This year, I only have one little to school. He’s 4 1/2 and full of spunk! While I’m not a big preschool advocate, I do find that for my super high-strung kiddos, a little focused activity actually helps them. This child needs some structure and some Mommy-time, so that’s what this gives him. Plus, he’s really excited to be “doing school” with his siblings!
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As with all my younguns, we started out with Rod & Staff’s ABC Series:
We aren’t doing them in any particular order. We are just enjoying the activities and doing as many as he would like to do in a setting (or until Mommy gives out!).
Next up, is the curriculum I just started this year that I have wanted to use for years and years and years – Five in a Row. You might wonder why I took so long to use this curriculum. I think it was because of where I was in my life. I was a stressed out mom of only littles and I didn’t feel like I could take time away from my older children to do fun stuff with my younger children. I have a little breathing room now with my bigs being 15 and 12, and I am using Five in a Row with everyone age 8 (almost 9) on down.
I am also doing a bit of Notebooking with Micah. He loves to draw pictures about the stories we are reading, so that is what his notebooking looks like right now. (Remember, I had to let go of the notion that notebooking had to be perfect!) We are mostly using pages from NotebookingPages.com (Right now Lifetime Memberships are $15 off!) and the Fold N Learn files you can get from the Five in a Row website when you become a subscriber. (To read more about how we do notebooking as a large family, click HERE!)
And finally, we are doing a lot of reading and playing and imaginating! Those little years go by incredibly fast. There is plenty of time to do seat work. For now, let them play!
Be sure to check out my
Homeschooling Mother page
here on Raising Arrows!
Read more curriculum posts, by clicking on the links below!
Teach Them Diligently Curriculum Choices
Tristan says
I have some littles this year too and have heard good things about FIAR. I remember reading some of the FIAR books with my oldest, she enjoyed them. I’ll have 7th, 3rd, 2nd, K, and 4 little ones: http://ourbusyhomeschool.com/2013-2014-curriculum-large-family-style/
deborah says
My kiddos did the Rod&Staff ABC series and we loved them!
Rachel says
I’m guessing you’ll love FIAR! My littles and I were at the park feeding ducks this morning, and I was thinking about Ping and Make Way for the Ducklings that we had done when my older children were using FIAR. It is such a precious series! Enjoy =)
Amy says
We started a month or so ago and have really been enjoying it!
Tina At September says
looks great, I like the Five in a row 🙂 have a great school year!!
Savannah says
I love Five in a Row…hope you enjoy it as much. Thanks for a thorough post!
Adrienne says
What a cutie! I’d like to learn more about notebooking. I’m going to have do some research on it! Stopping by from iHN. 😉
Jennifer Woodard says
In your experience, when did you typically start structured teaching for your children? Kindergarten age or First Grade age? What’s your suggestion?
Amy says
I start to add more structured work around age 6, but even then, “seat work” should be minimal.
shiloh says
My goal is to homeschool my children as well. I’m still trying to figure out a good routine with 3, 3 and under. Thanks for the curriculum for “littles.”