adventumacademy Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (edited) Hello all! This is my first time posting here, though I've been lurking for a while reading many of the posts. Anyhow, I have a 6 year old DD and this is our second year of homeschooling. Last year, for K, I did not really do anything formal with DD; crafts and playing outside and read together constantly. This year, for 1st) I wanted to do more formal schooling. For math we re using Right Start Math B. For phonics/reading/spelling we are using ETC books and Happy Phonics and will be starting AAS1. I am happy with all this so far. For science I had decided to let dd choose topics that interested her and just find books on the topic from the library along with worksheets, videos etc. found online. So far we have studied ants - that's it. For geography/social studies/history I figured I would also come up with it on my own and I particularly wanted to include a study of the 50 states. We have already covered basic map skills, the continents and major oceans and holidays (Thanksgiving etc. as it's relevant) and we have learned a bit about Florida. That's it. Here is my issue: I feel like I am short changing my daughter's education!! We started this school year at the end of August and I feel like we have only accomplished maybe a month's worth of work with science and history. So now it's January and I really want to make a change. I need more structure to help me feel like I will accomplish things by the end of the year. So what would your suggestions be for Science and History?? I don't think my dd is ready for SOTW quite yet (she has ADHD and listening and absorbing information for more than 5 minutes at a time is a challenge). I do want to focus on the US this year - the 50 states as well as some History. I hope to be able to do SOTW next year. What are your thoughts (if any) on Adventures in America" by Angela Blau? For Science we definitely need something that has lots of hands on activities. I have learned that I am just NOT the "put lessons together yourself" kind of homeschooler and I really need help!! Also - what else should I be including to make sure she is "well-rounded"?? I am SO sorry this turned out to be so long, but I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks!! Edited January 13, 2012 by adventumacademy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 You might take a look at the homeschool guides by Wee Folk Art if your daughter isn't ready for something more. They include readings from library books (two at least each week) on seasonal topics and art and science projects to go with those readings. Here's the winter one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adventumacademy Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Thank you!! I will look into this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I just want to encourage you not to stress too much about short changing your dd academically. She's only 6. I think your schedule sounds just fine. As long as she's really learning "the 3 Rs" history and science are gravy at this age. By all means find a gentle program(s) for your dd; just know that she's probably doing just fine right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adventumacademy Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 You might take a look at the homeschool guides by Wee Folk Art if your daughter isn't ready for something more. They include readings from library books (two at least each week) on seasonal topics and art and science projects to go with those readings. Here's the winter one. Okay .. just checked this out real quick and this looks like something that would be great for us! It includes reading as well as art and cooking! Wonderful! and I LOVE that it is FREE!! Plus my ds could do a lot of this with us. Thanks so much for mentioning this - I had never heard of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adventumacademy Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 I just want to encourage you not to stress too much about short changing your dd academically. She's only 6. I think your schedule sounds just fine. As long as she's really learning "the 3 Rs" history and science are gravy at this age. By all means find a gentle program(s) for your dd; just know that she's probably doing just fine right now. Thank you :001_smile: As a new homeschooler I think I really needed that encouragement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeBeaks Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Re the science - maybe branch into other animals from the ants if at least she likes those? TWTM recommendations for 1st grade suit my own 6yo quite well - the Animal Encyclopedia. I recently purchased the Elemental Science lapbook and lesson plans/worksheets to go with it but haven't delved in yet. Look and see and maybe that will fit you. http://elementalscience.com/ We also use BFSU with him, but that takes more teacher time. On the other hand, it is much more hands on so indeed might suit your family. Another idea from TWTM is Mudpies and Magnets (all hands on). They recommend it for pre-K, but it is not limited to pre-K ideas at all. You also could work the ants angle into gardening perhaps? Different types of colonies? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosesinsummer Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Let me help set your mind at ease. :) We put my dd in a well respected Catholic school as a first grader. The schedule was as follows: Language Arts (reading, writing, phonics, etc): Daily Math: Daily Religion: Daily except for day of all school mass Art: 1x per week for 30 minutes Music: 2x per week for 30 minutes Spanish 1x per week for 30 minutes Computer 1x per week for 30 minutes Gym: 3x per week for 30 minutes Social Studies 1x per week 30 minutes, 1st quarter only Science 1x per week 30 minutes, 2nd quarter only. You see, even in school, they just get a little bit at this age. So, don't panic. Focus on you're 3 R's and the rest is just gravy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2000jhjh Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 It appears your happy with your math but I always like to mentions Math-u-See Curriculum. It is a great curriculum because they have DVD's for each lesson which is extremely helpful as the kids get older. The kids use blocks which helps them see the math work in front of them. The DVD's are my favorite part because the teacher teaches them through 12th grade and they can watch the videos over and over incase they didn't get it the first time. I use Abeka for History, Science, and Health. They are very structured. I like that they have figured out all the curriculums and help organize what is covered from year to year. I don't follow any Abeka's teacher's manuals/guides, I pick and choose from their organized textbooks what I want to teach my kids. When my kids were younger I had them draw a picture in their art journal for what they learned in History and in Science ie. study George Washington. They would draw George Washington. If they learned about different insects or animals, they would draw a picture of them. We did a lot with art because it was fun for them and it also helped them remember what they learned. They loved those times. Not sure this is helpful...just thought I would share. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsuz123 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I think it sounds like you are doing great! You also should give yourself more credit - I have only been hsing since August. I realize how important it is to not stress out (kids pick up on that), try and find out your kids interests and go down some of those paths, and take a break once in awhile and do something goofy. Just my thoughts, coming from a novice though. One week I had us do a Dr. Seuss week. There are so many free downloads of Dr. Seuss. I worked it into even math. We also did a Dr. Seuss read-a-thon. I had the girls get in their pj's early, get out the sleeping bags and curl up in our school room. I read to them until I couldn't talk anymore - they loved it. We plan on getting finishing up our Real science 4kids and doing nature studies and heading to the zoo - a lot. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 For science, try some field trips, a garden, Grow A Frog, butterfly hatching, etc. The library should have scads of books on animals. Make an all day zoo trip, too. Is there a fish hatchery near you? Get one of the "stand" magnifiers and put all kinds of things under it and look. Pick a nice deciduous tree and every month take a picture and draw a twig, make a leaf pressing, and talk about the seasons. Bone up on the terms of simple science and use them in conversation. David Attenborough's Life of Birds, Life in the Undergrowth, Life in Cold Blood etc are NOT twaddle, and he will introduce her to many wonderful things. Age six kiddo was glued to the Vox Music Masters. For history we read the Zeman trilogy of Gilgamesh, Lugalbanda, and Homer. For the states, get Doug and Melissa's jigsaw puzzle of the country and play it over and over. I also like their solar system one. Do the human body poster (she lies down and you trace it). I'll try to remember the name. I think it was from Teacher Created Resources. BIG hit. If you do these, she'll have more than 90% of first graders in ps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscopup Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 My son was in private school for half of first grade. During that first half, they learned about neighborhoods, community helpers (firemen, policemen, etc.), and the water cycle. That's about it. So don't fret about those subjects in 1st grade! The important subjects, even in school, are the 3R's. The rest really is gravy (and in many schools, just about left off entirely). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adventumacademy Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Oh thank you sooo much everyone! You have all really helped ease my mind. I had just assumed the kids in PS were doing so much more than we were. I am okay with my kids knowing some more than some kids in PS, but I am NOT ok with them knowing the least of other kids their age in PS. I guess because I am a new homeschooler - and the only person in my family to even consider this way of life - I constantly feel like I have to prove we have made the right decision. I initially felt the 3r's were the most important at this age, but I didn't want to be missing anything important either. Plus it's a kind of hard when family members start asking her what she is learning for Science, History etc. You have all made me feel much better about what we are doing so I thank you!! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I guess because I am a new homeschooler - and the only person in my family to even consider this way of life - I constantly feel like I have to prove we have made the right decision. :iagree: You'll get over that. :D I was helped, at first, by having the Core Knowledge books (What your First Grader Needs To Know) by Hirsch. It reminded me of a couple of cultural references all the other kids were getting. Somehow I'd forgotten John Henry.:) You can find them at the library or Goodwill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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