Basic Curriculum

 Right now, I’m juggling Co-op science classes and home-schooling two sister, one 18, and one eight.  Let me share a basic curriculum for elementary age students.  Focus on the core subjects: math, English, Geography, and Science. We teach Theology, too; you may want to add Bible studies.   Students in grades one through three need not to work on English and Math more than any other subject. We use Easy Grammar and Primary Literature for English.  Mary, the eight year old, reads classic books, answers questions, and defines vocabulary.  She works though exercises in Easy Grammar.  Mary writes stories with simple writing prompts in a composition notebook.  Her writing prompts include ‘ Why I like the beach’ or ‘My favorite animal’.  Mary uses Star Wars Math and Daily Geography Practice.  She is working through Zoology 1.  Mary spends two hours each day working on her lessons.  Your child might want History.  One way to insert History is through literature.  Consider the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, starting with Little House in the Big Woods.  Consider your child’s needs, interests, and level of maturity.  Work on a core curriculum that emphasizes the basics.

Montessori on a Shoestring!

 I’m working with a church which wants to start a Montessori school.  Can you do Montessori on a shoestring?  Oh yes!  Living Montessori has loads of free printables, such as this free, paper farm, to build and use with the Montessori Grammar Farm.  Look at Dollar Tree or Five Below for miniature animals or resin, farm figures.  Look at how Montessori activities are presented in baskets and trays.  Comb Dollar Tree and Five Below for inexpensive baskets and trays.  Five Below has a felt, letter board for Movable Alphabet lessons.  Look at Montessori Dr. Seuss ideas with Seussville printables.  Have you browsed the IKEA toy and play section in their catalog?  It’s loaded with suitable materials at bargain prices: abacus, tiny dish ware, kitchen utensils, and quality craft supplies.  Start with library book sales and the local thrift stores.  I am excited just shopping for ideas!

Get outside help!

 Most of the time, I teach a Co-op Chemistry or Biology course.  I offer electives, such as Brit Lit or French, too.  For the past fours years, I’ve been home-schooling a teen, Lacie, for a friend.  Recently, I started home-schooling her third grade sister, Mary.  It’s an unusual situation, where mom, a close family friend, is teaching in Alaska.  Have you considered enlisting help?  I got help immediately!  I asked my son, Fr.Josh, a military priest, to meet remotely with Mary weekly to review her theology lessons.  Why?  I’m about to start tax season.  In addition to teaching three mornings a week, I tutor.  Mary’s family is close to my son, Fr. Josh.  They love having another connection.  Since Fr. Josh is a military chaplain, he can meet with Mary to review theology, as part of his community outreach efforts, much like offering daily Mass to the community.  

Mary and Lacie also work with their Grandma.  She oversees work, proctors tests, and answers questions.  If your family is long-distance, set up regular remote sessions.  I meet weekly with Mary either in person or remotely.  This week Mary wasn’t cooperating with Lacie and Grandma.  We are meeting again Wednesday to see if this situation has improved or if we need to meet daily and do all of her lesson remotely, with my supervision.  

What is you don’t have family willing to help?  Have you checked with your church?  Is there a church member who would like to spend time reading together with your child?  Could you combine school lessons with cooking lessons or craft sessions?  Many retired people do not have enough to do and would love more time with children.  Another pair of hands at your house could mean more time to help a sibling with math.  Consider teaching your volunteer how to meet remotely with Zoom or Google Meet.  Just think how thrilled your child would be having a special weekly meeting.  Hey!  I’m betting the retired adult would be just as thrilled.  

The Library of Things!

Our library system is located in a large DC suburb; it’s quite innovative.  There are  Maker Spaces with 3D printers, Make and Take kits, and even The Library of Things. Whenever possible I browse the local library for ideas.  Our local library has a dedicated shelf for its Library of Things.  Today, the shelf has crochet, bocce, a thermal detector, and air quality kit.  Next summer, I plan to borrow several kits for Science Camp.  I want to borrow the radon kit, thermal sensor, and air quality sensor.  Your library may have similar devices to loan.  Check and see!  If you want to borrow environmental devices, see if you have a NASA Outreach Center.  I’ve used the center in Katherine Johnson Center located in Fairmont WV.  These centers have an assortment of tools, such as GPS devices or IR thermometers to loan.  Check with the local Soil and Water Conservation District to see if there is an educator.  Usually, Soil and Water acts as a clearinghouse for resources from several agencies.  

Ionic Blocks Update

 I posted here about nomenclature quizzes with blocks.  Last week I had an epiphany; I already have wooden blocks.  My husband spray painted them for me.  Below are the completed blocks.  The foam blocks are tiny and hard to read.  These blocks are much easier to read.

Family Science: STEM Kits!

Our little family does a lot of science on the side.  Our son-in-law is a software engineer who loves to buy fancy kits.  Ken drops off Paul and the complicated kit for us to navigate. Have you considered buying a STEM kit for Christmas?   Good Will online has a LEGO Boost, Snap Circuits, and Makey Makey kits available.  Makey Makey is a simple circuit kit.  However, this kit has clear instructions and fun ideas; kids use play doh and bananas to complete circuits.  LEGO Boost and LEGO Droid Commander are much more complicated.  First, the LEGO kits must be assembled. (You need to like building with LEGOS.  I mention this because our little family is NOT fond of building with LEGOS.) The controller needed to program the assembled robot can be tricky to insert.  (Ask me how I know.)  Our little family made the LEGO Boost kits family projects.  Programming the assembled robots was intuitive for Paul; but his daddy is a software engineer.  Paul was coding at seven.  I could understand the coding instructions from the LEGO Boost app.  I have no background or seemingly any aptitude for coding.  Look for sealed, used sets or kits.  Check at your library, too.  Ask if they have a Makey Makey kit, Snap Circuits, or other stem kits available.  Libraries with Maker Spaces often have these kits to try.  See if your kids even like Snap Circuits.  

 

Geocaching!

 n another life I used Garmin eTrex GPS devices to map sites for studies.  Families can geocache with these work horse devices.  But, you don’t need a GPS eTrex to geocache.  Instead download the free app on your cell phone to get started.  Here is an introduction to geocaching.  Look over this list of rules and geocaching etiquette before you start.  Sometimes, the cache has small prizes.  Here are ideas for small prizes to leave in exchange, such as keychains.  Does your family craft together?  Our little family likes to stamp leather keychains and bracelets, ideal as a small prize.  Try geocaching!  See if this fun activity resonates with your family.