Please share your K/first grade curriculum (past or present)!

[Mommamia]

I would love to read what others are doing for k or first grade in the fall. Or even what others have used and loved or hated. Thanks!!

 

I should actually say.....past,present or future.....

[Jennifer in MI]

My 1st grader this year:

 

Sonlight for history, bible, geography, literature (we LOVE this! I ask him to repeat back to me what we've just read for history, but we don't copy them or anything.)

 

Math - R&S (Short and sweet and to the point)

 

Grammar - FLL (Easy and painless!)

Phonics - PP and Pathway Readers (ds hates PP, but I think it's necessary (we're almost done). He loves the Pathway Readers though)

 

Handwriting - copywork and a little dictation (usually about 1 - 4 sentences/day if copywork, 1 sentence if dictation)

[Lisawa]

I would love to read what others are doing for k or first grade in the fall. Or even what others have used and loved or hated. Thanks!!

 

I should actually say.....past,present or future.....

 

 

 

This is my kids past:

 

My son didnt "do" K we waited.

 

My sons first grade year: (He graduates next month! 18 and handsome!)

Horizons math

Horizons phonics and reading

Science books from the library

History books from the library

 

My Christians K Year

Horizons K (struggled all the way) phonics and reading

Abeka Math

books form library

Puzzles and play

 

Christians first grade year

Saxon Phonics (struggled she ended up not truly reading till around 11)

Bob Jones math

Lots of reading aloud and play!

This was hard... it was such a struggle for her it was easier to just let her hang out and listen then push... it was killing me...

 

RyLees K year

Saxon phonics K (breezed through)

Saxon K Math (breezed through)

Lots of books to read aloud

Lots of tanagrams and books to go along Cuisenaire rods and books to go along.

Puzzles

 

RyLees first grade year

Saxon phonics 1

Saxon math 1

Continued above but was now folded in with Christian and Tapestry of grace year 2.

 

I can sure see a difference in what I did with my kids from when I first began and where we are now... or even when RyLee began school....

[dragons in the flower bed]

Wow, what did I do for first grade with my older kiddos? Well, DSS10 was in public school.

 

DS7 . . . Ah, that was the year I was afraid he would never learn to form a letter. He did

Handwriting Without Tears My Printing Book

Developmental Math 1-4

SOTW1

Oak Meadow Environmental Science

McGrawHill's Learn to Read With Classic Stories -- used one book (K, 1, 2, 3) each quarter

 

DS5 has his birthday smack in the middle of the year, so he's either in K or first grade next year depending on what I feel like saying when asked. I personally consider him pre-school because in my house, serious inclusion in all school subjects just doesn't begin until a kid can read. In fall of 2009, assuming he is reading as well as I'd like, he'll do:

 

copywork and recitation from Drew's new memory work book

Singapore Primary Math 1A & 1B

Song School Latin

library books on AR levels, going up another degree (ie, 2.1 to 2.2) every month

[Closeacademy]

Oldest dd K:

 

Handwriting without Tears

Hooked on Phonics then switched to Spell to Write and Read

Singapore Math then switched to Rightstart

during the second semester we started Story of the World

 

Youngest dd K:

 

Rod and Staff Reading 1 unit 0 then took a break and started unit 1

Rod and Staff Math 1 no more than 1 worksheet per week

Singapore Earlybird 1b and 2a

Copywork for penmanship (I write a letter and she writes a letter)

 

 

Oldest dd 1st:

 

Rightstart then switched back to Singapore math

Spell to Write and Read

Copywork

First Language Lessons

Story of the World 1

Christian Liberty Nature Reader 1

The Greek Alphabet

 

Youngest dd 1st (what is planned):

 

Rod and Staff Reading 1 Units 2 to 5

Rod and Staff Math 1

Singapore Math Earlybird 2b and PM 1a

SWR phonogram

Fairy Tales

 

:001_smile:

[Mom2legomaniacs]

We used 100 EZ Lessons, FIAR, MCP math, MCP spelling, MCP phonics, and HWT for K.

 

For 1st grade, continued with MCP for spelling, math, and phonics, HWT, SOTW, FLL. For science and history, the younger is folded in with the older doing book 3 in SOTW and physics for science. He also does a lot of reading on his own. He is a huge reader and loves to read everything!

