what kindergarten homeschool curriculum to use?

Question

we are considering homeschooling our son who will start kindergarten next year and I was wondering what curriculum anyone has used and would recommend. Also any ideas on how to get him interested in sitting down and learning?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

For our "Kindy" kids, we used mostly life as our curriculum. Oldest was into Legos, trains and music during Kindy. So, we did a lot of that. We also read a lot (still do). We talked a LOT about everything. We had some workbooks, but we didn't make him sit down to do it. We left them out and when he was curious, we did the pages with him (in no particular or, nor did we care if he did them "wrong". We used the workbooks like a game or a toy.)

For our middle one, very similar. She's into playing pretend, comic books and drawing. So we do a lot of these things. She does her workbooks in the same way - as many or as few pages as she'd like, and she can do whichever pages she wants to.

Kindy kids have a *thrist* for learning that's, well, mesmerizing. My main goal was to keep this thirst alive. So everyday, I made it a point to do activities and live in such a way that they were excited about doing things. I paid attention to what they liked to do, how they learned best, and how they communicated.

Learning from books/a curriculum is OK if the kids really dig it. If it's fun for them and are excited to do the work, it's awesome. But also learn from life too. Cuz, isn't the whole point of learning to live life? And if so, isn't life the best place to learn?

Mix it up, don't be a slave to ANY curriculum, and enjoy... really, truly, enjoy your time with them while they are so young. There's no rush.

That said, I included a link to information about Kindy homeschooling and curriculums.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I used the state's curriculum (we homeschooled through a state-sponsored program).

Currently, I use the State Requirements as a guideline and do everything I can to build from that. With kindergarteners, think field trips and games. By making learning fun (something the traditional school system seems to have forgotten), you allow your son to reach out in his curiosity.

With a homeschooling boy, sitting down isn't what you want (that is SO hard if you've come from a traditional school background). There will be enough time to pound away at the technical in first through third grades. For me, I used Peggy Kaye's Games For . . . books ( http://www.peggykaye.com/ ) to encourage math and writing.

The Williamson's Little Hands Series is fantastic for Art, Science, Math, whatever. The Williamson's Kids Can! Series is great as you move from Kindergarten into the lower grades.

The hardest thing about picking up homeschooling, I found, was that as soon as you reach school age, all of that great learning you've been doing immediately makes you worried you haven't done enough. I've been told a million times to "just relax", but when it comes time to show product, sometimes I don't have any. Luckily, since Kindergarten is more about observations, my best recommendation for you is:

*Purchase a digital camera and a 16-month calendar journal book (Sept of current year to Dec of next year).* You can put many pictures of what he did onto a single page and write up how he did. That's how most of my son's Kindergarten was recorded, and even now (as a third grader) I sometimes have to do it to make sure my reluctant writer is shown "learning".

Record each night a quick summary of what he did. For example: DEC 7, 2006 -- Made repeating patterns with toy cars, wrote name in sandbox at park, played catch [that's P.E.], counted 100 Cheerios, watched a cube of ice melt on skillet then turn to steam and talked about changes in physical properties [science], talked about winter holidays and weather.

You are here to teach him to learn; the information can be transferred in less than 100 hours, from what I'm told. Your job is to show him how to function as an intellectual in society over twelve years, with the advantage of hands-on learning.

If you're worried, consider looking for a local parent-educator program (sometimes called a home education program) and join it. Also, look on Yahoo! Groups for homeschooling groups in your area to join. The kids are always great, and socialization is only an issue if you make it one.

Answer 4

There is soooooooooooooo much learning that can happen while NOT sitting down. Please don't think that getting a child, especially an active boy, to sit down is the way to get him to learn.

At the kindergarten level, the big focus is on learning the alphabet, the sounds, writing their name, counting to about 20, recognizing numbers 0-10. Everything else is just the topping.

As for a curriculum, I didn't use a specific one--still don't--so I can't recommend one that I've used. I've heard great things about Sonlight http://www.sonlight.com though. And about Before Five in a Row.

Answer 5

We only used one or two "workbooks" for Kindergarten (Explode the Code for phonics and a math program - there are several to choose from, but you really don't need one, unless you would feel more comfortable). Kindergarten is really a time to explore and learn through play. We did lots of craft-type things for history and science, general drawing/writing, read-alouds, and just playing. Don't expect too much "seatwork" from a K student - it's just not in them yet. And if you try to force it, he'll always hate school.

Later on, when he's older, you can follow something like The Well-Trained Mind or Charlotte Mason, if you want more structure.

Answer 6

Start now get some activity books from the store and set out a time during the day when the TV is off and he is coloring. The curriculum I am not sure about. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

There are really so many options out there. You can create your own or use the state approved or go with one of the manufacturers like A Beka, BJU, MacGraw-Hill, etc. You could also use the Internet and your local library and homeschool for absolutely to nearly free (aside from paper, pencils, crayons, etc.). There are also many homeschool groups on the Internet where you can get items (some for free or just postage). I got almost everything I needed for my son's 3rd grade year from such a group. Please see the web addresses below.

Blessings,
Laurie

Answer 8

You can go to the board of Education and they will give you the curriculum to use. I homeschooled my son for 2 years because he had really bad asthma and he was always being sent home. To get your son to sit down the best thing to do is sometimes you have to act like a little kid yourself. They listen when you are being their equal. They like to get involved.

PS I homeschooled for the 2 years and now that my son is in school he is ahead of his class. He is more involved also.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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Answer 11

A Beka Book is what I use......www.Abekabook.org
You can reward him for sitting down and doing a little bit of learning like saying "You can (have get etc.) if you do some quiet time with mommy or things like that ...... Hope I helped!