mom2denj Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I am trying to plan ahead and get Kindergarten all planned out. I would love to hear about the curriculum that worked for you and why you loved it. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I'm using Oak Meadow Kindergarten this year. I am REALLY looking forward to it, I adore Oak Meadow and its whole philosophy: Details, schedule sample, etc, here: http://nancextoo.livejournal.com/125979.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I enjoyed using TATRAS for phonics and spelling. I used SWR flashcards with it for review (there are a couple of differences.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1GirlTwinBoys Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We used My Father's World K for the unit studies and little science experiments. That was a FUN year, especially having 3 that could do the program together.:) I did NOT use it for the phonics and didn't care for how they taught it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We are doing K right now and I love everything in my signature especially the Sonlight Science K and the Singapore Primary Math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmamainva Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Sonlight Core K and Singapore Early Bird math were big hits here! And we added Sing, Spell, Read, and Write for phonics & Handwriting Without Tears. It was a great year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momee Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 (edited) I used Calvert's preK and K for reading and fun stuff for my middle child. It was lots of fun playing time! The reading instruction was ok. For the youngest student, I used OPGTR and K12. Great reading program, but little fun so we added MFW K. That was wonderful :) I would say go with something high interest and easy on you as well. THat is, for everything but phonics and reading. There, find the best. It's so important. I always longed for Abeka's phonics and spelling stuff but couldn't make sense of it as a homeschool teacher so we went with SWB's suggestions. Maybe one day I'll take a longer peek at Abeka because I've heard wonderful things about it for reading instruction. I needed, cut this paper, do this activity for other fun things though, so went with MFW K focus. It served us well and did a good job reinforcing the learning in OPGTR with some easier worksheets and reader stuff. My dd loved it all! We had a great time. For the little one, I'm hoping to do some intensive phonics stuff probably using OPGTR and Phonics Pathways and for all else, something like BFIAR, AO or SL. Something very book intensive. The hands on was fun, but I wants lots of oral lit going on this time. This one's my talker, lol. Have a great time. These years fly! Edited August 19, 2010 by momee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinsfamily Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I loved everything we chose for our K year. My favorites were: Sonlight P4/5 Evan Moor Beginning Geography SWR (still using this, multiple-year program) I'm looking forward to repeating it all next year with my next K'er. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 What we are using for K that we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE is McRuffy. We are using their SE phonics, Color Math and Science. I definitely recommend their newer color versions over the older black & white. Check it out! http://mcruffy.com/Kindergarten-Phonics.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMDRAD Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I loved MUS Primer and Alpha. And OPGTR. Both subjects were straightforward and very teacher friendly. They were not gimmicky yet my dd enjoyed doing them. I am starting my second dd on them this year for pre-k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiegirl Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 For my two oldest, we used FIAR for K. We have wonderful memories of our time with Ping, Madeline and Piccolo. :D With my youngest, I used Oak Meadow K. We both really enjoyed that program. For all three, we liked RightStart for math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We used the tail end of Saxon K and started Saxon 1, and loved it. I changed the "meeting book" to a big poster on the wall (calendar) with some sentence strips for the patterns (punched a hole in several sstrips, hung on a ring, like a long skinny book, and hung it on a hook next to the calendar). We loved the manipulatives, playing "store," and other activities. I also did a phenomenal bible program written by a teacher friend of mine, called "Names of God." I really wish she'd publish it in CD form. We loved PP and Montessori object games, and the Command game, and homemade books, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 The thing I loved most for K was taking my dd to the zoo twice a week for a long lunch. My ds was taking CC classes and not old enough to drive himself so we dropped him off and went to the zoo. Spending that much time there really helped my dd learn to really pay attention to things. She developed personal knowledge not just of lions and tigers and habitats but became able to identify each individual gorilla. We got to know the zookeepers, and she was often invited to help with animal enrichments. K was a terrific year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runamuk Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We used MUS and ETC and loved both of them. My son liked all the aspects of MUS (he did both Primer and Alpha in one year), from the video to the manipulative blocks. Being able to see how the numbers "fit" together really helped him understand adding and subtracting. He liked Explode the Code because he thought the sentences were silly. The directions were simple and he could open the book and do the work on his own by the middle of the year. Games were a big hit here, too. We played Uno, war, Bananagrams, Zingo, Zoologic, Gobblit, and Equate (without the *advanced* tiles). One of his favorite games was Math Bingo, an app for iphone; it really helped strengthen his adding and subtracting skills - and it was a great distraction for him so that his sister and I could get through Grammar without any interruptions. