Early Elementary
In an earlier essay about Elementary education, I focused on older kids. But if you are brand new to the home school thing and your kids are just starting school, here are a few thoughts:
Remember the old saying "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic?" There is a lot of wisdom in this philosophy, and it's really all you need for the first year or two. Certainly, you can do more, but you don't have to.
Reading: Read out loud to your children every day. Comb your local library for books and/or build up your home library. One source for extensive reading lists is the Five in a Row series. It comes with activities to do with each book, but they aren't necessary. If you can get your hands on just the table of contents and use the books listed there, you will be reading great books! Every child is different, and you may have an early reader or a late one. Don't push the reluctant reader, but keep a sharp eye on them for possible learning delays or issues that may need to be addressed. Let it happen naturally and gradually and keep a positive attitude about learning to read. But no matter the age and ability, keep reading out loud. (Many times, I am reading to my 2 and 5 year olds, and my 18 year old walks by, stops, and listens in. My 17 year old still likes to be read to, as he is an auditory learner). Combine reading picture books with books that are way above their reading ability (but not above their comprehension). Choose high quality books to be read out loud and for your kids to read. Fill their minds with good stories and big words and complex sentence structures. If I could only pick three items to read, I would pick the Bible (using different translations preferably), Greek Mythology, and Shakespeare (written for younger kids). But that's just me, and I certainly hope I never would be limited to just three options! Finally, audio books are great, too, and give mom a break.
Writing: Encourage your kids to draw and write whenever they express an interest. Writing thank you letters or get-well cards are a great way to help them learn, and they are doing something useful, too. Encourage them to write letters to friends. No need to buy something fancy or expensive. Just some writing paper is all you need. Write out a simple message and have them copy it. Suggest they illustrate with their own artwork. If they are learning to read, have them practice writing out the alphabet and small words that they can read.
Arithmetic: You can spend a lot of money on this one, but don't. Find an inexpensive workbook, or look online for cheap or free worksheets. Count with your child as you are reading picture books, or setting the table, or playing with Legos. Introduce the concepts of money and time- using the change in your wallet and the clocks at home (use analogue clocks, too!) Have them practice writing numbers and counting out loud by 1's, 2's, and 5's. Numbers are everywhere, you just have to look for them and point them out to your kids.
Talking: Talk to your child about all sorts of things. Explain things to them, don't assume they understand everything that you say. Use big words when talking to them and define them for your child. They will ask you a lot of questions, so take the time to answer them. Likewise, ask THEM questions too! Talk about current events with them in an age-appropriate way. Have conversations with them.
That's it. If this is all you do, you are doing great! Feel guilty about not doing any science or history? Then read out loud to them. No need for experiments (which, at this age, are really craft projects). Apologia Science has a series of books for young kids. They come with workbooks and activities, but, really, all you need to do is read the book out loud to them. Find science and history videos and watch them together. All Through the Ages is a book filled with lists of age appropriate history books. Did I mention reading out loud is good?
And on the bad days, or the days when you can't think of anything else to do, just read out loud.
Remember the old saying "Reading, Writing and Arithmetic?" There is a lot of wisdom in this philosophy, and it's really all you need for the first year or two. Certainly, you can do more, but you don't have to.
Reading: Read out loud to your children every day. Comb your local library for books and/or build up your home library. One source for extensive reading lists is the Five in a Row series. It comes with activities to do with each book, but they aren't necessary. If you can get your hands on just the table of contents and use the books listed there, you will be reading great books! Every child is different, and you may have an early reader or a late one. Don't push the reluctant reader, but keep a sharp eye on them for possible learning delays or issues that may need to be addressed. Let it happen naturally and gradually and keep a positive attitude about learning to read. But no matter the age and ability, keep reading out loud. (Many times, I am reading to my 2 and 5 year olds, and my 18 year old walks by, stops, and listens in. My 17 year old still likes to be read to, as he is an auditory learner). Combine reading picture books with books that are way above their reading ability (but not above their comprehension). Choose high quality books to be read out loud and for your kids to read. Fill their minds with good stories and big words and complex sentence structures. If I could only pick three items to read, I would pick the Bible (using different translations preferably), Greek Mythology, and Shakespeare (written for younger kids). But that's just me, and I certainly hope I never would be limited to just three options! Finally, audio books are great, too, and give mom a break.
Writing: Encourage your kids to draw and write whenever they express an interest. Writing thank you letters or get-well cards are a great way to help them learn, and they are doing something useful, too. Encourage them to write letters to friends. No need to buy something fancy or expensive. Just some writing paper is all you need. Write out a simple message and have them copy it. Suggest they illustrate with their own artwork. If they are learning to read, have them practice writing out the alphabet and small words that they can read.
Arithmetic: You can spend a lot of money on this one, but don't. Find an inexpensive workbook, or look online for cheap or free worksheets. Count with your child as you are reading picture books, or setting the table, or playing with Legos. Introduce the concepts of money and time- using the change in your wallet and the clocks at home (use analogue clocks, too!) Have them practice writing numbers and counting out loud by 1's, 2's, and 5's. Numbers are everywhere, you just have to look for them and point them out to your kids.
Talking: Talk to your child about all sorts of things. Explain things to them, don't assume they understand everything that you say. Use big words when talking to them and define them for your child. They will ask you a lot of questions, so take the time to answer them. Likewise, ask THEM questions too! Talk about current events with them in an age-appropriate way. Have conversations with them.
That's it. If this is all you do, you are doing great! Feel guilty about not doing any science or history? Then read out loud to them. No need for experiments (which, at this age, are really craft projects). Apologia Science has a series of books for young kids. They come with workbooks and activities, but, really, all you need to do is read the book out loud to them. Find science and history videos and watch them together. All Through the Ages is a book filled with lists of age appropriate history books. Did I mention reading out loud is good?
And on the bad days, or the days when you can't think of anything else to do, just read out loud.
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