Kindergarten year for Megan had me praying for direction. If ever I wanted a planned out for me curriculum, it was with Kindergarten. Teaching Megan to read was scary for me. All of my other children pretty much learned to read in public school. I helped. I didn't have to do it all. I did teach Jasmine phonics when the sight word program the school was using failed her big time. However, when I went to find that phonics program, I discovered that Scholastic, the company I bought it from, doesn't sell it anymore. Bummer!
I searched all the programs I could find that weren't super-expensive. I looked on Amazon and ebay. I searched every sample I could find. Finally I decided on Hooked on Phonics as the main part of my reading program. While the program sells for roughly $80, I got it from Christianbook Distributors for only $50. I supplement with all sorts of free stuff, such as apps on my Nook and Starfall. I wanted something step-by-step. I was saddened that most of the Christian homeschool distributors were so expensive. I wanted to have my daughter learning about Christ in her reading lessons. However, the better phonics curricula were easily over $200.
I looked carefully at what to use for math too. I wanted a gentle program where there were activities suggested, but that didn't require expensive manipulatives. Once again, the Christian distributors were expensive. I finally settled on Essential Math from Singaporemath.com, also purchased from Christianbook Distributors. I loved that, at the bottom of the page, were tons of suggestions for activities to supplement the lessons. It also begins with concepts such as Same and Different. Even though there is tons of counting skills, actually writing the numbers doesn't begin until page 45. For my little left-handed, five year old, having the fine motor skills to write numbers has been a challenge. She is improving, but I'm grateful that she isn't being asked to do something right away that might frustrate her. Within a few weeks, I believe her skills will improve.
One of the ways I am improving her fine motor skills, other than by LOTS of coloring, is by going through the A B C Readiness Series by Christian Light Education. These wonderful workbooks are packed full of activity suggestions to go with the lessons. The math doesn't conflict with the Singapore math at all. I am not using the Bible stories book at this time, however.Megan is going through the workbooks at a fairly quick pace. If we finish all the ABC series, I can always add the G H I Series for further review and training. At only around $3.00 per workbook, the price can't be beat.
I've added lots of other things to our Kindergarten program. I picked up a Reading Skills book from Barnes and Noble on clearance. I also have a sequencing book where Megan has to put a short story in order by the pictures. I have lots of books we are using. My sister gave me three books called: My Shape Book, My Number Book, and My Color Book. They are simple, but there are activities and questions at the bottom of the pages that are wonderful to add in.
For Bible, I am using some of the things I have on my shelf. I have Leading Little Ones to God way back from when I began homeschooling Laura. It is recommended for ages 4 to 10. I think Laura was around 8 when we went through it. Megan is younger, but she is enjoying it. We are also using the book Little Visits with God. I found this treasure at a yard sale this last year for a few cents. It has some precious stories with Biblical morals. Finally, I have added 100 Bible Heroes, 100 Bible Songs. Every day Megan learns about a Bible Character, then gets to listen to a song about a trait being taught.
For history and science, I purchased some Christian Liberty selections from Christianbook. I bought The World God Made because it looked so wonderful. It was one of the selections from Heart of Dakota that I thought would be a great resource for my little five year old. I have it scheduled rotating with History for Little Pilgrims. I also bought the accompanying Coloring Book because I knew Megan would LOVE it! She enjoys both.
My last resource has been the library. I made a list of things I want Megan to learn about. Some things on the list go with the science or history we are reading. Other things on the list are just things that are fun, like apples or farm animals. Megan also has her own ideas. One day she wanted books about whales and wolves and other animals. Yesterday she wanted to learn about volcanoes after seeing her older sister working on a volcano project. At this age, her interests are varied and wide. She often just wants to read every book that catches her fancy. I plan to throw in classics too, like Corduroy and The Year at Maple Hill Farm.
This has been our year so far (it's been a whopping three days, lol.). I am on the lookout for more to add. Our day only takes around an hour. After that, Megan is done with "school". However, she gets bored and distracts her older sisters. I am in the process of making a list of activities she can do that will keep her busy while her sisters are working. Whether it is playing with blocks, playing with play-dough, or painting, I need to keep her occupied. Watching TV is NOT an option.
Megan is enjoying Kindergarten. She likes doing "school" like her sisters. I hope her enthusiasm stays strong.
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