What did you use for K that you loved?

[mom2denj]

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!!

[NanceXToo]

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

[Karenciavo]

I enjoyed using TATRAS for phonics and spelling. I used SWR flashcards with it for review (there are a couple of differences.)

[1GirlTwinBoys]

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.

[MissKNG]

We are doing K right now and I love everything in my signature especially the Sonlight Science K and the Singapore Primary Math.

[hsmamainva]

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!

[momee]

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

[Dinsfamily]

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.

[BatmansWife]

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

[JMDRAD]

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.

[prairiegirl]

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.

[Chris in VA]

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.

[Karen in CO]

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.

[runamuk]

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

[Guest Cindie2dds]

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

[twoxcell]

For my dd she enjoys:

HWT

MEP Y1

and I ordered her Little Hearts For His Glory I hope we have fun with it.

[missmoe]

I loved Sonlight Core K and Singapore Math.

[momtoccm]

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.

[bbsweetpea]

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

[Caitilin]

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. :)

[Mandy in TN]

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

[H_Household]

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

[Alphabetika]

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.

[Satori]

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. :)

[Catherine]

Five in a Row. My little guy loved this-it was so homey and sweet. And we learned a bunch.

[Jilly]

Song School Latin and Math-U-See were big hits with my son.

[fhjmom]

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.

[Joker]

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".

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dinsfamily]

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.

[kmacnchs]

Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading!

 

Handwriting Without Tears

[Holly]

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

[mom2denj]

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

[ChemMommy]

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).

[Laura W.]

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

[Heather in VA]

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