NewIma Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Hello! What do you view as essential formal school subjects for elementary school? I want to have a more relaxed approach, while still meeting all of my dd8's educational needs. Right now we do: Math in Focus Growing with Grammer WWE Apples and Pears Spelling Italics Logic Science textbook and notebooking SOTW 2 Historical Fiction read aloud Bible story Poetry read aloud child reading aloud to me How do I simplify this list without missing something important? What are the essentials for your family? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 I'm not sure if you are thinking about just academic subjects. We have 'essential subjects' in our homeschool that are often called extra-curricular and not everyone includes these when listing subjects. I consider them essential for my dc's education. We balance our time on academic subjects in order to include these subjects. Music instruction is an essential in our family. Each child begins formal lessons on an instrument, there is music theory tied in, and because we've been doing Suzuki violin and classical guitar, they also have group classes. At home, I have used Classical Kids CDs for music appreciation and some music history. Art, crafts, hands-on building stuff. Art is definitely NOT my strength, but I suffered through and tried to provide craft supplies, follow art curriculum (ARTistic Pursuits), and did a lot of hands-on building things tied in with our history studies (e.g., building pyramids out of bricks, building Viking long houses, etc.). Physical Education is another essential in our homeschool. I have 3 boys as well as a very active daughter, not to mention I have a Masters degree in Human Kinetics, so we do a lot of recreational physical activities. We don't do any competitive sports, I just introduce the dc to a wide range of physical activities over the years (e.g., swimming, soccer, gymnastics, cycling, cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, Taekwon-Do, hiking, kayaking, basketball, tennis, badminton, softball, hockey, track and field, running). Second language study is also an essential in our family. We've studied different languages over the years, using different approaches (e.g., at home with me teaching, out-sourcing in group class and tutor). Dance - all my dc have completed a little bit of dance instruction, though none of them have had a desire to delve in deeper. I think it's great to have exposed them to movement to music in some form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peregrine Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 From that list, if I had to cut something, I would cut back on science. Or maybe, just change it to a library books/nature study approach. The child could read aloud to you about science topics and you'd be doing two at once. Do a nature study with drawing and you're hitting art at the same time. Anything science-related that needs to be memorized could be integrated into their copywork or handwriting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 For elementary, the only really essential subjects are music lessons, math and foreign language. Everything else is nice but not necessary until later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) . Edited September 8, 2023 by SilverMoon 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALB Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Bible would also be a given for our family regardless of whether its a "school subject." I think the narrowest selection of true essentials would include math, spelling, writing and literature. For our family the list also includes Latin, which is a big part of our grammar and also provides critical thinking skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 8, 2015 Share Posted May 8, 2015 Hmm, so, in our house an eight year old might be in grade 3. Right now i have a ten year old finishing grade 4 and a seven year old finishing grade 2. I consider them to be on opposite sides of a mark between lower elementary and upper elementary. I don't like to overload either, but lower elementary I try and keep pretty minimal. -So what our grade 2 student does, it takes about than an hour daily apart from outside lessons: -Reading aloud to me -I read something to her - a fairy tale or fable or history story, something from science, or whatever we feel like -Math -copywork - she has just since Christmas gained a lot of physical dexterity in her writing and has begun making more progress here. Mostly we have been doing cursive though she often prints in her own work memory work music class and (almost) daily piano practice guitar class and practice - but this is her choice for extra activity and we could give it up if it became a problem artist study and drawing, from time to time nature study from time to time but mostly getting outside choir, weekly For dd 10, usually we start at nine and end just before lunch, if she doesn't dilly dally. Growing with Grammar, about a chapter a day - ( don't plan to do as much next year) Writing an Rhetoric, about a chapter a week Literature - of all types, maybe a chapter a day depending on the book. Sometimes I read them out loud if they are more challenging Math French - this year very light introduction Spelling - Sequential Spelling Memory/copywork History - usually a chapter of A Child's history of the World, and sometimes a supplemental text Other - usually one "other" daily, be it science or a special sort of book or artist study piano lesson and practice violin lesson and practice choir weekly getting outside/nature study as much as we