momsuz123 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 what would it be? I open enrolled my kiddos into a charter school for this fall. I am not sure 100% if we are in, but if we are...we get $500 for kids in prek. My little guy is 4. I am not sure what to spend that all on. What would you do? I am learning about what I can specifically spend it on still. Anyone have experience with this either? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeninok Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I would put it towards really great math manipulatives of all sorts, and building a home library, or a fun music and movement class, or art somewhere else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsuz123 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Let me add that I have 2 older kiddos that are 7 and 9. I started them hsing when my 7 y/o was in first grade. I do have some math manipulatives, but not for the pre K age. Same with our library - geared a tad bit older, and the olders are girls - he is a boy, ALL boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewe Mama Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 What stipulations does the charter have, if any? Would you want/only be able to use secular items? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beaners Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Active and young? I'd look at Timberdoodle if I was looking for my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Manipulatives, museum and zoo memberships, an extracurricular class or two... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momsuz123 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 It does have to be secular - since it is a public charter virtual school. I do know that gym classes, music classes and that are all covered too. I emailed them today to find out some more specifics. He is a very active little boy. Loves cars, trucks, monsters, legos, building. Loves to be read to, asks how to spell words all the time, loves sticker books. He still holds his pencil wrong, oh well - he is still occassionaly switching it to his left hand too. I am slowly, very slowy, doing some phonics when he asks about spelling like, "mommy, how do you spell General Grievous". :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Condessa Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Well, a Spanish tutor or Suziki violin lessons jump to mind, if those things are covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Sonlight core either P3/4 or P4/5 All About Reading - Pre Critical Thinking Preschool Bundle I forget the name but that CD that lets you created writing practice worksheets. Color printer cartridges to print some of ConfessionsOfAHomeschooler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freeindeed Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Oak Meadow Kindergarten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 For a 4 yo? It would have been math games, math manipulatives, art supplies, museum memberships and outside classes. One thing I wish I'd bought back then was the Right Start Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I'd also buy some stuff to do nature study, maybe something like these. http://www.hometrainingtools.com/nature-backpack-kits/c/179/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StartingOver Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I would get Sonlight 3/4, 4/5 , with K Science! I know you couldn't buy it all but most of it would be ok with the Public Charter. I would also get some Miquon math and Cuisenaire Rods. I would get All About Reading, and All About Spelling, art supplies, craft supplies, a big white board, and games. Explode the Code, Elemental Science Biology ( which is very easy ) or the Intro with supporting books and supplies. Tons and tons of extra literature to read aloud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByGrace3 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 For a four year old: All About Reading pre level 1 Right Start A and RS games Books from Sonlight 3/4 and 4/5 Science kits just for fun HWOT manipulatives (for pre k probably just the wooden letter pieces and cards and the roll a dough letters.) Music class, some sports/activity, and an annual membership to some kind of museum or zoo or both. Obviously you can't get all of that, but its my pre k wish list. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Handwriting Without Tears PK--including woodpieces Singapore Math Earlybird series snapcubes pattern blocks and cards and a mirror quality art supplies http://www.amazon.com/20th-Century-Childrens-Book-Treasury-Picture/dp/0679886478 Developing the Early Learner (all 4 books) Usborne: shapes, opposites Kumon Book of Cutting Ordinary Parent's Guide to teaching reading a tumbling class Lego Star Wars sticker book (pattern matching, fine motor with the stickers) a bunch of supplies for busy bags (see pinterest for ideas) a huge stack of DK Star Wars readers...he won't quite be ready for them, but they will be motivation to learn and he can practice repeating after you as you read to him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incognito Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I'd have fun shopping at timberdoodle and acorn naturalist. Also, building toys like Knex or Lego. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Lego has some very cool educational kits for that age and a little bit older. Go to legoeducation.com. Also Nancy Larson science has some nice "open and go" science programs that come with all the bells and whistles. Sing, spell, read and write? What about a subscription to discovery education? Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 We get quite a large sum of money from our charter school each year per child. It's so much fun to shop with someone elses money LOL. Our school has tightened up the reigns abit int he past few years about what we can buy. But I still try to get all thebasics from them, then buy the fun stuff myself. I just found out I have $400 for my 5 year old Transitional K kiddo this semester. I have to spend it or loose it by March 15th! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serendipitous journey Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 educational Duplos. The olders would have fun too. I'd get Tech Machines, and also tubes, if the school will let you; and here's a link to the simple machines from the Lego site. These will get so much use from your boy! We've acquired them over years with the help of grandparents (for gifts at birthdays and the holidays). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Wedgits RightStart A Tangrams and a book of easy designs AAR Pre-level 1 Museum memberships Mommy & Me music classes or Kindermusic DK books: My First Book of Words, My First Atlas, My First Encyclopedia, etc. Melissa & Doug puzzles A set of assorted Dover coloring books to copy for him to color (snakes, birds, knights, castles, etc.) Audubon guides on birds, reptiles, etc. (mine pore over these) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Be sure you know the rules. The charters I'm familiar with require non-consumables to be returned, so people tend to use the funds for consumables, classes, memberships and things like that, and buy the non-consumables with their own money. (The upside of this is that they may have the non-consumable you're looking for available to borrow, especially if it is something popular, so you won't have to spend either your own money or charter funds.