We are VERY VERY VERY new to homeschooling! This is our second week in
I am too new to it to offer any real advice from experience, just wanted to show some support. My older girls are 5 and almost 4. They are both considered pre k still (both have ASD). Going to start more of a Kindergarten curriculum at the end of summer for my 5 year old.
How old is your son? Has he been in the public school system for long?
My plan for kindergarten is to not follow any particular curriculum. I have written out goals to be accomplished by the end of the year. Im wanting most of it to be learning through playing and having fun. I have divided next year into "units" to focus on fun things like "under the sea" or "space and planets" that sort of thing to keep things from being boring. For us ,i incorporate music from you tube as well. You can find sight word songs and other educational, yet fun, songs( Super Simple Learning SOngs and Harry Kindergartener are favorites here). There are also many free worksheets on line. Right now, I have the girls do 3 worksheets a day (front and back). Many homeschooling parents dont feel thats necessary at this age, but my girls enjoy it.
Creativity is a necessity for us! Writing letters in sand or out of beans....going on "rock searches" and arranging them in "little" and "big" groups. It really feels more like play.
I may decide to follow more of a mapped out curriculum in the future. Ive read that The Life of Fred books are great for teaching math. ABEKA is another one that gets a lot of praise here. Ive also read that the Magic School Bus Young Scientist Monthly magazine is a fun way to incorporate science lessons.
Again, I dont know from actual experience if those are good methods. Im playing it by ear. Everyone I talk to about homeschooling says the same thing...RELAX! You dont have to duplicate the strict classroom setting and methods to teach your child. Be flexible.
Remember that you know your child best. Pay attention to his learning style and teach accordingly.
There is a new homeschooling support group here on mdj, please join! There arent many members yet, but Im sure it will grow in time. Hopefully we can get some homeschool veterns to post some great tips there.
Hope to hear more from you soon! Let us know how its going!
Post edited by: jlemomof3, at: 01/29/2013 11:40 AM
