2018-2019 Curriculum: 2nd, K, PK3

Christian (7, 2nd Grade)

In our home we focus almost exclusively on the 4 R’s (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic, and Religion) until a child is around 3rd grade. We try to keep them well rounded with poetry memory work, a little art instruction and appreciation, music appreciation and training, loads of audiobooks, and sitting in on lessons with older ones, but those are just the icing on the basic cake we serve up during those early elementary years.

Christian is finally making progress in his schooling after the past 18 month struggle with epilepsy. He is now medication free and being treated solely with a medically prescribed, super-intense ketogenic diet. All the glory to God for this miracle!

I really try to follow his lead with lessons, so all of this is a very rough sketch with a general idea of the materials we will be using.

Reading: 100 Easy Lessons, Alphaphonics, Reading Eggs, lots of easy readers, phonics flashcards, sight words

We are still working our way through 100 Easy Lessons and it is my hope to finish it before too long. He also does Reading Eggs several times a week as a fun way to reinforce his budding reading skills.

Once we are done with 100 Easy Lessons, we’ll move into using Alphaphonics as a rough outline for our phonics instruction. I like this program for the simple fact that is is grab and go, and that it requires no writing.

We’ll also be reading daily from early readers: Bob Books, Little Angel Readers, Faith and Freedom readers, and more.

As always, we do lots and lots of reading aloud in our family (up to 2 hours a day plus an extra hour of audiobooks). These are not something I schedule, but rather pick up and read as a natural part of our day. This is priority #1 in our house.

Math: Abeka 1, Math Seeds, Games

I really enjoyed the ease and kid-friendly layout of the Abeka math workbooks. Christian has progressed exponentially in the past 3 months alone as his brain has healed from the gads of seizures he had and as he has come off of medication.

We look to finish the Abeka K workbook that we started this spring before the summer is out and then move on immediately into Abeka 1.

His Reading Eggs program came with a similar math program called Math Seeds. He alternates days between Reading Eggs and Math Seeds. I like the Math Seeds program even better than the Reading Eggs.

We will schedule games for once a week as well.

Handwriting: Seton K and 1

Grab and go and straight forward- we’ll continue using this program until I think Christian is ready for copywork.

Religion: Living in God’s Law (OLV), First Communion Prep (CHC), Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

We are excited to help prepare Christian for First Communion and Reconciliation this year. He has a very unique relationship with God and amazes me with his questions and depth of understanding.

We’ll be using Our Lady of Victory’s Living in God’s Law for catechism lessons. I’m very excited to supplement our First Communion prep with CHC’s program.

He and the younger two will be doing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd once a week at a neighboring parish. We weren’t able to do this program last year and the kids missed it. I think it will be a special time for them all.

Drawing: Draw Write Now books

PE: Family Time Fitness

We had some learning assessments done at Mayo for Christian this summer and I was ecstatic that the doctor prescribed exercise as “medication” for our son’s “epileptically” wired brain. We hope for it to build his strength after the months of recuperation as well as help him focus during seat work.

Our plan is to do this as a family.

Other: possibly piano (Hoffman Academy), poetry memory work, First Language Lessons, Science read alouds, Story of the World audiobooks, gads of other audiobooks

Lilla (5, Kindergarten)

With Christian’s challenges, I am able to combine much of Lilla’s work with his. You will see they use much of the same material though I don’t combine them for all lessons.

Reading: 100 Easy Lessons, Alphaphonics, easy readers, phonics flashcards, sight words

Lilla is also working through 100 Easy Lessons. When we finish that we’ll move into using Alphaphonics as a rough outline for our phonics instruction. She also enjoys the Seton phonics workbooks (she has no trouble writing a lot), so we may mix those in as well.

Math: Abeka K and 1, Games

Lilla is halfway through her Abeka K math workbook so we will move into the 1st grade workbook when she is done with that.

We will schedule games for once a week as well.

Handwriting: Seton K and 1

Whenever we finish the K workbook she will move into the 1st grade workbook until she is ready for copywork.

Religion: Bible stories, tag along with Christian

Besides Lilla doing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, she will also get to sit in on Christian’s lessons. I may also read Bible stories to her, have her narrate them back, and illustrate her story.

PE: Family Time Fitness

Art: Seton’s Art 1

This provides liturgically appropriate ready made crafts and I’ve had it on hand for the past 8 years. It is something Lilla enjoys doing, so it will be a treat to work on it together.

Other: possibly piano (Hoffman Academy), poetry memory work, First Language Lessons, Science read alouds, Story of the World audiobooks, gads of audiobooks

Michael (3, Pre-K)

I am not creating a formal course of study for Michael. I am only collecting “school books” for him to use during the other children’s seat work to keep him occupied. He is most eager to do school, but we aren’t going for anything to serious here.

Jumbo Book of Pre-K Fun

Rod and Staff Workbooks

I’ll also be creating an early learning binder for him with laminated printables he can use.

I’m hoping to get the nitty gritty details ironed out for the upcoming school year in the next couple weeks. Schedules, chores, school room improvements – oh my! Watch for details!