[Robyn]

For my oldest ds we used

K-Sonlight Core C -I liked it at the time but I think I will sell most of it and just keep the books we loved

Sonlight science K - we had fun with this

Singapore Early bird 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B - loved these

100Easy Lessons - just ok

Phonics Pathways - effective but dry

MCP Phonics A - we really prefer the MCP books to the ETC ones, I just like the presentation better

HWT - easy to use, I still don't like the two lined paper though

 

1st-SOTW 1, only as a read-aloud - I plan to buy the AG's for my little one in 1st-4th

FLL1 - I love FLL we are currently using FLL3 and plan to order 4 for the fall

MCP Phonics B

Spelling Workout - this got old fast, we have switched to Simply Spelling

HWT

Singapore 1A/1B - I really like Singapore, but ds was not retaining anything, we are having better luck with Horizons

I honestly can't remember what we did for science, obviously nothing to thrilling:)

for my nephew who will be doing K in the fall(he misses the public school cut-off)

OPGTR

MCP Phonics A

I have been making our own handwriting sheets based on the HWT teacher's guide, but on three-lined paper

Elson Readers:Primer

Child's Play Science from Singapore

History for Little Pilgrims which will be tied in with my ds9's American History study

 

I am also looking at HOD for K with my youngest when he is older

 

I'm sure I left something out but that is most of it

[Tess in the Burbs]

K:

100EL

Bob books

ETC 1,2

HWT K and 1

MUS-Primer(but switched to Horizons K)

 

1st:

OPGTTR(just reading rules and words)

readers from library read some each day

ETC 3,4,5

FLL 1

HWT 2 and Memoria Press Copybook 1

MUS-Alpha(but switched to Horizons 1)

World Culture/Geography

Bible(used Leading Little ones to God)

Science(animals, human body, plants)

[Sue G in PA]

My ds6 didn't do any formal K work last year. He already knew letters/sounds and basic math. We just started in on 1st this year and he used/is using:

 

ETC (he soon bored of those)

SWO A (again, bored of that rather quickly)

lots of reading aloud and reading to him

FLL (another bomb)

Saxon 1 and then MUS Alpha (a much better fit)

 

At present, he does LLATL Red (2nd grade) and MUS Alpha. Much simpler for him. Oh, and some handwriting (included in LLATL but we also use A Reason For Handwriting. This kid is one that just needs simplicity right now.

 

My Ker:

MFW K which I really, really love!

ETC Primers

Some extra HW with various workbooks (same style writing)

 

My plan for my Ker when he reaches 1st is to do MFW 1st grade. Just love the looks of the program.

[Alice]

I'm currently using the following with Ds. He will be 5 in November, so would miss the ps cut-off for K. I'm kind of considering this his "K year"..starting about Jan 2008 and going until Fall 2009. When we get there we'll see if he's ready for 1st grade or whether we do a more official K year.

 

Reading: OPGTR, Bob Books, ETC (just finished book 1), and phonics games. We probably do 30 min at the most 3-4 times a week. I switch around what we do each day. It seems to keep him more interested.

 

Writing: Handwriting Without Tears. About 5 minutes a day when we do it...maybe 3 times a week.

 

Math: Singapore Earlybird. We are starting Book 2b. He likes Math the most and will try to plow through it. I've been adding in games and using Power Math K by Singapore to review some topics and make it go a little slower. Maybe about 20 min 3-4 x a week.

 

FIAR: We do this 4-5 days a week. I use it to structure our week around. Using it we talk about a little geography each week and do some science and art. This is completely fun for us right now and ds doesn't consider it "school". I usually do it at a separate time from the other "school" time.

 

I would also say that I try to only spend about 30-45 minutes total doing the reading/writing/Math. Some days he's really into it and we might do an hour. I've learned though that he likes school but I can tell when I do too much he starts to get tired, he's still just a little guy. We're spending the most time on reading because I think right now it's the most important.

 

And lots of puzzles, legos, Playmobil, free play, looking at bugs, being outside, reading together, cooking together, playing music, painting, playing with chalk, watching birds, etc. :)

[AudreyTN]

Kindergarten:

 

Mostly we work on phonics, number recognition, and counting. My older two went through the Explode the Code Primers and loved every minute of it. My ds5 will be doing My Father's World K. I've tried just about every phonics program out there and he doesn't like it. So we're going the MFW route! :001_smile: He's also using Singapore's Essential Math K, he loves it.

 

1st:

 

Ds6 is just finishing up 1st grade. We've been doing some Explode the Code, but he's not too fond of it anymore. Finishing up OPG. He's just started working on Spelling Workout B. He's been working through Singapore Primary Math 1A/1B.

 

When my ds5 is in first grade, we will do MFW 1st (if K goes well.)

