Help getting started with curriculum

[lgliser]

About 6 months ago I read TWTM and loved it. It really got me excited and motivated about homeschooling.

 

My kids are in kindergarten this year at a public school and doing well. They want to homeschool and I want to give it a try too, but I do still flip flop.

 

I started reading TWTM again the other day, thinking it would give me the same confident feeling it did last time. Well, it's not. I'm feeling really overwhelmed and not confident at all.

 

Anyway though, that's not really the point of my post. I really like the sound of the Peace Hill Press curriculum. But it's not super clear to me what I need to purchase.

 

I have triplets who will be in first grade next year. So I'll want.....?

 

For grammar - First Language Lessons Level 1. Will I need three of these? FLL Audio Companion?

Or will I want FLL level 2 because the curriculum map on their website has level 2 at the first grade level. But do they build on each other, so is level one best to start with?

 

Ordinary Parent's Guide To Reading. Do I need 3? Do I need the audio companion parent's guide?

 

Writing With Ease. The Complete Writer: WWE Instructor Text. Is this what I actually teach from? WWE Workbook 1 - do I need 3? Can I just teach from the workbook?

 

History - I'd love to do SOTW. We are looking into a Classical Conversations group and this school year, they covered the ancients. I had planned to start with the ancients with our curriculum but will that be way too much for the kids? They'd be doing the middle ages at CC but ancients at home. Too much?

 

Ok so just say we do the ancients at home. Famous Figures of Ancient Times - will I need 3?

 

Story of the World Vol 1 - just need one?

 

Activity book - do I need 3?

 

Tests for the Story of the World. Do I need this? Do I need 3?

 

What's the difference between the Student pages (consumable worksheets from the activity book) and the downloadable version? Besides not having to print them yourselves....

 

The audio book? Is that just if you don't feel like reading out loud?

 

Religion - Telling God's Story: A Parent's Guide to Teaching the Bible. Do I need this or do I teach from the activity book? Do I need 3 activity books? Then what is the "Telling God's Story, Year One: Meeting Jesus Instructor Text and Teaching Guide?" That sounds more like what you teach from, so what is the first parent's guide for?

 

With all of my "do I need 3?" questions - I see that you can buy certain things in a downloadable format . I just realized I guess that may be more economical to buy it that way and just print 3 copies, yes?

 

Ok and then what other things might be good for 1st grade? I think Handwriting Without Tears sounds good. What do I need three of with this?

 

And this is JUST the PHP stuff. When I read TWTM she recommends MANY things. I remember reading about Spelling Workout - I think that's what it was called. Is this in addition to TOPGTR? What else would be good?

 

And no, I don't want to get in over our heads, but I do want enough to keep us busy throughout the days. I know we'll have lots more free time and that's a good thing, but they thrive on organized activities. We've been pretty go-go-go since they were born and they're used to being busy and they like it.

 

Sorry for the LONG post. I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now and I've always received such help here. It's just so tough when trying to start something new. And especially since I still flip flop on even doing it at all. I volunteer at their school and it's a nice place. The teachers seem great and the kids are doing well. I just know that we can do better (once I get my head around a few things). Plus, my family, the kids, everyone... WANTS me to homeschool.

Thanks again!

Laney

[Five More Minutes]

I have triplets who will be in first grade next year. So I'll want.....?

 

For grammar - First Language Lessons Level 1. Will I need three of these? FLL Audio Companion?

Or will I want FLL level 2 because the curriculum map on their website has level 2 at the first grade level. But do they build on each other, so is level one best to start with?

 

Ordinary Parent's Guide To Reading. Do I need 3? Do I need the audio companion parent's guide?

 

Writing With Ease. The Complete Writer: WWE Instructor Text. Is this what I actually teach from? WWE Workbook 1 - do I need 3? Can I just teach from the workbook?

 

History - I'd love to do SOTW. We are looking into a Classical Conversations group and this school year, they covered the ancients. I had planned to start with the ancients with our curriculum but will that be way too much for the kids? They'd be doing the middle ages at CC but ancients at home. Too much?

 

Ok so just say we do the ancients at home. Famous Figures of Ancient Times - will I need 3?

