Closeacademy Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I've noticed that this word gets tossed around. And I am just wondering what everyone considers the "core" subjects to be. Personally, for Pre-K to 2nd grade I see the core as being phonics, math and penmanship. For 3rd to 6th, it would be grammar/Latin, composition, spelling/vocabulary and mathematics. For 7th and beyond, it would be composition in relation to research, the hard sciences, advanced mathematics and cultural literacy (being aquainted with literature, history and such). What do you think? What is it for you?:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMC Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 all else can follow from that foundation, or picked up from that base Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenneinCA Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 English, Math and Music Music is because I am paying for lessons and I am unwilling to throw money away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Starting with math, phonics, and penmanship. Then math, reading, writing Once those are down, then we use them in context of other subjects - read, write and do math in relation to history and science. If you don't have the basics or the core, then the rest of education is much harder than it should be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 For K-2, the essentials are reading, handwriting and arithmetic. I've learned that ds needs both phonics and sight reading and treat them as 2 subjects now, but that is very child specific so YMMV. I think you also need to include some reading aloud and exploration to foment an interest in learning, but the content is up to you. IMHO, that's what makes hsing so attractive. For 3-5, I'd like to focus on reading comprehension, basic composition and arithmetic. The 3Rs, but at a higher level. At this age, kids should be exploring interesting topics more independently. The topic isn't as important as finding sources and using them to learn what you want. I'm not sure what my view is of higher grade essentials right now, but I'm sure I'll get lots of good ideas from more experienced WTMers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alana in Canada Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Interesting. Grammar Stage: Pre-writing skils: Penmanship Spelling Narrations Grammar Writing; Narratives Arithmetic Reading Logic/Dialectical Writing: Compare and Contrast Outlining Spelling, Grammar Logic Arithmetic Reading and analysis. Rhetoric: Writing--all kinds, but mostly the persuasive essay. Mathematics: Algebra, Geometry Logic Reading: The Classics I want to give this some more thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Math and LA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 So far, K-2, our core subjects are math and language arts (which for us is mostly Spell to Write and Read). We will be bumping up our Latin studies next year as we move into LCI as well as adding writing to our LA core. Edited to add: I also consider Bible and music (piano) core subjects for us. We do these daily along with the 3-R's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 For the little guy: Math Reading Handwriting Bible For my older son: Math Latin Music Writing Bible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novafan Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Reading, Writing, Mathematics are what we call our "core works." My son picked up that term from his last school, so we've stuck with it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I don't know about my younger girl yet, but for my oldest: Elementary: history, math, 2nd language(s) HS: science, history, math, literature, continue languages, writing skills (mainly integrated with other studies) Not core, but essential: music, drawing, art & architecture appreciation Not "school" but life: physical activities Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy in ME Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 K - phonics/reading, intro to math, and penmanship 1-3 phonics/reading, math, penmanship, grammar 3-12 Latin, math, classical writing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Core for us is the 3R's: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic History, science, and a second language are central to our studies after they have the basics down. I can't imagine our days without music and art, but they are the icing on the cake here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godpoetry Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Younger ones- Phonics, Reading, Writing, Math Older ones-Math, LA, Writing and composition, History, Science, Bible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2boys Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Reading, writing, and math are our core subjetcs. We are covering quite a bit of history in the context of reading (Sonlight Core 6) and writing (IEW history based writing lessons). Science has fallen by the way side. I think I am going to change our schedule next year and cover science during the summers from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnUK Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I think that reading, writing, math, memory work, and Latin are our cores. Everything else is great, but not a deal breaker. These subjects are. --Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8filltheheart Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Personally, for Pre-K to 2nd grade I see the core as being phonics, math and penmanship. For 3rd to 6th, it would be grammar/Latin, composition, spelling/vocabulary and mathematics. For 7th and beyond, it would be composition in relation to research, the hard sciences, advanced mathematics and cultural literacy (being aquainted with literature, history and such). I would modify your list slightly. For k-2, I also try to add learning to observe and ask questions about observations for us to find answers to. For 3-6, I would add emphasis to reading comprehension. (K-2 is learning to read, 3-5, actually, is learning to learn from reading.) I would not add "hard science" until 8th. Other than that, my list is basically the same as yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Like so many others... I view Reading (or Phonics), Grammar/Spelling/Writing (Penmanship), and Math to be "core." Especially in early grades. If we're having a particularly busy week we *only* focus on those subjects (in other words, art, music, history, science and Latin slide). As my children mature, history, science and Latin will become more "core" art and music will always be extra subjects -- but always included (especially since we pay for lessons). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I don't disagree with your post. I think that the absolute minimum is the old standard of "reading, writing, and arithmetic". I think that the "reading/writing" portion of this would also encompass the other areas of language arts, such as spelling and grammar; phonics for the early years, etc. Christian schools would add in some sort of religious or Bible study on a yearly basis. I think that in many schools, especially at the elementary levels, you see that things like geography, history, science, languages, art and music get offered once a week or twice a week, or sometimes only sporadically. For me, it's all those things, LOL. Those things that get dropped out, at various times of year when we're hibernating or over-extended, include our language work and science work. Other than that, things pretty much get done on a regular, weekly basis. Regena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Our core subjects are language arts (depending on age includes some combination of reading, writing, grammar, literature, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting, and Latin), math, history, and science. Non-core subjects are things like art, music, and PE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Lynx Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Until they can read and write, the "core" is reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and sometimes music. After they can read and write, the core is math, Latin, music, and reading. By core, I mean That Which Must Be Done Every Day, No Matter What. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plaid Dad Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 For K-2: phonics, arithmetic, penmanship 3-12: classical languages (Latin and Greek), math, composition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 As you can see the answers vary. LOL We consider it to be reading, writing, math, and Bible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Theophan Academy Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 k-2 - phonics, mathematics later - latin, mathematics, writing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneRoomHomeSchool Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 K-4 Family Worship Reading/Copywork Oral Narration/Memory Work General discovery (math for us falls here)/Creativity 5-8 Family Worship Reading Beginning Composition Grammar Math Latin 9-12 Family Worship Reading Composition Greek Logic/Higher Maths Science Rhetoric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 English: focusing on reading and writing in early grades, transitioning to literature and composition later on. Math Science History/Geography/Social Studies Foreign Language I consider these "core," because they are the things we require no matter what. --Jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 At some point add in science, history, geography and foreign language(s). If you want to, add in other stuff. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Readsalot Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 all other subjects are considered electives Our electives this year are music foreign language logic civics geography art life skills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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