Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The *New* Plan – Avery’s Pre-K Adventure!

Remember this post, where I gave you my plan for Avery’s pre-K year? Well, I changed my mind. After really looking at the literature picks in Sonlight’s Little Learners package, I realized that we own or have read many of them. So I used a list by Sarah Clarkson, the author of Read from the Heart, and the Sonlight package to decide which books we would read this year. One of my biggest fears is lesson planning, which is why I think Sonlight is great. BUT, if ever there was a year for me to strike out on my own and try to create original lesson plans, this is it! She is too young for it to be a disaster if I fail miserable. I’m thinking of buying a pointer and having her call me Miss Whittney. What do you think?

-The Plan-

~Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve – this will be our core curriculum. She has been asking me about letters when we read and knows her ABC song so that is my cue, right? This curriculum is cheap, flexible and can be used for multiple children. You can browse a sample lesson plan for the letter “B” here.

~I would love to make a letter tree based on the book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. If you haven’t read that book you’re missing out!

image (Photo: Confessions of a Homeschooler)

~You can browse my picks for general literature, Bible and some fun stuff with these fancy widgets.

~ And these things are still on the list!

  • A cool art project once a week – I will be visiting I Can Teach My Child, The Activity Mom Confessions of a Homeschooler for ideas. I might have to track down this book and A Beka has a cute little art book that I remember from my youth.
  • Chores & Responsibility Chart – includes Verse of the Week and Prayers; we already use “The Blessing Chart.”
  • Felt Sets are too cool to skip, so I’ve been collecting a few.
  • Hands on cooking/helping in the kitchen during the week.
  • Fun Stuff – Field trip or two (Yep. I just HAVE to plan an “official field trip), we love puzzles lately, board games like Candy Land or Don’t Spill the Beans, or Hi Ho! Cherry-O.
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    As you can see, I have gone overboard! There is no reason to do all of these things. I want to have a bunch of options so I’m not scrambling around every other day wondering “What do I teach a 3 year old?”  We’re simply getting our feet wet. I want us to have fun, laugh and practice a “school” schedule while we learn a few things along the way. Most of all, I want to keep her heart close and show her Jesus.

    Wish us luck!

    P.S. This post is dedicated to Avery’s pre-K year benefactors, who paid for her supplies. 

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    5 comments:

    joannalee said...

    i applaud you for getting such an early start on official schooling! i've got like a zillion new tabs open now to look at a bunch of your recommendations... we're still undecided on homeschooling vs public (we're in a really good district) but for now i guess i already am homeschooling! i can tell you are right on target with what you said at the end about keeping her heart close... that's what it's all about! you've done such a good job researching different curriculum, it's obvious that you really care about avery's education! she is blessed to have you as a momma and teacher. =)

    Whittney said...

    Thanks Joanna! I NEVER thought I would be a homeschooling mama...but here I am. :)

    Mommypotamus said...

    I have had this post open for DAYS but every time I tried to comment there would be a scary whizzing or crash sound in my house that needed checking on, haha! Thank you so much, Whittney . . . you pretty much just wrapped up my Christmas shopping list for Katie. The one about the parents giving their child a kiss to keep for her husband is so sweet. Am I getting that right? It's been a few days now. Anyway, you are just awesome awesome awesome. Thank you for sharing your research with us!

    Whittney said...

    So glad it was helpful Heather!

    Debi said...

    Whittney - this looks wonderful! Sounds like you have a solid 'plan' for this year. Happy schooling :)
    fyi - I never thought I'd be homeschooling either :0