How does this sound for my first grader?

[fortheboys]

So here is what I am thinking about using for my first grader. He is considered (by the public school) highly gifted and is currently not being challenged AT ALL! I won't even tell you what we are using now...I am so embarrassed to say! Also, we work with out states distance education academy so I do have to work a bit with their requirements etc...

So here goes:

ETC-book three (This really is just fun fluff for him...)
HWOT-this is killing him right now...so easy! I make him do 1 to 2 pages three times a week.
STOW 1
Shurley English
A Family of Poems by Caroline Kennedy for poetry (I am SO STINKING excited about this...memorizing poetry how awesome is that!?)
and about math....I am torn between Saxon and Excel. I am leaning more towards excel. We have tried Math U See and RightStart but neither of those worked for us.

Now for the questions (I am sure that you have been waiting for those!)...
I would like to find a fun...simple and easy art study for the not so artsy, that can be done sporadically at best! I love to craft and the like but my dc DO NOT! I am also not sure how to accomplish "copy work?" And I am also not sure about Science...I am thinking about the Usborne book... With all the Language and phonics stuff going on, what do I do for spelling...if anything?

I also have a K'er who will be continuing in ETC and Phonics Pathways. In regards to history, science art and music he will just come alongside with his brother.

Anything I am missing...point it out! I thought that I had this homeschool thing wired...but alas I DO NOT!

ETA: I also need to find a good supplement to our Bible reading...we are starting in Genesis (again) and reading through our children's bible. AND...if I am reading thing correctly there is a book list in SOTW right? If not...I will need to find a good book list. (But I think that that won't be a problem...)

[one l michele]

Make sure he's reading well (at least a 3rd+ grade level). Reading is always my primary goal in 1st.

Is he reading daily (with you listening) and being read to?

I would start cursive.

Does he enjoy the ETC books? My 1st grader enjoys them, so I keep buying them, but he really doesn't "need them". He does 4 pages a day.

Wait until he's reading well and possibly done with the ETC books to start spelling, then combine spelling dictation sentences and personal word lists.

I don't think formal grammar or writing is necessary at this age.

Print the samples of the math programs, go through them like you are preparing to teach them the next school day, go with the one that you can picture yourself teaching.

For art we love Art Adventures at Home. It's reasonably priced, covers three years of art, and uses supplies most of us have or can easily pick up on our next grocery run.

No help with Science, we love our program, but it's out of print.

How about logic such as the Dandylion Logic series and Puzzlemania books?

[Wendy B.]

I would like to find a fun...simple and easy art study for the not so artsy, that can be done sporadically at best! I love to craft and the like but my dc DO NOT!


My non crafty 6yo has actually been enjoying Artistic Pursuits (http://www.artisticpursuits.com/). Simple and easy to use.

[fortheboys]

I am thinking that I want to go with Saxon for math. I just gave both the boys the placement test. They are both in Math 1. I think that DS6 might be able to start in the middle...but I will probably start them together. For spelling I am thinking about SpellWell...not sure yet though. Still unsure about science...

[arcara]

For science, my 1st grader is REALLY enjoying the animal lapbooks from www.homeschoolshare.com (http://www.homeschoolshare.com). They are free. They have info with them and suggested reading lists. We're learning a lot! These aren't just 'fluff' projects! They require a good bit of writing. My dd does all of the writing unless the space is too small for the info (she still writes pretty big). You could always write while you're dc dictates to you if the writing is too much. Anyway, just an idea... :)

Good luck!