[Dawn E]

This year was kind of a K/1st blend for us. Here's what we did/are doing:

 

Primary Phonics

SWR Phonograms

GWG 1/2

MFW 1st Bible materials--included reading, drawing and copywork

BJU Math 1

 

 

She reads the Primary Phonics readers, Dr. Seuss/I Can Read books and other early readers from a book basket. For read alouds, we use a lot of Sonlight recommendations, started the Little House series and have added others like Kate DiCamillo's books.

 

For science, we were more project oriented with lots of reading--primarily "Let's read and find out" and Magic School Bus books. We used the Butterfly Pavilion for a Butterfly study, went to the zoo while studying animals, and currently we are working through a human body study using Aristoplay's SomeBody game and My Body from Teacher Created Resources.

 

Next year will be our official 1st grade year.

 

Our Young Folks' Josephus and MOH for history

SOTW as a read aloud (the cds)

GWG 1/2 with a little Shurley added for parsing sentences

SWR for phonics and spelling

Classically Cursive Book 1

BJU Math 2

God's Design: Earth and Universe

A Child's Geography--kind of goes w/the Earth science study

Geography Songs

Old Testament study using her Bible and Bible Scribe

Song School Latin

 

I've purchased a collection of Sonlight readers and am accumulating read alouds from SL, Ambleside and Tanglewood suggestions. I plan to do a lot of reading this summer about Charlotte Mason's philosophy and hope to order our days accordingly with short lessons and handicrafts and lots of nature study added in.

[Melissa B]

I have a K'er this fall:

 

Saxon K Math followed by Power Math - K

Hooked on Phonics

MCP Phonics A Workbook

Evan-Moor Daily Handwriting Practice

Lollipop Logic

Peak with Books (to supplement literature)

Lots of literature - Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne, Fairy Tales, picture books

Core Knowledge Kindergarten

Pearson Geography (a supplement to Core Knowledge)

Karate

[Kay in Cal]

Oldest ds K (last year):

First Language Lessons 1/2

SWO A, started B

HWT -- K Printing

Singapore 1A, 1B, started EPGY

Prima Latina, started LC 1

Basic Bible Online

Art history/music history survey

World geography focus (used GTG and other resources)

 

Oldest ds 1 (this year):

GWG 3

SWO C, started D

HWT -- 1st grade printing

Copywork

LC 1 (quit), switched to Minimus, Secundus

Read alouds--ancient classics

SOTW 1

Memoria Press D'Aulaires Study

EPGY Math online

REAL Science Life

Artistic Pursuits

 

Youngest ds K (next year):

Explode the Code

HWT -- K Printing

Singapore Earlybird K, moving into 1A as needed

start FLL 1 (midyear maybe?)

Explorers Bible Study

Drawing with Children

World geography focus (using GTG and other resources)

Being Mr. Big-Ears and listening on all his older brother's stuff as desired (SOTW II, etc.)

[LadyAberlin]

Kindergarten

Handwriting: Happy Handwrting,

Reading: LLATL blue We will be finishing this up and be starting Red about a month into the school yr. We school yr round

Math: Rightstart A finishing this up and starting level B

Science: Living Learning Books Level 2

Art: Watch me Draw books

Spanish: The Easy Spanish Jr - Spread over 2 yrs

Music: Zeezok Publishing

Geography Galloping the Globe - spread over 2 yrs

History/Bible: Little Hearts for His Glory

Health: Prudence and the Millers

Character: Beautiful Feet

Sonlight Core K

 

 

It is kind of excessive, but I have a little boy that goes through curriculum like crazy because he constantly wants more and we homeschool yr round so it gets spread out quite a bit and we don't do everything every day.

[Guest sarathan]

This fall my oldest ds will be doing MFW K along with some of the Sonlight P4/5 books just for fun... :)

[Narrow Gate Academy]

For K my girls both did:

 

Singapore Primary Math 1A and Miquon Orange

Completed Phonics Pathways (started preK)

SWO A

tracing and copywork

BTS Primary

For my oldest, we had a geography theme and read stories from different countries. DD2 just listened in on her sister's history.

 

For 1st grade (DD2 this year):

 

Singapore Math 1B and 2A

Miquon Red and Blue

Reading aloud daily to me

SWO B and part of C

copywork

BTS 1 (first half)

TruthQuest AHYS 1 and Apologia Zoology 1 with older sister

Our own US geography lapbook

[Pata]

For K:

Sonlight Core C/K

Singapore 1A and Miquon Orange and part of Red

Hooked on Phonics

Explode the Code books 1-3

FLL

Science-following her interest(lots of Let's Read and Find Out books)

Drawing with Children

 

For 1st:

Sonlight Core 1, but with SOTW and the AG

Singapore 1B & 2A, Miquon Red and Blue

All About Spelling

FLL & WWE

Elemental Science-Biology

Art Adventures at Home

 

I'm probably missing something, but that's pretty close to what I'm planning. We may finish 1B this summer meaning we will do 2A and 2B next, but I'm not sure about that yet. Hope that helps!