can My plan for grade 3 is not much different than grade 2, except that we will be doing more extensive copywork and will use some of English for the Thoughtful child orally. As far as your list - I would not read aloud only historical fiction. I would not do SOTW every day. I would reduce the LA but how would depend on the child - I doubt I would do grammar though I would likely wait a few years. If my child was still needing handwriting practice I would still be making copywork the main vehicle for most of my LA needs. (On the other hand if at all possible I might add a little bit of language study as it is much easier to pick up a good accent when you are younger. French, Spanish, or whatever makes sense for your family. Even just learning some songs.) I would not do logic. I might do something different with science, I don't think I would do notebooking and apart from being outside it would be weekly not daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyc78 Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I have been mulling this over the past few weeks as well as I'm sensing some burnout in me and the kids. Not so much in the amount of information or subjects we are studying but in the need to stay so constantly on task just to check off ALL THE THINGS… it's sucking the joy right out of our days. I have been thinking about the idea of 'Bare Minimum School' and plan on experimenting with it this summer… doing the bare minimum of essential subjects and then leaving the rest of their 'education' to flesh itself out in creative play, curiosity, library visits, strewing, field trips, good books, etc. So these bare minimum subjects for my 3rd grader (who is a fluent reader) would be: Bible (Vos Storybook or Devotional, Scripture Memory Box) Math (3-4x a week) Daily Reading (done independently, books of my choosing once a day, books or magazines of his choosing at bedtime) Spelling (AAS 2x a week) Writing (3x a week, some form of copy work, dictation, journaling, letter writing or creative writing. This is one of the things I struggle to implement on my own and combining multiple resources stresses me out so next year we are using Abeka LA3 which includes writing, cursive, reading comprehension and spelling, although I don't think we will use their spelling) We currently do a lot (A LOT) more than this and like I said, I'm feeling burnt out with the scheduling and juggling of it all. My son is very naturally interested in history and science, and does a lot of studying and investigating on his own when he has the time. We also do Classical Conversations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 For me the essentials for elementary school are: math and writing. Usually there is one more thing that we were sure to get done. It was music when my older kids were that age and is Japanese for my youngest. History, science, literature, and anything else is learned as the opportunity presents itself. I find it much less stressful to focus on just a few things that have to get done and not worry about the rest. And the less stress in my life the better. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Bare minimum, can't scrimp another thing: math, phonics and spelling, handwriting. I would also consider trips to museums, nature walks, watching documentaries and free reading books educational. I suppose I can be very minimal. We do teach more than this but this is what I consider my bare minimum. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Hello! What do you view as essential formal school subjects for elementary school? I want to have a more relaxed approach, while still meeting all of my dd8's educational needs. Right now we do: Math in Focus Growing with Grammer WWE Apples and Pears Spelling Italics Logic Science textbook and notebooking SOTW 2 Historical Fiction read aloud Bible story Poetry read aloud child reading aloud to me How do I simplify this list without missing something important? What are the essentials for your family? MATH - Daily WWE - 4 days/wk Alternate Grammar and Spelling M/W/T/Th, Poetry R.A. Friday Pitch Logic, or save and run through either a week at a time while you take a break from something else or in summer SCIENCE -Can you get what you're working on done in 2 days/week? Bunch SOTW 2 and Historical Fiction - no need for overkill on this at age 8 - 2 days/week Bible Story - Daily Child reading aloud - is this still necessary? Bedtime? Italics - is this necessary? Do with Poetry R.A. on Friday? In a crisis or when a break is needed, this could be even more streamlined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecclecticmum Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 LA, Math & Science, Social Studies. Or in homeschool speak: Phonics Reading Grammar Writing Handwriting & Typing Maths History Geography or some sort Science. And Science, History, Geography can be as simple or as in depth as time allows. Those would be my basics for Primary/Elementary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsmm Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 Math and language arts are the two things we do every day. We also do some kind of exercise every day. We do science, history, art, music, Spanish, geography, and typing when we want to and when we have time. But we also are surrounded by books and magazines on these topics. My kids have art supplies on hand, music they can put on whenever, a piano, etc. So they are getting much more than math and LA each day. But those are the two things I make a point to do each and every day. The rest just sort of happens. