On my list of things to do before baby boy arrives is organize a summer curriculum for both girls. I'm a little worried about Kate dying of boredom while I adjust to mothering three. I asked a friend of mine who home schooled her very bright son for his kindergarten year to help me get started. I was pretty overwhelmed until she introduced me to some really great resources. I have to recommend a book I'm currently reading called, The Well Trained Mind. To call this book inspiring is an understatement. I'm so excited to take a more active role in my children's education. One of the most exciting aspects is reorganizing my own brain to find all the info that so many thoughtful people deposited in the depths at one point or another. I have a few goals for Kate this summer, but mostly she's going to be an unknowing guinea pig for her siblings, glad I have a few kiddos on whom to experiment! In all seriousness though, there are some really excellent resources out there, add a dedicated parent and I think everyone could supplement their child's education.
*My friend uses the Math-U-See manipulative and workbooks. I'm planning on purchasing a set in the near future. She also had a book called Drawing with Children that I would like to get my hands on. I'm going to look into the Rodd and Staff program for Spelling and Grammar. She used a phonics program to teach her son to read, I don't know which one though. I'm going to look into the Kingfisher First Animal Encyclopedia as well for science. The reading and history seemed to overlap a lot. She is currently doing a Ancients 5000-400 AD emphasis with her son where they'll read Greek and Roman Myths, Aesop's fables, Egyptian myths etc. I really liked the chronological emphasis where they child starts reading simplified versions of the Iliad right from the start, so that they understand the evolution of these different ideas. I also recently purchased, What Makes a Degas a Degas? There is a whole series of these books if you're interested in introducing your children to art in that way.
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7 comments:
Mind sharing some of her other resources?
Thanks for adding that info- I'll be sure to check them out.
My sister-in-law homeschools and cannot rave enough about the well trained mind--it's the whole reason she decided to do it. I've been working on some of this same thing for Isaac. He has come such a long way since first starting kindergarten and I'm so worried that he'll forget it all by the end of the summer. So I've been working with his teacher and I plan to schedule a couple of "school" hours each day with him and Noah. I hope I stick to it.
Do post some of the things you do; I'm very curious.
Definitely share some of the things you do! The company I work for is a core curriculum based company so I have access to some online resources (tutorials) and some offline ones that I plan on working with Carter on during the summer.
that email just totally overwhelmed me. but i am impressed/intimidated/excited. :)
I believe Andrew's school uses Rodd and Staff for language arts. I am curious what you have read about it because it is quite different than the way Sarah learned and I am finding it a little frustrating. I'd like to hear a good review.
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