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessicamcc Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Where on earth are there charter schools that give you money to spend on what you want? I am TOTALLY missing something! That sounds awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 I only got $200 for pre-k. $500 is awesome! I bought PAL Reading & Writing (most of it is consumable), Miquon math (all books - consumable), Elemental Science's Exploring Science ... PAL was a good choice for my son, but I don't think it's for everyone. PAL Reading has lots of poetry and games. Writing has really cute letter stories and includes story "analysis," copywork, etc. If he has already had some phonics then it might be great. If he is starting from the beginning or is having trouble then All About Reading is more incremental. I use Miquon but we are using Singapore Earlybird more often because it's open & go. We haven't really gotten into the science ... It's another binder to open and plan and I'm usually a little frazzled. I have plans to catch up. Oh, one thing we are LOVING is the Evan-Moor "Never Bored" books. The Kindergarten ones are fine for pre-k. They have lots of cut & paste crafts and puzzles, dot-to-dots, mazes, etc. I can get my kiddo to easily sit down with me and do a unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocelotmom Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Where on earth are there charter schools that give you money to spend on what you want? I am TOTALLY missing something! That sounds awesome! I think it's largely a California thing. I'm not sure I've ever heard of it anywhere else. Maybe Alaska, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Where on earth are there charter schools that give you money to spend on what you want? I am TOTALLY missing something! That sounds awesome! We are in California too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Alaska! Some are restricted to the school district you reside in, but many are open to anyone in the state. I think the largest allotment I've seen is $2700, but most are around $2k. I have found it to be very unobtrusive. I was even reassured by them to not worry about the standardized testing. The program I'm with was created by and for homeschoolers. We get a ton of leeway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Sonlight P4/5 plus Singapore or Horizons Math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 I have about that much to spend and already have my curriculum and decided to cut back on activities so also don't know what to get. I am going to make a list of the secular items I plan to use next year from mfw 1st, Wee Folk Art, and HWOT and see where that gets me and go from there. If they have some items on loan that sounds awesome :). I do not have too much space so holding onto every item is not practical for me. My charter is only k and up and child must meet cut off date. Too bad I don't get pre-k cash. My son is turning 4 and that would be useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um_2_4 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Mathematical Reasoning Beginners A & B LOVE it, but $$$ (It is consumable) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 I would get a trampoline, particularly one that we could use indoors in the winter. My little guy would love that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymomofboys Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 I would go with Sonlight P3/4 or P4/5 to get a nice collection of books that will be read again and again. I'd also add in some of Timberdoodle's PreK suggestions, particularly the hands-on materials not the workbooks, or MFW Preschool 3-5. Then I'd read, read, read and let him play, play, play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted April 6, 2013 Share Posted April 6, 2013 I just finished making my list this morning for my charter school, and it includes: Rainbow Resource Come Look With Me: World of Play by Gladys Blizzard Come Look With Me: World of Animals by Gladys Blizzard Come Look With Me: Enjoying Art With Children by Gladys Blizzard Come Look With Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children by Gladys Blizzard Games for Math: Playful Ways to Help Your Child Learn Math by Peggy Kaye Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Night Illustrated by Susan Jeffers Audonon’s Birds of America Coloring Book Can You Hear it by William Lach One Small Square Pond by Donald Silver Classroom Outdoor Thermometer Backyard Birdguide Song- Western North America Every Day Graces: A Child’s Book of Good Manners Little Annie Art Book of Etiquette & Good Manners Complete Book of Spanish, Grades 1-3 Spanish Picture Dictionary Spanish Bingo Game Every Day Words in Spanish: Photographic Cards (flashcards) Super Value Capital and Lower Case Letters (Sponge letter cut outs) Family Pack Construction Paper Card Stock, pastels Card Stock, vibrant Alphabet Phonics Center Kit (Lauri crepe letters upper & lower case) Bob Books in Color-All 5 Set Sight Words in a Flash Set 1(sight word flash cards) Sign Language Pocket Flashcards We Sign- ABC Sign and Sing Along DVD </p> Handwriting Without Tears: My Printing Book Blackboard with Double Lines Wide Double Line Notebook Paper Draw and Write Notebook, Stamp and See Screen Pencils for Little Hands Local book store vendor:</p> Flower Fairies Alphabet Color Book by Cicely Mary Barker (2) The Complete Book of Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker Nature in a Nutshell for Kids by Jean Potter My First Book of Sign Language by Joan Holub This came out to about $430 so we should be right about on target I am thinking. i want to hold on to my core curriculum, so this is more supplemental / extras / art supplies I would normally not get. I should mention that this is for my preschoolers and 1st grader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceFairy Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 I pretty much spent that, but we have Christian mixed in. If I were to go secular, I would choose: McRuffy Phonics, McRuffy Math, Elemental Science Biology for the Grammar Stage, Evan-Moor Beginning Geography, Discovering Great Artists, and D'Nealian K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 I pretty much spent that, but we have Christian mixed in. If I were to go secular, I would choose: McRuffy Phonics, McRuffy Math, Elemental Science Biology for the Grammar Stage, Evan-Moor Beginning Geography, Discovering Great Artists, and D'Nealian K. Yeah, our budget is about $500 per child, so since charter is picking up half we'll out of pocket do about $500. I'm getting the mfw 1st deluxe package and some enrichment items from their preschool stuff, la Clase Divertida level II, and Rod & Staff preschool workbooks as well as the Miller Series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoGal Posted April 7, 2013 Share Posted April 7, 2013 I would choose swim lessons, museum/zoo membership and tumbling/gymnastics classes. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 We're doing that next fall. I think they will be doing a gymnastics class or we will do maybe tennis and soccer in the fall and not sure in the spring. We were doing too much this last year so after winter break we cut back to just AHG and AWANA which were already paid up on and we could not have had them pay for anyhow. I think we will either do 1 gymnastics class for the entire school year with some misc. cash left over to do other stuff with or do two classes a week of some sort through the Y which has a lot of variety. Unfortunately I don't know if we'll be able to do AWANA or AHG this fall semester :( I have a class I have to take those two nights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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