This is where I am thankful to be a homeschool graduate myself, with 5 younger siblings. Mom tested different subjects on us, and now I get to use what worked for them! ha! So here I am, ready to share what my son will be using for his Kindergarten year, what I've ordered so far, and a few things I still need to order or that's on my wishlist.
Bible
Bible is included in The Playful Pioneers, with the purchase of the book The Ology. I don't think I will be going that route with my son, but I will still use their verse writing sheets, for him to use for memory work. I will most likely pick an 'easy' book of the Bible (John perhaps) and read a little each day and have him narrate afterwards.
Next are all the Subjects included in Playful Pioneers.
Read Alouds
The Playful Pioneers is all about the Little House on the Prairie books. Each day we will read a chapter and then do activities related to that day's reading. Also included in the curriculum is a book list for each age group (all the way up to high school!) to read-or look at- during quiet reading time. Another 'main' book list is given, with 1-2 books each week that go along with the lessons. We will use what we have here or what we can get from the library or others.
Language Arts
Even though Phonics is not included, there is a section for copy work each day in the Playful Pioneers. This includes one for scripture and a dictation from one of the Little House books. The dictations are given in print and cursive, as well as one with a list of simple spelling words.
Science and History
If you have older kids, you may want to expand this a little, but as my son is starting Kindergarten, what they cover is perfect! An example of what they cover: One day he will be given a map to color and label where the story is taking place, the next day we will read about horses, talked about in the book. The next day we will read aloud a story about the American Indians, or about a famous American figure, and on the last day my son will draw and label the horse as shown in the Farm Anatomy book.
The beautiful thing about this way of learning, is that your child can dig as deep into the subjects given as he/she wants, or if they only do what's asked, they still learn so much! I can imagine doing this curriculum when my daughter is in Kindergarten and my son in 3rd grade and him learning that much more!
Art and Practical Skills
Something that is very important to the writer of this curriculum, is art and practical skills. In the Preschool curriculum these two things are separate. For this year, a couple of days each week will be focused on art, and the other two on practical skills. Art can include dyeing silks, painting pictures, picture studies, and more! Practical skills can cover anything from recipes to cleaning skills (and every momma shouts 'amen!'). Not only are these great skills for your child, but I've learned through preschool that these are great bonding moments for me and my son.
All you see above is included in ONE curriculum. This is the Playful Pioneers, and right now there is a coupon code (kindkingdom) that will get you 20% off any of their curriculum. This expires 5/30, so this is the perfect time to buy! I went ahead and got the book printed and put in a spiral book, at the site they recommend. I printed and put everything in a binder this year, but I feel like this is much easier, and the price was very affordable.
Here is all the extra things I have gotten/am getting.
Math
As mentioned before, my mom homeschooled me and my siblings. She kept a lot of things, including the teacher books and manipulatives to the Saxon Math 1-3. I will be using Saxon Math 1 for Little Man's math this year. Even though it's for 1st grade it can be used for Kindergarten or 1st. I ordered the workbook for Little Man and the flashcards. The writer of the Playful Pioneers suggests Math-U-See, and I love that curriculum and highly recommend it. We will transition to that in the 3rd grade, however, free is free, am I right?! Also, Saxon 1-3 is a really good curriculum. I hated Saxon 4/5 and up as a kid, but the 1-3 is much more hands on and fun, and my siblings loved it. Both Saxon 1 and Math-U-See are great options.
Phonics
Here we come to the complicated part. The task of teaching your child to read can be quite terrifying. Timberdoodle sells a Phonics program called All About Reading that looks simple and easy to follow along. If I didn't have the resources that I have, then I would probably use AAR (not sponsored to say that. I've just been doing a lot of reading on the best way to teach a child to read, and really like the way it has learning to read set up).
My mom taught all my siblings to read by the programs shown here (except the Bob books)
Play N Talk (a 1950s program, done on a record player. It's a good program for teaching phonics, though a little dated. I don't think they sell the records anymore, but you can look for resources on their website, if interested), Happy Phonics ( a really fun program where you learn phonics by playing games! We will use this a couple times a week to reinforce what we've learned that week), and Explode the Code (fun illustrations that help teach phonics. Little Man did the primer book to help him get ready for the 'real deal'.).
Handwriting
I am so excited to be using A Reason For Handwriting!* Another sibling favorite, that is Christian based. Once they are done learning to write the alphabet, they start copying scripture. Each page is one that they can color and learn to write. Once they get to the scripture pages, the coloring page is so well illustrated, that it can make for keepsakes to give to grandparents and family. I remember watching my siblings use this program, and even then, I knew I would use it when teaching my own children. They have fun, learn to write, and learn scripture at the same time. Win, Win, Win!
I haven't bought this yet, as I am trying to figure out what educational games I want to also get from the Timberdoodle website. Little Man's birthday is the first week of September, which is a perfect time for him to get things that will help him with school I'll be ordering the handwriting book and the educational games, soon!
There you go! An in-depth look at what we will be doing for our Kindergarten year. Let me know if you have any questions. Once we start in the fall, I will write another post on schedule, morning time, and perhaps exactly how I'll be using the phonics programs to teach reading. For now, I am going to enjoy Little Man's last day of preschool, today!
*Edit: A Reason For Handwriting K is the only one that does not include scripture, as they are just beginning penmanship. All consecutive books in the series do, however.
Bible
Bible is included in The Playful Pioneers, with the purchase of the book The Ology. I don't think I will be going that route with my son, but I will still use their verse writing sheets, for him to use for memory work. I will most likely pick an 'easy' book of the Bible (John perhaps) and read a little each day and have him narrate afterwards.