 

Story of the World Vol 1 - just need one?

 

Activity book - do I need 3?

 

Tests for the Story of the World. Do I need this? Do I need 3?

 

What's the difference between the Student pages (consumable worksheets from the activity book) and the downloadable version? Besides not having to print them yourselves....

 

The audio book? Is that just if you don't feel like reading out loud?

 

Religion - Telling God's Story: A Parent's Guide to Teaching the Bible. Do I need this or do I teach from the activity book? Do I need 3 activity books? Then what is the "Telling God's Story, Year One: Meeting Jesus Instructor Text and Teaching Guide?" That sounds more like what you teach from, so what is the first parent's guide for?

 

With all of my "do I need 3?" questions - I see that you can buy certain things in a downloadable format . I just realized I guess that may be more economical to buy it that way and just print 3 copies, yes?

 

Ok and then what other things might be good for 1st grade? I think Handwriting Without Tears sounds good. What do I need three of with this?

 

And this is JUST the PHP stuff. When I read TWTM she recommends MANY things. I remember reading about Spelling Workout - I think that's what it was called. Is this in addition to TOPGTR? What else would be good?

 

 

I would recommend that you start with the essentials for Gr. 1, both in purchasing and when you actually start your year. Start with the basics; once those are mostly routine, start adding in other subjects as you're able.

 

For Gr. 1, the essentials are math (a biggie!), reading, and then spelling / writing / handwriting.

 

Grammar is great, but I would say still optional in Gr. 1.

 

So for math: start thinking about how YOU want to teach (do you want a script? do you want to experiment and play?) and search the boards here for math threads. Some popular programs are Singapore Math (conceptual, mastery), Miquon (conceptual, exploratory), MEP (conceptual, spiral, FREE), Math Mammoth (conceptual, mastery, more independent), Saxon (incremental, spiral, tightly scripted), Right Start (conceptual), Math-U-See (mastery) ... and there are many more!!

 

For reading: OPTGR is, I believe, non-consumable. You should only need one. Someone may correct me on that.

 

For spelling: Start spelling once they're reading well. There are lots of spelling programs -- you could search the forums here, or ask for specific recommendations based on your teaching style and your students' learning style. We use All About Spelling in our home, for example, but there are loads of options.

 

For grammar: If you do FLL, levels 1 and 2 are oral, non-consumable books. You only need one. If your students are ahead of the game, you can start with FLL2 -- it's VERY gentle. Or you can breeze through FLL1. FLL2 reviews everything in FLL1.

 

For writing: WWE is a good choice. I would recommend getting the student workbooks to make it easier for you. (You don't need the instructor's guide, then, although it's nice because it outlines the philosophy of the program and an overarching plan for 4 years. You can also use this guide and select your own passages for narration and dictation, but that will be an extra load in your first year.) I just get the PDF versions of the workbooks and read off of my iPhone or computer when needed (the passages aren't that long). Then I print the student pages for them.

 

On your other topics ...

 

History: If you go with Story of the World, you just need one textbook and one activity guide. I also purchase the student pages separately in PDF, because I find printing from PDF so much more convenient than photocopying. You don't need the tests or anything else. Start with the text and Activity Guide, and follow the recommendations there for a while before adding anything else in. The audio book is optional.

 

Religion: I've been using Telling God's Story and enjoying it. You don't need the parent's guide to do the program -- it just gives you the background to the program and maps it out for you. I liked it, though, and am glad I read it for myself. To implement year 1, you just need the Year 1 Instructor Text -- that gives you the passages to read -- and the Year 1 Activity Guide for colouring pages and activities. I handle this as I do Story of the World, getting a print copy of the AG and PDF versions of the student pages.

 

Handwriting: I can't comment on HWOT, but I'm sure someone else will.

 

Other things: You may want to consider how you'll add science in to the mix after the basics are being covered on a regular basis.

 

All the best as you start this fun, crazy adventure!

[alisoncooks]

GRRR....just typed a long response and lost it. Trying again:

I remember that hallelujiah-chorus feeling when I first read TWTM. :) That said, I've found (after trial and error) that many of their products didn't work for my kid or my teaching style... I'd definitely suggest getting to a HS convention and having an in-person look at everything, if you can! :)

 

Here's some input on the following:

For grammar - First Language Lessons Level 1. Will I need three of these? FLL Audio Companion?

