on using MFW 1st as our core curric. We also supplement with ETC. Any advice would be super helpful! I'm not sure I want to use FLL and/or WWE with DD, who is very right-brained and creative, but also a reluctant writer.... is it worth getting TWJ right now, also? Thanks in advance!!! jane :hat:

I ordered my $3 recitation for first grade! So excited :)

Bumping for you! :bigear:

How does Core B line up with SOTW?

Ditto! Just posted in your blog...lovely, just lovely! Please do share more about your morning circle time! :). Jane

What a great reminder!

If you do decide to sell this - I would love to buy it! Please msg me... thanks!!

You mean First Start Reading? :) You could try Christian Light Education 1st grade "Learn to Read" (even though he's reading, it moves fast) or if you wanted an integrated curriculum, My Father's World 1st grade phonics program is solid and finishes the rest of the phonograms.

Bumping

Here is something I've found in the past -- and I cannot remember where, for the life of me! -- HTHs! :-) Homeschooling Kindergarten Whether you choose an eclectic curriculum or will let playtime be your child's teacher, you can guide your Kindergarten year with a basic understanding of specific academic content that is generally acquired at the age of 5. READING Know the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make, including short and long vowels, hard and soft consonants, blends, digraphs, and dipthongs. Sound out C-V-C and C-V-Ce words Read at least 50 sight words, such as I, the, is, an, and, this, was, were, color words, number words for one - ten, and days of the week Make and repeat rhyming words and alliteration Clap out syllables in words Build an extended speaking vocabulary Understand the concepts of print, in how a book opens and how text flows Begin to use before-, during-, and after-reading strategies, such as making predictions, using pictures to extract meaning, and recalling information from text Listen to a variety of text, including fiction books, poetry, nonfiction books, magazines, newspapers, multimedia (websites), recipes, signs, posters, and labels Identify characters, setting, and the plot of a story WRITING Practice proper pencil grip Practice proper formation for upper and lower case print letters Use descriptive language Dictate, draw, or write about experiences, personal ideas, or a topic of interest Use basic capitalization and punctuation Use subject/verb agreement and proper verb tense Use noun/pronoun agreement MATH Identify, make, and build patterns using manipulatives, pictures, sound, and numbers Identify and name digits 0 - 9 Count to at least 20 Count backwards from 10 Add and subtract equations up to 20 without carrying or borrowing Use a number line Identify and name basic coins Understand the concept of one-half Use ordinal position to demonstrate understanding of first to fifth position Identify, describe, and sort geometric figures, such as square, rectangle, triangle, diamond, circle, and oval Compare, describe, and order objects in terms of small, big, and biggest, for length, height, and weight; as well as cold, warm, and hot for temperature Identify and describe measurements of day, in terms of morning, afternoon, and night; days of the week; months of the year; and seasons Learn how to collect data for simple survey questions (ex- what is your favorite fruit) using a tally mark system Read, describe, and compare data on bar and picture graphs SCIENCE Begin to provide factual reasons to the question: How do you kow that? Build models using simple materials, such as construction paper, cardboard, tape, and markers Build oral and written observation skills in a variety of settings to describe things like Rocks, soil, trees, and water Sun, moon, and stars Changes in weather Classes of animals, such as dogs and cats [*]Investigate places where plants and animals live and describe differences in location, activity, features, and movement [*]Identify characteristics that support a variety of life, such as air, space, food, and shelter [*]Examine the life cycle of plants and animals. (ex- frogs, butterflies, and lima beans are all good experiments you can do at home) [*]Explore and identify how objects move - Along different paths, such as straight or curved To change direction To speed up or slow down In response to pushes or pulls [*]Observe and describe the effects of magnets [*]Observe and describe the effects of sound and vibrations from a variety of objects (ex- people, musical instruments, objects) in a variety of settings (ex- closed room, open auditorium, outdoors) SOCIAL STUDIES Identify American, safety, and universal symbols and their meaning Identify and describe a variety of holidays celebrated in our country Describe the roles, rights, responsibilities, and rules of being a member of your family and community Identify and describe the roles of various community workers, such as police officers, fire fighters, postal workers, farmers, and various service industry workers Identify physical features on a globe and map Identify oceans and continents Identify and describe different land forms, such as hills, mountains, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds Identify and describe man-made features, such as buildings, streets, and bridges Identify and describe farm-to-table processes for foods we eat Explain different methods of transportation for land, water, and air for animals, people, and products Describe the difference between wants and needs Recognize the value of goods and services is effected by different factors and that goods can be acquired with money, bartering, or self-work Build timelines that distinguish between past, present, and future within one's own life and in a historical context TECHNOLOGY Build computer skills learning mouse control, clicking, and basic keyboard entry Begin to learn how to navigate kid-friendly websites to discover new information, watch video clips, and practice skills through the use of educational online games ART Identify, describe and use color, lines, shapes, and texture in art Identify, describe, and create various works of art, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture Observe art in various settings and discuss its form, elements and your reaction to the art P.E. Demonstrate locomotor skills that include walking, jogging, running, hopping, and jumping Demonstrate non-locomotor skills that include bending, pulling, stretching, twisting, turning, pushing, and swinging at various speeds, patterns, and direction Demonstrate manipulation skills by rolling, throwing, and bouncing balls of various sizes Demonstrate balance in walking and standing on one foot Engage in regular physical activity, such as biking, swimming, T-ball, or soccer Demonstrate good sportsmanship through cooperation and respect of others

My artsy DD enjoys using these handwriting sheets: https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=040db99e18&view=att&th=139d43ecd581f20d&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_h74v3bq40&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P9_9sTjBHg-cW5171Dzifd4&sadet=1355929004320&sads=abaNfhmYLAAVK4kNFKhMo0QH5w4 There's a space to draw, and moreover it's free! :)

Maybe consider MFW 1st? MFW tends to have more hand-on activities that accompany the history studies. Good luck!! :)

:iagree: yup!

We're enjoying Singapore and Miquon!

Wow, thank you so very much everyone!!!! I really appreciate the feedback and advice. What a weight off my shoulders. I suspect she is a lefty but I can't tell because she's always switching -LOL! I guess I'll just wait it out and see which hand becomes more dominant over time. :grouphug:

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice! My 4 yr old DD seems to want to use both hands to write and switches her pencil from one hand to the other every 5 minutes - no matter how often I remind her to pick one hand and stick with it. I really don't care which hand she uses but she doesn't seem to want to stick to one hand. Has this ever happened to anyone before? I'm really hoping one day she'll just prefer one hand over the other? She is SO eager to learn to write her name (I'm not pushing it on her at all) but she switches hands so often it makes it hard to teach her pencil grip and letter formation properly. Any advice would be appreciated! :bored:

Thanks! Great to know!

DITTO! I'm new to homeschooling and the videos have made math come alive for my 5 yr old. Thank you for being such a blessing to the homeschooling community! :grouphug:

We are actually doing Core A now - just started and we just finished My Father's Dragon as well (read out of order) - they loved it! We're reading the Boxcar children at the moment, and they love that too. We won't be finished with this until the summer/fall (doing 4/days a week as well). Thanks for your advice! :001_smile:

Yes, exactly... baby #3 is soon arriving and with rising 1st grader and Preker, I need something planned out for me... :tongue_smilie:

Last bump? :bigear: