ChristusG Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I have a 2nd grader (7) and a pre-schooler (4). Aside from the Three R's, I'm undecided about what we should be doing. We started with a science, didn't like it, and now I'm waiting for Apologia Astronomy to arrive in the mail (along with the Junior Notebooking Journal). So we'll definitely be doing science one day a week. Other than that, I'm not sure. We started doing SOTW 1 last year, but my kids just weren't into it. I tried making it easier by just playing the audio CD while they quietly played or colored....but they still weren't interested. I'm wondering if a different type of history would work? I really wanted SOTW to work. I'm not interested in doing anything like latin with them. We did try out sign language, which they kind of liked. What about social studies? What does that encompass? We finished a 1st grade map skills book this summer. We have the 2nd grade one but it is kind of basically the same thing. Just wondering what we should be doing at this age? I'm putting a lot of effort into the Three R's right now since DD7 is dyslexic. She's doing well though. DD4 tags along in all of our subjects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 You might find this thread helpful: Grade 2 at a glance compared to TWTM http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310465 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorrainejmc Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Galloping The Globe? You can do as much or as little as you like with it and plenty of bunny trail opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 You might find this thread helpful: Grade 2 at a glance compared to TWTM http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310465 Thanks! I just went over and checked it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5LittleMonkeys Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 What about lapbooks on topics of interest? Those are usually fun and are a great way to use LA skills. You can find quite a few free ones online. You could do some memory work; poetry, states, landmarks, presidents. Or what about art? Discovering Great Artists is a favorite here. At that age I don't think there is a whole lot else that you SHOULD be doing. A couple of 2-3 hours a day of school work, lots of books for you and she to read and lots of playtime sounds like a great 2nd grade year to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay3fer Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I have TeacherFileBox from EvanMoor (got it on sale a month or so ago) and I get their "Daily" science, math word problems, language, writing, etc for free. We're doing Grade 1, and I like the fact that these don't take much time but add a variety of subjects to our curriculum VERY painlessly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiegal Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 At that age, with the three R's covered, I'd suggest adding in playdates, park days, library storytimes, art / drama / music / sport classes or lessons, nature walks, and so on. Where I live there is quite a strong homeschool community that is forever organizing one-off opportunities: we just got back from a tour of a local chocolate factory (yum!) this afternoon. And most other nearby historical sites, museums, science centres, zoos, nature centres and the like have one-off 'homeschooler days' as well. Anything like that near you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 You could do unit studies. Or you could even do something like FIAR. We enjoy our science and history progression, but I don't think it actually matters that much when it comes down to it. I think it's important to be doing *something* for art, history, geography, science, etc. but I don't think it has to be anything in particular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Have a read-aloud going at all times. Memorize poetry (recommending, once again, IEW's Language Aquisition Through Poetry), crafts, painting. Memory work, Bible, poetry, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Jo Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 If you want to try history, we are enjoying a Child's History of the World. I second the FIAR and nature walks suggestions. Lots of time outside, lots of stories. And don't feel guilty - I've been there (still am) with reading issues. There are only so many hours in the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 (edited) You might like Sonlight for history, readalouds and readers. My kids have really enjoyed it. I would start with Core A. It has some gorgeous Usborne illustrated books which my boys really loved, as did I. Edited September 16, 2011 by texasmama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 One of the things we do is art/music appreciation through artist and composer studies. Even the pre-kers can participate, and the cost is low due to library and free Internet materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Galloping The Globe? You can do as much or as little as you like with it and plenty of bunny trail opportunities. Galloping the Globe or Expedition Earth (they are very similar). Geography and social studies together. Have a read-aloud going at all times. Memorize poetry (recommending, once again, IEW's Language Aquisition Through Poetry), crafts, painting. Memory work, Bible, poetry, etc. :iagree:Definitely some poetry memorisation and memory work. For history, maybe read some Usborne books...Living Long Ago, or Encyclopedia of World History to read and do some related projects out of the SOTW AG as interest leads. I'm surprised how much info my 6yo