Am I missing anything for 1st next fall?

[gamommy]

Here are my tentative curric. choices and schedule for next year. We're relative newbies to all of this (began h/s last January). Is this complete and reasonable? Dd is not a terribly motivated student so I don't want to bite off more than we can chew.

Math: Singapore 1B/2A (tested out of 1A, using textbooks and IP)
*should I get the CWP?
Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting
Spelling: AVKO sequential spelling1
Phonics: MCP Plaid level A *New to series is this a good placement after
after completing 100EZL?
Grammar: FLL
Reading: various primers for dd to read orally, other reading suggestions
from WTM and SOTW
History: SOTW vol1 and AG
Science: some animals, human body, an plants as suggested in WTM
*tossed between using materials from Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Life-3-textbook-set,5457,191.aspx
or just getting Kingfisher type references and exploring on our
own
Bible: ??? any ideas for a simple one

Our tentative schedule: (are time expectations reasonable?)
Math: M-F 30 mins
History: MWF 45 mins
Science: T/Th 30 mins
Language Arts: 1hr, 20 minutes
Spelling: M-F 15 min
Phonics: MWF 15 min
Handwriting: T/Th 15 min
Grammar: M-Th 20 min
Reading: M-F 30 min (dd read orally on T/Th for 15 min)

Thanks for any feedback!
Beth

[Another Lynn]

Looks great! I assume when you wrote Language Arts for 1hr. 20 min. you then give us the break out of that time - you are not expecting to do another 1hr 20min on top of everything else, right? (just checking). I'll only comment on things I *think* I *know* about.

Reading - this is very personal to the child's reading level. If your daughter is ready for 30 min. of silent reading everyday - that is fantastic! and I'm guessing way above level? My oldest was "below" grade level at that point so my experience won't be relevant. My point is that only you will know if she's ready to read for that length of time and if she's ready to read silently.

Science - I have the Kingfisher Encyclopedia for Science and have rarely used it. I don't think it would be very appealing. I would rely on the library for science books at this age (or use God's Design from AIG as a "spine" and a resource for you - reading aloud what seems appropriate). Also keep an eye out for "Let's Read and Find Out" books. They are really nice picture books with lots of good science information.

Bible - We have The Golden Children's Bible. The text is great (imho), but the NT pictures depict a blonde Jesus, which is a little annoying to me. Another great book at this age is Leading Little Ones to God. If she likes workbook type stuff you might check out the STudying God's Word series from CHristian Liberty Press.

Happy 1st grade - that is so exciting!

[Pata]

Looks good to me, very similar to what we are doing for first grade.

For Singapore: I highly reccommend purchasing the CWP's! They really help cement the thinking processes used in Singapore. I would use them over the IP, but that's just my opinion.

Phonics: MCP plaid level A is going to be very basic, since you've finished 100EZ you may want to look at level B instead. You can see samples of both here (http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=mcp+phonics&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1).

Bible: We are using Leading Little Ones to God through Sonlight you could use that or just read through a story bible, like Vos or Ergermeier's.

I'm sure you guys will have a great year! Hope that helps.

[mommyoftwinboys]

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this thread:001_unsure: I'm a new homeschooler this year(twin 1st grade boys) and I'm following WTM suggestions this year. I don't remember in the book that they recommended a phonics program and FLL...am I wrong? I haven't recieved my order yet so I haven't had a chance to look over FLL but is it not a grammer and phonics program?
Thanks so much for any help you can give me!

[Mallory]

While your focus may be different, at this age most people would say focus on the 3 R's.

So I would say you need to do phonics and handwriting every day.

For my kids this would also be a bit much, and it sounds like you think that might be the case too. I try to keep my 1st graders day around an hour long + read alounds.

I would recommend

Math- 30
Phonics-20
Handwriting-10

Then for History, Science, and Bible another hour or so of read alouds. Of course my kids often want to do the maps and projects for History and Science, but they are optional at this age. I would also try to slip her reading into this time, so it is something I do with mom, not a school subject. Even if you are popcorn reading a book (where you each take turns reading a page) she will be getting lots of practice.

I would wait on the grammar and spelling. If you decide you can do more then later you can move through FLL quickly, or even if you don't do any until 3rd grade or later, she'll catch up just fine.

I also see some contradictions in the reading things you have scheduled. Most kids whose reading level is only at the end of 100EZL, are not ready for much independant reading. If her reading level is much farther than that, then she might not need phonics, only spelling and reading, or at least should be able to start MCP higher then level A.


mommyoftwinboys- I think they do use it with OPGTTR, which is a phonics program. But after your child finishes that, they recommend FLL and a spelling program.

[mommyoftwinboys]

Thanks Mallory!

[Pencil Pusher]

Math: Singapore 1B/2A (tested out of 1A, using textbooks and IP)
*should I get the CWP?--We just used the workbook & text, but lots of people rec the extra stuff.
Handwriting: A Reason for Handwriting
Spelling: AVKO sequential spelling1--I'm pretty sure this is at the 3rd g level. We tried it in 1st, too, lol, & I loved it, but we ended up saving it. We'll try again this yr.
Phonics: MCP Plaid level A *New to series is this a good placement after
after completing 100EZL?
Grammar: FLL
Reading: various primers for dd to read orally, other reading suggestions from WTM and SOTW
History: SOTW vol1 and AG--love, love, love this
Science: some animals, human body, an plants as suggested in WTM
*tossed between using materials from Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Gods-Design-for-Life-3-textbook-set,5457,191.aspx
or just getting Kingfisher type references and exploring on our ownBible: ??? any ideas for a simple one--I like the Usborne 1st Encyclopedias: the reading passage is short & conducive to adding from the library, & there are fun internet links.

