A New Season: K-1 Plans

Although we did not really take the summer off from our school schedule, we relaxed things a bit. Because we had twin 2-year olds to train and tend to throughout the day, we needed the structure of a schedule on the days we were at home. "Stations" worked well for us. I set up activities in different rooms with 15-minute timed rotations. This helped train the twins to work independently, and decreased the overall chaos level in the house. It also allowed me to have 1:1 time with each child (a rare thing for the younger ones in particular). Station activities included anything from "My Pretty Ponies" and puzzles for the twins, to playing in the sink. The oldest child worked on independent readers, workbook pages, and tying shoes (etc.). During the twins' nap, the oldest and I spent about an hour working on 1:1 lesson material.

Because I am excited about the new school season, I want to make a list of what we will be using, in general (for the K-1 child). You know how I LOVE to write lists (I should add that to my profile...)

For some reason there seems to be no underline feature on this thing, so I will just italicize book titles.

Phonics/Spelling - The Writing Road to Reading - Spaulding
Spelling Workout A- Modern Curriculum Press
Language- First Language Lessons- Jessie Wise
History- The Story of the World- Volume 1: Ancient Times- Susan Wise Bauer
Bible- First Catechism- Great Commission Publications
Big Truths for Little Kids and ABC Bible Verses- Susan Hunt
Kindergarten Learning About God- Positive Action Bible Curriculum
Class at Harvester Teaching Services and family life/devotions
Math- Math-U-See- Steve Demme
Science- Various sources, earth sciences and human body- Hidden Pond Nature Center classes
Spanish- Rosetta Stone
Art- Class at Harvester Teaching Services
Reading- We love books that are recommended by Sonlight- regular library visits

One more list. Right now we are reading:

Voyage of the Dawn Treader- Book 5 of the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
Missionary Stories with the Millers- Mildred A. Martin
James Herriot's Treasurey for Children- James Herriot
My Father's Dragon- Ruth Stiles Gannett

Oh, and the oldest is now going to be responsible for maintaining a chore chart that includes earning star stickers for positive character traits (with associated Biblical principles). If she completes each chore for the day without parental reminder, she will earn a special sticker.

Now if we can just manage to potty train and keep up with the little ones while all this is going on, we'll be doing well. All by God's grace!