ExcitedMama Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 My kids are in a virtual charter so we can get funds. It’s been great for us but it looks like they are adding a caveat for next year. Previously I could spend the funds anyway I want, like I could use it all towards extracurricular classes if I wanted. Next year we have to sound $500 of each child’s funds on actual educational curriculum. When DS was young and not doing a lot of extracurriculars I spent all the extra funds on kits like art and science stuff. I’m not sure how to spend that much on 1st grade actual curriculum. Next year she’ll pretty much just continue what’s in my signature. I already have AAR2 and a few of the ETC and FSR workbooks. I have FLL1 and I can order WWE1. I have some Kumon money and time books and EM Map books. The only thing expensive I need is MIF1 but even both A and B are about $230 together so I still have a lot to spend. I am having trouble figuring out science for her and to some extent history. DS does them and she listens as much as she’s interested which means a lot of the time she wanders off when I’m reading. She does participate in experiments. She’s definitely not really writing yet beyond ETC so with starting copy work in the fall she definitely won’t be ready to write up anything for science or history. I did just order her the student pages of SOTW so she can start coloring and working on map work. For some reason our ES does not like the activity pages as proof of history so I always have them do BrainPop to tick that box and she’s fine with that for DD’s history too. What should I order that is secular and actual curriculum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyP Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Books? I would create a literature, science, and, history curriculum that uses books. If that is in any way not considered an "actual curriculum" I would throw a fit. But that's just me. 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippiemamato3 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Bookshark? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syllieann Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I'd get Nancy Larson for science if I had to spend it on actual curriculum, but bookmark science might be a good bet too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 (edited) I have watched a YouTube thingy from someone called pepper and pine - she buys the most beautiful artwork supplies and science equipment. She does a Montessori or Steiner or something along those lines. If I am ever thinking of spending some money I have a look at her YouTube for some ideas Edited May 26, 2019 by Melissa in Australia spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momto6inIN Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I'd buy Poetry for Young People - the whole series 🙂 My now 2nd grader loves to memorize poetry! Or Artistic Pursuits and art supplies 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExcitedMama Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 I used to be able to use the funds on kits and art supplies but I’m not sure if that’s going to work anymore. It’s a change at the state level so my ES isn’t really sure what it’s going to mean. From the wording it sounds like it may need to be actual curriculum so I’m trying to figure out what to do and plan for the fall. Any other curriculum recommendations? Thanks for recommending Nancy Larson Syllieann! I’m going to have to look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Story of the World audio! RS4K books, very nice for that age. https://gravitaspublications.com/product/focus-on-student-text/ Student books for a variety of subjects All books shown for Biology: https://gravitaspublications.com/product/focus-on-study-bundle/ Her chemistry and physics for that age are especially good, there are other nice choices for the other science subjects for that age but none so cute and scientifically accurate for chemistry and physics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah0000 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Maybe RSO with the science kit and Home Studio Art with the art kit. Even if you don't plan to follow it completely you can still use the supplies. Would things like Famous Figures and historical coloring books be covered? Maybe history pockets? I'd also look at Critical thinking company for the fun puzzle books. Oh, perhaps Thinking Tree journals would be covered. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Critical Thinking Co. for some great puzzle and logic books manipulatives - last year we bought some knights to use as math manipulatives - it tied in with our medieval studies and the twins thought they were way more exciting then wooden blocks educational literacy and math games audio of great classical books Blue Planet documentaries nature kits if they will tie into your science - something like fossils, gemstone collection, or human body kits microscope year pass to the museum whiteboard Montessori wooden letters 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaquitita Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 My charter just did the same thing. Bookshark? Lots of great books there and it counts as core curriculum. For a first grader, I would think there would be plenty of fun kits that would count as science. RSO science is fun. Or I just discovered crafty school crates, and I'm getting the history crates for my 9&6yo. It wouldn't hurt to point out that you are reusing AAR 2. I discussed this with my ES because I won't be spending that much on my younger kids. Between reusing books from my older kids and finding bookshark sets at our school resource center, I only need a few workbooks. But I am using $500 worth of core curriculum, so she said it's not an issue. The point is they don't want people spending all their money on extracurriculars and not putting much effort into schooling (unfortunately it DOES happen. Tho I'm not sure that it's at an extent that requires these measures) and having those kids test scores drag down the school average. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drjuliadc Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 I love the science supplement package from Memoria Press. It is just science books but my kids love, love, love them, and I love reading them to them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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