[TracyR]

Hmm. K Let's see .

 

My oldest I think was my guinea pig .. still is :)

But what worked for her was :

 

The Reading Lessons

BJU K and 1st grade math

HWT's ( after using A Reason for Handwriting which we liked but her handwriting was awful . )

fun workbooks from the store .

 

2nd child :

Saxon K math supplemented with the 1st book of Miquon

Hearts and Hands from Christian Liberty

technically that was her PreK year along with 3 days of prek

 

For real Kindergarten she went right into Calvert 1st grade with no problems at all .

 

Oh yes I used Sonlight PreK and K with my first two for reading . We tried to use the curriculum but I had a hard time following the IG . So I ditched it and just read the books .

 

3rd child :

Right now I'm using the Kumon books and am trying to decide on what else I want to follow with that because right now she is finishing preschool .

I'm torn between CHC and Seton at the moment on somethings .

[MSMom]

SL LA-1 - Doesn't work for us. We're switching for 2nd and I may or may not use again with younger ds

SL Readers - using again

Reason for Handwriting - using again

Phonics - Explode The Code - using again

History - Mystery Of History 1 - Love it, using MOH -2 next year with SL books that coordinate with timeframe

Science - AIG God's Design For Life - Great spine for science; using AIG God's Design for Heaven & Earth next year

Singapore 1A & 1B - Love it, using 2A & 2B next year

Bible - Day by Day Kid's Bible to read through the Bible chronologically. Supplementing with coloring pages, worksheets, crafts, etc.

[Tabitha]

Let's see.....

 

Dd #1:

 

For K:

Horizons Math K

Horizons Phonics K

library books

any dollar store workbook we could pick up for fun

other things I am sure I am forgetting

 

did 100 EZ lessons somewhere around this time frame

 

For 1st:

Horizons Math 1

Horizons Phonics 1

Something for handwriting

SOTW1

Switched over to MFW 1st for History and Bible mid year

 

This dd is now in 3rd...starting 4th soon. We dumped Horizons Math this year for Saxon 5/4, and we're dumping MFW ECC for *HOD BHFHG, and moving onto *HOD Preparing after that.

 

Dd #2:

 

For K:

MFW K

read alouds

games

workbooks - any for fun

 

For 1st

*HOD LHFHG

Singapore Math for K/1

A Reason For Handwriting A

CLP for Science

and whatever else *HOD recommends for this grade.

 

*HOD = www.HeartOfDakota.com

[Karen in CO]

This is first grade. I should know what we are using... Okay. I am better now.

 

What we did for K

focused on improving reading - Phonics Pathways and LeapFrog videos were the standout programs here

First half of SOTW 1 with activity guide - lost of stories and crafts

weekly field trips to the zoo

went to the park as often as possible

tried lots of math programs

Lots of art

An animal study

read lots of books

 

 

What we are doing for 1st

focus on math skills and increasing reading level and fluency

Finishing SOTW 1 - lots of time on Rome and Roman mythology

BJU math 2 and Singapore

study of the Human body

we did a FIAR co-op last fall

copy work

lots of trips to the zoo and lots of time at the park and outside

read lots of books

lots of art especially clay and painting

she is learning to cook independently and making her own cookbook as she goes

[Wee Pip]

1st dd's K year: BJU K math & K beginnings (phonics, reading, sci/history)

1st dd's 1st gr year: Sonlight Core 1, SWR (ick), Horizons Math (ick) & MUS (Ok, but not for us), Teach a Child to Read with Children's Books, I went off the deep end trying different stuff, too numerous (and embarrassing) to list.

 

2nd dd's K year: BJU K math, Explode the Code 1 & 2, Handwriting Without Tears, BJU K early readers, Sonlight Core C.

2nd dd's 1st gr year: ? to be determined ? - BJU Math 1 (for certain), everything else is negotiable.

[Aloha2U]

Athough I'll be new to homeschooling with my one and only ds (4 in July), I've just recently purchased materials and am starting to prepare for preschool in the fall with him. The curriculum plans could change in the future, only time will tell. I'm very excited about beginning this journey with my ds. Here is what I have planned...

