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Chari
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| Posted: June 08 2006 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
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.......and, maybe I should not even post right now, while I feel like I am coming down with something and I am SO tired.........  .....and maybe that is really just the problem......
but.....what do I do with a kindergartener? 
It has been 5 years.......and I am now old and tired, compared to the last time I had one  ...he is my sixth one......and I am not sure I even remember what I usually do...
...for a brief moment, I looked at the cover of the CHC catalog that arrived today and thought.......maybe I should just do one kid with someone else's plan?? 
I think it is the fact I have the older ones.......one planning a full semester of college classes.....the next two taking two college classes with her.....so, a lot of driving and being places......
three really needing writing help, and one still a delayed reader (WHY DO I HAVE FIVE!!!!!))).......I am hoping my latest little guy will be an early, or at least an ON-TIME reader 
one of those three above needs to do high school quality work........and the next one needs to be moving that way.....but is so not ready.......
I guess I am tired.....so overwhelmed........who knows..
......and yes, I KNOW "he is young" and we still have "time".....and we already have an "atmosphere of learning".......but, I guess I just don't want to mess him up....... 
....not sure I am really looking for anything........just expressing myself 
off to sound of music rehearsals.......doing a run-through tonight!
Bless you.....
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Bridget
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Chari, your not going to "mess him up". It's impossible. Remind yourself that kindergarten is fun!
If you want a curriculum for kindergarten, I like Laura Berquist's best. Bible narrations and illusrations, Aesops fables, little poems...
You'll be fine, he'll be fine. You just have all the end of year stuff wrapping up right now. May and June are so busy.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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lapazfarm
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Well, there is the idea I am am pondering of focusing on lessons for the kindergartener over the summer when the older dc is on break, then easing off on said kindergartener during the school year while I focus on the older. Sort of splitting up the year rather than splitting up each day. During the school year I could just make sure the kindergartener got a story time and did plenty of montessori-type independant work and puzzles, etc. I could also use Christmas and spring breaks as kindergarten time. I don't know if it would work as I am still pondering the idea myself.
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momwise
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| Posted: June 08 2006 at 11:59pm | IP Logged
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Chari wrote:
| It has been 5 years.......and I am now old and tired, compared to the last time I had one ...he is my sixth one |
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Chari,
I'm old and tired too. I did have a ds in Kindergarten this year and guess what? I don't even think we did Kindergarten.
I feel sooooo guilty about this ds. It seems I am always coping with an older child struggling in math or writing. I know we read books, he played play doh, he watched too many short videos, he played outside a lot (good, right?), he painted, and he's in 4H.
I looked at the CHC catalog too, and ordered the 1st Gr. plans. But what I really want to do is sit down and do Catholic Mosaic like I used to stick with FIAR with my older ds.
Oops. Sorry I didn't have a more encouraging answer for you
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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Dawnie
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| Posted: June 08 2006 at 11:59pm | IP Logged
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Chari wrote:
for a brief moment, I looked at the cover of the CHC catalog that arrived today and thought.......maybe I should just do one kid with someone else's plan??
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Would there be anything wrong with that? If you're anything like me, you'll probably tweak it a lot anyway. We use CHC, but we tweak it so it fits our family. I like the security of the lesson plans. It takes the burden off me having to plan *everything.* I have used the lesson plans as kind of a home base to experiment from.
My point is, I don't think there's anything wrong with starting with someone else's plan, or even sticking with someone else's plan, as long as it works for your child.
Dawn
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Chari
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| Posted: June 09 2006 at 12:37am | IP Logged
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Bridget wrote:
If you want a curriculum for kindergarten, I like Laura Berquist's best.
You just have all the end of year stuff wrapping up right now. May and June are so busy. |
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Oh, Bridget.......I think that is part of the problem......I am not really wrapping anything up right now we will never be caught up.......ever
Funny you mentioned LB.........because after I wrote the post......I got down her book, because I have been saying the last few years, that if I ever was to pick ONE of the Catholic hs programs...........I would probably pick hers...........since it would require the least amount of tweaking to make me happy.........I still have not looked at.....but maybe later tonight....
I am wondering if I could do an experiment with him.......use DYOCC with him and see if he turns out smarter than the rest :)
I think maybe one of the hardest parts, is the age difference between him and the rest......he is not really old enough to pair with anyone.......and I am used to that. I always depended on that age closeness to accomplish many of the subjects.
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Chari
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| Posted: June 09 2006 at 12:41am | IP Logged
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Teresa, your idea is clever. Maybe I should just make a list of materials I want to use with him.........or organize whatever I am going to do........and get going, so at least we have habit going during the summer...and it might carry over beyond the summer months.....oh, except we are supposed to play catch-up all summer with the rest.....
I am going to contemplate these thoughts......thanks for the inspiration.....I will add a dose of prayer (begging of the Holy Ghost ) and see where it leads me.
Maybe assign each of the older kids a subject to work with him for the summer......