Or will I want FLL level 2 because the curriculum map on their website has level 2 at the first grade level. But do they build on each other, so is level one best to start with?

FLL1 is appropriate for 1st grade. You will only need 1, it's non-consumable. The audio has some grammar chants and poems, I think. You don't need it.

 

Ordinary Parent's Guide To Reading. Do I need 3? Do I need the audio companion parent's guide?

Just 1, it's to be read from (not a workbook). Skip the audio companion.

 

Writing With Ease. The Complete Writer: WWE Instructor Text. Is this what I actually teach from? WWE Workbook 1 - do I need 3? Can I just teach from the workbook?

The Complete Writer is more of a summary of TWTM writing philosophy, with some lessons included. Many take this and apply the concepts to their own stuff. The WWE workbook does the legwork for you -- open and go. The instructions/lessons are at the beginning of the workbook, all the student consumables are at the back. With 3 kids, I'd buy the PDF, have it all printed at Office Max, and stick them in binders for each.

 

History - I'd love to do SOTW. We are looking into a Classical Conversations group and this school year, they covered the ancients. I had planned to start with the ancients with our curriculum but will that be way too much for the kids? They'd be doing the middle ages at CC but ancients at home. Too much?

Not familiar with CC + SOTW, so I'll let someone else speak to that aspect..... but:

 

Ok so just say we do the ancients at home. Famous Figures of Ancient Times - will I need 3?

Are these the timeline figures? You could do one timeline on the wall for all the kids to use/view. So 1 set, done.

Or, you could do some sort of timeline book for each kid, but for 1st graders? I wouldn't bother.

 

Story of the World Vol 1 - just need one?

Yep, it's a story book and you'll most likely be reading it for them (I assume, unless they are advanced in reading and comprehension...)

 

Activity book - do I need 3?

Doubt it, but I'm not sure. But again -- with 3 kids -- I'd look into buying the PDF and just printing 3 copies of the things you need printed.

 

Tests for the Story of the World. Do I need this? Do I need 3?

Don't get tests for first graders. Skip it.

 

What's the difference between the Student pages (consumable worksheets from the activity book) and the downloadable version? Besides not having to print them yourselves....

? I assume they're the same.

 

The audio book? Is that just if you don't feel like reading out loud?

Lots of people use this! Yes, you could even listen in the car (on the way back and forth to CC ;).

 

Religion - Telling God's Story: A Parent's Guide to Teaching the Bible. Do I need this or do I teach from the activity book? Do I need 3 activity books? Then what is the "Telling God's Story, Year One: Meeting Jesus Instructor Text and Teaching Guide?" That sounds more like what you teach from, so what is the first parent's guide for?

Well, I would suggest figuring out your goals for Bible/religion and going from there. Pick Bible based on your beliefs and goals.

 

With all of my "do I need 3?" questions - I see that you can buy certain things in a downloadable format . I just realized I guess that may be more economical to buy it that way and just print 3 copies, yes?

YES! ;)

 

Ok and then what other things might be good for 1st grade? I think Handwriting Without Tears sounds good. What do I need three of with this?

I assume HWT has student workbooks. 3 of those, I guess. I'd probably lean toward just doing handwriting with something more inexpensive or just writing paper and copywork (copywork can be found in FLL1 and WWE). But some do like having a separate handwriting program.

 

And this is JUST the PHP stuff. When I read TWTM she recommends MANY things. I remember reading about Spelling Workout - I think that's what it was called. Is this in addition to TOPGTR? What else would be good?

Lots of people use R&S spelling, but it begins in 2nd. All About Spelling is also popular.

 

And no, I don't want to get in over our heads, but I do want enough to keep us busy throughout the days. I know we'll have lots more free time and that's a good thing, but they thrive on organized activities. We've been pretty go-go-go since they were born and they're used to being busy and they like it.

