Hi all, So we've decided to officially register our 5yo son into 1st grade. We were conflicted as to whether or not to hold off a year just because of his age, but he is advanced, so we're going with it. I've been doing school all summer with him at a very leisurely pace, and I think I'm set as far as curriculum goes for science, math, reading, and intro history from a Sonlight core that I bought off CL in the spring. The one thing I'm struggling with is knowing what to do for spelling/grammar/handwriting. It seems most curricula for that is geared towards learning to read, but he already reads very well. Like, flawlessly reading me passages out of The Chronicles of Narnia books. But he still has only a 5yo's attention span and fine motor skills, and hasn't memorized any spelling. Does anyone recommend a single curriculum that has a stronger focus on the writing for his age level, without boring him with trying to teach him how to read words that end in -e? Or should I get separate work books for handwriting and grammar? Or just go with his grade/age level even for reading to make sure he doesn't miss anything important that will cause hang-ups in the future? TIA!
For 1st grade or your son's age I would introduce him to grammar through living books or things like Mad Libs. Oh, Schoolhouse Rock is great too. I like Rod and Staff spelling. All About Spelling is also a good choice. ETA: I missed the last question. Personally I would go with grade=age and give him whatever work he is able to do whether that is 1st grade, PK, or 5th grade level.
Is your child just-5, or more like 5-turning-6? If he's just-5, my personal choice might be to register him as Kindy for his age, even if he's working on (like Embassy said) middle school materials, but that's just me. You may want to look at CLE's LA. It includes phonics at first and second grade levels, but they're more toward learning to spell with them than learning to read. Handwriting and spelling are included in each grammar lesson, and composition is included at the end of first grade and all of second.
I second registering him according to age. My DS started a year early, too, but we registered him a Kindly just bc there is always a chance in the future that he may need to slow down a bit, and this will keep us from having to say he failed a grade. It doesn't matter what grade they are registered at, you can do whatever level of work they need.
Does he even need to be registered? I don't know about your state, but where I live, we don't have to register him until he's 6 on the first day of school. Pecan is right that you can work at whatever level you need. You can also work at different levels for different subjects...first reading, kindergarten math, etc.
For "writing" (as in creativity, not teaching handwriting skills), I'd recommend Writing Strands. It's not a grade level curriculum, so you can pick up whichever book he's ready for and go for it. It starts at a preschool level and goes through college. For English/grammar, I REALLY like Rod & Staff, and personally, I'd skip the 2nd grade book (which is book 1 in the series). The 2nd grade book is just a very simple overview, which is fine of course, but it doesn't come with worksheets. I prefer worksheets (starting in 3rd), because it's easier for a young child just learning to write. In fact, you can do all the writing for him at this point. If he's a natural speller (which many early readers are, but not always), I'd recommend Sequential Spelling, which is also an ungraded curriculum. Start with book one, no matter what age/grade. It builds words based on patterns so that a child learns to recognize those patterns, spelling way more words than have actually been taught. Look at my signature. "Batman" is my 6 year old. He has Asperger's and delayed motor skills (which has kept him in therapy since he was born), but he taught himself to sound out words at 22 months old. We started homeschooling him at age 3, because we just didn't know what else to do with him. He was tested at an adult reading level (ability, not comprehension) when he was 4 and scored 160 on his IQ test right after he turned 6. People told us we were crazy for trying to homeschool a 3 year old, ... well, everyone except the compassionate folks on this forum who know every child is different ... but it works for us. (BTW, "Robin" is my 3 year old, and no one has really questioned our choice to homeschool him. *giggle*) The point is, don't question yourself if you need to do some of the written work for him at first while his motor skills catch up, and don't question yourself if you find that you're modifying assignments to be done orally or on the computer. It's fine, and you're not going to ruin him for life.
yup. I agree. MY dd was much like this and around the 5-6 grade we needed to go back and slow way down!
We don't do grammar or spelling as a separate subject at this age but, I do own and like the approach of First Language Lessons. I also own and love All About Spelling. I like that it teaches all letter sounds at once (instead of short sounds first, then after the kid memorizes what each letter says you go back and say "oh that letter can also say this" which confuses and frustrates some kids) and I like that it's a multisensory curriculum. I have heard great things about Sequential Spelling as well. I've heard many moms say it was a miracle curriculum for their 'bad spellers'. I have looked through it and like the approach. Whatever program you choose for spelling, be sure to check out Spelling City, you can put your word list from any curriculum in it, use it for teaching, playing games and testing whatever spelling list you want, and it's free. For handwriting, personally I make my own worksheets or just make them copy something I have handwritten onto blank penmanship paper.
Sonlight has a really good writing program for this age. You get the readers/LA program according to their ability. The LA consists of copywork, some grammar/application, prewriting and a writing assignment. It really is just enough for this age level.
For spelling I love All About Spelling. For grammar we're using Scott Foresman free grammar which can be found online by a simple search. We used both of those with my son in first grade last year and will use them again with our other three children in the future.
L is 5.5 and has been reading since he was 3. I use Handwriting without tears. It's multisensory and both the boys love it. He taught himself to read and mostly through games and fun he's learning to spell. He got this dictionary for his birthday and that is contributing to his picking up spelling and vocab. Personally I don't think you need to push a 5yo into major grammar. But that's just me. Most of the work my 5yo will be doing this year will be first grade but I'm certainly not registering him till I have to (which is 6) and then I'll still prob register him for first grade even though we may be doing second and third grade work. Just my 2 cents.
A great catch all curriculum publisher is Zaner-Bloser. (Remember those fun Highlights magazines in the pediatrician’s office?!) For handwriting and spelling I especially like their programs. On the website you can see an overview of each program and the levels they offer, so it would be really easy for you browse through the levels and see which one would best fit your DS. Does your son like using the computer? Technology is really well integrated with these curricula and the games and online tools are actually really creative and fun. p.s. I’m thoroughly impressed with his reading of The Chronicles of Narnia books!
Its better to register in the lower grade (if you need to at all depending on where you live). You can still teach him at whatever level you want.
