The other day I was asked by a mom entering her first year of homeschooling what I purchased for my Kindergartener this year. The longer my list the more her eyes went wide with fears her plan was not organized or ambitious enough. First, I always buy too much. Second, it always sounds like more on paper than in application. Third, I always buy too much. I can add a fourth to explain that I review curriculum and therefore have more than I could possibly use but that never prevents me from trying. I also have a very motivated student this year who asks daily to start school. Here is my list of what she is studying and what supplies I will be using this year.
Area of study:
Math
Reading/Phonics
French
Science
Bible
Poetry
Music
Art
Tools and Curriculum:
Math: Singapore, Kumon work books, counting bears, fish counting game, tanagrams, peg boards, Wikki Sticks activity book and money set.
Reading/Phonics: Bob Books, Red Chair Press Reader books, Dr. Suess books, Starfall.com, IKnowThat.com, All about Spelling, Play doh (to make letters and words), ABC puzzle, sandpaper letters to trace, flash cards.
French: Hooked on French by Hooked on Phonics, French/English happy birthday book, a study on France, map work focused on France, activities which include making French food.
Science: Real Science 4 Kids Pre-Level Biology, Science Experiment Kit, various books on animals and animal habitats
Bible: Stick Figuring Through the Bible, KJV Bible, devotions guide
Poetry: Various poetry books and mother goose books, rhyming game and flash cards
Music: Great composers CD and book (used for all my kids this year)
Art: Artistic Pursuits (book one, K-3), various art supplies for art curriculum, additional art supplies like markers, construction paper, colored pencils, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, etc.
Every day she will have Bible, math and reading/phonics while the rest of the subjects will be one or two days a week. Since I divide my year into quarters I will divide the lessons over those quarters. For instance she will spend two quarters on art, one on music and another on poetry, etc. Subjects are only taught for 15-20 minutes at one time. Her days will be short and her subjects will be spread out over the year in an orderly fashion. This way you can include a lot in your child’s education without it being overwhelming. If at any point you or your child feels overwhelmed cut out anything except math and reading. In fact, if math and reading could be the subjects you devote the most time, energy and money toward and still have a full and productive year. Also, surround your child with books on her level to read aloud such as books on animal habitats, history, geography and so on to give your child a well balanced taste of the world.