[First grade help! - added possible options]

This excludes unschooling. And that isn't a bad thing. It just isn't unschooling. Possibly you are unsure of what unschooling really is, and that isn't a bad thing, either. :001_smile:

 

LOL after I posted that and looked at my choices again I realized I didn't word it correctly! Obviously I don't mean unschooling in the traditional sense. We will have a more classical approach for the core (language arts {and all that falls under that umbrella}, math, reading) and then we will allow the six year old to pick what he wants to learn about in science and history areas. He's taken a real interest in the human body so we might do a few weeks of that with books, videos, hands on activities and such. So yes, we will not be unschooling...didn't mean to use the term incorrectly. Just meant that the rest of the studies we do will be child-led. 

[First grade help! - added possible options]

Thank you so much for the recommendations. I will go check them out! (also going to check out your blog as we have children close in age!) 

 

I might need to work on a little phonics with him...he's having a hard time with his current words (the last three sets have been 'challenge' words since he aced the pretest). He's struggling with the the ends of the words mostly. I don't know where  we need to start with phonics work since he can read and sound out most words, it's just the actual spelling of the words he has trouble with. 

 

 

[First grade help! - added possible options]

I compromise on the structure/free learning ideals. We have a morning routine that takes about 1-2 hours (usually closer to 1) and covers the essentials mainly LA and math but also logic and mapping once a week. After that we "unschool" for the rest of the day.  This gives me the knowledge and reassurance that we are covering the basics and are not missing anything essential but also gives us the freedom and time to explore and learn what we are really interested in. My girls are in preK (but doing K) and 1st grade. I mostly keep lessons in each topic to 5-10 minutes.

 

LEK, this exactly. That's kind of the approach I want to take. School for short periods on the essential core and then leave the rest of the day to to 'unschool.' I plan to follow his lead in science and history that way. Whatever he finds interesting we will look into and 'study' for however long he wants to. It's just picking the initial core books/materials that I'd like to use. I know I don't really NEED anything but *I* need a guide, some directions, and such to coach me along the way! 

[First grade help! - added possible options]

Well, you can't unschool and have structure (other than what you might have as far as parenting or running your household) :-) You can be relaxed; you can choose something like Charlotte Mason which is structured, but is feels more relaxed than classical/Well Trained Mind. :-)

 

Grammar and spelling are both components of "language arts." :001_smile: So, are you wanting grammar? composition? spelling?

 

You might check out Queen Homeschool Supplies. It has everything for a Charlotte Mason-based homeschool.

We need enough structure to know that there WILL be school to be done. At the desk, table, floor, couch...somewhere...but it will get done. More than likely in the morning since I fear once he's been outside to play or left to free play he won't want to refocus enough for a lesson.

 

I'd like spelling, grammar, and composition (light lessons). Enough to know the stuff but not a really strong focus where we have to spend an hour on it. Making sense? A gentle intro maybe?

[First grade help! - added possible options]

**I added a couple of the choices I am thinking about at the end**

 

Currently our six (March birthday) year old is in first grade in the public school system. He's doing great there, but struggles at home. We feel we've been called to homeschool the boys (one in preschool). Last year he did awesome in kinder. Learned to repaid very quickly and easily. Spelling was a breeze. Math was simple but he got it.

First grade seems to be quite the jump. Some kids are still doing spelling words they did last year with words like 'as, us, on, of, go, was, she...' So if you ace the pre-test you are given a set of challenge words. Those are words like 'match, patch, oxen, drop, clock...' He's struggling now. To the point where if he messes up once he is done. He's got a bit of a perfectionist attitude/fear of failing which makes things pretty difficult. Add in the tantrums that come after the failure (which I always remind him that its okay to mess up...) are awful. He's done after that and I'm lucky if I can get him to do any sort if school. Even if its 'hidden' school. He catches on and out in 2.3 seconds.

He's been coming home everyday saying he hates school. Hates it because he has to 'sit all day and learn!' I've been there and know exactly what he means. I've been looking, and looking, researching, and researching what to use and I'm still torn.

The kid is smart. Can usually catch on pretty quickly - if he allows himself to. He's reading with very little help, can do basic addition and subtraction (#'s 1-10) with a little encouragement/visual aides, has a desire to learn (until he finds out its part of school!).

It seems that un-schooling would work best for him but we both need some sort of structure and if we were just 'winging it' I'm afraid I would be doing him a dis-service. So I've been trying to look at curriculum that is short & sweet. To the point. Hands on. Easy for us both to grasp and do without butting heads (he's a stubborn one and has no currency! The kid cannot be bought). Yet still meaty.

Can any of you throw some ideas my way? Here are my top three core choices: Bible, math, grammar/language arts/spelling. Even if we alternated that last group (I grouped them because sometimes people call it all the same or its grouped that way in guides). For reading I plan to allow him to pick what he wants from the library, we are currently reading one chapter of Stuart Little each night (I'm reading aloud to the boys) and we talk about it afterwards. I'm hoping to encourage him to pick up longer books on his own towards the end if the year and we need to work on reading comp.

Oh, and as far as writing I though we could do some sort of daily or every other day journaling. Something short and sweet.

I think that's it. For now.

 

 

**Choices I am considering**

Language Arts- Grammar and Punctuation 1 with the Daily Language Review 1 workbook

Spelling: one of the teachers where he is currently attending has the years spelling words for first grade on her teacher website, I'm considering using her list as I want and adding in Pinterest activities to go along with them. That and the free Spellcity website. 

Writing: he hates writing unless, of course, it's something he has decided to do. I thought about doing a journal entry a couple days a week, maybe a pen pal (or just write to family members), and maybe some journal entries to go along with books that we are reading. 

 

Math: Singapore OR Horizons. 

 

Bible: Who is God and Can I Know Him along with the notebook journal and possibly the coloring book OR Answers For Kids 

 

Science & History will be covered as he shows interest. He's currently interested in the human body so we might find books, videos, activities to go with that! 

 

Have any of you used any of the mentioned choices? 

 

 

[What Do You Think of Our First Grade Curriculum So Far? Any Suggestions Welcomed]

Subbing so I can see all the suggestions! We're getting ready to hs our first grader so thus is perfect timing!