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cindie2dds Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 We used Oak Meadow K last year. We loved it. I am really looking forward to using it again with my youngest next year! I rushed through it with my oldest because we started so late after a few major flops. I would highly recommend it for anyone with an artsy child or mom! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 For my dd she enjoys: HWT MEP Y1 and I ordered her Little Hearts For His Glory I hope we have fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 I loved Sonlight Core K and Singapore Math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoccm Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 We've all loved FIAR. The books are wonderful and my kids really learned so much from them. We also liked RightStart Math. It worked well and the kids think the games are fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbsweetpea Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 (edited) Sonlight Core K 100 EZ lessons Handwriting without Tears Explode The Code Singapore Math Early Bird and Horizons Math K Edited August 20, 2010 by bbsweetpea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 I really liked Singapore Essential Math; McGuffey readers and 100EZ lessons; and I thought Adventures in Phonics was effective, though a little dull. :) Mainly, though, I enjoyed her having freedom. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandy in TN Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 We used WinterPromise Animals and Their Worlds and loved it! We also used CLE Learning to Read. We had started about half was through the program and then moved on to CLE LA1. If I had another, I would definitely use them both again. HTH- Mandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H_Household Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Here are my votes for favorites: Bob Jones Math K Discovering Intensive Phonics (Classwork and computer program together) Now I Can Read Books Handwriting without Tears Classical Conversations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Phonics Pathways, Explode the Code, lots of ourdoor nature time, reading books such as JAmes Herriot's Treasury for Children, Beatrix Potter, Winnie the Pooh Also, I was using Artistic Pursuits at some point and really liked it, but that may have been 1st grade. I think it would be great for K, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Handwriting Without Tears, Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading, Explode the Code, RightStart Math, Wordly Wise K, and even All-About-Spelling. We enjoyed our FIAR time with Piccolo, Ping and Madeline too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Five in a Row. My little guy loved this-it was so homey and sweet. And we learned a bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Song School Latin and Math-U-See were big hits with my son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fhjmom Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Singapore Math: We used Essentials A and Earlybird B; I *highly* recommend Essentials over Earlybird. Wordly Wise 3000 K: Yes, you must buy the teacher's kit and yes it is expensive, but my DD *loved* this program! It teaches oral vocabulary that is needed for higher level content area comprehension in a fun way. DD calls it "story time" and begs for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading and Bob books!! I even caught my younger dd "teaching" her American Girl doll using the magnetic board and tile letters. She doesn't read the Bob books anymore but wanted to keep them because they were "special". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Song School Latin Math-U-See (HE LOVES THIS) Plaid Phonics (thanks Judo mom! Its a HUGE hit :001_smile:) Explode the Code LOTS of nature walks and crafts Science experiment kits for his age (he is VERY hands on, but what 5 year old boy isnt?) A phonics game I have called Sunken Treasure MAGIC SCHOOL HOUSE books and tv shows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinsfamily Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Singapore Math:We used Essentials A and Earlybird B; I *highly* recommend Essentials over Earlybird. . :iagree: We've used both and love Essential Math! Plus, it's cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmacnchs Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading! Handwriting Without Tears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holly Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 My favorites are: ETC primers McGuffey readers (after the primers are finished) Singapore Essential Math FIAR--although I plan on using HOD's LHFHG with my younger two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2denj Posted August 22, 2010 Author Share Posted August 22, 2010 Thanks so much everyone!! You all have given me lots to research. There is so much out there. I wish that I could have it all right in front of me to look at thoroughly. I went to the HS convention in Orlando, but it was,well, OVERWHELMING!!! I am going to try to look at as many online samples as I can. I have got until next fall, so I've got time. Thanks again for your suggestions! Kristen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChemMommy Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 We used SL Core K, pretty much 'as is', MUS Introduction to Math, and ETC books. All three of those were huge hits and very easy to use (as in, open and go). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura W. Posted August 22, 2010 Share Posted August 22, 2010 What has worked best for us in K is FIAR and Explode the Code with Sonlight K readers. We've tried several different K math programs, but I haven't found one yet that we really liked. Blessings, Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in VA Posted August 23, 2010 Share Posted August 23, 2010 We loved Phonics Museum. It was fun and worked very well. We did it for both K and 1st grade. (it's a 2 year program). Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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