retains from just reading these. Art projects, maybe from Maryann Kohl books (check your library). Some how-to-draw lessons using Draw Write Now books or watch some Mark Kistler free videos. Don't try to do too much if you've got a baby coming, the lighter schedule will help you in the coming months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Thanks everyone! We may just go off on our own rabbit trails then. However, that does require more planning on my part....which I'm not the greatest at. Especially at 8 months pregnant. I think I'll take a trip to the library and see what I see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleBears Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 This is the perfect age for read alouds. We usually have one going at home and an audiobook in the car. A library card is a wonderful thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamatohaleybug Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 My daughter is 8 and this is the list of "subjects" we cover each week (some lessons are very short, 5-10 minutes, so it's not overwhelming): History - daily Literature - 2 pieces daily, plus one read aloud as a family Reading - daily Phonics - daily Math - daily Grammar - 3x week or more Geography - 2x a week Biography - 1x a week Art - 1-2 x a week Artist Study - 1x a week Composer study - 1x a week Music listening - 2x or more a week Recorder playing - 2x or more a week Vocabulary (Latin and Greek root words) - 2x or more a week Spelling - 3x a week Physical Education - daily Science - 2-3x a week Nature Study - 1x a week Health - 1x a week Scripture stories and memorization - 2x or more a week Copywork - 1-2 x a week Cursive handwriting - 3x a week Might be a few ideas in there for you. Lessons don't have to be a big thing. Avoid busy work at all costs! We are actually much more relaxed this year but doing much more. It's working beautifully. Add in field trips, park days, library, etc and that should be plenty to choose from to "enrich" them. Have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma aimee Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 https://scribinglife.wordpress.com/education/kindergarten/curriculum/ here is our kindy list my Kindy son (and PreK tag along) also do critial thinking, puzzles and sheets where the point is to talk though the thinking, or to be able to expalin to momma the why not just the ansver. we are doing a study of the 7 continets -- doing art and reading stories from each -- as social studies. art 2x a veek and science labs Bible memory vork and LOT of read a louds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristinannie Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Have you considered doing unit studies? Those are really fun at that age. You can buy some at CurrClick or just get library books and do it on your own. They aren't hard to plan and the kids love them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Nature walks! Collect seed pods and take pictures of birds and bring them home for identification. Nice and relaxing and easy for you too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linguistmama Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Do your girls like having you read library books? The Let's Read and Find Out science series is really good and has a lot of books. You could even use the SOTW activity book lists to just read library books. We also use the Sonlight lists to check books out and they have a great variety of read alouds and science and history books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoyfullyNoisy Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 We've yet to make it to second grade, but I'm finding that for first grade I'm having a similar dilemma - I fear that we're not doing enough, but don't want to include extra busy work. Our very best days and weeks involve lots of extra reading (trips to the library, scavenging used book sources) and simply more conversation (I'm an introvert and it takes effort for me to be talking most of the day, so this is a biggie for me). Discovering the books together in the library or book stores makes them so much more interesting than if I pull them out and say "this is what you're going to learn today". I imagine this, along with the basics, is something we'll keep up for at least the next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessieC Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I think FIAR is worth a look--brings in so many different topics, but it can be as simple or involved as you want it to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybear Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Nature study Tea time--read poetry, picture books, a good fiction read aloud, shakespeare stories, fairy tales. You can add in a light picture study here too. At 8 months pregnant, I don't want to put much more than that on your plate, nor is it necessary. Take it easy, girl. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wy_kid_wrangler04 Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I have not read other replies but Homeschool Ponies would be a good fit for the age of your dd's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Could you do Geography instead of History, at least for this year? Read aloud every day. :001_smile: Play outside every day (weather permitting). Listen to classic audiobooks (IMO, SOTW does not fall into this category). Those would be my "other" subjects for children at 7 and 4. Hey, wait a minute! I have a 6.5 year old and two 4.5 year olds! Hey, that's what WE do. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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