We all have the question at the beginning of our home education journey: “What do my kids need to learn every year?” We also get different answers to this question from every person we ask. Some will tell you to go by state standards, some will say “whatever they want to learn”, others still will say what X curriculum says is for that grade level. The answer to this question is really one only you and your family can truly decide.
That being said, having goals for the year is a great thing to have. It doesn’t have to be a drawn out, full curriculum, but a general idea of what you want to cover over the year is a great jumping off point. Rarely though will you get through all of it-this is normal (and totally acceptable). Life happens. You could be studying Ancient History with your children and learning a bit about Ancient Greece, but your kids want more than you planned on covering in the allotted time. Let them learn it, find more resources, your library is great for this, and dig in. The other stuff will still be there when their interest and curiosity is sated.
A good plan for each year covers these main topics: Math, Reading/English, Writing, Science, Social Studies/History, Art, Music, and some sort of physical education or sport. Be sure to allow for plenty of outdoor unstructured play as well this is for your well being as much as their own. Home Economics should also be covered, but this is done well with chores and cooking together (which can also cover math, reading, science, and history in some cases). You know your child best. If they are ready to read at four (or even younger at times) let them. If they aren’t ready to really read until they are eight or nine, this is okay too. According to the lowest level of (some) state standards if they know all their alphabet sounds and can read the word cat at the beginning of first grade, they are reading at grade level. Not the highest of standards, but it is a guideline.
If you want to use a somewhat set curriculum you absolutely can. You can also mix and match to what works for your children. Remember what works for one may not work for another so be willing to test the waters a lot. History, art, geography and science can be taught as unit studies as well. Using a history program such as History at Our Home combined with Ancient Science or other books available at your local library will tie it all in together nicely. Math and reading/writing can also be included in these topics for one large unit study.
Some, but not all states require testing every year to see how your child is performing. If you do not know if your state is one that requires testing, you can find that information here on state specific info.
If you are concerned about where you child is at, or what he should be learning, your school district can provide you with the state standards for each grade level. Another way to acquire this information is from books such as The Core Knowledge Series “What Every ___ Grader Needs to Know” which has wonderful resources for each grade level from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade that includes music and art. This is not a full curriculum, but a good guideline for beginners or those concerned with staying at grade level.
As I have said every grade level can be taught easily by using a basic outline and adjusting as needed. If you have any other questions (or suggestions) concerning grade levels, feel free to contact us. We will get back to you!
Further Reading:
Core knowledge sequence: Content guidelines for grades K-8
Books to Build On: A Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers (Core Knowledge Series)
Home Educators Resource Directory (HERD) is owned, managed, and maintained by parents passionate about giving their children the best education. The Directory’s mission is to provide resources, support, and information helpful to the diverse community of educators around the globe. Along with offering a rich store of varied resources, the Directory maintains a catalog of local and global support groups and calendars highlighting local events.
The HERD monthly newsletter keeps educators apprised of current homeschool events and supplies informational articles for both the new and experienced. We invite you to stay informed with your own newsletter subscription, explore our many resources by visiting the Directory http://www.homeeddirectory.com/ and check out all the information to be found on our blog.
Permission to reproduce this article granted only with the entire article, bio and all links included
That being said, having goals for the year is a great thing to have. It doesn’t have to be a drawn out, full curriculum, but a general idea of what you want to cover over the year is a great jumping off point. Rarely though will you get through all of it-this is normal (and totally acceptable). Life happens. You could be studying Ancient History with your children and learning a bit about Ancient Greece, but your kids want more than you planned on covering in the allotted time. Let them learn it, find more resources, your library is great for this, and dig in. The other stuff will still be there when their interest and curiosity is sated.
A good plan for each year covers these main topics: Math, Reading/English, Writing, Science, Social Studies/History, Art, Music, and some sort of physical education or sport. Be sure to allow for plenty of outdoor unstructured play as well this is for your well being as much as their own. Home Economics should also be covered, but this is done well with chores and cooking together (which can also cover math, reading, science, and history in some cases). You know your child best. If they are ready to read at four (or even younger at times) let them. If they aren’t ready to really read until they are eight or nine, this is okay too. According to the lowest level of (some) state standards if they know all their alphabet sounds and can read the word cat at the beginning of first grade, they are reading at grade level. Not the highest of standards, but it is a guideline.
If you want to use a somewhat set curriculum you absolutely can. You can also mix and match to what works for your children. Remember what works for one may not work for another so be willing to test the waters a lot. History, art, geography and science can be taught as unit studies as well. Using a history program such as History at Our Home combined with Ancient Science or other books available at your local library will tie it all in together nicely. Math and reading/writing can also be included in these topics for one large unit study.
Some, but not all states require testing every year to see how your child is performing. If you do not know if your state is one that requires testing, you can find that information here on state specific info.
If you are concerned about where you child is at, or what he should be learning, your school district can provide you with the state standards for each grade level. Another way to acquire this information is from books such as The Core Knowledge Series “What Every ___ Grader Needs to Know” which has wonderful resources for each grade level from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade that includes music and art. This is not a full curriculum, but a good guideline for beginners or those concerned with staying at grade level.
As I have said every grade level can be taught easily by using a basic outline and adjusting as needed. If you have any other questions (or suggestions) concerning grade levels, feel free to contact us. We will get back to you!
Further Reading:
Core knowledge sequence: Content guidelines for grades K-8
Books to Build On: A Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers (Core Knowledge Series)
Home Educators Resource Directory (HERD) is owned, managed, and maintained by parents passionate about giving their children the best education. The Directory’s mission is to provide resources, support, and information helpful to the diverse community of educators around the globe. Along with offering a rich store of varied resources, the Directory maintains a catalog of local and global support groups and calendars highlighting local events.
The HERD monthly newsletter keeps educators apprised of current homeschool events and supplies informational articles for both the new and experienced. We invite you to stay informed with your own newsletter subscription, explore our many resources by visiting the Directory http://www.homeeddirectory.com/ and check out all the information to be found on our blog.
Permission to reproduce this article granted only with the entire article, bio and all links included