Next are all the Subjects included in Playful Pioneers.
Read Alouds
The Playful Pioneers is all about the Little House on the Prairie books. Each day we will read a chapter and then do activities related to that day's reading. Also included in the curriculum is a book list for each age group (all the way up to high school!) to read-or look at- during quiet reading time. Another 'main' book list is given, with 1-2 books each week that go along with the lessons. We will use what we have here or what we can get from the library or others.
Language Arts
Even though Phonics is not included, there is a section for copy work each day in the Playful Pioneers. This includes one for scripture and a dictation from one of the Little House books. The dictations are given in print and cursive, as well as one with a list of simple spelling words.
Science and History
If you have older kids, you may want to expand this a little, but as my son is starting Kindergarten, what they cover is perfect! An example of what they cover: One day he will be given a map to color and label where the story is taking place, the next day we will read about horses, talked about in the book. The next day we will read aloud a story about the American Indians, or about a famous American figure, and on the last day my son will draw and label the horse as shown in the Farm Anatomy book.
The beautiful thing about this way of learning, is that your child can dig as deep into the subjects given as he/she wants, or if they only do what's asked, they still learn so much! I can imagine doing this curriculum when my daughter is in Kindergarten and my son in 3rd grade and him learning that much more!
Art and Practical Skills
Something that is very important to the writer of this curriculum, is art and practical skills. In the Preschool curriculum these two things are separate. For this year, a couple of days each week will be focused on art, and the other two on practical skills. Art can include dyeing silks, painting pictures, picture studies, and more! Practical skills can cover anything from recipes to cleaning skills (and every momma shouts 'amen!'). Not only are these great skills for your child, but I've learned through preschool that these are great bonding moments for me and my son.
All you see above is included in ONE curriculum. This is the Playful Pioneers, and right now there is a coupon code (kindkingdom) that will get you 20% off any of their curriculum. This expires 5/30, so this is the perfect time to buy! I went ahead and got the book printed and put in a spiral book, at the site they recommend. I printed and put everything in a binder this year, but I feel like this is much easier, and the price was very affordable.
Here is all the extra things I have gotten/am getting.
Math
As mentioned before, my mom homeschooled me and my siblings. She kept a lot of things, including the teacher books and manipulatives to the Saxon Math 1-3. I will be using Saxon Math 1 for Little Man's math this year. Even though it's for 1st grade it can be used for Kindergarten or 1st. I ordered the workbook for Little Man and the flashcards. The writer of the Playful Pioneers suggests Math-U-See, and I love that curriculum and highly recommend it. We will transition to that in the 3rd grade, however, free is free, am I right?! Also, Saxon 1-3 is a really good curriculum. I hated Saxon 4/5 and up as a kid, but the 1-3 is much more hands on and fun, and my siblings loved it. Both Saxon 1 and Math-U-See are great options.
Phonics
Here we come to the complicated part. The task of teaching your child to read can be quite terrifying. Timberdoodle sells a Phonics program called All About Reading that looks simple and easy to follow along. If I didn't have the resources that I have, then I would probably use AAR (not sponsored to say that. I've just been doing a lot of reading on the best way to teach a child to read, and really like the way it has learning to read set up).
My mom taught all my siblings to read by the programs shown here (except the Bob books)
Play N Talk (a 1950s program, done on a record player. It's a good program for teaching phonics, though a little dated. I don't think they sell the records anymore, but you can look for resources on their website, if interested), Happy Phonics ( a really fun program where you learn phonics by playing games! We will use this a couple times a week to reinforce what we've learned that week), and Explode the Code (fun illustrations that help teach phonics. Little Man did the primer book to help him get ready for the 'real deal'.).
Handwriting
I am so excited to be using A Reason For Handwriting!* Another sibling favorite, that is Christian based. Once they are done learning to write the alphabet, they start copying scripture. Each page is one that they can color and learn to write. Once they get to the scripture pages, the coloring page is so well illustrated, that it can make for keepsakes to give to grandparents and family. I remember watching my siblings use this program, and even then, I knew I would use it when teaching my own children. They have fun, learn to write, and learn scripture at the same time. Win, Win, Win!
I haven't bought this yet, as I am trying to figure out what educational games I want to also get from the Timberdoodle website. Little Man's birthday is the first week of September, which is a perfect time for him to get things that will help him with school I'll be ordering the handwriting book and the educational games, soon!
There you go! An in-depth look at what we will be doing for our Kindergarten year. Let me know if you have any questions. Once we start in the fall, I will write another post on schedule, morning time, and perhaps exactly how I'll be using the phonics programs to teach reading. For now, I am going to enjoy Little Man's last day of preschool, today!
*Edit: A Reason For Handwriting K is the only one that does not include scripture, as they are just beginning penmanship. All consecutive books in the series do, however.
Looks like a great year ahead!
ReplyDeleteI am excited to begin!
DeleteI have never heard of Playful Pioneers before! It looks like you picked out a lot of great materials. Kindergarten is such a fun grade to teach. I hope you have a great year 🖤
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteSounds like it's going to be a fun year! I love the LHP tie-ins! And how neat that you'll be able to re-use some older resources.
ReplyDeleteYes Ma'am! I think being able to learn through the Little House books was the main selling point for me! lol
DeleteI have seen Explode the Code mentioned but not recently. I totally forgot about it. This looks like a fun and educational year!
ReplyDeleteMy siblings really enjoyed Explode the Code. My son has done the Primer book, so I am looking forward to him being able to do the 'real' books this year!
DeleteIt looked like kingergarten will be so fun! I think the handwriting choice is especially fun.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about the handwriting this year :)
Delete