Composer of the Month:Georg Philipp Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann

We are continuing our study of the Baroque period composers with the most of productive composer of that time Georg Philipp Telemann. We will be listening to his music and completing the activities provided by Classics for Kids.

2009-2010 1st Grade Homeschool Plan Version 1.0 (Subject to change based on life.)

After much prayer and review here is our official plan of record for the 2009-2010 school year. I wanted share this with the great folks at The Homeschool Lounge who have been a source of inspiration and support during our homeschool journey. Please click over to find the one of the best homeschool resources on the web.

Like everyone our challenge for this school year will be doing more with less money in a new location. However with some creative planning, sharing, swapping, re-purposing and fieldtrips I think it is going to be a year full of adventure. We will also be using Sue Patrick's Workbox System.

Also note that while technically TS is a first grader we will included some activities that are designated for 2^nd grade and above during this school year.

Core Curriculum

• Five-in-a-Row
  

Read Alouds

• TS choices from the library which right now includes the following series:
  
  • The Magic Tree House
    
  • Transformers DK Level 4
    
  • The High-Rise Private Eyes
    
  • Henry and Mudge
    
• Five-in-a-Row read alongs
  

Phonics

• Hooked On Phonics 2^nd Grade
  

Grammar

• Scott Foreman's Online Grammar
  

Handwriting

• Handwriting Without Tears 1^st Grade Printing Book
  
• TV Teacher for drawing Scenes
  

Math

• Horizons Math 1s Grade
  
• Stuart J. Murphy Math Start for Visual Learners
  
  • Collecting Data
    
  • Area
    
  • 3-Dimensional Shapes
    
  • Rounding
    
  • Subtracting
    
  • Regrouping
    
  • Timelines
    
  • Understanding Halves
    
  • Symmetry
    
  • Addition Strategies
    
  • Comparing Numbers
    
  • Calendars
    
  • Probability
    
  • Perimeter
    
  • Making Predictions
    
  • Counting by 2s, 3s, 4s
    
  • Measuring
    
  • Tally
    

Art

• Five-in-a-Row
• Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Master’s

Music

• Classics for Kids Composer of the Month
  
• Local music venues
  
• Locate a drum class
  

Bible and Character Development

• Five in a Row Christian Character Bible Study Supplement
  
• Gotta Have God: Cool Devotions for Boys Ages 6-9
  

Geography

• Five-in-a-Row
  
• Lapbook in Virginia and Washington DC
  

Science & Nature

• Five-in-a-Row
  
• Fieldtrips to zoo, aquarium, natural science museum and nature walks
  
• Co-op
  

History

• Start Family Tree and timeline study
  
• Fieldtrips to historic venues
  

PE

• Tae
  Kwon Do
  
• Sports Galore Class
  

Fine Motor Skills

• Lego Creative Building
  
• Activities found at
  
  • My Montessori Journey
    
  • Skill Builders
    
  • Homeschooling The Chaotic Family

Our primary record keeping will be using Lapbooks with the exception of History which will be notebooking with the goal to turn it into electronic media for a family resource.

Musician of the Week-George Bizet

Based on a weekly radio show called Classics for Kids.

2008-2009 Homeschool Toolbox

First let us start with what we are using this year and why.

Main Curriculum (Language Arts, Music, Art and Science)
This year we are using Five in A Row (FIAR) and Five in a Row Christian Character Bible Study Supplement as our major Homeschool curriculum. FIAR is a unit-study approach to early education based on outstanding children's literature. We chose this program because our auditory and kinesthetic learner will all benefit from Five in a Row's variety of lessons and activities.

Handwriting Curriculum
We are sticking with Handwriting Without Tears (HWOT). It worked really well last year with the preschool module called “Get Set For School”. TS was getting frustrated just writing letters because he can read so I ordered both Kindergarten and First Grade for this fall. That way we can start working on the letter then the First Grade book and work on associated words.

Music and Art Curriculum
We are scheduled to take an Art class at the local fine arts Homeschool academy and we are looking for a drum class. To supplement that I am using “What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know: Preparing Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning” by E.D. Jr Hirsch which has a good section on both music and art. This book is a nice resource to a unit study but I would not use it as the “be all, end all” of what your kindergartner needs to know.

The local symphony has monthly educational concerts and locally we have kid friendly music venues, which we will take advantage of with our Homeschool co-op.

Math
We were scheduled to us Horizons Math, however after the first week this workbook method is not working for us. Math-U-See was soundly rejected..”Ughh Mom”. So, I right now I am looking for a free online kindergarten math program. If I cannot find a one I will order Progress in Mathematics, which was recommended by an education specialist.

Reading Comprehension
TS, much like his father and I, is a natural reader. I have never used a flash card, phonics program or computer program. I did his evaluation and he reads on a third grade level but comprehension on first grade level. We are going to focus on comprehension and phonic rules.

We will use Nanci Bell’s Visualizing and Verbalizing For Language Comprehension and Thinking
^® Program and www.Starfall.com for phonics review.

Physical Education
We are enrolled in a Superfriends Homeschool P.E. class and the YMCA offers a Homeschool PE for Kindy on Fridays.

Co-Ops

• Monthly Orators Club and Playgroup
• Weekly Readers Club and Park Day
• Weekly Boys Playgroup/Social Group
• Monthly Boys Nature Club