I'm linking up to the 'Not Back to School Blog Hop' over at 'At the Heart of the Matter Online' -
Well, it's time to breath some life back into this blog! We started Kindergarten a few weeks ago (started early due to the big move coming up in November when we'll have to take a little time off)
The curriculum run-down for this year - after researching curriculum for about a year, I finally pieced Hunter's kindergarten work together. So here is the lineup as it stands now:
Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting, Level A. This is really great so far - each week Hunter learns a new Bible verse, and then practices printing a few words from that verse each day. On Fridays, he copies the entire verse and puts it in the mail to Grandma :o)
Math - Math-U-See. We are using the Primer level, but skipped ahead a bit and started with lesson 9. So far this has been really great! This week we are on lesson 12, and Hunter is learning to add without counting! It comes with a set of really great manipulatives, and Hunter even enjoys the dvd lessons. Math-U-See uses a mastery approach to math, meaning that we take as much or as little time needed on each concept before moving on. I think this is going to give Hunter a very strong foundation in math (something I do not have!)
Spelling - A Reason for Spelling, Level A. Since Hunter is reading fluently now, we are doing this formal spelling program. Each week, Hunter gets a new list of ten words. For each day of the week there are varied activities incorporating different styles of learning - for example, one day he might use alphabet stamps and stamp out the spelling words, and another day he might do a word search or word scramble puzzle containing the spelling words. Last week we did spelling in the car - I would call out one of his words, and he would try to find each letter on a different road sign. I like this program so far, but four weeks in a row now, he has aced the pretest... so I'm not sure how long this will be interesting for him!
Reading - Explode the Code, Online version. We are still working out the kinks of this program. With Hunter reading independently, we have yet to get him into the right level. This is an online program, that auto-adjusts based on the child's performance - so far things are still way too easy (the program has him working on consonant blends). Right now I have him working through the levels until we find the right spot.
These are the subjects we do daily - in a few weeks I will start alternating science and social studies once per week. As for extra curricular, Hunter has swimming lessons a few times per week, and then soccer starts in September! We are looking into a few different co op/charter options that will provide different art and music opportunities, though we haven't decided on one yet.
I can tell Hunter is going to keep me on my toes, as he has a way of taking my plans and flying past them! It will be a race to keep up with him, but what a great ride it will be!
