What do you consider the "core" subjects to be?

[Closeacademy]

I've noticed that this word gets tossed around. And I am just wondering what everyone considers the "core" subjects to be.

Personally, for Pre-K to 2nd grade I see the core as being phonics, math and penmanship.

For 3rd to 6th, it would be grammar/Latin, composition, spelling/vocabulary and mathematics.

For 7th and beyond, it would be composition in relation to research, the hard sciences, advanced mathematics and cultural literacy (being aquainted with literature, history and such).

What do you think? What is it for you?:)

[BMC]

all else can follow from that foundation, or picked up from that base

[JenneinAZ]

English, Math and Music

Music is because I am paying for lessons and I am unwilling to throw money away.

[Karen in CO]

Starting with math, phonics, and penmanship.
Then math, reading, writing

Once those are down, then we use them in context of other subjects - read, write and do math in relation to history and science.

If you don't have the basics or the core, then the rest of education is much harder than it should be.

[chiguirre]

For K-2, the essentials are reading, handwriting and arithmetic. I've learned that ds needs both phonics and sight reading and treat them as 2 subjects now, but that is very child specific so YMMV. I think you also need to include some reading aloud and exploration to foment an interest in learning, but the content is up to you. IMHO, that's what makes hsing so attractive.

For 3-5, I'd like to focus on reading comprehension, basic composition and arithmetic. The 3Rs, but at a higher level. At this age, kids should be exploring interesting topics more independently. The topic isn't as important as finding sources and using them to learn what you want.

I'm not sure what my view is of higher grade essentials right now, but I'm sure I'll get lots of good ideas from more experienced WTMers.

[Alana in Canada]

Interesting.

Grammar Stage:

Pre-writing skils:
Penmanship
Spelling
Narrations
Grammar

Writing;
Narratives

Arithmetic

Reading

Logic/Dialectical

Writing:
Compare and Contrast
Outlining
Spelling,
Grammar

Logic

Arithmetic

Reading
and analysis.

Rhetoric:
Writing--all kinds, but mostly the persuasive essay.

Mathematics: Algebra, Geometry

Logic

Reading: The Classics

I want to give this some more thought!

[OhElizabeth]

Math and LA.

[KIN]

So far, K-2, our core subjects are math and language arts (which for us is mostly Spell to Write and Read). We will be bumping up our Latin studies next year as we move into LCI as well as adding writing to our LA core.

Edited to add:

I also consider Bible and music (piano) core subjects for us. We do these daily along with the 3-R's.

[Heather in NC]

For the little guy:
Math
Reading
Handwriting
Bible

For my older son:
Math
Latin
Music
Writing
Bible

[Novafan]

Reading, Writing, Mathematics are what we call our "core works." My son picked up that term from his last school, so we've stuck with it. :)

[nmoira]

I don't know about my younger girl yet, but for my oldest:

Elementary: history, math, 2nd language(s)
HS: science, history, math, literature, continue languages, writing skills (mainly integrated with other studies)

Not core, but essential: music, drawing, art & architecture appreciation
Not "school" but life: physical activities

[Wendy in ME]

K - phonics/reading, intro to math, and penmanship
1-3 phonics/reading, math, penmanship, grammar
3-12 Latin, math, classical writing

[Tammyla]

Core for us is the 3R's: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

History, science, and a second language are central to our studies after they have the basics down. I can't imagine our days without music and art, but they are the icing on the cake here.

[godpoetry]

Younger ones- Phonics, Reading, Writing, Math
Older ones-Math, LA, Writing and composition, History, Science, Bible

[one l michele]

This is our third year homeschooing and I've always made time for math, reading (read alouds & independent), spelling, writing, grammar, geography, history, science, health, music, art, PE, logic, and life skills regularly.

[Mom2boys]

Reading, writing, and math are our core subjetcs. We are covering quite a bit of history in the context of reading (Sonlight Core 6) and writing (IEW history based writing lessons). Science has fallen by the way side. I think I am going to change our schedule next year and cover science during the summers from now on.

[DawnUK]

I think that reading, writing, math, memory work, and Latin are our cores. Everything else is great, but not a deal breaker. These subjects are.

--Dawn

[8FillTheHeart]

Personally, for Pre-K to 2nd grade I see the core as being phonics, math and penmanship.

For 3rd to 6th, it would be grammar/Latin, composition, spelling/vocabulary and mathematics.

For 7th and beyond, it would be composition in relation to research, the hard sciences, advanced mathematics and cultural literacy (being aquainted with literature, history and such).

I would modify your list slightly.

For k-2, I also try to add learning to observe and ask questions about observations for us to find answers to.

For 3-6, I would add emphasis to reading comprehension. (K-2 is learning to read, 3-5, actually, is learning to learn from reading.)

I would not add "hard science" until 8th.

Other than that, my list is basically the same as yours.

[LisaK in VA]

Like so many others... I view Reading (or Phonics), Grammar/Spelling/Writing (Penmanship), and Math to be "core." Especially in early grades. If we're having a particularly busy week we *only* focus on those subjects (in other words, art, music, history, science and Latin slide).

As my children mature, history, science and Latin will become more "core" art and music will always be extra subjects -- but always included (especially since we pay for lessons).

[mcconnellboys]

I don't disagree with your post.

I think that the absolute minimum is the old standard of "reading, writing, and arithmetic". I think that the "reading/writing" portion of this would also encompass the other areas of language arts, such as spelling and grammar; phonics for the early years, etc.

Christian schools would add in some sort of religious or Bible study on a yearly basis.

I think that in many schools, especially at the elementary levels, you see that things like geography, history, science, languages, art and music get offered once a week or twice a week, or sometimes only sporadically.

For me, it's all those things, LOL. Those things that get dropped out, at various times of year when we're hibernating or over-extended, include our language work and science work. Other than that, things pretty much get done on a regular, weekly basis.

Regena

[EKS]

Our core subjects are language arts (depending on age includes some combination of reading, writing, grammar, literature, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting, and Latin), math, history, and science.

Non-core subjects are things like art, music, and PE.

[Mama Lynx]

Until they can read and write, the "core" is reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and sometimes music.

After they can read and write, the core is math, Latin, music, and reading.

By core, I mean That Which Must Be Done Every Day, No Matter What.

[Cadam]

It changes depending on the ages of my kids and our focus for the year but basically the 3 R's. This year specifically it is

10 yo
Latin
Writing
Math

6yo
Phonics
math
handwriting

[Plaid Dad]

For K-2: phonics, arithmetic, penmanship
3-12: classical languages (Latin and Greek), math, composition

[Daisy]

As you can see the answers vary. LOL

We consider it to be reading, writing, math, and Bible.

[St. Theophan Academy]

k-2 - phonics, mathematics
later - latin, mathematics, writing

[OneRoomHomeSchool]

K-4
Family Worship
Reading/Copywork
Oral Narration/Memory Work
General discovery (math for us falls here)/Creativity

5-8
Family Worship
Reading
Beginning Composition
Grammar
Math
Latin

9-12
Family Worship
Reading
Composition
Greek
Logic/Higher Maths
Science
Rhetoric

[Jenny in Florida]

English: focusing on reading and writing in early grades, transitioning to literature and composition later on.
Math
Science
History/Geography/Social Studies
Foreign Language

I consider these "core," because they are the things we require no matter what.

--Jenny

[Laura Corin]

At some point add in science, history, geography and foreign language(s). If you want to, add in other stuff.

Laura

[Mrs. Readsalot]

all other subjects are considered electives
Our electives this year are
music
foreign language
logic
civics
geography
art
life skills