 

PreK

Art: A Beka

Bible: The Good Book, Children's Illustrated Bible, Child's Story Bible (VP)

Language Arts: SWR

Math: Saxon K (VP)

 

K

Art: VP

Bible: The Good Book, VP

Language Arts: SWR

Math: Saxon 1 (VP)

Science: A Beka

Social Studies: A Beka

 

1st

Art: VP

Bible: The Good Book, VP

Geography: VP

History: A Beka

Language Arts: SWR, Shurley English 1 (VP)

Math: Saxon 2 (VP)

Science: A Beka

Social Studies: A Beka

 

Also, to piggyback on what Alice stated previously... incorporating lots of puzzles, legos, free play, looking at bugs, being outside, reading together, cooking together, playing music, painting, playing with chalk, watching birds, etc.

 

Melissa in North Idaho

[SkateLeft]

DD #1 (my early, avid reader):

K4 - Laurel Springs Kindergarten (ridiculous, I know, but she was my first!!)

K5 - Sonlight Core K and LA 1, Sonlight Science K

1st grade - K12 LA 2, K12 Science/Math/History/Art/Music 1st grade, AO Year 1 (for extra reading material)

She went on to use both K12 and AO/HEO until this year.

 

DD #2 (start K as a non-reader):

K - K12 Kindergarten LA/History/Math/Art/Music, Sonlight Science K

1st grade - K12 1st grade LA/Sci/Math/History/Art/Music

She went on to use a combination of K12 History/AO and workbooks until this year

 

DS #1:

K - K12 Phonics K, History K, Progress in Math K (just nature study and reading for science)

1st grade - K12 Phonics 1, Sonlight Core K, SOTW 1, Progress in Math 1, Sonlight Science K

 

My eventual plan for language delayed DS #2 (depending on when he's ready... subject to change):

K - Sonlight Core P4/5 (or P3/4)

1 - Sonlight Core K (or P4/5), SOTW 1

[Johanna]

MFW K/ MFW 1st

[Christine]

My oldest two were in school. . .

 

my younger two are so close in age that I'm doing them together, starting this coming school year. (By age they will be 1st and K.)

 

One thing I learned from my older two is that I really felt pressured to keep them at (or above) a certain level; which worked fine in the younger grades, I suppose. However, now they are far ahead. . .and I don't know that that's actually a good thing. (Who woulda thunk it?)

 

So, next year I'm doing a K / 1st combo, and we are just going to "take our time, and not stress". (In fact, I have that written on every page of my schedule! That's because it won't be they that are stressing, but me.)

 

We will be using:

 

Arts:

 

• Artisic Pursuits ("spiced" with a few other art programs)
  
• music composer study / piano

Math

 

• RightStart Math

Language Arts:

 

• Phonics Pathways / Pathway Readers (and this will probably be "spiced" with other things as well)
  
• Handwriting / Copywork (Italic)
  
• I have books for lit picked out (mostly fairy / folk tales and fables + poetry)

Science:

 

• Draw Write Now (my youngest wants to do a study of farm animals, and their 1st book is related)
  
• Young Scientist Club and unit studies for science

History:

 

• and then an overview of history (just reading a topic a day from SOTW books)

 

[jananc]

Oh, how I miss those days.....

 

For K we used Horizons math, then switched to Singapore. I would recommend either one for K. I think I would go with Singapore if I were doing it again.

 

Then we used 100 Easy Lessons for my ds, Reading Reflex for my dd.

 

Lots of fun nature walks and library books for science.

 

Five-in-a-Row for the rest. We loved those books -- they are still on my shelf and I won't sell any of them. My now-6th grade dd still pulls them off the shelf to read them every once in awhile!

 

Also, we used the workbooks from Pathway for those years, too. Lots of good fundamentals like cutting, matching, phonics, etc. Oh, and ETC! It's all coming back to me now.....

[Mommamia]

I am still loving this list ! I have a nice list of curriculum to check out. It's helping me feel better about our plan.

 

Christine-I was doing the same thing you mentioned(keeping ahead of things). We will be doing a mix of K and 1st as well.

[keptwoman]

Our school year starts in January. DD will be in K next year.

My vague plans:

Math: Math U See

Spelling/Reading: SWR

Writing: Getty Dubay

 

Other than that our year is divided into four 10 week terms, so I will have a theme for each term, and arrange read alouds, art and science around that. Some of the term themes I'm considering: Bugs, Human Body, Plants, Australian Animals, Solar System and Pond Life. Squeeky pants is obsessed with bugs, her idea of good bedtime reading is a non fiction book on spiders, so I think we will indulge that for the next few years.

