What resources do you suggest for these K subjects?

[Mrs. Hound]

We already have curriculum for the 3R's and we are keeping the other subjects mostly interest led. That being said Im looking for resources/supplements for Bible, Social Studies, and Science.

 

(ex. we have mudpies to magnets and some experiment books.. im looking into the handbook of nature study. ) so those are the type of tools im looking for:)

 

So what are your favorites?

 

P.s. sorry for the horrible typing.. feeding baby so im one handed at the moment:D

[momma2three]

For K science I'm using Science Fusion, which I'm not crazy about, and BFSU, which I've heard rave reviews about.

 

For US history, I'm using "Adventures in America," which I'm kind of meh about due to my own hangups. I plan on picking up a few Intelligo unit studies relating to pre-history and to civics in the spring and summer. I'm hoping the pre-history unit will lead us to the starting point of Story of the World for 1st.

 

I'm also loosely following the Baltimore Curriculum Lesson Plans for each month: http://www.cstone.net/~bcp/BCPIntro2.htm. Some of the activities are cute, and the suggestions really don't take that much time, so it's just adding a little variety.

 

ETA: I don't get the Handbook of Nature Study love AT ALL, and think that it could only possibly be useful for a much older child. YMMV.

[Mrs. Hound]

Wow, cool to see someone else using BCP:)

 

I went through and altered all of the lesson plans.. that was fun:glare: haha

[Mrs. Hound]

bump.. anyone?

 

I read before someone liked the usborne encyclopedias? I just want a reference to use as a starting off point. :001_smile:

[craftyerin]

We are using Five in a Row for social studies and science (there are choices for each subject with each book we study). I love it!

[tabrizia]

I buy the Usborne First Encyclopedias for the Science topics we are doing and then I either buy (mainly from Amazon, used) or borrow from the library supplemental books to go along with it.

 

We aren't doing Science every day, but I chose 4 main topics to study this year, we just finished Dinosaurs, and we are now doing Space/Planets. I am giving each topic about 10 weeks or so to get through, we do Science when we have time so normally 2 to 3 times a week.

 

As for History I bought Elemental History US, but we haven't really been doing it often, we sort of are combining pre-history in with our Science lessons, since our first 2 science topics also deal with pre-history topics. I also just pull interesting books from the library focused on DS' interests and we read about those topics too, to give him a brief overview of different periods of history.

 

Can't help with Bible, for religion I am reading him books from the library about the various Jewish and Hindu holidays and he is going to Hebrew school on Sunday morning.

[freeindeed]

We are using Five in a Row for social studies and science (there are choices for each subject with each book we study). I love it!

 

:iagree:

Five in a Row is a favorite around here.

[BoyOBoy]

For Bible, we read Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos. We are doing Big Picture Bible Timeline along with that. Then we work on memorizing Westminster Shorter Catechism for children and scripture. They will also have a catechism class at church on Wednesdays and regular Sunday School as well.

For geography/history, we'll do Evan More Beginning Geography and read lots of biographies, etc from the library. We also have an old copy of a 3rd grade US history book. It looks very simple so we'll probably treat that as a read aloud of sorts.

For science, we will read lots of nature readers, books from the library and our personal library, and do experiments as applicable. This will all just be interest led at this point. Look at the material listed on Oldfashionedschoolhouse. We really enjoy those and are learning a lot.

[MomatHWTK]

Leading Little Ones to God and/or Kenneth Taylor's books for Bible;

I also like FIAR for social studies in particular and they offer a separate Nature Study book now;

I've also used History for Little Pilgrims.

 

Science, go outside and look at stuff. ;)

[Mergath]

Elemental Science has a couple of preschool/K science programs that are quite nice. I know that one of them uses the Scienceplay book, and I believe the other uses More Mudpies to Magnets, though I'm not 100% sure on that.

[Rasa]

We really like Nature Study for the Whole Family By Laurel Dodge from Royal Fireworks Press

http://www.rfwp.com/series/nature-study-by-laurel-dodge#book-nature-study-for-the-whole-family

For social studies, we do Cub/Boy Scouting for the boys (proud momma of an Eagle Scout here :-)) Girl Scouts start at 5 yrs old, I believe.

