Our mammoth 'excavation' kit came today. Esme is intrigued...asked me many questions about it and the geology kit again. Also, our reading comprehension workbook. I had been uncertain whether we needed one, and if this was a good one...but I am pleasantly impressed. It has short one-page reading assignments with interesting topics and color pictures, and then a few questions or fill in the blanks on the opposite side.
We got our third copy of the nat.geo (see previous post) and Esme unwrapped it expecting something 'new' and said 'What? Really? How many of these do we need?' Ha.
I'm about 3/4 of the way through reading the Martian. I really want to peek ahead.. but I won't. I'll probably finish it this weekend. Esme has a party tomorrow she is going to (movie night and sleepover, really). She is excited.
Showing posts with label curriculum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label curriculum. Show all posts
Friday, July 17, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
bits
Memorial Day weekend has come and nearly gone. I'm back at work tomorrow, with a long stretch ahead of me. We gave away our kittens, did some gardening and rearranged the workspaces in the house some more. The delivery of next year's school items arrived - the Astronomy book, a Geology book and a test prep book for second grade language and math that will be supporting material. She carried the geology book with her to town the other day and was telling me all sorts of things from it. We also ordered several cartoon series from my childhood. They have rich language and themes in them, similar to Ducktales - of which she has really picked up a lot from this past year. As the summer goes on I will add a few other things, maybe -- like more Stink Moody books or something on animals, perhaps.
We've finished the first chapter of the Adventure story - have to type it up and go over it a little but not right away. She is a little exasperated by the 'I already told you this!' aspect and the fact that it 'has gone on forever' for just one chapter.
Going to my sewing table to see if there is anything to rearrange etc... When Esme was at the park the other day I saw a beautiful sundress on a little girl that I know I could make...
We've finished the first chapter of the Adventure story - have to type it up and go over it a little but not right away. She is a little exasperated by the 'I already told you this!' aspect and the fact that it 'has gone on forever' for just one chapter.
Going to my sewing table to see if there is anything to rearrange etc... When Esme was at the park the other day I saw a beautiful sundress on a little girl that I know I could make...
Saturday, February 21, 2015
First Grade Curriculum materials
Will update this as I go here.. but want a collection to refer back to and add on to...
Spelling : K12 reader list of spelling words We are using the first grade spelling words as 'spell it from hearing it' and the third grade spelling words as vocabulary and copywork. I have a 1968 spelling primer 'Language Mastery Primer' that I bought at a library sale we are using, as well. We picked up a 1.00 dictionary for her to learn to use, at the same place.
Reading Comprehension : k5 Learning Reading Comprehension This is a hard one to find something simple enough for her writing ability but tough enough for her logic capability. She can read a lot more complicated items, but her handwriting still is a barrier at times, and she is just beginning real composition. We have a book from the Calvert school that Aunt Dot sent to us that has lots of fables and questions in it - we've used that, and also some of the poetry from it for copywork.
Reading - books, poetry and rhymes. plurals, tenses, etc... too many to list, but we are active in searching out books to introduce her to, read with her, etc etc...I have bought several 'old school' textbooks that are on her reading level, and we've read them sometimes when she doesn't have something else she is 'into' and we haven't finished. She has her own library card now, and we have went often. She likes the chapter books from Franny K. Stein and also the Stink Moody series, they are fun. We've read some Charlotte's Web, and I have Half-Magic and Little House in the Big Woods on reserve, but I don't want to start more than two chapter books at a time.
Handwriting: 'the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog', for copywork, mixed with other sentences and copying names of dragons, etc.. She has a perfectionism tendency...but once in a while she lets me correct her and I do see her improving steadily.
'English': First, things that come up, like homonyms she doesn't understand, or capitalization and punctuation while we are writing some sentences. Second, 'voice' in reading actually falls under this, I believe - because once you understand how sentences in books flow, the punctuation and forms come easier. Third, identifying
Math with : Khan Academy, Matific and using specific games online that make her think about math while she is playing them - multiples, scarcity, probability etc... She has done the Dragonbox algebra prep for age 5 and up from start to finish. We also downloaded and used Math Stretch as a mobile app and some calculation apps for basic addition/subtraction. We started with multiplication tables up to 10x10 earlier in the year and very simple division with fractions (circle pizzas) and regular numbers (counters/word problems). Still working on the 11/2 is 5 and a half TWICE... maybe find some materials for that or make a prop to help.
Math / Geometry : Matific and Khan again, and trying to put some hands-on in there. Also have used Solid shape Geometry worksheets from Mathworksheets4Kids which she is ready for. Making PVC items from our kit works in here, too. Math Salamanders 3D solid nets
Science:
Asking questions and finding answers - researching for information, creating tests and recording the results. Started with the Chemistry cards at Pinay Homeschooler, introducing them 9 at a time (page) and talking about them. She is picking up on the ideas with the pictures and categories much better than she did with just the letters. We have done lots of experiments, ones she found online and some we got from a Lowes kit, oobleck and such. For nature science she is learning a lot about different animals and environments, how to prepare and care for different pets and animals and learning about plants with her greenhouse. When it was warmer we went for lots of nature walks around the house and answered her questions as they came up.
places to investigate more, GeoDetective , Try Engineering and Edheads
Geography:
Started her out playing World Explorer map geography game at the library. She didn't really believe all of these other places could be real at first - thought it was just stories. We have three hallway maps, bought and from National Geographics. We are using National Geos and youtube videos to investigate different places, the animals and people who live there, as well as tectonic plates, volcanoes and etc... We printed out a map from Printable maps and put it up on her wall, for us to fill it out and color it in as we learn from the other maps.
History
We had her watch Liberty's Kids from start to finish, and have talked about history in general, where people lived, where they moved to, Columbus discovering America, wars, Indians and the settlers - taking little bits as she is interested in them. She has played the Civlization game with me and it gives some good ideas that people had to learn things slowly etc.. I think once she has a better idea about the world in general- from our geography studies and relating those studies to history and people, she will be ready to take on more lessons.
Languages: She did a little modern Greek online at the beginning...waned off of that and it became too much of a chore. She agreed recently she should go back and learn it some more. BUT - she had remembered several words all this time!
Photography, Video : She has used our smaller camera, printed out the photos with me at the store - and is learning to take photos and video on the tablet.
Computer interface: A lot of the games, Minecraft, PBS kids etc that she plays fall under this. She is really good (and has been for years, really) at figuring things out to play complicated games. Now, she is learning from them, learning how to look things up about them and really getting into them for strategy and quests.
Other supplies:
Electric Company series videos
Blue Planet series videos
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood (on Youtube)
SnapCircuits electronic building kit
art with Joy of Painting videos, art supplies with Mom
other building kits we picked up long ago...Da Vinci and so forth
mancala and dominoes, checkers and dice
balltrack building kit
Knex and Lego
dolls and figurines, making up stories
Scrabble and Monopoly
paper, glue, scissors, yarn, macaroni, beads etc.. making things
simple cooking with Mom and Dad, measuring etc.
weighing with a balance scale
woodcrafting with Mom and Dad
candlemaking with Mom
sewing and weaving lessons with Mom
rollerskating, weight lifting, running laps and general exercises
taking care of her chickens, puppy, cats
cleaning up after herself, putting away clothes, organizing desk etc.
Specific materials I've sourced for her:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Books from The New Basic Readers collection (several years ago), Fun with our Friends etc.
-----she has almost outgrown these, now - but will keep them for a while
-----There are two other similar books 'Up and Away', and 'Seeing New Things'. That last one is a science book. They were both from library sales.
Library discard sales:
Sun and Shadow (1982 primer book 'Level 4'...of 1st grade, perhaps? it doesn't say)
Pets and Promises (1980 primer book - listed as 2nd grade level 1) , seems more difficult than the other one.
Books from the 1979 Childcraft How Why Library - we have four now, one from my original set (Indian Book), the Story of the Sea, Things we Make and Rhymes and Poems. Probably will add more as we go.
Power Pack and Supergirl comic books
A book called 'the Car', on the history and construction of the car, also car racing.
A topographical map showing mountains, volcanoes and ocean currents.
was going to buy a world political map - but found one at the big box for 5.00
The Half Magic, Charlotte's Web and Little House in the Big Woods books
A compass and binocular multitoy from Toysmith called Optic Wonder
A vintage Speak and Spell
candle molds
Seeds for her gardening projects, dianthus, cockscomb, geranium and herbs.
Spelling : K12 reader list of spelling words We are using the first grade spelling words as 'spell it from hearing it' and the third grade spelling words as vocabulary and copywork. I have a 1968 spelling primer 'Language Mastery Primer' that I bought at a library sale we are using, as well. We picked up a 1.00 dictionary for her to learn to use, at the same place.
Reading Comprehension : k5 Learning Reading Comprehension This is a hard one to find something simple enough for her writing ability but tough enough for her logic capability. She can read a lot more complicated items, but her handwriting still is a barrier at times, and she is just beginning real composition. We have a book from the Calvert school that Aunt Dot sent to us that has lots of fables and questions in it - we've used that, and also some of the poetry from it for copywork.
Reading - books, poetry and rhymes. plurals, tenses, etc... too many to list, but we are active in searching out books to introduce her to, read with her, etc etc...I have bought several 'old school' textbooks that are on her reading level, and we've read them sometimes when she doesn't have something else she is 'into' and we haven't finished. She has her own library card now, and we have went often. She likes the chapter books from Franny K. Stein and also the Stink Moody series, they are fun. We've read some Charlotte's Web, and I have Half-Magic and Little House in the Big Woods on reserve, but I don't want to start more than two chapter books at a time.
Handwriting: 'the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog', for copywork, mixed with other sentences and copying names of dragons, etc.. She has a perfectionism tendency...but once in a while she lets me correct her and I do see her improving steadily.
'English': First, things that come up, like homonyms she doesn't understand, or capitalization and punctuation while we are writing some sentences. Second, 'voice' in reading actually falls under this, I believe - because once you understand how sentences in books flow, the punctuation and forms come easier. Third, identifying
Math with : Khan Academy, Matific and using specific games online that make her think about math while she is playing them - multiples, scarcity, probability etc... She has done the Dragonbox algebra prep for age 5 and up from start to finish. We also downloaded and used Math Stretch as a mobile app and some calculation apps for basic addition/subtraction. We started with multiplication tables up to 10x10 earlier in the year and very simple division with fractions (circle pizzas) and regular numbers (counters/word problems). Still working on the 11/2 is 5 and a half TWICE... maybe find some materials for that or make a prop to help.
Math / Geometry : Matific and Khan again, and trying to put some hands-on in there. Also have used Solid shape Geometry worksheets from Mathworksheets4Kids which she is ready for. Making PVC items from our kit works in here, too. Math Salamanders 3D solid nets
Science:
Asking questions and finding answers - researching for information, creating tests and recording the results. Started with the Chemistry cards at Pinay Homeschooler, introducing them 9 at a time (page) and talking about them. She is picking up on the ideas with the pictures and categories much better than she did with just the letters. We have done lots of experiments, ones she found online and some we got from a Lowes kit, oobleck and such. For nature science she is learning a lot about different animals and environments, how to prepare and care for different pets and animals and learning about plants with her greenhouse. When it was warmer we went for lots of nature walks around the house and answered her questions as they came up.
places to investigate more, GeoDetective , Try Engineering and Edheads
Geography:
Started her out playing World Explorer map geography game at the library. She didn't really believe all of these other places could be real at first - thought it was just stories. We have three hallway maps, bought and from National Geographics. We are using National Geos and youtube videos to investigate different places, the animals and people who live there, as well as tectonic plates, volcanoes and etc... We printed out a map from Printable maps and put it up on her wall, for us to fill it out and color it in as we learn from the other maps.
History
We had her watch Liberty's Kids from start to finish, and have talked about history in general, where people lived, where they moved to, Columbus discovering America, wars, Indians and the settlers - taking little bits as she is interested in them. She has played the Civlization game with me and it gives some good ideas that people had to learn things slowly etc.. I think once she has a better idea about the world in general- from our geography studies and relating those studies to history and people, she will be ready to take on more lessons.
Languages: She did a little modern Greek online at the beginning...waned off of that and it became too much of a chore. She agreed recently she should go back and learn it some more. BUT - she had remembered several words all this time!
Photography, Video : She has used our smaller camera, printed out the photos with me at the store - and is learning to take photos and video on the tablet.
Computer interface: A lot of the games, Minecraft, PBS kids etc that she plays fall under this. She is really good (and has been for years, really) at figuring things out to play complicated games. Now, she is learning from them, learning how to look things up about them and really getting into them for strategy and quests.
Other supplies:
Electric Company series videos
Blue Planet series videos
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood (on Youtube)
SnapCircuits electronic building kit
art with Joy of Painting videos, art supplies with Mom
other building kits we picked up long ago...Da Vinci and so forth
mancala and dominoes, checkers and dice
balltrack building kit
Knex and Lego
dolls and figurines, making up stories
Scrabble and Monopoly
paper, glue, scissors, yarn, macaroni, beads etc.. making things
simple cooking with Mom and Dad, measuring etc.
weighing with a balance scale
woodcrafting with Mom and Dad
candlemaking with Mom
sewing and weaving lessons with Mom
rollerskating, weight lifting, running laps and general exercises
taking care of her chickens, puppy, cats
cleaning up after herself, putting away clothes, organizing desk etc.