 

Sorry for the LONG post. I'm feeling very overwhelmed right now and I've always received such help here. It's just so tough when trying to start something new. And especially since I still flip flop on even doing it at all. I volunteer at their school and it's a nice place. The teachers seem great and the kids are doing well. I just know that we can do better (once I get my head around a few things). Plus, my family, the kids, everyone... WANTS me to homeschool.

Thanks again!

Laney

 

[Hunter]

See if your library has the 1st edition of TWTM and see if that feels less overwhelming.

[Hunter]

See if your library has the 1st edition of TWTM and see if that feels less overwhelming.

[lgliser]

I would recommend that you start with the essentials for Gr. 1, both in purchasing and when you actually start your year. Start with the basics; once those are mostly routine, start adding in other subjects as you're able.

 

I do see the logic in that. But how do you wrap your head around not sticking to a schedule? Like, if I omit something that is suggested for first grade, and is "level 1" until 2nd or 3rd grade (or whatever), then how do I keep on track? How do I know which level to start with?

 

I truly appreciate all of the feedback!

[Five More Minutes]

[/size]

 

I do see the logic in that. But how do you wrap your head around not sticking to a schedule? Like, if I omit something that is suggested for first grade, and is "level 1" until 2nd or 3rd grade (or whatever), then how do I keep on track? How do I know which level to start with?

 

I truly appreciate all of the feedback!

Your schedule should be built by your educational priorities, not the other way around. So you need to determine what your priorities are for the level your students are at. Then you can get curricula to try for your first year, and map out a schedule then.

 

TWTM is an excellent guide for each grade level. But I would even pare down TWTM recs at first to my absolute, must-do subjects for the upcoming grade.

 

For Grade 1, my priorities have been / will be (next year):

- Math

- Reading fluency (phonics if needed, or a phonics-based spelling if they're already reading)

- Writing (including handwriting)

 

If I do nothing but those in Gr. 1, I know that my students will still be on their way to a solid education. I figure out where my students are at in those subjects, and select curricula accordingly. It makes no sense, for example, to do Grade 1 math with a student who is already adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers; neither does it make sense to start a Grade 1 writing program like WWE if a student doesn't yet have basic letter recognition and simple reading skills. So I choose the level of program based on where the students are at, not on where they "should" be if they were in P.S.

 

I map out our yearly schedule (by month) based on these curricula.

 

Then I start to look at the next important subjects. For me, those would be history and science, which I aim to get to a couple of times a week. (I fail regularly with science in that one, though!!) I also did/do grammar at that age, but if you leave it until grade 3, nothing terrible happens. Every grammar program repeats the basics every year, and then ratchets it up a degree.

 

I schedule those next important subjects into the year, and figure out what a daily and weekly rhythm might look like. For example, covering the essentials before a morning break, and then the next-importants after that break. Finish everything by noon, read together after lunch, have a quiet time. Mondays / Wednesdays would be good history days; Tuesday / Thursdays will work for science for us. That sort of thing.

 

And then I look at pure fun stuff to add in if we have time. In Gr. 1, those are art, Latin, geography, French, Greek, Bible. I pick curricula for those, and aim to get them in once a week if possible.

 

TWTM has great recommendations. I love it. But it is not meant to be slavishly followed. If you don't get to something in Grade 1 and you think it's important, you'll find a way the next year. Or halfway through the first year. (Probably when you're reevaluating your math curriculum, because that can be a hard one to nail down first time! :001_smile: ) You may even find yourself disagreeing with some of TWTM recs as you go along, because they don't fit you or your kids.

 

 

ETA: Most curricula will offer a test of some sort to determine the student's level, or will have helpful staff available to help you sort that out.

[Hunter]

I don't envy those of you just starting your homeschool adventures now. Things are so much more complicated now, but I don't see better results for all the extra money being spent, and time spent studying.

 

Public schools are also presenting a much more complicated looking curriculum and also not producing better results. Parents are trying to compete with the current overcomplicated and expensive PS curricula, instead of the back to basics curricula that we were competing with back in the 80s and early 90s.

[StartingOver]

 

For grammar - First Language Lessons Level 1. FLL 1 would be fine, it is just to read and discuss so you only need 1. ( FLL 3 & 4 are consumable.

