Our Kindergarten Curriculum

Planning ahead for next year – here is what I am thinking:

Bible:

Bible Study Guide For All Ages, Beginner Level

We will start where ever we leave off on this. I expect to finish Unit 1 and part of Unit 2 before the end of PreK, so we will most likely work through the rest of Unit 2 and most of Unit 3 during Kindergarten.

Language Arts:

Five in a Row

This is going to be our primary curriculum, as it also covers social studies, science, art, some math, and a little geography (in addition to language arts). It also looks really fun and I have not heard anything bad about it.

Explode the Code Books 3-6

We will also continue with the Explode the Code series, again, starting where ever we leave off. She is really booking through the series right now, so who knows where we will be at the “beginning” of kindergarten… Our plan is just to work through these books until they are finished (Book 8 ) and then we will start with spelling.

Handwriting without Tears

I was originally not planning to formally teach handwriting, but as Madison has gotten more comfortable with writing, her handwriting has gone downhill quickly. I originally planned to use Horizons penmanship, but after reviewing it at our homeschool convention, I decided to go with HWOT.  I am not sure if we will continue to use this when we start cursive, but it is my plan for now.

Leveled Readers from the library

We will be finished with Headsprout, so I am thinking that the next step is just to continue checking out books that she can practice reading with.

Math:

Right Start A/B

We started with Horizons K in January and I didn’t feel like it was a good fit for our family.  We ended up switching to Right Start A.  We will continue that when we start Kindergarten, and progress to Book B when we get there.  Book A is supposed to be enough lessons for 2 years, so we may not get to B until first grade.

Singapore Math

I am also planning to supplement with Singapore Math, as necessary. I have heard so many positive things about this program, so I thought integrating it with our regular math would only enhance what she is learning, and give me a chance to make sure she is really retaining the information presented by Right Start.

There will also be some math included in our lessons with FIAR.

Science:

I am not planning any separate Science for this year, we will just follow FIAR and start with a separate science curriculum for the next year (I am leaning toward Living Learning Books).

Social Studies:

Again, I am not planning any separate Social Studies for next year, we will just follow FIAR and start with a history curriculum in first grade (I am planning to on Tapestry of Grace). FIAR also incorporates some geography with the use of their story discs, which we will also use.

Art:

I am not planning on any art instruction at home because I am hoping to enroll Madison in specials at the local DOD school for an hour each day (which would include art). We will have our art center set up at home, where she is free to create any time she wants Some art is also included in FIAR.

Music/Violin:

The Violin Book

We are currently working through books 0 and 1 of The Violin Book at a very slow pace, which we will most likely continue. Hopefully we will finish these books and possibly book 2 by the end of Kindergarten. When we finish book 2, I am planning to enroll her in actual violin lessons.

Madison will also likely be participating in music at the local DOD school, and will probably take piano lessons. She has been begging to take piano lessons (I think because she has watched her Aunt Anna take them). We will see what we can find on Okinawa

Japanese:

Since we will be living in Japan, I am planning to set up lessons with a Japanese tutor. She will also probably have Japanese culture at the local DOD school as part of her specials – plus all the sightseeing we plan to do

PE:

Again, PE will be part of the specials at our local DOD school. We are also planning to start Madison with ballet lessons at the Okinawa City Ballet School.

Other:

I am also planning to start Madison in Girl Scouts with a local troop on base.