Specific materials I've sourced for her:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Books from The New Basic Readers collection (several years ago), Fun with our Friends etc.
-----she has almost outgrown these, now - but will keep them for a while
-----There are two other similar books 'Up and Away', and 'Seeing New Things'. That last one is a science book. They were both from library sales.
Library discard sales:
Sun and Shadow (1982 primer book 'Level 4'...of 1st grade, perhaps? it doesn't say)
Pets and Promises (1980 primer book - listed as 2nd grade level 1) , seems more difficult than the other one.
Books from the 1979 Childcraft How Why Library - we have four now, one from my original set (Indian Book), the Story of the Sea, Things we Make and Rhymes and Poems. Probably will add more as we go.
Power Pack and Supergirl comic books
A book called 'the Car', on the history and construction of the car, also car racing.
A topographical map showing mountains, volcanoes and ocean currents.
was going to buy a world political map - but found one at the big box for 5.00
The Half Magic, Charlotte's Web and Little House in the Big Woods books
A compass and binocular multitoy from Toysmith called Optic Wonder
A vintage Speak and Spell
candle molds
Seeds for her gardening projects, dianthus, cockscomb, geranium and herbs.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Mixie Eingeering Primary School core values
thoughts.. haven't gotten these 'approved by the board' yet *heh*
We are still on official break - and tomorrow should be a full day of school again
Mixie Engineering Primary School
is about:
Asking questions:
---and learning HOW to find answers.
---Reading and Writing
---Math and Science
---Building and Engineering
---Art, music, history, learning new skills
Trying hard:
---not giving up
---and working together for goals.
Meeting People in our Community:
---learning from each other
---changing the world around us for the better
"Tell me I can do this again, especially as I have thus already begun."
Being the nature of me, I have worries that we can do this right - get everybody working together and keep progress up. I've read some unschooling things.. the flavor is right, being child-led, but we still need to direct here and there, especially early on here where her anxiety and fear of failure are still high from the bad school year.
I found a few great reasources to try
Daria world music
engineersweek.ie - they have a water pump idea with Archimede's screw I could see us working on
I remember Esme points at that one Astronomy book every time she sees it in the library..
Audio book reports? as a step before written ones?
Making a choice calendar big enough where she can reach it - we set some of them - reading/writing park day etc, and she can set others like Art and Music as we go...
We are still on official break - and tomorrow should be a full day of school again
Mixie Engineering Primary School
is about:
Asking questions:
---and learning HOW to find answers.
---Reading and Writing
---Math and Science
---Building and Engineering
---Art, music, history, learning new skills
Trying hard:
---not giving up
---and working together for goals.
Meeting People in our Community:
---learning from each other
---changing the world around us for the better
"Tell me I can do this again, especially as I have thus already begun."
Being the nature of me, I have worries that we can do this right - get everybody working together and keep progress up. I've read some unschooling things.. the flavor is right, being child-led, but we still need to direct here and there, especially early on here where her anxiety and fear of failure are still high from the bad school year.
I found a few great reasources to try
Daria world music
engineersweek.ie - they have a water pump idea with Archimede's screw I could see us working on
I remember Esme points at that one Astronomy book every time she sees it in the library..
Audio book reports? as a step before written ones?
Making a choice calendar big enough where she can reach it - we set some of them - reading/writing park day etc, and she can set others like Art and Music as we go...
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Homeschool prep - books and curriculum
Planning out some 'curriculum' that will last her for years to come, whether or not we do the homeschooling track.
Reading:
have:
The New We Three (1960s reading book dick and jane book 3rd in series)
Fun with Our Friends (dick and jane type book 1st in series) (coming in mail)
Dr.Seuss - Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, Green Eggs and Ham, The Nose book, Ten Apples up on Top, If I ran the Zoo (a few more)
Bernstein Bears - The Hat Book
lots of other things - computer, printouts, letter tiles/scrabble game, Electric Company videos
want:
More Fun with Our Friends ("" book 2nd book)
any other Dr.Seuss' we come across
Science
have:
Seeing New Things (1955 one of a large collection called "singer science series") very nice subjects covered - I'm sold and want the others!
Grandma got for Christmas :) thank you!