[Hillcrest Academy]

Our school year also starts in January.

 

K for DD was:

MFW K with Janice van Cleave's Science Around the Year and other web resources to beef up the science theme.

Should have used Singapore for Math but we're catching up with all that now.

 

1st is:

(We have the absolutely must do's - the 3 R's - and the rest is frosting on the cake. You know how much kids like frosting? Well, that's how much my kids like everything other than the 3 R's which is the cake to them - yummy but not as good as the frosting ;) )

Bible: Devotions for the Children's hour + Story Time Bible

Reading: MFW 1st + HOP + Bob Books

Handwriting: A Beka cursive + I'm using A Reason for Writing and a font to create copywork.

Math: Singapore Earlybird (all 4 books...she's flying through the K catch-up that we're doing). Also using RightStart. We're a Math challenged mother and daughter (hubby and son seem to be fine :D ) so we're covering all bases on this one, having already dropped the ball once.

History: MFW 1st, History for Little Pilgrims and History Stories for Children

Science: Things Outdoors, The World God Made and A Beka's Discovering God's World

Thinking Skills: Thinking Skills 1

Foreign Language: I am working up the courage to start Latin or Greek, but for now, we're doing French (French for Babies and Ecouter! Parler!)

Home Economics: Home Economics for Home Schoolers

 

DS is another story. His K is:

Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven (pre-K) combined with MFW K. He joins in on anything else we're doing that seems fun.

Have no idea what I'm going to do for him for 1st next year, and will asses in November. He's a very right-brained lefty, and is challenging me on how to approach this all. Hmm...that might be worth my asking about it a separate thread!

[riada]

For my dd5 (non-reader) we are doing:

 

CLE Learning to Read, includes handwriting.

CLE Math 100, she loves this!

I haven't done a language program since she isn't a reader yet and I want to focus on that.

She joins her older sibling with SOTW vol. 1 and we do notebooking for science which she loves the idea of having her own binder to fill full of science goodies.

 

I have really enjoyed doing K/1 with both my children. They are so eager and excited to learn at this age!

[SnowWhite]

Kindergarten-

 

Hands on Homeschooling K (Content Areas: Science, Social Studies, Bible, Art, etc) This worked great till Christmas. Then ds learned to read and he just needed *more*. So we concentrated on the 3 Rs at that point and dropped Hands on Homeschooling K. I plan to use WinterPromise's I'm Ready to Learn for K4 and Animals and Their Worlds for K5 with the next ds.

Modern Curriculum Press Math K This was "okay", but a bit gentle by today's K standards. I am planning to use BJU Math K5 for the next ds.

Pathway Readers Phonics/Reading: Learning Through Sounds, Before We Read, Helping Yourself, First Steps in Reading I have a lot of experience with this series, because I taught at a 1-2 room Amish school as a young adult. I like the system and find it simple and efficient. I was considering trying WP Basic K Phonics the next time but I have decided not to fix what isn't broken.

 

First Grade:

WinterPromise Animals And Their Worlds Theme (includes science, art, literature, poetry, crafts, etc) We have truly enjoyed this program. It was a pretty painless introduction to lit based education and the instructor guide is AWESOME. I like that it addresses so many learning styles.

Modern Curriculum Press Math A At this level there seemed not to be enough word problems, mental math, hands on activities, etc. The teacher's manual wasn't very useful. I am switching to BJU Math 2 for next year. We also tried CLE math (discovered incremental or spiral approach causes us tears) and Singapore (pretty good program, but I prefer a more traditional approach).

WinterPromise LA1 I love this program. It uses traditional workbooks for phonics and reading comprehension. The spelling program reflects the phonics concept recently studied. There is a light grammar introduction via worksheets (once per week or so) and little activities. REAL books are used for readers, and there are "creative narration" prompts to correspond with the American Story 1 or Children Around the World theme if you are using one of those (we didn't use these as our Animals and Their Worlds theme uses weekly notebooking prompts instead).

[CalicoKat]

I have only used pieces of Rod & Staff Kindergarten in the past and what we've used has been great.

 

I'll be buying the full pre-K program for my soon to be 3 yo for next fall. http://www.rodstaff.com/cgi-bin/ras/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=thispage&thispage=grade-1.html&ORDER_ID=274785405

 

We've also used Pathway Readers after OPTGR with great success.

[iquilt]

This year our oldest is just finishing "first" grade, she started reading as a K but now is at the 4th grade reading level using OPG, Explode the Code, and tons of reading.

