I know some folks put no stock in the 'mastery' vs. 'spiral' categories. But I also know a lot of folks do and I read about it frequently here on the boards. My oldest will be starting some gentle pre-k/kindy work this fall. We're planning to start with Rightstart Math, mostly because of its game based nature and the scripting (which will be helpful for this momma). Anyway, ultimately I gravitate toward spiral math materials because *I* would think the frequent review would be helpful. However, at 4 years old my son has managed to memorize all 50 states and their capitals, all the continents and oceans, almost all of the countries of the world, as well as all the planets, dwarf planets and every single bone of the body (by their actual medical terms). :huh: Letters and their sounds were thoroughly memorized by the time he was two. All this completely by himself based on his own ever-changing interests. I didn't really do squat except provide him the books/videos he was interested in. (I'm not sure if he's gifted or just capable of memorize a lot of stuff). Does this sound like mastery to you? Do you think this would be a child who would die in a spiral-type program and thrive in mastery? Because I always think of 'frequent review' as a good thing, because that's what I'd need, I'm wondering if this type of child is what those here on the board would consider 'mastery' minded. Thanks for your advice!

What a thoughtful, wonderfully written post. This describes me to a 'tee'. Thank you for stating my situation exactly, without belittling me or other mothers who need the gentle guidance of a curriculum. Post appreciated! :)

This is so me. I love the ideas on Pinterest, but in reality...ugh! Let us know what you decide to do because my 19 month old is quickly approaching the age where I'm going to need more to keep him busy!

I loooove my Erin Condren day planner. I'm afraid it's probably a bit too pricey for some simple pre-k, but I'll keep this in mind for the future when I'm schooling multiple (and older) children!

Thank you! He can already read both upper and lower case, and this curriculum makes you choose between cursive or manuscript. It does incorporate tactile learning and games as well, but teaches the strokes in either print or cursive format. It's a pricey curriculum, and it does emcompass all components of LA, so I don't really want to add in more things when this has it all. Unfortunately, I have to pick one or the other and I'm not sure how to know which is a good fit for a kid. Hence the reason I'm struggling to decide! :)

Hi, all. I'm getting ready to order Logic of English Foundations A for my son who will be in pre-k this fall. I am *really* struggling with whether to order manuscript or cursive. He can form all of his capital letters (manuscript), and loves to draw. I don't know if any of that matters, though. One one hand, he already can write some letters in manuscript, on the other hand, there is all this research regarding the benefits of introducing cursive from the get-go. Which did you do? How did you decide? Any thoughts on this? I am really wanting to get this ordered, and at the same time I'm really struggling with which to buy. Thanks for any advice!

Hello, all! I'm getting ready to start formally planning my little guy's pre-k year. I am looking for a simple planner to help me get underway. I need more writing space than what most of the little Wal-Mart planners provide, yet The Well-Planned Day planners are probably more involved than I need. I'm not a pinterest type person, so getting all crafty and making my own isn't going to happen. ;) I don't use a planner right now other than our large family calendar, so I'm looking for any and all suggestions. What have you found (or are you finding) that works for you? Thanks in advance!

One of the well-known private schools (not Classical) in my area uses a lot of BJU - particularly for history. They list their curriculum online, and I was surprised to see just how much American history BJU covers. Like you, I'd thought of using it for a year or two, then moving on the TWTM history cycle (only waiting those first couple of years so a younger sibling can join in from the beginning). I can't imagine why that much US history is necessary! My oldest is just 4, so I don't have any practical advice to share, but I wanted to say that I think 5 grades of American is history is overkill (not to mention narrow-minded) to say the least.

My DS4 just turned 4 at the end of February. We're looking forward to doing some fun K4 stuff in the fall! Thus far we're planning: LoE Foundations A Rightstart A Nature in a Nutshell for kids ( http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Nutshell-Kids-Activities-Minutes/dp/047104444X ) Art/Messy/Creative activities from Homegrown Preschooler ( http://www.amazon.com/Homegrown-Preschooler-Teaching-Your-Places/dp/0876594518/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458172891&sr=1-1&keywords=homegrown+preschooler ) He is really into states and continents right now, so I've already begun introducing some very simple geography with a book called Me on the Map, as well as a kid's atlas from National Geographic. I suppose I'll continue with this as long as he's interested. We also have lots of Kumon workbooks and will be practicing things like our address, phone numbers, calendar, etc. I hope I'm doing enough, but that I can make it FUN for him!

Thank you! I didn't know there was a curriculum for the Jesus Storybook Bible. That is convenient! I was looking at BSGFAA as well. It looks like what I'm after, only a little bit hodge-podgy in terms of the order. I wondered if there was something along the the lines of BSGFAA that was laid out chronologically? I suppose I could make it work the way it is written if needed. I appreciate your help!

Hello, all! I'm looking for recommendations for a Bible curriculum for my son for this fall. He'll be 4.5. I am hoping to find something that is more than just..."Noah built an ark, a flood came. Now color this rainbow." We go to BSF once per week so he does get a lot of Biblical instruction from there, but I'm looking for something we can implement at home during our pre-k homeschool. Right now we read from The Beginner's Bible and the Jesus Storybook Bible (almost) daily. What recommendations do you have that have some depth, but are still age appropriate for the pre-k crowd? PS - I don't mind coloring pages at all. In fact, I think my son would like them. I just want the teaching to have a little bit more 'meat' than just the really, really basic stuff. Thank you!