 

Ordinary Parent's Guide To Reading. When I use OPGTR I use just the book. ( If they don't know their letter sounds, then we love Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD )

 

Writing With Ease ( I would just get level 1, Level 3 really ramps up. ) I would purchase a bound book for yourself and student pages for the kids, unless you don't mine using the one set included in the PDF or bound book. I for one can't tear pages out of a Text ! The Student pages are here...

Student Pages 1 for Writing with Ease

 

The Complete Writer: WWE Instructor Text. ( This just had an outline for the program, if you wish to use your own literature selections for Copywork and narrations you can just get this book. )

 

History - Story of the World

 

Story of the World Vol 1 -( yes just one, it is a reader) http://peacehillpress.com/the-story-of-the-world-vol-1-ancient-times-revised-edition-paperback.html

 

Activity book - ( Again I would purchase one bound book for you, and the student pages PDF. )

http://peacehillpress.com/student-pages-vol-1-revised-edition-pdf.html

 

Tests for the Story of the World ( I don't test at this stage. )

 

The audio book? ( The audio book is great if you have time in the car, at nap, or bedtime for them to listen to it. But it isn't necessary at all. )

 

 

 

 

I just answered the questions I have experience with. I love to have the bound books for myself, like SOTW , SOTW Activity Guide, and purchase the student pages for my kids. FLL doesn't have a workbook till Level 3, so just get the book. After that I do the bound book and student pages. WWE, I get the bound book for me, and student pages.

 

*** PDF comes in the complete book you could use on the Kindle or IPad, or read from a computer. The PDF student pages, are just the worksheets for the students.****

[5LittleMonkeys]

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But how do you wrap your head around not sticking to a schedule?

 

 

AAAACCCCCKKKKK!!!! Don't even start homeschooling with this mindset! You will drive yourself and your kids insane. (Ask me how I know...no, don't.) :tongue_smilie:

 

Right now go out and buy a nice big fat sharpie and every time a book\workbook\program comes into your home scribble out the grade level on it. Forget grade levels...they don't exists.

 

Now that I have your attention re-read what Lynnita just posted :

Your schedule should be built by your educational priorities, not the other way around.

 

If you can only manage WWE 1, math, and phonics for 1st grade then you decide that you want to add grammar in the next year in 2nd, then you purchase FLL 1 and use it for 2nd grade. Think of the "1" as "1st". It is the "1st" book in the series. Now, you may find that your little darlings picked up a lot more grammar in 1st than you expected and in looking at the books decide that they can move into FLL2 afterall. Great! But, if they need to be in FLL1 then they need to be in FLL1. (just using that as an example)

 

Teaching multiple children who are all the same age is going to be a challenge because they aren't all necessarily going to stay at the same skill level in core subjects (math, language arts, foriegn language). You are going to need to always teach them according to their own individual abilities. Your content subjects (history, science, art, music, geography) are going lend themselves more easily to being the same for all the dc.

 

It's highly doubtful that your dc will remain on grade level in all things. One of my dc is in "6th grade" math and "8th grade" grammar, but she is in 7th grade according to her registration with the cover school we use. Another is doing WWE3...she's in 4th grade but has used another writing program geared towards 5th and 6th graders...I'm using WWE3 because it has the narration practice I want, not becuase it is the correct grade level for her. She's not "behind", in fact she's probably ahead in her writing compared to other 4th graders, but I wanted to shore up a specific area so I'm using the program that makes that possible.

 

As your looking for curricula to use avoid choosing only on the criteria of the grade level printed on the front. Use it as a guide line definitely, but choose first and foremost based on if it meets the needs of your dc's abilities.

[StartingOver]

I have been doing school TWTM style since 1999, I have never EVER, for a single day followed the schedule outlined in the books. LOL You might want to go out to Peace Hill Press' Youtube and see some of the videos SWB has made. http://www.youtube.c.../peacehillpress Even she doesn't follow the schedule that the publishers insisted that she put in the book.

 

Each child is and individual, and should move at their own pace. It is a marathon, not a race. ;-)

 

( These two little ones aren't the norm. My three older children were all over the map too. I had one who didn't learn to read till he was 10 , then read Moby Dick as his first book. I have one that still can't write, ( DS 22 ) but types beautiful poetry. )