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Chari
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| Posted: June 09 2006 at 12:46am | IP Logged
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momwise wrote:
Chari,
I'm old and tired too. I did have a ds in Kindergarten this year and guess what? I don't even think we did Kindergarten. [/Q
momwise wrote:
UOTE]
I think that is kind of what happened to my last Ker
[QUOTE=momwise] But what I really want to do is sit down and do Catholic Mosaic like I used to stick with FIAR with my older ds. |
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So..........last year, that is what I thought I would do with him........and now.......I wonder if there is time. How much time could it take?? Again, I am SO used to pairing kids. I wonder if I can just drop him off at ShawnaB's house so she can teach him between her two kids.
[QUOTE=momwise] Oops. Sorry I didn't have a more encouraging answer for you |
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no, but commiseration is good.......just as good as encouragement sometimes
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Leonie
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I second the DYOCC suggestion - I remember we really enjoyed the Bible stories, the poetry book, keeping it low key....Still gives you time for the others!
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Leonie in Sydney
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Chari
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| Posted: June 09 2006 at 1:07am | IP Logged
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Dawn wrote:
Would there be anything wrong with that? If you're anything like me, you'll probably tweak it a lot anyway. We use CHC, but we tweak it so it fits our family. I like the security of the lesson plans. It takes the burden off me having to plan *everything.* I have used the lesson plans as kind of a home base to experiment from.
My point is, I don't think there's anything wrong with starting with someone else's plan, or even sticking with someone else's plan, as long as it works for your child.
Dawn |
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You know, Dawn, I was thinking this over after I posted and left for rehearsal.........and when I got home, but before I read your post, I checked out the K lesson plans and curriculum for K in CHC........I had to laugh at myself, because I would have to tweak it so much, it would not be CHC's lesson plans. Since my kids are older than yours, we have already spent a lot of time finding things that work for us, and lots that does not!......and so what I saw for CHC I have already found other preferences for....I already use MUS with him.....and I use 100ez lessons sporadically, too........and I like how I have done the big kids, that is, when I have actually done something (unschooler by default is what I call myself)....so, I realized I could not have the lesson plans......but most importantly, I think there would be too much on each day that I would not get to.........that I would go nuts scolding myself.
I agree there is nothing wrong with it...but I am afraid it would not fit the MOTHER, in this case.........though I sure wanted it to fit! I guess I really just want an EASY way out......but the plans are NOT easy, and I would only stress myself out.
Thanks for the encouragement......I really appreciate it.
Hmmmmm.........you got me thinking here......maybe we could just pick a subject in science, one in geography or whatever,,,,,,and get all the books from the library I can find on that subject.....and read them to him....
Now THAT'S more like me ......ask my librarians 
so, maybe I better pull out my FIAR and check it out
I wonder if ShawnaB wants to coordinate with me and her sister and play with these ideas.......she's not TOO busy to consider anything
off to bed!!
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Willa
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Chari wrote:
| I wonder if ShawnaB wants to coordinate with me and her sister and play with these ideas.......she's not TOO busy to consider anything |
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Yes, maybe find another mom of a kindergartener! Have some fun arts and crafts, poetry etc in a simple co-op context? I may be heading that way with Paddy and Aidan -- I know a couple of older moms with little kids locally -- and we are all a wee bit weary-- dealing with college down to preschool age I think Clare was the last one of mine who had Kindergarten and that was at Catholic school. I'd like to do some neat projects before my last little ones get past that age....
I know Malachi has such a rich life already and your kids are so bright and talented -- transitioning the first one out is hard (I say from EONS more experience ) but you already have had some significant successes.
The way things are going, Aidan is going to learn to read courtesy of V tech and Leapfrog. My older kids think I have been co-opted by twaddle, but it seems to be working for him. He knows the sounds of all the letters and I haven't taught them to him.
Get some sleep, Chari  and don't look at the timestamp of this post of mine !
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Willa
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Erin
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Chari wrote:
Hmmmmm.........you got me thinking here......maybe we could just pick a subject in science, one in geography or whatever,,,,,,and get all the books from the library I can find on that subject.....and read them to him....
Now THAT'S more like me ......ask my librarians |
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Sounds good to me Nourishes you and nourishes him. This is what I did with MY Malachi last year when he was a kindergartener, then I felt like we had done SOMETHING Come to think of it this is what we still do.
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Dawnie
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Chari wrote:
I agree there is nothing wrong with it...but I am afraid it would not fit the MOTHER, in this case.........though I sure wanted it to fit! I guess I really just want an EASY way out......but the plans are NOT easy, and I would only stress myself out. |
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Well, that's just as important! If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! Seriously, I'm a much better teacher when I'm not stressed out. I bet most of us are that way.
Chari wrote:
Hmmmmm.........you got me thinking here......maybe we could just pick a subject in science, one in geography or whatever,,,,,,and get all the books from the library I can find on that subject.....and read them to him....
