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RyaneM
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I mentioned in my other thread that this fall will be our first year of officially homeschooling. I am so nervous.  My oldest will be Kindergarten age and I am hoping to get some ideas of what experienced hs'er are doing with their Kindergarteners.
At this age, I am thinking that we don't need to do a whole lot of "school" and that read alouds, letter practicing, basic phonics, fun learning games, outside time etc. might be all that is needed. I have no idea though. I am so new to this and unfortunately I only know one other hs'ing Catholic family in our town. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
What does Kindergarten look like for you?
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Ryane in NY 
Mama to ds (3/05), ds(1/09) and dd (4/10)
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Erin
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My plans were heavily influenced by Mater Amabilis' Prep this year.
You are definitely on the right track, we'll be doing pretty much what you are doing and some of our read alouds include Faith stories. Oh and some basic maths skills.
At the end of morning prayer we sing a hymn which easily then flows into some poetry reading with my littles and some basic songs. We spend about 10 min on sounds and reading a couple of faith books together. My plan is for siblings to help out with the rest as they want to be 'working' when their siblings are.
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
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RyaneM
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Thanks for moving this... I wasn't sure where to put it.
Your plans look great, Erin! I have bookmarked your blog so I can look back at it. Thanks!
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Ryane in NY
Mama to ds (3/05), ds(1/09) and dd (4/10)
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Barbara C.
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We did about 30 minutes of formal work three times a week. This mainly consisted of Singapore Math and some reading lessons (home-made worksheets). Otherwise we "unschooled"--most of the things you've described.
I think you're really on the right track.
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Barbara
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Sarah M
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We do very gentle kindergarten here.
Stories
Songs
Crafts
Baking
Tons of time outside
My very favorite resource is Kindergarten with Your 3-6 Year Old
My current kindergartener is six, and is ready for a bit more than I mentioned above, so I'm supplementing with a bit of Handwriting Without Tears and her very first Explode the Code workbook-- we don't do either of them every day (or even every week). I keep them handy and available for her to use whenever she feels the inclination.
Don't feel too nervous- what you've mentioned sounds great. Just keep a very relaxed attitude about it- kindergarten should be lighthearted and soothing.
You'll do great! 
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ekbell
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Kindergarten with my children has varied depending just how badly the child wants to 'do school'.
My oldest dd wanted very badly to do the same thing as her youngest uncle (he's about five years older then her) so we had fairly formal if short lessons (reading, 'math' but not writing as she was behind on fine motor skills, bible stories and crafts ).
My second dd wasn't interested in lessons and it wasn't a good year for school (moving, unpacking, homesickness) so we ended up doing no formal work (read-alouds, and some fun stuff on the computer). I haven't noticed a good deal of difference in her academic work once she got started.
With my third dd I started off doing some letter and sound work plus a bit of math and religion. She became bored with the seatwork after a few months so we stopped doing the seat work but continued the read-alouds.
My son is approaching kindergarten so I'm planning a year loosely based on the Alphabet path since he loves read-alouds. I'll have a variety of books, some crafts and/or games available and we'll see what he feels like doing.
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Mackfam
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RyaneM wrote:
| At this age, I am thinking that we don't need to do a whole lot of "school" and that read alouds, letter practicing, basic phonics, fun learning games, outside time etc. might be all that is needed. |
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Ryane, this sounds absolutely lovely! You're a wise mom to be heading this way.
RyaneM wrote:
| What does Kindergarten look like for you? |
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My 3rd is in Kindergarten this year. It looks a lot like what you describe. I love setting up little Kinder-themes for my little fella and he enjoys discovering them. So, each week or two I set out 2 - 3 picture books around a special theme and those picture books inform our days. We read from them, find coloring pages and crafts and baking based on their stories (think maple sugar candies after reading The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward...that sorta thing). It's one of our favorite things. That's the how of what we do. The what is nearly identical to what most (including yourself) describe -
** a little phonics (based on his interest and not every day)
** letter/number recognition and basic simple math
** beginning writing (as desired - I don't force him to write his letters, but sometimes he enjoys it)
** religion through The Treasure Box Books, other favorite Catholic readers which are age appropriate, and Catholic Mosaic picture books.
** really, really enjoying reading 2 or 3 stories a week from Kindergarten Gems
** lots of nature time, nature stories, nature exploration
** poetry
** music
** some Montessori work
** lots of great picture books and reading aloud!
Every day we do poetry, religion, music, and picture book time...the others rotate. Good luck, Ryane! Go with your instincts and you'll do great and have a memorable and lovely year full of precious memories!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Alcat
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kindergarten? what's that 
Seriously, when we get to it:
Religion- Leading the Little Ones to Mary, Treasure Box Books, Children's Bible, Seton Catechism K, liturgical crafts
100EZ Lessons
Handwriting Without Tears
RightStart Math K
Fairy Tales
Nursery Rhymes- Mother Goose
Light FIAR (Five In A Row). We do not row every day
Crafts
Songs
I keep a file box with folders lettered A-Z and I put coloring sheets for ABC in the proper folder. This way if the littles need some seat work it's available.
Really it doesn't happen every day or every week, though it should. I have noticed that for my family, establishing the routine and rhythm (dare I say order)of our day/school is far more important at this age, than the actual "doing" of school. In reality K should be an extension of nursery school.
Blessings,
Alison
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violingirl
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I'm reading this thread with great interest, as my oldest will be in Kindergarten next fall too.
I'm reading Ruth Beechick's The 3 R's right now and I think that is the main idea for our Kindergarten year next year. I think we're going to continue using Montessori materials at least for math since DS likes them so well, and we'll read lots of picture books and read alouds.
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Erin
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Jenn Sal
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We do Five in a Row and through that we touch on other subjects. No formal math. Handwriting Without Tears, and Reading Reflex, at their pace. Play, play, play! Puzzles, color, dress-up, books on cd, cook together, spend fun time together, cuddle up to a good book, go for a walk and talk! Enjoy eachother!
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Jennifer, Texas
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Sarah M
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Oh yes! I think Five in a Row is perfect for kindergarteners! As are the Catholic Treasure Box Books!
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Erin
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Ryane
I came across Heart of the Matter Online's Laying a Foundation for Preschool and thought of our discussion.
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Erin
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Nina Murphy
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Mackfam wrote:
RyaneM wrote:
| At this age, I am thinking that we don't need to do a whole lot of "school" and that read alouds, letter practicing, basic phonics, fun learning games, outside time etc. might be all that is needed. |
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Ryane, this sounds absolutely lovely! You're a wise mom to be heading this way.
RyaneM wrote:
| What does Kindergarten look like for you? |
|
|
My 3rd is in Kindergarten this year. It looks a lot like what you describe. I love setting up little Kinder-themes for my little fella and he enjoys discovering them. So, each week or two I set out 2 - 3 picture books around a special theme and those picture books inform our days. We read from them, find coloring pages and crafts and baking based on their stories (think maple sugar candies after reading The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward...that sorta thing). It's one of our favorite things. That's the how of what we do. The what is nearly identical to what most (including yourself) describe -
** a little phonics (based on his interest and not every day)
** letter/number recognition and basic simple math
** beginning writing (as desired - I don't force him to write his letters, but sometimes he enjoys it)
** religion through The Treasure Box Books, other favorite Catholic readers which are age appropriate, and Catholic Mosaic picture books.
** really, really enjoying reading 2 or 3 stories a week from Kindergarten Gems
** lots of nature time, nature stories, nature exploration
** poetry
** music
** some Montessori work
** lots of great picture books and reading aloud!
Every day we do poetry, religion, music, and picture book time...the others rotate. Good luck, Ryane! Go with your instincts and you'll do great and have a memorable and lovely year full of precious memories! |
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I'm curious---what is Kindergarten Gems, like?
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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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DominaCaeli
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Nina Murphy wrote:
| I'm curious---what is Kindergarten Gems, like? |
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It's actually available online here, Nina, so you can check it out yourself if you want. (I don't remember who originally linked it in a post a few weeks ago, but whoever it was--thank you!)