Cat in the Hat's: Inside your Outside (beginning body/anatomy book) (Esme loves)
Cat in the Hat's: A Map on My Lap
going to get soon:
Cat in the Hat's: There's no Place like Space
have:
Solar System easy reader level 2
Dinosaurs easy readers: level 1 and 2 (coming in mail)
anatomy chart of bones with names on it (coming in mail)
want to get:
Smithsonian solar system book
want to build a solar system model for her
weather and seasons books - one of the singer books is on this
earth science and physical science - singer books have each
book about tools, hammers, saws, shovels, rakes etc...
how plants grow book, how we make food book
book about inventions and mechanical things
Math
have:
Mama Cat Tells Time book with a clock in it
pattern blocks and worksheets for them.
mancala, dominoes, go fish, playing cards
thinking about and looking for:
book about money
book about platonic solids and 2D shapes
Spelling and/or Writing
I think they want a book on this, but I am using letter tiles and computer printouts and hooking it into reading practice right now.... and the dry erase board Grandma got her she is practicing more letters.
Problem Solving
manipulatives like blocks, pipe parts
Spanish
I might have to look into some Dora books here... to supplement the Youtube and Pocoyo videos
Art
watercolor paints and paper
playdough
beads, tissue paper, pipecleaners, glue projects
computer paint program
Social science
have:
USA puzzles (2)
looking for:
Book and/or coloring book about U.S. monuments
Book about families, brothers and sisters etc...
book about towns, roads and the buildings/services in them
Book about school (besides Morris the Moose, which we have)
Books about jobs - farmer/doctor/nurse/mechanic/cook etc etc..
Nature
Fish identification book, have one she likes
bird identification book for kids - find a good one?
Going on a Tree Hunt: A Tree Identification Book for Young Children by Judi Stinz Bird
Thornton Burgess Bird Book for Children and online resources
Edward Dolch book Friendly Birds
Reading:
have:
The New We Three (1960s reading book dick and jane book 3rd in series)
Fun with Our Friends (dick and jane type book 1st in series) (coming in mail)
Dr.Seuss - Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop, Green Eggs and Ham, The Nose book, Ten Apples up on Top, If I ran the Zoo (a few more)
Bernstein Bears - The Hat Book
lots of other things - computer, printouts, letter tiles/scrabble game, Electric Company videos
want:
More Fun with Our Friends ("" book 2nd book)
any other Dr.Seuss' we come across
Science
have:
Seeing New Things (1955 one of a large collection called "singer science series") very nice subjects covered - I'm sold and want the others!
Grandma got for Christmas :) thank you!
Cat in the Hat's: Inside your Outside (beginning body/anatomy book) (Esme loves)
Cat in the Hat's: A Map on My Lap
going to get soon:
Cat in the Hat's: There's no Place like Space
have:
Solar System easy reader level 2
Dinosaurs easy readers: level 1 and 2 (coming in mail)
anatomy chart of bones with names on it (coming in mail)
want to get:
Smithsonian solar system book
want to build a solar system model for her
weather and seasons books - one of the singer books is on this
earth science and physical science - singer books have each
book about tools, hammers, saws, shovels, rakes etc...
how plants grow book, how we make food book
book about inventions and mechanical things
Math
have:
Mama Cat Tells Time book with a clock in it
pattern blocks and worksheets for them.
mancala, dominoes, go fish, playing cards
thinking about and looking for:
book about money
book about platonic solids and 2D shapes
Spelling and/or Writing
I think they want a book on this, but I am using letter tiles and computer printouts and hooking it into reading practice right now.... and the dry erase board Grandma got her she is practicing more letters.
Problem Solving
manipulatives like blocks, pipe parts
Spanish
I might have to look into some Dora books here... to supplement the Youtube and Pocoyo videos
Art
watercolor paints and paper
playdough
beads, tissue paper, pipecleaners, glue projects
computer paint program
Social science
have:
USA puzzles (2)
looking for:
Book and/or coloring book about U.S. monuments
Book about families, brothers and sisters etc...
book about towns, roads and the buildings/services in them
Book about school (besides Morris the Moose, which we have)
Books about jobs - farmer/doctor/nurse/mechanic/cook etc etc..
Nature
Fish identification book, have one she likes
bird identification book for kids - find a good one?
Going on a Tree Hunt: A Tree Identification Book for Young Children by Judi Stinz Bird
Thornton Burgess Bird Book for Children and online resources
Edward Dolch book Friendly Birds
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