I am preparing to order LoE Foundations A & B for my soon-to-be pre-k'er. I am having a difficult time deciding whether to order the cursive or manuscript font. I've read the benefits of beginning with cursive, but I also know that it doesn't work for every child. So, that being said, what criteria do I use to determine which would be best for my child? I don't even know what I'm supposed to be using to gauge which might be best for him. Any thoughts or tips? FWIW, he'll be 4 1/2 when we begin the program in the fall, and he can currently print all capital letters, draw shapes, and likes to write. Thank you!

Has anyone ever used the Bede's series from Veritas Press? It starts with Bede's History of Me (Kindergarten) and then Bede's History of US (First Grade). Any thoughts on these books? Interesting? Age appropriate? Content rich? Reviews are tough to find.Thanks!

So many useful tips here! I suspected there would be some things that would be helpful. Thanks, everyone! I ordered a pair of the truly left-handed scissors from Amazon (Fiskars). I'm going to be revisiting this thread a lot as we embark on pre-k next year. Thanks again!

This is so true. My brother ended up being diagnosed as dyslexic, and struggled for YEARS thinking he was stupid. He graduated from an alternative high school for kids at risk of dropping out. Today he is a successful computer engineer!! He traces his struggles and lack of success in the public schools back to his kindergarten days of being scolded for using his right hand. Seriously.

This is *exactly* my experience. My son started waving bye-bye at a year...with his LEFT hand! After paying attention, I could easily tell that he was left hand dominant by the time he was two. Now that he's writing, coloring, etc. at almost 4, there is no doubt that he's a lefty!

So,this is kind of random, but it has become abundantly clear that my almost-4-year-old is left-hand dominant. My brother is also a lefty, and he went to a private school that aggressively tried to make him write with his right hand (to the point of punishment for using his left). Anyway, I have terrible memories of what my parents went through with him and the school and his left-handedness. So that leads me to this: What recommendations would you have for homeschooling a lefty? Are some beginning writing programs better than others? Any tips or tricks? If it makes any difference, we've always planned on homeschooling, and LoE Foundations is where we've intended to start. Thanks for listening to me ramble!

Somebody else might be able to share more information, but IME, this is a symptom of depression/anxiety. I have a terrible time with this post-partum. My only advice would be keep a close tab on it, and perhaps chart when it's happening and what you're eating, where you are in your cycle, time of day, etc. Maybe you can get to the bottom of it. Also, don't hesitate to mention it to your physician as well. Wishing you the best!!

Lifting your family and your son up in prayer!

I am planning to introduce some gentle pre-k after the new year. Here is what I'm planning so far... LoE Foundations A RightStart Mathematics A and that's about it! I've got a little picture book called 'Me on the Map' and hope to start talking about some simple geography, as well as our address, phone numbers, etc. Can you all help me round this out? I'm aiming to stick to a roughly $400 budget (after purchasing LoE and RS). I know this may be more than I need for pre-k, but that also needs to include a new printer and laminator. Thanks!!

You could try to check out Phonics Pathways at your local library. I have a copy of it and it is a very thorough phonics program. Good luck!

Hello, all. I am posting this for a friend of mine who homeschools. She doesn't visit any forums and likes to ask me questions because she knows I visit them way too much. :) She has 3 boys - 2nd grade, 4 y/o, and 18 month old. She asked me about using A Beka or Bob Jones DVDs for Bible, Science, and possibly Spanish. I haven't heard much about any of those programs. In fact, I wasn't aware they had DVDs for those subjects. So, does anyone have any insight? I'm assuming this is primarily for the 2nd grader, although she does do a bit with her 4 y/o as well. I'd love to give her feedback (general or specific) as well as other suggestions if you all have any to share. Thank you in advance! ETA: It is my understanding that she is looking for a little bit more independent work. That is why she is looking at some DVD based options. Thanks again!

Leapfrog Letter Factory has a shocking way of sticking in the brains of young kiddos. My kiddo knew all of his letters and sounds at 18 months old, and is reading CVC words now at 3 1/2. He was a Letter Factory addict for awhile (probably because that's about the only TV he got). Also, I didn't teach him the names of the letters. When I saw a letter, an M, for example, I'd say that's an MMMMM (calling the letter its sound). Hopefully that helps!

Yes, I could certainly understand that. :)

I am just curious if I'm alone here, but I can't recall my parents reading to me. Never. I'm sure they read me picture books when I was younger, but I don't remember it. And chapter books? No. Not at all. Still, I managed to earn two Bachelors degrees and graduated Magna Cum Laude. So I guess my lack of being read to didn't inhibit me too much! LOL. Anyway, I'm curious what others' experiences were. Did your parents read to you much growing up? Do you credit being read to (or not) with any specific success or lack thereof? Just wondering for no reason other than I'm apparently feeling reflective/nostalgic this morning. Thanks in advance for sharing. :001_smile: