I sure hope this gets a lot more replies. If the WTM method is totally stinky, I need to come up with something else. DD started formal schooling this year, young by many people's standards. I'm thrilled about it, though, as it gives her an extra year or so of studies before starting the cycles. Right now, she is developing a broad understanding of life, physical and earth sciences. So, I was looking at the first 4-year cycle as a way to dive deeper into each category. I don't know if I would be as on board with it, if she didn't have that initially broad introduction, though. Hmm. Do people generally want more of a spiral curriculum for grammar stage?

DD's a younger K-1 student, but we work 2-3 hours a day, 5 days a week, year around. We will stick with this for the next year or two.

Good question. I was planning to start the 4-year science cycle next year with DD. I was planning to supplement, yet stay within the categories listed. That would be animals, plants and the human body for us.

Why would you want to stop? That's sounds boring. :lol:

Art, eh? That might be one to consider. :001_smile:

For the really littles, there's Sid the Science Kid. And, the Magic School Bus videos.

It's all in my siggy (except for the stuff we've completed). We maybe, maybe will use Story of the World as a supplement in time, but that's as close to religious curriculum that we'll get. We are Christian, we just prefer to have complete control over DD's religious education. I don't want to have to police religious curriculum for hidden agendas all of the time, nor do we need the editorializing, so we just stay away from it.

Why do you want to use SF over more traditional home-school materials? Did you come upon some for free or something? I looked into traditional textbook company materials and found them difficult to adapt to home-school. Or, at least, difficult to track down exactly what you need. There are so many different workbooks, teacher guides, etc. Then, you have different state standard editions. Anyway, I bought (and then returned) SF kindergarten science materials. I was not impressed. Don't know what subject you're looking for, but I think Harcourt Science has decent textbooks that have little activities throughout. We have the first grade science text (arctic fox edition). However, the text is so simplistic that it actually makes it more difficult to retain information. My DD did better when I read a more complex non-fiction reader to her.

If you want something quick, virtually open-and-go, yet still teaches quality science, I suggest Evan-Moor's Everyday Literacy Science. http://www.evan-moor.com/Product.aspx?CurriculumID=3&ClassID=188&SeriesID=256&TitleID=861&EmcID=18725 There are also pre-k and first grade versions. We are currently using first grade, plus a few subjects from the k level. When it feels easy and appropriate, I combine lessons to three days per week. In addition to the hands-on activity on the last day, I also sometimes add a book (i.e. Let's Read and Find Out Science book) that I read aloud, a video or another activity. DD and I both enjoy it. (I think it may even be DD's favorite subject right now.) She is retaining the information well too. PS - I used to put together a much more complex science for DD. It was very labor-intensive and got expensive. I discovered this about a month ago and chucked what I was doing because I was so impressed with the subject matter, yet the simplicity of it all. This fall, we will start the four-year science cycle as recommended in the WTM. Until then, this is it. PPS - Also, you might look into Sid the Science Kid videos as an extra.

Thanks, everyone! So much to think about. I'm wondering whether the time frame I have in mind is unrealistic. I was thinking lapbooks for each country we study during our study of world cultures. There are about 18-20 countries that I want to cover for the school year. I was thinking two weeks per country, but I didn't want to study geography daily...maybe three times per week. And, some of those days would be me reading books to DD and watching videos, etc. So, that wouldn't leave too much time for lapbooking. Not to mention, we have to study general geography stuff too. I'm not even sure an entire year's worth of time would be enough. Wow! How am I going to do this? Maybe notebooking would be a better fit. Hmm. Maybe I need to cut the number of countries.

That's one thing I was considering. I was thinking about designing a couple of different template designs that I could print out that have little boxes with labels on them. DD could paste the correct type of items on top of the boxes. For example, there would be a place for land forms. DD would need to decide which land forms and paste them in that area.

Thanks...I appreciate it! :D How long did it take your DC to complete this lapbook? I have been thinking about having most everything cut out ahead of time for the sake of time. Can't decide whether having her cut and color everything would take too long...keep DD's attention. I'm planning lapbooks for the study of world cultures, so this would be something we would do every week...not ever once in a while. I didn't think about having DD trace some things. Might be a good idea.

LOL! That's partially one reason for us...in a way. Not Disney World every time.

That's really what I'm wanting to see. I want DD to do as much as possible, but I also realize she'll need some prompts. While DD can do pretty well cutting, she likes to be fast, so... ;) She does a pretty good job writing, but I doubt that I'll be able to get her to write too terribly small, so I'm trying to figure that part out, as lapbooks seem to have some rather cozy spots to write in. Thanks! :001_smile:

Yes, these! http://www.amazon.com/Nora-Gaydos/e/B001K8FSXA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1329950812&sr=8-1 You'll need to look at the samples and figure out what level of difficulty you need. I believe Animal Antics 1 (with ten books) is the lowest level. We have it and DD reads them in conjunction with Hooked on Phonics. Also, Pat the Cat and Friends. http://www.amazon.com/Pat-Cat-Friends-Read-Along/dp/0789402335/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329951114&sr=1-6 Hold on a second. Ok, back. :tongue_smilie: Here is what Hooked on Phonics recommends to go along with their Kindergarten program. Hooked on Phonics K teaches CVC, -ck and -s words. Kindergarten, Level 1 Unit 1: Pat the Cat: A Flip-the-Page Rhyme and Read Book by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins Pig Wig: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-at family chapter) Stop Pop: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-an family chapter) Unit 2: Wet Pet: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-am family chapter) Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 1: Mat) Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 2: Sam) Unit 3: Crab Cab: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ab family chapter) Pig Wig: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ig family chapter) Unit 4: Mig the Pig: A Flip-the-Page Rhyme and Read Book by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins Crab Cab: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-it family chapter) Unit 5: Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 7: Jig and Mag) Unit 6: Now I'm Reading! Playful Pals, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 1: Rat Naps) Now I'm Reading! Playful Pals, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 3: Pig Sits) Kindergarten, Level 2 Unit 1: Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 4: Mac) Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 11: Lad and the Fat Cat) Crab Cab: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ot family chapter) Stop Pop: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-op family chapter) Unit 2 -3: None Unit 4: Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 8: Muff and Ruff) Now I'm Reading! Playful Pals, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 4: Bug on a Rug) Now I'm Reading! Clever Critters, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 2: The Big Cub) Unit 5: Jen the Hen: A Flip-the-Page Rhyme and Read Book by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins Mouse Makes Words by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook Now I'm Reading! Clever Critters, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 3: The Wet Pup) Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers by Bobby Lynn Maslen (Book 12: The Vet) Wet Pet: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ed family chapter) Now I'm Reading!: Animal Antics - Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 5: Wet Legs) Unit 6: Now I'm Reading! Clever Critters, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 4: The Fox Begs) Quack Shack: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ack family chapter) Quack Shack: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ock family chapter) Quack Shack: Flip-a-Word by Harriet Ziefert (-ick family chapter) Now I'm Reading! Playful Pals, Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 5: A Bed for Pets) Now I'm Reading!: Animal Antics - Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 1: Fat Cat) Now I'm Reading!: Animal Antics - Level 1 by Nora Gaydos (Book 3: Pig Jigs) Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

I'm thinking about trying some lapbooking this fall with my DD. Anyone have blog posts and pics of their K-1 student's work? I'm working on some templates/packets, but want to be realistic in my expectations. Thanks so much!! :D

I was going to say take a month to study a fun elective. So, are the February Blahs annual phenomena? Maybe that's why school hasn't been quite as fun some days this month and it seems as though DD is spacing more. Hmm. Is there a summer/fall equivalent for those schooling year-around? I've been trying to switch things up a bit.

Tear out the pages you want him to do for the day? I have set lessons for DD each day, so once they're done, they're done. We could have finished SM Earlybird A plenty fast, but we just did what I had planned each day. I didn't want her to rush through just to complete the book. I guess another option would be to buy some cheapy math workbooks that he can do on his own. Save the school math workbook for school.

My DD will do that too. She knows how to properly form her letters, but when she's free-writing, she doesn't always take the time to do so. My favorite is when she starts a word way too close to the right edge of the paper. Her solution is to just start writing the word backwards in the other direction. :tongue_smilie: I've noticed, though, that as the weeks/months pass by, she makes fewer mistakes during free-writing.

How about studying about cultures/countries around the world? That's what we're going to do when we use Beginning Geography. Do you have a good library system? I recently picked up a book about Mexico from a series called Country Explorers. I think the series will be great for DD's age. http://www.amazon.com/Mexico-Country-Explorers-Tom-Streissguth/dp/0822585081/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329878746&sr=8-1 Also, I think I'm going to use the Many Cultures, One World series. http://www.amazon.com/Mexico-Many-Cultures-One-World/dp/0736815341/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329878909&sr=1-1 We're planning to lapbook or notebook about each country we study. Also, your DC might like GeoPuzzle puzzles. I recently ordered the Europe one for cheap from Amazon. Got it today and DD was all about it. I was surprised how into it she was when we put it together. She wanted me to re-read all of the countries names several times.

I'm always trying to plan ahead so I can round up books and other resources. We're continuing on with these... Zaner-Bloser (transitioning from HWOT right now), may just focus on copy work after completion of book 1 or we may move onto book 2 Hooked on Phonics + Explode the Code Singapore Math - Finishing up Earlybird now, will proceed with 1A and 1B Adding/Switching to... Geography & World Cultures - Using Evan-Moor Beginning Geography, plus a host of other resources. Probably will go the lapbook route. Science - Will start the WTM four-year cycle. I'm sure I'll add in a some enrichment/art activities here and there. Trying to decide whether to pick up a foreign language.

Not sure how old your DD is, but DD will be starting geography and the study of world cultures this fall. We are using Evan-Moor's Beginning Geography, Scholastic's Ready-to-Go Super Books of Outline Maps (eBook) along with non-fiction and fiction books that relate to the twenty or so countries we're going to study in-depth, among other resources. I think we're going to lapbook. If your DD is fairly young, I just wanted to recommend books in the following two series...Country Explorers (insert country) and Many Countries, One World (insert country). I thought I was going to use some other series that I've seen mentioned on here, but they didn't wow me after I read through a couple.

Probably not what you're looking for at all, but I recently discovered this resource by Evan-Moor. We're using the first grade level, but there are also Pre-K and K versions. DD and I both love it. Retention has been good. I combine the lessons so that I only teach science three days a weeks instead of five. On the final day, I add additional activities and/or read books, if I wish. We will start the four-year science cycle come fall, but this is what we're doing until then. http://www.evan-moor.com/Product.aspx?CurriculumID=3&ClassID=188&SeriesID=256&TitleID=861&EmcID=18725

Why not start her on FIAR now? She's definitely not too young for it.

Noted in red.