Horizons 1 math

SOTW 1 and books from the library

science - books from the library

art - Doodles All Year, plenty of craft projects related to anything of interest

spelling - we use OPG starting with the long vowel rules, we copy the rules and pick words to study for the week, review all week and test on Friday

 

That's about it. Last year for K she did:

Horizons K math

OPG phonics

BOB books

lots of books from the library on all sorts of science and bible topics

 

HTH

[Another Lynn]

My 2nd ds will be 1st this fall:

 

Bible: Memory verses we choose, Golden Story Bible, VP Bible Cards

Math: MUS finish alpha/start beta

Phonics/Spelling: SWR

More Phonics: Explode the Code (mainly because he loves it, probably only through book 3)

Readers: American Language Series (was out of print for awhile)

History/Literature/composer study/artist study/hymn study, etc: AO yr.1

Science: Livng Science with Real Books (fairly lightly)

extras: may add in some Artistic Pursuits, will play chess competively, looking for TKD class.

Handwriting: HWOT

 

The only thing left to decide is "language." I have FLL 1/2, but don't like it near as much as FLL3. So I'm torn between delaying language/grammar for a year or two, maybe using Rod and Staff 2 early (slowly), or maybe using WWE I without FLL. Not sure yet.

[melissel]

Our K-level work has consisted of the following:

 

--The secular portions of Galloping the Globe to lead us through a world geography study. I'm using it to give us an outline. Each week we pick a country and read a nonfiction book and some fiction/folk tale/fairy tale books that go along with it. We either eat at a restaurant related to the country, or make some food that goes along with it. And we might watch a United Streaming video or two, usually about animals in the country.

 

--When possible, I pick a coordinating book from Five in a Row (we own all the FIAR volumes) and we do the FIAR discussions for that book. For example, when we were studying China, we read The Story About Ping as our FIAR book that week.

 

--Right Start Math level A (Love it. Enough said.)

 

--Handwriting Without Tears (Love this too.)

 

 

I have the following planned for our first-grade year:

 

--Spelling Workout A

--Handwriting Without Tears

--Right Start Math Level B

--R.E.A.L. Science Project Life

--Queen's Language Lessons for the Very Young

--Story of the World Vol. 1

--French study via a number of fun and easy materials (imagine my surprise the other day when my 2-year-old sang "Sur le pont d'Avignon" to me while on the potty. I guess the fun approach is working! :D)

--Lots of good reading and some analysis using Suppose the Wolf Were an Octopus

 

I know we have a very full plate next year, but I think we can handle it. If it turns out to be too much, I'm happy to drop subjects as we need to!

 

HTH you in your planning :)

[megsy]

I'm a sucker and pretty much following TWTM to a "T". Except for handwriting. DS is already in K at a Catholic School and they learned D'Nealian so I'm just continuing with that ...

[ruthie5573]

We are using MFW K & 100 EZ Lessons. Planning to go with MFW 1st as well.

[JaniceO]

We will be new to homeschooling, but this is what I plan on doing with my youngest DS, who will be in 1st:

 

Phonics: ETC 1 & 2

Grammar: First Language Lessons

Spelling: Spelling Workout A

Handwriting: HWOT

Reading: Just read as much as possible

Math: Saxon Math 1

Science: Early Bird Start Up (I am totally doubting my decision on this one, but I've already ordered it, so we'll see)

Geography: Daily Geography Practice

 

We will do SOTW 1 together and also Handle on The Arts. He will sit in on my older 2's Lively Latin lessons, but I won't expect anything from here.

[Julie Herbster]

Here's what we've done...

 

Kindergarten:

 

Phonics/reading: Phonics Pathways, readers (progressed from Bob books, Innovative Kids books, Moncure series, to I Can Read books and other simple books like Curious George) I tried Veritas Press's Phonics Museum with dd #1, but didn't like it (thought that since it was made for a classroom, it went too slowly, also laughed outright at the readers).

 

Math: Saxon 1 (DDs didn't get everything, but Saxon K would have been too simple for them. I modified the program for them. DS got everything.)

 

Spelling: Spelling Workout A (loosely...sometimes did other things; tried to choose lessons that corresponded with what we were covering in phonics)

 

Handwriting: Fonts 4 Teachers (software that allows me to make up my own handwriting sheets--has a variety of styles; I chose D'Nealian manuscript for K)--I continue to love this program as the kids have progressed to cursive.