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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Mackfam
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Nina Murphy wrote:
| I'm curious---what is Kindergarten Gems, like? |
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Nina,
There is a thread here with a short review on this book. If you think of any other specific questions I'll try to answer them. It's been a fun ongoing read aloud for my Kindergartner this year, and the fact that it's available at the Baldwin Project for free (the link Celeste offered) makes it easy to try on or use without buying the book.
Hope this helps some. 
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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brabec7
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Hi, Ryane!
I love this age. I think because I feel no pressure in what we chose to do. I will say I have not read the Beechick book so I do not know how she views this age and learning.
One thing I have learned through this journey; that introducing sight words in a fun and brief manner helps with the foundation needed to read. If a kiddo can id letters or even shapes, they can identify a single sight word.
Seton's reading programing for first grade is based on sight words. It is a great support to developing fluid reading once the basic sight words are learned.
My kids learned first to initially see if they knew the word (sight word) then if not, try and sound it out. Since I am on a reading kick.....I would do the pink series(three-part card). Of course this is if they already know the sounds otherwise I would start there along with the sight words.
Again, I would do it in a game or fun manner and not work. I am not into making kids struggle or even pressuring them into having to learn something. This age it is so easy to have fun and learn amazing things. I think that is why Montessori is so appealing. She found the amazing abilities at this age to be limitless. The limits were in the materials or the mode. I have to run. Blessings, Lisa
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Maggie
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Mine is getting better and better. I am learning.
We are somewhere between pre-K and K. I have a very eager 4.5 year old and am trying to balance following her "delights" with just trying to maintain a peaceful, joyful, simple childhood education without becoming too "schoolish." Kwim?
So...my "Morning Basket" has been heavily influenced by Mackfam (thank you Jennifer!). We start off with music (sometimes we do 15 minutes or so from "Making Music Praying Twice or we just do our own songs). Then we move to beautiful picture books...2-3...and then usually a craft or a game or some sort of activity. All in all this takes 30-60 minutes...but it is so fun that it is more like quality time together rather than school.
In the afternoon, I try to work with my 4.5 yo who desperately wants to read and write and spell...and become 30 as soon as possible. Actually, her main motivation for learning to read is because "I want to read books to my little brother." Too cute.
I bought a couple cute Kumon tracing and mazes "workbooks" just so she could get used to holding a pencil properly, but in a fun way.
We ordered HWT, but it has not come yet.
We work with letter beads and just did shaving cream "writing" yesterday for the first time--a HUGE hit. So gentle and so fun...we usually read.
I did get the phonics guide from CHC, and we have been coloring alphabet flash cards and learning sounds of letters...and twice a week, I let her play on www.starfall.com...but I am not sure I want to continue with that...but that is another thread to be written. :)
Last semester instead of all this we did FIAR...but I needed a change...I try to apply the FIAR concept to our morning basket so that there is continuity between our books and songs and handwork...but there doesn't have to be...
All in all...I am trying really hard to not push...and need a good reminder now and then that my dd is 4.5...
So when I skipped "school" on Tuesday and opted for baking banana bread instead, I did not feel guilty and know it is part of her education just as much as phonics.
And that is our day... 
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Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
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lovebeingamom
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Ladies - Where are you ordering HWT from?
Has anyone tried using SSRW (Sing Spell Read & Write)? What are your thoughts?
How did you use/set up shaving cream *writing*? It sounds like A LOT of fun.
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Sarah M
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lovebeingamom wrote:
Ladies - Where are you ordering HWT from?
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I order mine from Rainbow Resource. Definitely skip the teachers manuals- you don't need them. I just use the workbooks and the slates (with itty bitty chalk) and skip everything else, although I've heard good things about the wood pieces.
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Nina Murphy
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Mackfam wrote:
Nina Murphy wrote:
| I'm curious---what is Kindergarten Gems, like? |
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Nina,
There is a thread here with a short review on this book. If you think of any other specific questions I'll try to answer them. It's been a fun ongoing read aloud for my Kindergartner this year, and the fact that it's available at the Baldwin Project for free (the link Celeste offered) makes it easy to try on or use without buying the book.
Hope this helps some. |
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Thanks, J. and C.
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God bless,
~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: What does your Kindergarten look like?
