My Super Boy is getting sooooooo excited to FINALLY get his chance to play kitchen chemist this year. In addition to joining all of us for our group subjects such as Bible, history, science, and art, my little scientist will also be busy with the following:
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Personal Devotions
- The Action Bible- He will continue to read this until Christmas when he will get his gift of Myrrh. (7x a week)
English/Phonics
- Abeka Phonics/Reading 2 (4x a week)
- All About Spelling 2 (4x a week)
- continue writing to his penpal that he has had for the last two years (1x a month)
- read for pleasure (4x a week)
Math
Life Skills
- cook dinner (2x a month)
- shadow the Hubs during small home construction projects
Extra Curriculars
- Typing Instructor (1x a week)
- Building Thinking Skills (1x a week)
- guitar lessons- We are hoping to get him started with guitar after Christmas.
I look forward to this upcoming school year as my son is transitioning from the "learning to read" stage to the "reading to learn" stage.
Been a while since I've seen A Reason for Handwriting! Brings back memories.
ReplyDeleteI have a question. WHen you purchase the curriculum do you also purchase the parent kit/book as well? I don't want to have to buy anything that isn't necessary. :) Thank you for your input!
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the subject and the grade level. Handwriting...NO. Phonics/Language/Math...just the curriculum guide until about 3rd grade, then I also purchase the answer key.
DeleteWith the Abeka Letters and Sounds 2 do you purchase all the support material to go along with it? Having trouble figuring out what is all needed.
ReplyDeleteI don't ever purchase any of the tests & quizzes. I have the curriculum guide plus several of the flashcard sets because I use them from Pre-K though 2nd. If memory serves, I have the Basic Phonics Flashcards, the special sound charts (can't remember what they are called), the blend practice cards B, and the special sound cards.
DeleteI have a 5 yr old who did AAR1 this past fall and is on AAR2. I started AAS1 with him...do you find they get done quickly with this program. I love the way it is taught. We LOVE AAR! So far we love the spelling to. But I am concerned what to do with my child if he goes as fast as he has been...Does it get more challenging? I bought Explode the Code to fill in time and we are still using the ziggy games but with his reading word cards from lv2 now. How do you space spelling to make it last a year?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the child. With my daughter, it doesn't last a year. We've been doing 2 levels a year. With my sons, I try and stick with one lesson per week. Although...we usually only do it 3 days a week. I had planned to do it 4 days a week, but I teach a class for women one night a week and so on that day, something had to give. It was spelling.
DeleteOur three day lessons usually look like this.
Day 1: I teach the new concept and have him do the first set of activities
Day 2: We tackle the list of words and phrases.
Day 3: We tackle the sentences.
Since phonics and spelling are so closely related have you had any trouble using ABEKA for reading and All About Spelling for spelling since AAS uses the Orton-Gillingham approach (I'm assuming ABEKA teaches phonics the traditional way)? I've never used ABEKA but I'm considering using their reading program. I also like the Orton-Gillingham approach to spelling but I'm concerned about confusing my kids. What's been your experience?
ReplyDeleteHow did you get started with the penal??!! I'm very interested in starting this with my 2nd grade son. Fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteAll of my kids kindergarten and older have a penpal. The penpals are all homeschooled kids of similar ages/grades as my kids. One is the son of a college friend of mine. One is a girl that was in our homeschool co-op years ago but moved away. And one is the son of one of my long time blog readers.
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DeleteReally enjoy your blog. It has definitely blessed me and my homeschooling efforts. :) One question... We are going to try All About Spelling this next year due to your and others' recommendations. I haven't heard/read as much about All About Reading though. What are your thoughts on AAR and why do you choose not to incorporate it into your curriculum? Thanks so much for your insight, Jamie!
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