 

History: History for Little Pilgrims (Christian Liberty Press)

 

Bible: various stories and memory verses; listened in on older kids' Bible lessons

 

 

First Grade

 

Phonics: Phonics Pathways

 

Literature/reading: Veritas Press's reading lists, as well as level-appropriate library books and whatever else I could get my hands on

 

Math: Saxon 2

 

Spelling: Spelling Workout B

 

Handwriting: Fonts 4 Teachers

 

History, science, Bible: different, depending on the child and family dynamics...DS did Veritas Press's Genesis Through Joshua and Old Testament and Ancient Egypt with his older sister, as well as studying animals via the Picture Encyclopedia and library books

 

About teaching reading...I have a quirky approach that doesn't really follow any acceptable program I've seen. I tend to jump around in the Phonics Pathways book; I don't like confinement in this subject, for some reason. I haven't taught it the same way twice. We've done a lot of drawing and illustrating pictures, covering the white board with randomly selected sounds and words, etc. I feel very excited, but very haphazard, about this subject. I think my kids have all learned to read in spite of me!;) My enthusiasm must have offset my "willy-nillyness" (that's "willynilliness" if you follow the Phonics Pathways spelling rules).

[Jen in PA]

After starting in the fall not sure if we would spread K over 2 years or make it through in 1 (dd is young for K), she just made amazing progress and her fine motor skills took off so that she actually loves doing lots of writing. K for her looked/looks like this:

 

Phonics/reading: ETC 1-3, Headsprout Early Reading

Math: Singapore EB 2A-2B, and PM 1A

Handwriting: Began Zaner-Bloser cursive at her request this spring! She does one or two sentences of copywork (printing) each day as well.

Social Studies: DK Children Just Like Me (not a curriculum, just a lovely book we learned a lot from), learned names and locations of the continents

Science: Lots of nature exploration and classes at the natural history museum, plus field trips to the zoo, science center, and botanical gardens

 

Music and art we covered with lots of hands-on experiences, as well as concerts and museum/gallery field trips. She takes a weekly ballet/tap class and spends lots of time and energy playing with her little brother (I figure some of their roughhousing ought to count as PE :001_smile:).

[kalanamak]

K4

Early Bird 1A/B, manipulatives

Plaid Phonics K and pre-ETC

Lucy Micklewaite's art books

Classics for Kids-type CDs

A globe, a flat map I could draw on

2+ hours of read aloud 5 days a week

Bike riding, scooter riding, child's frisbee, hiking, swimming

 

K5

Pre-ETC, then Plaid phonics A and Bob books/ early readers/SWR cards late in year (now)

 

EB 2A/B then starting Primary Maths/Miquon/manipulatives

 

Xrays, anatomy books, and this spring simple sprouting and planting

 

Dinosaurs and ice age animals and evolution. Got a microscope and looked at anything that interested him

 

Kohl's hands on art books

 

More and more classical music. Started drumming and dancing.

 

Memorizing countries on globe/map. Starting rivers last week (first one the Nile as I'm mooching into Egypt). Sending him on homeschool cruise to Alaska this summer.

 

Got him hooked on The Mesopotamians (You Tube), Gilgamesh (by Zeman), took him to the ancient Roman works on tour in the US, plan on touching on China and India before the K5 year is out.

 

Kayaking (splurged on an ocean-going kayak for two), diving, beachcombing, more hiking/biking. Started T ball without a team.

 

HTH!!!

[...................]

K: Biggest Hodgepodge...

 

Adventures in Phonics /CLP Readers up to Reader 3 and petered out on four

Classic Curriculum workbook Series 1 Reading, Writing, and Math

Phonics Pathways as supplement

Horizons K Math up to lesson 120

FIAR

Pathway First GRade Reader Days Go By

Reason for Handwriting A after we finished the Classic Curriculum writing book...

 

1: (coming up)

Queens Language Lessons for Little Ones Vol. 3/ LL for VY Volume 1 afterwards

 

Some of Climbing to Good English (schoolaid)

 

Queen's Spelling Through Copywork

 

RightStart Level B Math

 

Carson Dellosa Cursive (b/c he wants to and loves it)

 

Hey Andrew Level 2

 

SOTW (casually), Library Books, videos and notebooking for Science, History, Geography

 

Also My Big Science Book from timberdoodle for experiments

 

and lots of games for logic

 

Pathway Readers and Library Books

 

Dolch Sight Word Flashcards (which I will put on a ring)

 

That sounds like a lot but much of it won't be every day and both English programs are very gentle and quick. The biggie as far as time is going to be Right Start Math. All the other subjects will either be rotated, casually, or less than 10 minutes per day.