[Mrs. Hound]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! I looked into Evan Moors Beg. Geo. and I really like the looks of it! Im thinking of ordering that and the Nature Handbook. :001_smile:

 

I was going to add the Usbornes Childrens Encyclopedia also but I think its unnecessary when you put it all together on top of library and interest led topics.

[Mrs. Hound]

Elemental Science has a couple of preschool/K science programs that are quite nice. I know that one of them uses the Scienceplay book, and I believe the other uses More Mudpies to Magnets, though I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

I know and I really wanted to use that this year! I've chosen to not stick with an actual curric. for those subjects though (since, if Im being realistic, we probably wouldn't get to it all;))

 

Im bummed though because I really liked the looks of the Elemental Science! :)

[sbgrace]

OP, what didn't you like about your core knowledge plans? I didn't find it until 1st grade but I think it makes a nice basis.

 

If I had it to do over again I would focus on engaging instead of trying to cover x or y for those non-core (outside of math/phonics) subjects. If you are up for planning, because I think it needs it to be ideal, five in a row could be good. I think Core Knowledge could make a great base too but I see you've seen that. Scholastic has a lot of their things on dollar deal too and I've found some nice stuff there (some science, make and learns, etc.)

 

I think you've sort of narrowed what you want for the subjects but I didn't see bible so that's why I'm replying. I look for solid biblical teaching, preferably not denomination specific, that "sticks" with my kids.

 

I have been pleased with everything I've used from Karyn Henley. http://www.karynhenley.com/site/Product-family-pages/ActiveLearning.html and http://www.karynhenley.com/site/Product-family-pages/HomeEd.html

 

I liked Telling God's Story (with the activity book) http://olivebranchbooks.net/tgs.html

 

The Heritage Builders Family Night Tool Kits are new to us but seem to have the potential to be very engaging and to stick. I'm going to have a weekly theme rather than a family night. http://www.heritagebuilders.com/familynightsexplained.html This has a video clip so you can see what it might be like. I'm excited about it.

[Mrs. Hound]

I just found Telling Gods Story today and I was very interested, so Im glad to hear about it!

 

I love CK and I will be using that as a guide for sure! With the Baltimore Curriculum Project (which I really liked) I just decided that with a newborn I wanted less set in stone lessons and more flexibility for interest led topics. \

 

Im very... OCD about following a plan and having a schedule, so this is hard for me, lol. Everyone I have asked for advice says to forget the schedule when schooling with a newborn;)

 

Im planning on getting a ton of library books and reading/studying a wide variety, so Im just looking for a sort of reference for these subjects.

[Mrs. Hound]

Ugh, again sorry for the horrible excuse for typing.. Im one handed again feeding baby:001_smile:

[skeeterbug]

Bible- Telling God's Story, with the activity book. Really love this, the related activities are good and their Year One would work for a K'er. You could take it at a slow pace and not try to complete it in a year. We love My First Hands-On Bible for Bible reading.

 

Science- Sonlight's Discover & Do DVDs with the related Usborne Science Activites books. You don't have to use SL's program, just the DVDs and some books. Another options is Magic School Bus DVDs, books, science kits, online activities from the Scholastic site. So fun!

 

Social Studies- Expedition Earth from COAH, I use this more as a checklist and suggestion of activities instead of following the curriculum. We spend 2-3 weeks on a country instead of just one week as suggested. Go along books we use with it include Children Just Like Me, Around the World in 80 Tales, Geography A to Z, Global Art. I just cross out the things we don't want to do.

 

HTH. I remember many times trying to type with one hand while baby happily fell asleep on me!

[sagira]

Here's what we're using for K:

 

Bible: The Children's Bible reader (read aloud)

 

Geography: Science Smart, Geography A-Z, The World and I, maps

Tanglewood Health and Safety

 

Science: BFSU K-2