If you recall, we started pre-K back in August, doing Kindergarten work with my 4 year old because we knew she was ready for it. I also felt that picking up a formal curriculum and being more intentional with school would be best for all of us, though I still think playing is the best form of learning for my 2 year old. Routine is good for me & the kids, and Isabelle longs to do school with us, especially since school feels like play right now. You can find out more about our curriculum choices here.
Our "Schedule"
I have really struggled with having a hard and fast schedule this year. We just don't have one and when I usually try to make one, I end up exhausted and irritated with my children for interrupting it. Not cool, mommy, not cool.Part of the issue is that we have many activities that pull us away from home, things like MOPS, which I'm helping coordinate this year, and our weekly ladies Bible study. On top of these activities, we have grocery shopping to complete and visits to the pediatrician, which have been frequent lately. Croup, you are not my friend.
My goal is to do school 3-4 days per week, but some weeks we can only do 1 or 2 days. After going crazy for a while trying to make it all work, I've decided that this is OK for this year, since she is a pre-K student doing Kindergarten work, and since we typically accomplish multiple lessons in a single school day. We're still working toward the elusive perfect schedule, but perhaps perfect strict schedules don't belong in homes with a 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old.
Handwriting
We still love Handwriting Without Tears. Their wet-dry-try method is really effective and fun for my daughter, and my 2 year old loves writing on the mini chalk board when she finishes with it. Isabelle could already write many of her letters, but HWT has really helped her improve, and she was thrilled last week to learn the proper way to write an S. Mommy, my S doesn't look like a 3 anymore!
Math
My daughter adores math! I've loved the Saxon K material and manipulatives. Saxon moves in very small increments, step-by-step. My kids get excited about finding out which manipulative we're going to play with today. My daughter completes her lessons while my 2 year old just plays with the teddy bear counters or whatever we're doing today.That said, after the first month, it became obvious that we'd purchased the wrong level for my child. Saxon K is actually designed for children who are 4 1/2-5 1/2, but I really don't feel like she has learned anything new with it. We've been counting and doing math lessons for a long time, so she's really beyond K and is ready for more addition and subtraction practice, which we'll find in the next level, Saxon 1.
After debating whether or not to jump up to Saxon 1 now, we've decided to continue flying through Saxon K. We complete 2-4 math lessons on every school day, depending on how much time we have. Her attention span really isn't an issue because the lessons are fun, relevant, and engaging, so Isabelle always wants to do one more math lesson, but we usually just don't have the time or one of the younger kids needs my attention, so we stop when we need to. It is currently October and we're working on lessons that were planned for January. When we finish this book, we'll order Saxon 1 and begin there, probably in January.
Reading & Phonics
Isabelle's reading has exploded since we started homeschooling in earnest. I've been helping her read for quite a long time--she read her first word at 2 and could read a number of very basic words, including the beginner Bob Books at 3. But these past few months have been amazing. She has moved beyond reading the beginner books and can now read many level 1 readers. I've loved listening to her read Berenstain Bears, Frog and Toad, and so many other little readers. When she reads a new book to my husband, he and I just look at each other over her head with a look of amazement. It's an incredible blessing to get to teach my own children, and sometimes I can hardly believe that it's working so well when things feel so crazy some days.
That said, our phonics lessons have been a struggle, simply because she doesn't love it. She loves every area of school except phonics practice. At the suggestion of one friend, a veteran homeschooler, we have temporarily stopped formal phonics instruction. I haven't decided if I should pick it up again or simply continue letting my child read and learn phonics as she goes. Even though we have stopped formal phonics instruction, I've continued to see improvement in her reading skills. It seems that every week, she reads with greater ease than the week before. It's really pretty exciting!
Isabelle, reading the Dick and Jane reader that was too difficult for her in August. Now it's far too easy and she breezes through every story.
Our phonics curriculum has consisted of Phonics Pathways, a simple phonics instruction book. It's not thrilling and it's not fun, so maybe that's why she doesn't enjoy it. I could move ahead in the book to the parts that she really needs to learn, but I also have a full phonics curriculum that someone gave to me, complete with CDs to listen to. I've planned on using it with my younger children, but I may begin using it with Isabelle. One of my goals this week without school is to analyze this phonics program and decide if we should begin using it, but then I'll also have to figure out where to start. The curriculum is called Play 'n Talk, so if you have any insight on it, please jump right in with your advice!
Veteran homeschoolers and teachers, what do you think? Will she be fine without continuing with formal phonics instruction? Do you have any suggestions on an easy & fun advanced phonics program? Should we simply wait until the advanced phonics is incorporated with spelling lessons?
Veteran homeschoolers and teachers, what do you think? Will she be fine without continuing with formal phonics instruction? Do you have any suggestions on an easy & fun advanced phonics program? Should we simply wait until the advanced phonics is incorporated with spelling lessons?
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I used to teach fifth grade....so I never taught phonics explicitly, but I would say that if your daughter loves reading and her fluency and comprehension is improving, to keep doing what you're doing. :) Good job, mama!
ReplyDelete*are improving.
ReplyDeleteMommy brain. :)
Gabby, we are in a similar situation with our "schedule." I aim for doing school 4 days a week (1 day we go to Bible study) but often only have it 2-3 days. But we make every effort to do the 3 R's at least 4 days.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing Life of Fred. Let's say that I'm not quite getting it. It's a little strange to me. I did order Saxon K but am waiting for the manipulatives that should be here soon. I'm afraid my daughter might be bored with it, but I figured it would be best to start in the beginning and speed through it so she gets a solid foundation for her math. Math was always hard for me because "I didn't get it" and I want her to understand it, not just memorize facts.
As for phonics instruction, I don't know that it's necessary. I didn't have it explicitly when I learned to read. We use Sing Spell Read and Write, which is fun and sing-songy. Kate loves it but she's like your daughter--a fast learner when it comes to reading.
Sounds like homeschooling is going well for you guys. Keep me posted. I love to hear what you try out/works/doesn't.