Thursday, January 10, 2008
Recommendations Wanted
As I look ahead toward toward this fall and the rather daunting task of homeschooling, I am wondering if any moms out there might have some thoughts regarding things I should read, curriculum I might especially want to look into, personal "musts" in homeschool prep, etc. I don't anticipate this first school year being super-intensive, but I also want to be well prepared in the event that Gabriel surprises me with how much he is ready to dive into.
Recommendations???
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I was homeschooled........ we liked Christian Light Publications
ReplyDeletecurriculum. They have a recently revised/upgraded, easy to follow
system for 1st grade (and on up). CLP is run by Conservative Mennonites
here in Harrisonburg, VA.
I like Before Five in a Row & Five in a Row. Great books, plus you can detail it to your own schedule with what activities you want to do. I bought a used book called "What your Kindergartener should know" that's a review to use mostly for teachers with suggestions for parents too - how handy if you're the teacher and the parent They have a book for every grade like that.In my humble, yet opinionated mind I think Kindergarten should be focused on "fun," to teach a love of learning... otherwise my experience with Isaac is that he gets tired of it really fast and says he doesn't like school. Yikes - I don't want that to start already!For instance, Isaac was interested in Penguins the other day - so all 3 older kids did a penguin craft http://www.first-school.ws/activities/crafts/animals/birds/penguin-egg.htm then a penguin coloring page, a letter P tracer page. And we happen to have a book about penguins that we read also, otherwise I'd say get a book from the library about the subject of interest. Giovanna learned tons about Kangaroos that way.. she really wanted to know more about them and now she can recite a ton of Kangaroo information for a 4 year old For them, that's a fun way to learn - when they want to know something and so we make an afternoon of it.
ReplyDeleteBooks to read: I am not much of a book promoter only because I personally think they eat up too much time and we forget alot of it and soon find we are onto the next one that comes along (mostly the how-to books). It's not that I don't think they're resourceful, it's just that I have found this to be true for me.
ReplyDeleteCurriculum: depends on your teaching style. Your mom is what I like to call, "unconventional"...heh heh....and it works nicely for her. I am a bit more regimented but after 20 years, I have become alot more flexible (helps to get a few graduates under your belt). I like structure and routine and I have a feeling you may, too.
Curriculum also depends on your family size. You may love the concept of unit studies (ie; Sonlight) but you will be frustrated. That being said, I haven't met a kid who hasn't loved the "Explode the Code" series. It's simple and it gets the job done. Having had 4 children under 5 years old...keep it simple. The goal is to make them "life long learners" that will not only set the stage for them to be always learning about God, but keep them learning on their own for the rest of their lives. God's world is fascinating and we want to impart that excitement to them.
Along with that, in the words of our good friend Helen, read to them, read to them, read to them.
Personal musts: Don't let the academics be the focus. That's hard since at some point you will realize, "Oh my gosh..I am responsible for my child's education and future!" (esp. w/boys). Don't let yourself get bogged down with the day to day stuff. Be led by the Holy Spirit even in homeschooling. It's a life style, not a separate part of the day from everything else. When I miscarried and lost my mother on the same day and began school with 4 kids and a nursing baby 7 weeks "late", it was a huge step in understanding it's not all up to me. It can't be! Whatever bases we don't cover...God does.
You are precisely the mother that God has chosen for your children to have and you will be led in ways that others may not be. Don't be tempted to use curriculum, teach, etc. the way someone else does it. God will show you and it will be the perfect environment tailor-made for them to launch them into their destiny.
I agree with Kathleen. Pray and do what God and your husband want. If you really feel you should give spelling tests, give them! If you feel you should "unschool" do it! Don't let anyone make you feel weird or like a bad parent. If God is not leading you, you won't be able to do it. I did better at the beginning before I started to get more influenced by others than by God. Now looking back, I probably would have done things differently, but I think I will do better now with Joy. Doug and I know more of what our children need than anyone else, because we're their parents! But I will give one thing I really thought was good because I see a lot in Gabriel similar to Matthew. I liked Abeka best for teaching them to read. I also liked it best for beginning math, but if the child seems advanced and it comes real easy to them I would skip the 2nd grade and go on to 3rd, because the 2nd is very repetative. After that I was able to use Saxon 65. Now this is definately not for everyone. And I'm not sure if I will do Saxon next time around. I did math the same way for both boys, but Alan didn't catch on to the reading till 2nd grade. I think we made some mistakes when we got away from Christian based curriculum because I homeschooled for character, not intelligence. I wasn't looking to have the smartest kid on the block, Matthew's intelligence was gifted to him, not any of my doing. I might try more of Bob Jones next time, but I don't know yet. You really need what is easy for you to teach. But have a vision for why you are homeschooling and stick to it. I also really like Jay Wyle for science because it is really homeschool friendly, but you don't have to worry about that for a long time.....
ReplyDeleteI'm just impressed you're tackling this so early. Kindergarten already??? NO way. :)
ReplyDeleteI think this its great you are starting homeschooling! We are already teaching Hayla letter sounds, seeming it is the best way to teach them so they will be able to read easier. She is really good with it too. So we have these books called, "Slow and Steady Get Me Ready," by June R Oberlander. "What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know," by E.D. Hirsch. And "Essential Homeschooling," by Sheri Linsenbach. That is all I have about homeschooling. But kids are never too young to learn, remember that!
