What is the best homeschooling curriculum for kindergarten/grade 1?

Question

I have a daughter who I am starting homeschooling this fall. She is smart and eager to learn she likes to do book work and learn new things. ( like most kids) Being my oldest she seems to have a great attention span and love for learning. I am just overwhelmed with all the stuff out there. Lots of the reviews seem to be for older grades and I am just thinking for teaching her to read I really want something that is going to work and both she and I can enjoy doing together. I would love any feedback and link to anything you may thing is helpful. thanks in advance!!!!!

Answer 1

There are many curriculums out there, for sure.  

None of them is the "best," however.  What and how you teach your child depends on several factors:

(1)  Figure out her learning style.http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1...

(2) Next, decide which style of learning best fits your child's learning style, your teaching style, your family's lifestyle and budget: http://www.brightkidsathome.com/curricul...

(3) Always keep in mind that your method of homeschooling can change over the years, as your child grows and changes, as her needs and interests change, as your family changes.

Enjoy the journey.

Answer 2

My first choice are the HEWITT unit studies, Training Wheels, A Bee Sees, and Across America.

Answer 3

For Kindergarten we used the explode the code series, handwriting without tears, learn to read in 100 easy lessons and Math U see primer.

You can get Explode the code and Handwriting with out tears at http://www.sonlight.com Learn to read at a book store and Math U See at http://www.mathusee.com

These are just what I used. You can also go to Walmart and buy workbooks (in the toy section). They have titles such as everything you need to know for ___ (grade level) those are like $5.00.

You don't need anything elaborate this year and it shouldn't take more than an hour or so to get all of the work done.

Have you looked at the laws in your state yet? Even though you don't have to report anything yet you still need to know the law. http://www.hslda.org

Answer 4

Christian Liberty Academy has a great homeschooling program  that I and my five siblings have been educated on since kindergarten. I suggest CLASS or Apologia.

Answer 5

K12 is great..I would look into it and there are also free charter schools that offer it all over

Many online charter schools are popping up all over. Many of them are now using k12 products. k12 schoolsare good for many reasons. Each student is given a placement test and then given individualized curriculum based on his or her individual needs. With the help of online charter schools today, homeschooling can be much easier than it used to be. They provide you with everything you need, a computer, a printer, books, supplies, and teachers that you can both email and call for help and assistance. This is free and there are no charges. Online schools are definitely becoming a way of the future for the children in generations to come.

Going to an online school is no different than going to a traditional public school or a private school. They graduate with a real diploma the same as any school. My son graduated from an online charter school and now attends a private university (University Of Dayton) with scholarships. They will also help you with making sure that all state required tests are done yearly and proficiencies are completed for graduation.

Answer 6

How exciting. You are both off on an adventure!! You both will love Sonlight!

Sonlight uses real books so you get to read together! You daughter will remember more with Sonlight because they use historical fiction instead of textbooks. She won't even know she's doing school.

And they have a money back guarantee-use it for half the school year and you still can return it if it's not a good fit.

They also have online forums where you can get advice and support from other homeschool moms.

Take a look at their catalog-it's more like a magazine.

Warm Regards,

Jana

http://www.summerhouseliving.com

http://www.purehomeschooling.com

Answer 7

World Book encyclopoedia has a list at their website that gives common courses of study for each grade level.  You can print out this list and check things off (or write the date) as your child "masters" each of these things.  Most of the stuff can be covered by just doing what you do every day -- household duties, shopping, cooking, laundry, etc.  The rest can be covered by reading lots of library books, and those "everything" workbooks from WalMart and the dollar store, and there are literally tons of worksheets for the primary grades on the internet.  Try schoolexpress, eduplace, or just google "free worksheets" and "printable worksheets".  For first grade, you might want to actually purchase a "boxed" curriculum, or you may not -- there are just as many things online for first as for K.

Happy Homeschooling!

Answer 8

Learning style is important, but the other thing you should consider is what style or philosophy you want to follow. Read here: http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/meth... and see which makes you jump up and down and shout "That's what an education should be!!!" Then you can look here: http://homeschoolreviews.com/ and see which programs suit your daughter's learning style and your preferred method/ philosophy. For example, we use 'The Well Trained Mind' by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer as our homeschool "bible," but tweak their suggestions when I see fit, or plainly ignore them and do something else. It's their education theories that I like. Some of their curriculum suggestions appeal, other times I find something I like better. Usually from their message board :) There's no "one size fits all," so you take what suits and discard what doesn't. We've got their book, "Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading" but haven't started it yet. Dd is still a bit young :)

So, if you can, choose a philosophy, and see what other people who follow that philosophy use. Have a look here, if you haven't already: http://homeschoolreviews.com/

Answer 9

You first need to know her learning style, then you can pare down the list to only those that match her style(s).  It does no good to use a workbook-based curriculum if she's a hands-on learner, etc.

For Kdg and 1st we used (and are still using) K12.  It's very engaging for both student and parent.  I learned soooo much just in Kdg & 1st grade history and art - stuff I never learned in school (even college).  K12's scope & sequence is broad and deep, and they cover all learning styles.  They have a wonderful phonics program and in-depth literature.

http://www.k12.com

We've always used K12 as independent HS'ers - never as part of a virtual public school - but that option is available in many states.

http://www.k12.com/getK12

My second choice for that age level was Sonlight.  But it doesn't meet my teaching style.

With K12 you can mix and match grade levels, which is really nice.  My son started with a Kdg-2nd grade mix.

Answer 10

To me, the most important thing is to keep her love of learning alive!  To learn how to read, there are several good programs.    I used Teach You Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and Hooked on Phonics, but there are several good ones.  My child who had some learning disabilities, I used Play and Talk.  All my boys, now, are avid readers...

For math, you can do some "real" math.  A curriculum isn't necessary, but at that age, I like Singapore and Saxon.

As for the other subject, a fun curriculum is Five in a Row.  It is Christian, but you read books together and then you do activities based on the book.  http://www.fiveinarow.com/

To me, at that age, more learning should be from reading with Mom or doing activities, than from some text or workbook.  Kids that young, learn by doing.  Go for nature walks and talk about what you discover, plant a garden together, go on field trips, cook together, do art projects that bring in other subjects, etc.  Enjoy your time together.

So many first time homeschoolers, and I was this to the Nth degree, worry so much about academics, that they forget to also really enjoy the learning process and that learning is everywhere.  I wish now, that I hadn't been as rigorous as I was for my first child.  All of my boys score very high, but I think my younger ones have enjoyed the journey more!

Answer 11

Lifepack is really nice. I love it. and its really easy but still challenging.