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 If I had to remove things from the OP's list, I'd take off handwriting (assuming it's not just terrible), logic, and grammar. I don't think kids need grammar every year. Logic is a fun extra, definitely not a necessity, especially at this age. Handwriting happens in other contexts. I'd also remove Bible, but that's more of a family decision and I assume that needs to stay. It doesn't seem like that long a list to me though, but that's assuming not everything is done every day. If I was going to simplify and keep everything, I'd want to make sure that some things were alternating. Like, to me, poetry is maybe a once a week thing. Ditto logic. Bible, science, and history could alternate depending on your needs. Maybe you get less done in each subject, but that's okay. Go at your own pace. The read aloud I would put before bed so it doesn't feel like part of the school day. And I would alternate between ones for history and ones for the enjoyment of the literature. That would leave you with math, having the child read aloud (transitioning to independent reading when ready, presumably), spelling, and writing every day for school and read alouds every evening (or during breakfast or whenever you do your reading aloud that works best). Everything else would get a slot in the schedule and happen once or twice or maybe three times in a week so there's never too much in a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted May 9, 2015 Share Posted May 9, 2015 I don't think in terms of "subjects" as much as helping my dc learn as much as they can to become responsible adults. That would include helping them to be literate, so learning to read and write well is essential. They need to have good arithmetic skills. They need to be familiar with the history and geography of where they live and of where others live. They need to understand how things work, so...science. I guess if I divided things up into actual subjects, it would be this: English (which includes instruction in phonics, spelling, composition, and penmanship) History Geography Arithmetic/mathematics Science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewIma Posted May 18, 2015 Author Share Posted May 18, 2015 Thank you everyone! I think that, once again, the trouble isn't so much the subjects that we are doing, but that we are trying to do all of them everyday. I need to figure out how to better group and divide them so things are less overwhelming. Thank you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 Essential subjects for us at that stage: Language Arts (writing, phonics/spelling if necessary...) Math Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 Hello! What do you view as essential formal school subjects for elementary school? I want to have a more relaxed approach, while still meeting all of my dd8's educational needs. Right now we do: Math in Focus Growing with Grammer WWE Apples and Pears Spelling Italics Logic Science textbook and notebooking SOTW 2 Historical Fiction read aloud Bible story Poetry read aloud child reading aloud to me How do I simplify this list without missing something important? What are the essentials for your family? I don't think you have too many subjects. I think you have too much overlap, and too many didactic and utilitarian resources. In fact, I would add art Picture Study & Art, Compser Study & Music lessons, Literature, Nature Study... To make room for those things (that I do consider vital), I would combine skill-work within lessons. Ex. I can make Apples & Pears cover spelling/dictation/handwriting/and even grammar. I just orally do some grammar work with the dictation sentences. That just took an HOUR of school work and condensed it down to 20min. That is 40min in the day to rotate Art, Music, Nature Study! Now, to cover the narration portion of WWE, do narrations across the curriculum. (Science notebooking counts.) Do oral narrations from the history and literature. When you finish with the A&P series, pull passages to dictate from across the curriculum (high literature!), and do the same thing. Use that one lesson to get in spelling/grammar/handwriting. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian McGuire Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 Music is an absolute essential at all levels. As it weaves together all of the disciplines and exercises every part of the brain. You can refer to this as a primer on the rationale and explore the links on Collegium Musicum Novae to get started. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/551967-music-as-core-curriculum-in-classical-education-part-1/ Christian McGuirehttp://www.christianmcguire.com/p/blog-page.htmlCollegium Musicum Novae - organizaerChristian McGuire is a professional musician, historian, music educator, and Liberal Arts Education advocate who holds a Master of Arts in Musicology from the University of Minnesota and B.A.s in Philosophy and Classical Languages from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He teaches private students in Electric Bass, Classical Guitar, and beginning Piano and has taught Music History and Theory at Augsburg College and the McNally-Smith College of Music. He is a Fencing Foil specialist and a practicing black belt in mixed martial arts under Master Jake Erling from The Art Martial Arts in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticHaiku Posted May 18, 2015 Share Posted May 18, 2015 If you are looking to simplify withou giving up subjects you might consider a basket approach. A few weeks ago I read about this and I wish I could give credit where it is due but I don't remember. Basically you look at the subjects you want to cover but don't have time or want to dedicate time for direct instruction and you gather materials for a basket. If it were science and you wanted to cover amphibians you would have some library books about anphibians maybe some fiction that involves amphibians (not nessesarily science-ish just relates to the topic), some colored pencils and a note book for each child. You can do the same for subjects such as art/artist study, logic, history, music/composer study, geography/cultures, any content subject really. Have basket time incorporated into your day. The child chooses a basket and reads and looks through the contents diving a s deeply as they choose. The note book is for them to record whatever they find of interest. Change out baskets every 1-2 weeks. If you do multiple baskets then stager them so you don't have to change them all out at once. To generate interest in basket contents or to reinforce the contents you can ocationally choose family read alouds that relate to the baskets or watch documentaries on the subjects. Just an idea. Move science, logic, and history to baskets. If you want to keep your science text you can use a sticky note to make the section your basket covers. The same can be done for SOTW (or you can read aloud the section and have the rest of your history study be from the basket. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdventuresinHomeschooling Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I would cut logic until later. Also, you might consider alternating grammar and writing some so it is not every day. History and science also don't need to be every day. In fact, you could do block scheduling of sorts or postpone science until summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 For us, Language arts (we use Phonics Road to Spelling and Reading. includes spelling, phonics, reading, writing, handwriting, grammar, etc) Math (switching to Math Mammoth this next year...was using Singapore) History (My Father's World, it includes Bible) Science (Next year we are using the science included in MFW, the last two years we have just read books, watched documentary, watched Magic School Bus, talked about nature as we explored it) PE (karate, gymnastics, and we take lots of walks, hikes, kayaking, park trips, backyard sports. I am a firm believer in children trying all sports so I teach him a bit of everything..except golf...because well the one time I golfed I flipped the golf cart.) Art and music (We've done a few art classes but art and music are also included in MFW. I'm also an artist so I teach him a bit here and there) I tend to be a bit relaxed on science and history. To me, it's not about memorizing a bunch of facts but instead learning to love the world, how it works and where it came from. He naturally seems to soak it in as we've read this and that. He'll learn the facts in middle and high school. Language Arts and Math are the only subjects I'm a bit strict about because you can't do anything without them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Reading/Listening (first learning to speak and read, then reading quality books on own and read alouds) Math Writing/Speaking (in elementary I think handwriting and spelling are important, and speaking clearly, and then beginning basic grammar and composition about 8 years old) That's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 This is a big country and an even bigger world with so many cultures and subcultures, and within each culture are individuals with varying abilities and resources and states of health. There is no one-sized-fits-all essential list. And even if a teacher settles into a list for awhile, she might need to adapt with changes in her and her students' lives. To come up with YOUR list for NOW, you need to be HONEST about what you have to work with. Don't be overly humble or overly optimistic. Think about YOUR strengths and what got you where you are today. Do not belittle what got you where you are today. Do not belittle what you CAN do, compared to what others can do. This is YOUR life and you get to LIVE it, HERE and NOW without being buried in what others are doing and can do and think you should do too. The answers to your questions are in you. But they might be so buried under shame and confusion that you can't find them, or even recognize them when you get a glimpse of them. HOMEschooling is first and foremost about the HOME. Start there. Academics should almost always take a backseat to PEOPLE and the rhythm of the home. There are days that academics should be skipped entirely. The Old Order Amish have a strict separation between "schooling" and "education"; claiming that schooling is only a small part of an education. They define schooling as reading, writing, arithmetic, singing, drawing, and if there is time geography and health, but there usually isn't. And reading doesn't include literary analysis, and writing does not include progym exercises and persuasive writing, and arithmetic does not cover every strand in math. The 3R's are NOT all of the language arts and maths, they are the select essentials within those bigger disciplines. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 English, maths, PE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Thank you everyone! I think that, once again, the trouble isn't so much the subjects that we are doing, but that we are trying to do all of them everyday. I need to figure out how to better group and divide them so things are less overwhelming. Thank you! We did English, PE and maths every day (English sub-sections we would cycle through). Monday and Wednesday foreign language and history Tuesday and Thursday science and music Friday other stuff (poetry memorisation, art, logic, etc. - we cycled through these) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stm4him Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 For us, it is close to what Hunter said. Together : Read aloud Devotion (includes singing) Memory work (includes singing) Independent or with Mom: Math Writing Spelling (or some other language focus like grammar or vocabulary or another language) Music theory or instrument practice Drawing Reading (at night before bed) They sing in a choir as soon as they are old enough and we go to church. We spend four hours at the table for devotion, memory work, and study time. Read aloud is done in my bed and they read in their beds at night, which doesn't even feel like school. They have to read at least 30 minutes each of Bible, nonfiction, and fiction. The simplicity of this is life changing. I cut out Latin and Greek recently and I don't plan to pick it up again until other essentials are mastered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 What are the essentials for your family? Math - daily, includes math resources that cover logic as well English - quality literature and free reading time are daily, grammar is weekly and only because DD wants it, poetry is covered during a poetry tea every other week, handwriting is daily but my child is younger than yours and still needs it, creative writing is weekly Science - weekly, with extra thrown in as desired History - weekly lesson time, history books commonly part of the reading stack Foreign Language - daily (not generally essential, but a big focus for us) Art - constant access to supplies, weekly instruction Music - weekly theory, a focus on a different composer each month with some biographical information and periodic active listening, will likely start an instrument and then practice will be daily PE - honestly, I don't think of this as a subject, but there is daily physical activity I tend to choose curriculum/resources that have a lot of scheduling flexibility - MCT LA and BFSU can be done as frequently (or infrequently) as I like and I can cover a small amount or a huge chunk in a sitting. Math, Spanish, and handwriting are the only subjects that we have daily. DD loves reading on her own and we have a nightly read aloud time to bring in good literature, so I only have her read aloud as part of school a couple times a week. Because she enjoys reading, a lot of science and history are covered through library books that she reads for fun. Math and logic are reinforced through games, separate from school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wabi Sabi Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 For us, reading, writing and math are essential. Some sort of music is also a must for us (choir, instrument lessons, something). Exposure to lots of literature is essential: both of my kids read a ton, and we listen to more complex audiobooks together and discuss them. Finally, a foreign language is one of our top priorities as well. I don't feel as though a formal science or history program is an absolute requirement for our family, but I do want to make sure that they are exposed to a wide variety of scientific concepts, ideas, and have a broad exposure to history. So while we may not follow a curriculum, we do watch lots of science shows, we garden, we've hatched eggs and butterflies and praying mantises, we read non-fiction books together, the kids read biographies about different people throughout history, we visit history museums, pioneer villages, science museums, they take a nature classes, we visit and learn about historical sites such as Gettysburg when we travel, etc. Right now we are listening to an audiobook about a young girl who is a slave during the American Revolution. Even though it's just a novel, we've learned so much about that time in history, it has inspired the kids to look up more information about the Revolution, to dig out our old Liberty Kids DVDs and start re-watching the series, we've looked at old maps of the colonies to get a feel for where the story is taking place, have had great discussions about the differences between servants vs. slaves vs. indentured servants, etc. We've tried following formal history and science programs, but we always end up getting distracted by so many different interest-led bunny trails that the formal programs just don't get done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My3girls Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 My bare minimum is reading, writing, math, and music. Science and history can be covered in reading and writing. Logic can be covered in math. Art and Geography can be covered in history and science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Newlma is new enough, she may not have seen this yet. This is my reminder this year NOT to try and be an educational wannabe. I'm better off just embracing my savageness. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arliemaria Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Hello! What do you view as essential formal school subjects for elementary school? I want to have a more relaxed approach, while still meeting all of my dd8's educational needs. Right now we do: Math in Focus Growing with Grammer WWE Apples and Pears Spelling Italics Logic Science textbook and notebooking SOTW 2 Historical Fiction read aloud Bible story Poetry read aloud child reading aloud to me How do I simplify this list without missing something important? What are the essentials for your family? I am new to homeschooling, but these are my thoughts. I'd keep a math and WWE nearly daily. These probably would not take much more than 20/30 minutes for each subject. I do not know about grammar. I really do not remember much grammar in elementary school. I do remember spelling. This did not take much more than a few minutes each day. My grandma would have me write my words five times each every day M-T and Thursday night she would call and she would give me my words to spell to her. Friday at school was always the test. I do not know Apples and Pears Spelling, but I don't think spelling in a traditional school setting takes much time. For handwriting I'd probably have a strip of an example on the desk/table where the child works and make sure that they do their best handwriting in all written work. Perhaps she could keep a beautiful notebook for poetry or nature journalling. Science at elementary doesn't need to be textbook unless it helps you feel more comfortable. I think nature study alone could be sufficient for K-3 with library books on topics they choose. SOTW you could use the audio cd like Memoria Press recommends. They only use this during summer as a supplement. I am not sure I even remember an actual history text in their elementary packages. We would keep bible reading. Saturday evenings and the nights before major feast days my husband will read the lectionary gospel story to my son and they discuss it. Poetry read aloud is lovely and could be a special tea time once a week or once a month with another homeschool family. We have our neighbors over or meet outside and have a picnic with some poetry books. The kids play and when they are hungry and meet back at the blanket for snack we read some poetry while they snack. I use a lot of audio books. This week we did most of Roald Dahls short stories: Esio Trot, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Twits, The Giraffe, The Pelly, and Me, and we started Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. These are easy for me to fit in while the children are playing while I am preparing a meal or after bathtime while I am putting the baby and my two year old to bed Robby can play and listen to a story until it is his bedtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 How about stuff like phonics, spelling, and writing (both composition and handwriting)?I guess I forgot that learning how to read was part of school :) So yes to phonics! ...For us anyways. Lately our school days have been focused on music and math (about 3 hours for all). Grammar and writing get taught via French (another 45 min to an hour). It's fun actually; I look through the Bravewriter book to see what grammar things are being covered that week and we just go over them in French. It would be serious overkill to learn adverbs and pronouns and whatever in two languages...or to cover two different grammar topics for English and French. Bleh, no thank you. And I don't really teach spelling, unless something comes up in DS's writing and then I'll just remind him of conjugations or "-ed has an e, remember?" I might have to do something more formal, but I'm guessing that can wait till middle school. Too much other fun stuff to cover :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Math and Language Arts...that is all you really need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah0000 Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 The essentials to me are math, foreign language, music, and oral communication (strong voice, appropriate language and etiquette, storytelling ability, etc). Reading, writing, and PE are so integrated in our household anyway I wouldn't worry about that unless there was a problem in that area, but so far my son seems to be a natural learner in those areas anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberryjam Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Elementary essentials for me: Phonics Spelling Grammar Handwriting Vocabulary Non-Fiction writing (reports, paragraphs, essays) Reading Literature (understanding, analyzing) Math Science - can merge this with Literature Geography - can merge this with Literature History - can merge this with Literature Some kind of formal physical instruction at least 1-2 hours per week: Gymnastics, swimming, dance, etc. Last priorities: Art (drawing) Music (basic theory, 2-3 years of piano lessons min.) Foreign Language only the last year or two of elementary, no need to start it early (speaking as someone who is bilingual). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaOz Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 My essentials are: Math Music Reading Writing These skills apply to other content areas when we fit them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
againstthegrain Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 I think all families will have a slightly different answer here, as what we deem essential is not only driven by our values but also our individual children and their strengths, weaknesses and interests. Our essential subjects for DS7: Language Arts curriculum (poetry/vocab/spelling/language/reading/penmanship) Math curriculum History 2x week Science 2x week I often let them add an elective in if they want something more... like Geography, Music or Art but we don't consider them essential. Similarly with athletic instruction - my children have zero athletic talent and just struggle against a wall with instruction. Sending them outside to play in the dirt aids their learning so much more here ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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