ReplyDeleteI am surprised to see a homeschooled mom ask questions on homeschooling? In my naive little public schooled way I assumed it'd just come naturally to those who've been there done that! LOL! Anyway, I began my preps last year by attending a homeschool convention. I didn't have the pressure to choose a curriculum or whatever. I browsed and then took catalogs home. I sampled a couple things and looked at other families' resources. I'm blessed this year, because Cassie thrives on workbooks! So she's going to do Alpha and Omega's "Lifepac" and Math-U-See Primary. Music is enjoyed on DVD called Kinderbach. One of the greatest advice I ever received from veterans is that I don't have to feel locked in to a curriculum. if I try something this year doesn't mean it has to be the same curriculum next year! I know when Seth starts school it probably won't be Lifepac (but Math U See will probably work well for him). He might need something like Konos... a more unschooled approach I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThank you for you comments on the IV/lock entry. That is helpful and really gross as well. But I like to know things like this so I have an idea about certain possibilities. I think I would just opt to get it inserted RIGHT before they are getting the placenta out ("birthing" the placenta), tell them they are not to use the port unless I am hemorrhaging all over (pitocin to be administered through a shot), and it is to be taken out IMMEDIATELY after the placenta is out and they know I will not hemorrhage all over. I think that is what I will do. I have come up with the idea of even preparing a hand written "chart" for instructions on this to be put into my charts. I hear too that you can opt for a lab tech to do it instead of a nurse, seeming they are more familiar with inserting these things properly. Not to say that a nurse can't do it properly but there is less chance of a phobic person (such as myself) having to be stuck multiple times if a lab tech. is doing it to begin with. We will see though. Just pray for me, I feel more nervous this time than the first. I hate not knowing what to expect FULLY! I am one of those types of people I guess. But if you have anything else to add on the subject I would appreciate it! And if you know anyone else who may have advice, tell them to drop me a message. All I can do is trust in God for His never ending strength and love through hard times. I pray all else is well with the new little one, and that you find what curriculum to do with the kids, that works for you and for them!God Bless: Andrea
ReplyDeleteI went to a workshop once and it was said that there are three characteristics of a successful leaner: 1. He is organized. 2. He thinks befoe he does things. 3. He is attentive to details. No matter how God directs your son, to be a brain surgeon or to be a carpenter, he needs to have these qualities in place and you can teach them while he does dishes or picks up his room. Learning does not have to be with a paper and pencil and at this age probably should not be. Have devotions daily, read to him daily and more. If you can tolerate it water play and sand play are great foundations for math concepts.
ReplyDeleteWe use Five in a Row also. We use Handwriting Without Tears, Right Start Math and The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. We *love* the local library (which is literally on our little block). :) I have been thinking for a while about getting my act together and blogging a bit on why we chose what we did and how it's been going this fall. I second the 'fun' part: your kids will learn more and more as they get older, but if a distaste for learning is put into them at an early age, all the excitement of learning will fade. My goal is to keep things enjoyable and hands on, no pressures, no unrealistic expectations, etc. We have lots of 'real life' days.I really like Heidi's thoughts on homeschooling. I have her linked on my blog side bar - she's at Mt. Hope Chronicles.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestions for beginning homeschooling are based on my experience with our kids and observing he families I have evaluated over the years. I suggest that "formal" instruction begin when the student is ready. Some are ready at 4, some at 8 and most somewhere in between. I recommend a phonics based reading program. We used A Beka, but I also like Sing, Spell, Read and Write. I also recommend a simple math curriculum. My favorite is Miquon, but it is a little harder for the homeschooled parent than some of the newer materials. Miquon takes more planning than many other curriculums. In addition, I recommend reading lots of great books and following family interests for science and social studies topics. Yes, I do recommen these studies in the early grades, but the core will be reading books aloud and following up with field trips, videos and some projects. I think it is more important to work each day, if only for a short time on reading and math skills, than to work for long periods of timeand risk reaching a frustration level. Daniel had a very short attention span at 5. Twenty min. was pretty much his limit for academic work, but we accomplished much with 20 min. each day. I also recommend that you have some sort of daily family devotions or Bible time. Most of all, I recommend that you enjoy learning together.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book on homeschooling is Debra Bell's The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling. I would be happy to send you my copy is you think you would like to read it. Deb is a personal friend of mine and IUP grad.
When can we get together and chat about this at length?
ReplyDeleteI am obviously not a veteran, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!
Hope to see you at CFC tomorrow!
Forgot to mention a great devotional that I love: Leading Little Ones to God.
ReplyDelete: )
I'm popping in a bit on the late side. I'm sure if I think about it a bit longer I will have some additional thoughts, but the one book I know that I love and will always recommend is Ruth Beechick's book on beginning reading. I love it, used its ideas and concepts for most of you, and saved lots of money doing so! Jamie will swear to this day that it is the best way to teach reading. He remembers clearly all we did and seems to think that it was painless and effective (and, of course, he can now read...)
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about her math approach, but tend to think I should have looked into it as well. She has a simple outlook on learning and teaching. As you know, and as Kathy mentioned, that suits me well. But even if you use a more structured curriculum, knowing some of the background that she presents regarding learning styles is beneficial. Keeping it simple is fundamental to a pleasant atmosphere and helps us keep our priorities along with a proper focus. At any rate, I highly recommend reading this brief, inexpensive approach to reading! (If I still had it I would most certainly send it your way, but as with all good books, it has disappeared somewhere along the line...)
Looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice. I agree that Kindergarten should be simple and fun. That said, we're in our 3rd year with My Father's World www.mfwbooks.com and we love it! It's a Christian curriculum that blends unit studies with Charlotte Mason and some classical ideas (assuming you know what all those buzzwords mean). When I did K with my oldest, my 3yo could easily participate in the activity for the day which was nice.
ReplyDelete~Wendy H.
Brietta, I have to second what Wendy said. I'm in my 4th year with My Father's World and LOVE IT!!! I am now going through K for the 3rd (and final) time, and every year (My oldest is in 3rd) we have loved it even more. Lots of hands-on for the Kindergartener, it is pretty well laid out for you (which is a huge burden lifted!)
ReplyDelete