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lovebeingamom
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| Posted: Nov 02 2010 at 1:26pm | IP Logged
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Not sure where to start!!!
Does anyone *follow* a curriculum for their kindergartener? How do/did you decide? If you chose NOT to follow a curriculum, when did you *officially* start using one and how did you decide which grade to start your DC in?
I was researching the following:
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Homeschool
Our Lady of the Rosary School, Inc.
Catholic Heritage Curricula
Any suggestions or advice?
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JodieLyn
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I don't use a curriculum for the little ones.. I generally start that in first grade with a few things..
For K I'll print out work sheets and color pages if they're wanting to sit at the table and work like the bigger kids.. read alouds of course.. and I make sure we watch Leap Frog Letter Factory (and others) periodically. Play on starfall.com..
But I am very much of the opinion that play is the child's work.. that they are learning MUCH and not having a curriculum or even any formal school is NOT detrimental to their learning.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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kristacecilia
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I have used (and liked) CHC's curriculum. It worked for me when I felt like I needed the security of lesson plans that someone else made up.
Now I love doing my own- lots of good read alouds, science based on what we see around us in nature, a phonics based reading program if they are showing interest, StartWrite if they are showing interest in writing, some montessori activities, and LOTS of free time.
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God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
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ekbell
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I'm not going to recommend a particular kindergarten curriculum as I've had a curriculum for kindergarten for some of my children and no formal lessons at all with others (depending on interest and finances) and I can't say that it's made a difference later on.
Some of my children at that age really like spending a bit of time doing guided fun lesson type stuff and some of my children would rather do their own thing and that's about all there is to it.
What I *really* don't recommend is spending money on a kindergarten curriculum if this means that you'll feel obliged to *use* the material.
I'm also wary of any one trying to say that ALL children of a certain age are at the same stage of learning readiness and should be learning from the same sort of material as it doesn't fit my experience.
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amarytbc
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We have used bits and pieces with our K, but if I had one last little one I would go with the new Kindergarten curriculum from Memoria Press. It looks excellent and I'm very impressed with some of the other guides, which are CM friendly.
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mamalove
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I use OLVS K for my current K and it has been our best K year yet! I don't make the child do all of the writing that they ask every day, but otherwise it is a complete and simple plan to follow.
We do lots of art, letter printouts, cutting workbooks, pasting workbooks ect for pre school age here.
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kristinannie
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I highly recommend Little Stories for Little Folks from CHC. We are doing their Number Practice for Little Folks and their Letter Practice for Little Folks now (almost age 5) and we just started the Little Stories. The phonics is great and the books are so cute!
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mamaslearning
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So here was my plan last week:
Since he has a good attention span and is interested in learning to read and in math we will probably do these items for K:
Math - I'm undecided.
A basic handwriting book from Kolbe
Hooked on Phonics (The whole set was given to me.) and then CHC LSLF
A recorder (since big sister will be learning it this fall)
He will also tag along with us through religion, history, art, and a new program I'm using
with my 2nd grader - All About Spelling
It will be a relaxed year, and we may/may not do all of this. I haven't decided yet, but it's my general plan for now.
Now I'm leaning towards Mater Amabilis.
Good thing I get to think about it for a few more months!
L
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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Mackfam
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ekbell wrote:
I'm not going to recommend a particular kindergarten curriculum as I've had a curriculum for kindergarten for some of my children and no formal lessons at all with others (depending on interest and finances) and I can't say that it's made a difference later on.
Some of my children at that age really like spending a bit of time doing guided fun lesson type stuff and some of my children would rather do their own thing and that's about all there is to it.
What I *really* don't recommend is spending money on a kindergarten curriculum if this means that you'll feel obliged to *use* the material.
I'm also wary of any one trying to say that ALL children of a certain age are at the same stage of learning readiness and should be learning from the same sort of material as it doesn't fit my experience. |
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My post was going to be almost verbatim what ekbell posted....so instead I'll just quote her and say DITTO! 
I like Mater Amabilis specifically because it's suggestions wrapped around a method (CM) that I enjoy. I can substitute suggestions for books at will, but using this program as a guide I can get a good idea of a well-rounded, gentle and relaxed approach.
In general, I don't do anything formal at all for Kindergarten. It's pretty relaxed - lots of reading together, fun projects, spending time together doing purposeful work (sweeping, washing, sorting clothes, baking, etc.), training to do chores independently, and plenty of time spent outside. First grade is a step up from that...but not by much.
Good luck deciding ladies! Enjoy this treasured time with your learners! I never tire of that early learning time - life is all wonder for them!
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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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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Advice needed on kindergarten curriculum
