Praying about homeschooling for K in the Fall

Rgalvan - posted on 04/08/2009

PS: our little one is in the first grade and is reading and writing (in cursive and manuscript).  WE LOVE IT!

Rgalvan - posted on 04/08/2009

I dont have any info on ACE, only ABeka.   I'd like to encourage you... You are the teacher.  Your classtime can be as long or as short as you need.  Remember, the beauty of homeschool is the liberty of it conforming it to the needs of your children.  WeI taught our son (who is now 23 years old) with the ABeka curriculum, it was wonderful.  ABeka is known for 2 things; a rich bible curriculum and a rich reading curriculum.  We loved it.  In fact, after our son was 17, we had 2 more daughters who are now ages 3 and 7.  They are already in the ABecka homeschool. 

Sonja - posted on 04/01/2009

Hey. Kindergarten was my favorite year. So many things to discover! I would not go really big with my curriculum that year. Enjoy it! I used a great book called Learning at Home by Ann Ward. Great creative ideas about teaching different stuff. It is out of print but you can get it used and it is not that expensive.

Stephanie - posted on 03/23/2009

I have appreciated reading all the comments!  For the first time, when thinking of what we were going to do w/ our son, I don't get sick in my stomach and feel like I am stuck. We have decided to go through w/ the homeschooling BUT are still deciding which curriculum to use.  Thanks for all the posts.  I am taking notes to look up each piece of advice:-) Thanks!

Jill - posted on 03/23/2009

My children all used BJU for their Kindergarted curriculum. Then we switched to A-beka, apologia for science. BJU took about 2 hours and has the curriculum layed right out for you.

Iris - posted on 03/16/2009

I do ACE and my son enjoyed it. They give you plans to follow. We did not do all of the activities and such but we did do all the paces they had we learned our letters numbers and they get some science and learn Bible verses. The stories had great lessons for him to learn like how to solve a problem sharing and such. And it does not take more than an hour or two. They have a time schedule thing but that is for if you have a class room but with one kid it does not take long for the lesson plans to do the work. My son this year is in the first grade with ACE and it still only takes an hour and a half to two hours. On some days only an hour. It is great because I have four kids he is the oldest. They say by the time they reach second grade the goal is to have them reading then if you have another child you can start the older one and work with the other one. They also work at there own pace. Allowing for them to go at there own pace faster in some things slower in others or what ever. In kindergarden they need more direction. So next year i will be able to start my older son and work with the other one more. And probably do school in the afternoon while the younger two nap. My kids are close in age they are 7yo, 5 yo, 3yo and 11 months. I have one kid starting school every other year. It is also not too expensive. Which is very important to us. Since eventually we will have four to get books for. I am keeping the teacher books cds and cards nice so that then all i have to do is order the paces. Which will save in money there.

Amy - posted on 03/15/2009

This year I am homeschooling 2 of my 4, in grades 1 and 3. Next year my 3rd will join us in K. So far I still don't homeschool for more than 2 hours a day so I can imagine that kindergarten will not take more than an hour/day. Maybe a little more some days, maybe a little less. Really they only go to public school for an 2.5 hours/day so homeschooling should be less. 

We use a little of everything and I would suggest using this year to get familiar with what is out there and what will work for your family. I love SIngapore for Math. My kids love the workbooks and they are inexpensive. We also use Spelling Workout (for Spelling), but I am going to look into Rod and Staff for that as I have one daughter who has a horrible time with spelling and she might be more suited to the way they teach it. For Socials and Science I usually buy a guidebook, but then I still make up the curriculum. Books from the library and activities on the internet to print off are good options for those subjects. For English we use Just Write and A Reason for Handwriting. 

Remember that just because you start with one doesn't mean you have to finish it if it doesn't suit your family/child. Look to see what works for you. Also many curriculums offer free samples so you can look at it and try a lesson before you order it. 

The most important thing is to HAVE FUN! Kids learn more when they enjoy it.

J - posted on 03/15/2009

Hi Stephanie! :) I am in the same boat. Don't have any advice, but I have also heard from a few different places that K is about 1 1/2 hours or so per day.