Now THAT'S more like me ......ask my librarians
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FWIW, I read recently (can't remember where) that your child wouldn't be missing out on anything if you just took a whole year to enjoy good books together. That statement has given me great comfort this past year. We've moved and I became pregnant w/ #4, so school got pushed to the back burner for a few months. But we DID keep reading out loud. A lot. We've read about 10 chapter books out loud this past year. And lots of beautiful picture books. We're not going to finish the math and spelling workbooks before September, but we've read LOTS of great literature! I've been telling my friends that I'm a closet unschooler.
You've got lots of experience already. I'm sure your son will do just fine, whatever you choose to do.
Dawn
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Dawnie
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Chari wrote:
but the plans are NOT easy, and I would only stress myself out.
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Just wanted to respond to this really quick. What makes you think that the plans aren't easy? Not that I'm trying to push you into using the CHC lesson plans, but I'm just wondering. I did most of CHC kindergarten from the couch while nursing a new baby. We skipped a lot of the hands-on stuff, but we got through all the core subjects just fine. Is it all the hands-on suggestions that scare you?
If DYOCC would work for you better, though, why not go w/ that? It would certainly be less expensive.
Dawn
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Elizabeth
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momwise wrote:
I looked at the CHC catalog too, and ordered the 1st Gr. plans. But what I really want to do is sit down and do Catholic Mosaic like I used to stick with FIAR with my older ds.
Oops. Sorry I didn't have a more encouraging answer for you |
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I think this IS an encouraging answer. I heard about a lady who is selling her FIAR and it literally brought tears to my eyes. I will be so sad when no one in my house is young enough for those stories. I think that we older moms owe it to ourselves to revel in the fun things of Kindergarten. We know how quickly it goes and when we need a reminder, we can just read this recent post by Tracy.
Now that there is Catholic Mosiac, we have such a goldmine for kindergarten. I can't say enough good things about Catholic Mosaic (though I did try !)
My thought is to take Catholic Mosaic and FIAR and meander through. I do have CHC K plans and I'll pick and choose a bit, but I wouldn't buy them again. There's more than enough with Mosaic and FIAR--and it's the good stuff, the happy stuff, the joy of our last few years of wee ones before the wee ones are our grandchildren (and don't think I'm not already trying to figure out how I'm going to share those stories with them). Let's grab it and hug it and squeeze it for all it's worth.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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cathhomeschool
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momwise wrote:
| I'm old and tired too. I did have a ds in Kindergarten this year and guess what? I don't even think we did Kindergarten. |
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Gwen, (Please, please don't get offended!) but I found this so funny. Because... I'll have a kindergartener next year and know too well that you've pegged our year, a whole year in advance.  I'm not old (34), but I am tired (no sleep). I would love to do Catholic Mosaic and FIAR with my two littles next year (and that's actually my plan), but my afternoons lack the energy needed. My mornings are spent with the older two and seem to just fly away. I guess it doesn't help that my energy level starts waining well before "afternoon" officially begins, and doesn't pick back up until close to dinner.
Hmm... I like Theresa's idea of starting kindergarten over the summer. We don't officially take the summer off from schooling, but swim team keeps us very busy until the end of July, so not much schooling happens till then anyway, like it or not.
Chari wrote:
| Maybe assign each of the older kids a subject to work with him for the summer...... |
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Chari, I think that's a great idea! We learn so much by teaching. It would be a great experience for the older ones, and for your 4yo too. And you could still help out and revel, as Elizabeth says.
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Elizabeth
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Janette,
Gather the books into a basket, just the ones you want for a month, so that the "accumulating" is finished. Then, put the basket by the bed. Just use the stories as before-nap or bedtime stories. No one said it has to happen during the "school day" to count. We have themed bedtime stories all the time. And then, in the morning, when I'm a little fresher, I can usually pull off an activity or two every week. But this way, the reading happens every day. And yes, I requently put myself to sleep reading to my little ones .
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Lavenderfields
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Chari,
I have FIAR and most of the books for the first book, do you want to borrow them?
God Bless
Robynn in Lancaster, CA
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cathhomeschool
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Elizabeth wrote:
| Then, put the basket by the bed. Just use the stories as before-nap or bedtime stories. |
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That's a great idea! We normally keep the books we're "working on" in the living room or school room on various tables. The boys do carry them off to their rooms, but that's never where they start. I like the idea of having a basket geared towards the little ones already in their room, and I guess I can assign an older child to read to them on occasion so that they get the benefit of the books too. (If all five of us were in there together, quiet time would quickly become anything but quiet!). Maybe I should start my morning with the little ones (an activity from Mosaic or FIAR) and move up through the ranks...
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momwise
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cathhomeschool wrote:
Gwen, (Please, please don't get offended!) but I found this so funny. |
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Oh you couldn't possibly offend me
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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Topic: Haven't had a kindergartener in awhile...
