Where can I buy books and a curriculum to homeschool my kindergartener?

Question

Or is it best to go through one of the programs like Calvert?

I am pulling my son from public school to homeschool him

non religious

Answer 1

For a kindergartner keep it simple. Wait to spend money until your child is older. The public library, your kitchen, your backyard - those are the best resources.

Answer 2

www.rainbowresource.com has a lot of different curriculum and some for cheaper prices than if you were to buy it from original publishers themselves. Also you can get a free catalog (which is about as big a big phone book) to go though. Some of it is religious so you will have to go through it. It might be overwhelming when you first get it but just go through it a little at a time so as not to overwhelm yourself. Also like others have said since it's only Kindergarten you don't have to do a lot of book work. Playing games (educational games) and reading together can be good. Also if you want to teach phonics there is a great website I have used www.starfall.com you can either have your child use the computer and do the things for there are free printouts too. Also for pretty good price you can order a lot of their stuff too. Let him/her discover the love of learning. I hope that has helped some.

Answer 3

With a child so young (I assume about five or six?) there's no need for any formal curriculum. So long as you read books together, and have plenty of drawing and writing materials, and go for walks and have conversations, your child will learn far more from everyday life than from any curriculum. Just follow his/her interests, go to the library, bake cakes and bread together, plant seeds, make playdough... there are so many things you can do together that will be the best educational experiences for both of you.

If your child likes workbooks you can pick some up at a local bookshop or supermarket, but they're not necessary. You can also find plenty of educational books at the library to cover just about any topic that comes up, and of course the Internet.

There's plenty of time for more formal work or a curriculum, if you and your child want it, when he/she is about eleven or twelve.

Answer 4

Calvert does have a great program; however, Sonlight may also interest you. As glurpy said, they are a Christian company, but many of their resources are not religious. They're just plain really good quality.

You may want to look into doing unit studies with him, as well - this can be done through online lesson plans, lapbooks, or resources from the library. These are all-inclusive as far as subject material and skills, and really aid in retention of material.

Answer 5

You may be best to choose a philosophy then ask again. A kindergartener doesn't need much. Their alphabet, numbers, shapes, music, art and lots of playing, just like you usually do.

You could choose to buy a complete curriculum. You may want to follow the Steiner method, you may look at everything and decide you do actually prefer some of the religious curriculums to the secular because they are set out better or something. I'm going to follow the Classical method, using "The Well Trained Mind" which is available on amazon. They also have a website, so have a look at that. It'll give you food for thought even if you choose not to follow that method. I'll be supplementing the Classical stuff with lots of Steiner stuff in the early years. The classical method is quite academic, which is good, but there is more to life. So Steiner and SCA (historical re-enactment group) will provide some less academic stuff for balance.

Spend a few hours digging through google. That's how most people taste the different options and decide what suits them. Borrow or buy any books that other people recommend. Ask your library to order in anything you can't afford or don't want to own. There's no "one size fits all" so you will have to examine people's opinions and eventually make your own decision.

Answer 6

I am told Sam's Club has nice and inexpensive resources for younger children.

Answer 7

Although Sonlight is a Christian company, they have a catalogue with all kinds of non-religious material in it. Have a look http://www.sonlight.com . Most of it is for anybody, not just Christians. If you want just general resources, you can get things from just about anywhere. Try doing a search for _homeschool books_ or _homeschool curriculum_ or _homeschool supplies_ and you'll come up with tons.

Going through a program is helpful if you don't want to have to plan things yourself and you like something all laid out and want somebody else to evaluate. Keep in mind this means that you are not in full control of the schooling. Going with a guided curriculum is the same, except that you are doing the evaluation and deciding when you want to scrap things or add other things in. Neither are at all necessary. I have a gr. 5 dd and I still haven't purchased a full curriculum. For K, it's definitely not necessary. There are all kinds of homeschool websites out there with recommendations and descriptions of resources. A homeschool support group would be super for discussing things used.

Decide what you want for his education. I'm guessing that reading, writing and math would be the basics. So, choose some resources for that. You might even start with your library instead of purchasing something.

Answer 8

A great Math Program is Horizons. The company is Christian, but the Math program really does not have any Christian content.

They also have a good phonics and reading program, a few of the stories mention church, but most do not.

They are available from
http://www.aop.com

You can get lots of stuff, both secular and religious from
http://www.rainbowresource.com

Answer 9

Christian Liberty Press is an affordable option; the link is below:

http://ebiz.netopia.com/clpress/

Answer 10

I have been a kindergarten teacher and a mother. You did not mention whether your child is currently in kindergarten or out because of illness or some other reason. Children who are out of school because they cannot be schooled in a classroom setting can usually get home teaching by a certified teacher at no charge to you. Check with your school district. If you child will be out for a short time, you may want to check with his/her teacher.

Note: The things you can get at Toys R Us will not be exactly the same as the Calvert program but will cover similar content depending what you choose.

On the other hand, if you just want to supplement your child's education there are a number of things you can do. In addition to workbooks at stores like Toys R Us for the appropriate grade levels which will cover, the alphabet, matching things, beginning math, pre-reading skills, etc. ...if you are really ambitious about your child's reading/math you can go where I did research on curriculum materials for my early childhood education courses. Go to a four year college library and ask for the education curriculum department. They will have the beginning readers for you to view and other materials so that you will have some idea of what to help your child with(before your purchase any expensive specialized program). However, I have found that many of the books and toys and games that are geared for the younger child are quite sufficient at Toys R Us or children's learning stores. If you want to give your child a head start, your local library is an excellent source of reading material as well. However, I would suggest that you leave the formal teaching to the teacher. I had a child in one of my classes whose reading and math skills were far above any of the other children only because his parents taught him reading and math at home for several years. He was not gifted. Not unusually bright...he was just advanced in reading and math. However, his behavior was immature and socialization with the other children was barely on kindergarten grade level. This made it difficult for him to adjust to his first year in school. You know your child the best. Homeschool your child wisely. If possible, be sure your child has the socialization he needs as well with his peers.

Many of the things you see in the Calvert Pre-K or Kindergarten program you can get in Toys R Us (i.e. crayons, paints, some books, etc). I don't know the price of the program, but I imagine it is pricey. Also, you would have to purchase the entire package at once. If you chose to go this way, do not let your child see the entire package contents. He/she may be overwhelmed. One thing at a time is best. Also, what I have done ....instead of showing them an entire book of workbook pages, tear out a page and give your child time to do that. Then you might want to follow that by another different activity. Depending on the child, sometimes if they see an entire booklet they may lose interest more quickly. Kindergarteners do not have a long attention span. Good Luck! I hope I helped.