Our tentative schedule: (are time expectations reasonable?)--sure, but as many times as I've made schedules like this, I don't stick to them, lol. But that's a whole 'nother can of worms!
Math: M-F 30 mins
History: MWF 45 mins
Science: T/Th 30 mins
Language Arts: 1hr, 20 minutes
Spelling: M-F 15 min
Phonics: MWF 15 min
Handwriting: T/Th 15 min
Grammar: M-Th 20 min
Reading: M-F 30 min (dd read orally on T/Th for 15 min)

[TarponGirl]

I am no expert, being through 1st grade only 2x now, but these are my observations:

1. For many of us, when we were just beginning we were quite excited and highly motivated and no one was really going to talk us into slowing down or curtailing our schedule. :lol:
That being said here are my 2 pennies about 1st grade....

2. I would totally encourage skipping the spelling until your dd is close to being done with phonics instruction... at least another year or so. If you just can't tear yourself away from the idea of teaching spelling, I would recommend a program that does not depend on *daily* testing like AVKO does.

3. For Singapore we really like the CWP books. It teaches another way to approach arithmetic problems whereas the IP book is just extra practice for each topic in the general books.

4. Although FLL is recommended for this age, do not be discouraged if your dd struggles with it. I know many of us have used it successfully and it is a great product, however after trying to teach the basics of grammar to 2 students I have come to the conclusion that it is simply too abstract of a subject for (some) children this young. If it doesn't work out, feel no shame in putting it on the shelf for a few months and trying again later. Personally, I have decided to take a different route in the future and skip grammar until the student is older. I only mention this because after years of reading posts on this board and others, it is a common occurrence to see Moms frustrated with grammar when the student is quite young.

You sound really excited and are more than prepared! Well done on your thorough approach. Like others have mentioned here and in the past, the "3R"s truly are the important part of your day at this stage. I kindly suggest getting them done first and ordering your days around them based on the enthusiasm of your dd. You don't want to make the mistake of overwhelming your student with your own excitement (BTDT) and snuff out the wonder of learning. No harm done if a first grader cannot recite all of the Egyptian pharaohs! Enjoy!
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[kls126s]

That looks a lot like what we are doing as well.

I will add what we are doing for Bible - I second the pp suggestion of using Leading Little Ones to God. I bought a used copy (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0802840299/ref=lp_g_3) through Amazon and I've been very impressed with it. I asked my husband to look over it - (pastor, PhD in Theology) and he said it looked like a great book for introducing solid basic theology to little ones.

You could put a Bible with it, since the LLOTG lessons are very short. The Vos or Egermeier Bibles are both good, but we chose to do the Jesus Storybook Bible (http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214930092&sr=8-1) this year. This is a fabulous book to use for youngers to help them grasp the big picture of the Bible. From the intro - "The Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done." We read two stories every day and just start over when we finish. We'll probably do that several times until it's cemented, and then go on to Egermeier. My future plans are to do Explorer's Bible study (http://www.explorerbiblestudy.org/store.php?act=view_series&series_id=1084386736) next year.

HTH! Have a fun year...

[Darcy from LWM3B]

My not-professional advice:

Pitch the spelling. Focus on phonics and lots of read alouds. Pick up spelling again in 3rd.

FLL is grammar - not phonics or spelling. Plan on it being 5 min only 3-4 times a week. Anymore than that and you'll crash and burn by Jan. 6 yo's don't need a lot of grammar, IMO.

I would add in copywork - 1 sentence. 5-10 min a day.

Definitely do CWP. Buy book 1 and start about 3 mo into your schoolwork. This is worth it! But stagger it out a few months to let your student get used to Singapore. And I think you should do 1a anyway. It'll be a quick run through, and it'll build confidence while learning how the program works. The confidence and "I can do this" spirit gained may save you months of agony later. 1a may be simple, but it's a smart program and it builds on itself. Even if you skip PM 1a, do IP 1a along with the text. You'll be glad you did.

I've only done 1st grade with two boys, so I'm not an expert, but I'd reduce your time. 6 year olds needs lots of time to be 6.
20 min math daily
15 min phonics daily
30-45 min read alouds and lit and tons of books choices daily
15-20 min of History 3-4x a week
5 min grammar 3x week
5-10 min copywork daily
20 min of science 2-3x week

First grade shouldn't take more than 2 hrs, broken up. Really.

You're going to have a GREAT year. :)

[CMama]

I don't know that these are necessarily simple, but if you like AiG maybe...

Firm Foundations: Children's Edition (http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Firm-Foundations-Childrens-Edition-Teachers-Guides,4470,241.aspx) or Answers for Kids Series (http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Answers-for-Kids-Complete-Curriculum-Set,5177,237.aspx)

I haven't used either but I think that I may in the future.

Melissa

[gamommy]

Thanks for all of the help and insight!

After lots of advice I will get the CWP to go with our Singapore. I think that I will hold off on Spelling to begin with and do some extra phonics after considering it further. I also appreciate the tips with FLL. We're going to start it, but will shelf it for a bit if it gets too tedious.

The reason for the broader approach with a significant amount of History and Science time is that I confined my dd to the basics last year in K (handwriting, reading/phonics, and math only). She was NOT impressed with me as she has two older sisters (7th and 5th this fall) and could not wait to get to do everything they did. She'll be doing ancients along side her 5th grade sister, though at a different level of course. Plus her Dad is a science teacher so she can't wait to really be allowed to study it formally.

I'm sure I through it you all off when I said she wasn't terribly motivated in my original post. I guess I could more accurately say she's 'selectively' motivated.

We began h/sing in January. Dh teaches highschool science and I am a trained elementary and preschool teacher. I struggle to break away from my educational roots and training with all of this. Much of our education/training really doesn't apply at home. I want to be a mom first and a teacher second.

Thanks for your help!