Does anyone have anything or know of anywhere that shows what should be known by the end of each grade level? I want to teach in more of the un-schooler type of fashion, while DH wants something more structured. So – I was hoping to find a way to appease both of us as well as the kids. I have been allowing the kids to do and watch the history channel and national geographic and have been noting them in my journal as subject that we have gone over today. I have also been doing worksheets for English, Math and Spanish with a few post cards. To teach them the basics of those subject. When I think back to my education and things I learned at certain times, it seemed that the focus for History and Science really didn’t begin until almost 5th grade. I do recall some basic science and geography win 3rd grade but not much more. I love the history channel and I love National geographic. Including college, I learned more on those stations than I did in school regarding those subjects. My point as to where I am going is *I* want to develop an interest in the subject versus just saying… sit down and this is what we are doing today and make them sit behind the kitchen table learning that particular subject. For exampled Thursday morning I told the kids to pick a book to read. To sit down and read/go through that ook quietly. Jacob picked on about natural disasters. I noted that as reading and science. He also did his daily journal talking about that book, My way of thinking is we covered mayby 3 or 4 subjects because of that book. Reading, Science, some Geography (locations where these events would likely occur) and English/Handwriting when he wrote in his journal. DH was not keen on that idea. So, I would like to find something that states where the average child should be, so I can appease both our styles.
For my third grade daughter I bought What Your Third Grader needs to know Fundamentals OF A Good Third-Grade Education Edited By E. D. Hirsch, Jr. I find the book to be interesting but I can't imagine a third grader knowing all the things this book covers. I think they have these for several grades but I wasn't able to find one for eighth grade for my older daughter. Beth
Yep on Amazon.com you find those books I think they go up to 6th grade I could be wrong. It's what Beth said what your third grader needs to know.
The books Beth mentioned are good GUIDELINES, but they shouldn't be taken as gospel. If you get a math book for the corrrect grade, the rest you can do more or less as you please. You seem to have a good handle on it. Yes, Natural Disasters can count as both, as you said. If you chart where disasters happen and map where, etc. that can also count for geography. You can tie history in to it with a little creativity.
I used the books mentioned "What your child needs to know" books (What your Kindergartener, 1st grader, etc). almost exclusively for my first to geer a homemade curriculum. If you like the approach the method you mention in the first post, I bet you'd liek the Five in a Row books. I did these a bit with my eldest, she loved it! We do use a curriculum now...but learning is an all day thing. Happens even when you're not officially doing school. I think you can do school with structure but still be flexible as to how its done. This is the first year for my eldest that we've actually sat down and had actual "school time" (she's 2nd grade right now). She's doing great. My son is doing K and also doing well. How old are your kids? holding more comment until then!
You know what I did was go to the website of our local schools. They had an area for each grade level that showed what was to be achieved for that grade level. Now, I don't take it as "gospel" as Jackie stated, but it has been a very good guideline for me to follow when I am feeling unsure of "where we are". You might try looking on your local ps website to see if you can find the same kind of info. Just another option for you!
I was able to find a cd-rom at the library that has the guidelines for SC. It was nice in that it includes suggested reading lists, web-sites and that type of thing. For the older grades it even has "options" for science and math that I wouldn't have considered as they are not taught in an average classroom.
You can purchase a state test prep book for as low as $10.00 brand new. You can get one from Spectrum. Their test books work with what most states require at each grade level. It covers a lot of what a child would cover for the specified grade. I think it has most subjects. I use them to give me an idea as to where we are and what we need to cover next. Patty
Ok, check his out... The state of Georgia has their curriculum check list on-line for each grade level! (SQUEAL!) I have always loved looking at what others do, and then using that information to better assess what I choose to do. I think that is what you were talking about... so... Go HERE http://www.georgiastandards.org/ When you look at the main page, look just below the large photo, in the center of the page. You should see "English", "Mathematics", "Social Studies", "Science", etc. Click on one of those topics. Then choose the grade level that you are interested in. My 6 year old twins are at, what I consider a 1st grade level. So, I clicked on 1st grade. Then a PDF will open. (Adobe PDF reader for free here) This file will have, in outline form, all the points that they consider important for first grade for that topic. And you can print this and use it while decideding how and what to include in your children's education. For example, not only will they say that the child will be able to count to 100. They also mention to what degree. Such as "Can count to 100 by 1s, 2's, and 5's." Or, "Recognizes the difference of letters, words, sentences and paragraphs." <<<<< The stuff that REALLY helped me! But again, it is graduated by topic and grade level, which is very helpful. Because with this being my first year as a HS mom, I needed a "BallPark figure", if you will, of what the heck are they supposed to know, and what is expecting to little or too much. So, this really helped! Good luck and feel free to write anytime! Jen
You can always go to your favorite search engine (ie Google.com) and type in: "scope and sequence" and then the grade level. If you do some reading through the information that you find you won't have to spend money on a book. I do it this way because we homeschool basically for free. My daughter isn't suffering, in fact she's doing quite well. Another thing to check is your state's web site. They may have their scope and sequence on there as well. Good luck!
I used to use the information on our state's website and stopped because they have so much that is not required to be covered. Even the public system does not cover everything on the page. It looks really overwhelming and a lot of what is on the state page does not even show up on the yearly testing. Patty
That's a good point but still I think that the state's web site can be good for guidance. You just have to remember that you don't have to know everything.
That's right Brenda, you don't have to know everything! Remember those are guidelines. Course when you're just starting out it's hard to know, then, with sooo much info. what of that you ARE to know! But trust me, it all works out and the kids learn tons more than kids at school! It may be a different times, but they're learning well! It's amazing all you can get on-line for free! As the kids get older, though it's harder to find, because there are more set things they need to do and cover. My highschool junior would not be able to cover everything for his requirements from free stuff on the internet. But I used it as much as possible while I could!
Why even care what ps teaches when you homeschool? You teach things ps doesn't and teach things you don't and probably woundn't teach. If your child is learning don't worry about it so much.
I have looked the books mentioned above and also I found a site that shows each states guidelines. I also found a list on about.com (I think it is). My daughter was in PS in in Sept and early Nov. I still have what the class was to cover for the year. With all of this, I get a general idea. I borrowed 5 IN A Row from the Libary. I liked the stories but my daughter didn't care for it. I have her read other stories and tie other subjects to the story. Right now we have Scooby Doo phonics (sp) books. I am amazed how creative I can be with Scooby. Plus I found a choclate for dogs receipe. We are planning on Scooby snacks for our dogs. My husband prefers the that I have a curriculum. Said it be easier on me since I care for 3 kids, the house and him. I did buy one and my daughter does enjoy the workbooks. We use them every other day. Plus I use the internet everyday too. My children are 2,3 and 7.
Lorna, I think they just want a guideline for what is the general idea of what is being taught in that grade, since they've just started homeschooling. Having some peace of mind by having a guideline to go by can be important! I know it was for me!
When I wanted to know this information I went to the website of the school my daughter would attend and printed out their outcomes for K, then first grade. Your state should also have a curriculum guide that will tell you what the state expects. On the school website they just tweak what the state puts out.
Thank you Becky - I did go to the state, and one of the nieghboring districts for some info. Our district just plain stinks. It is a very long reason why I pulled the boys out when I did last month, the last time they had an 'active' website was perhaps 4 years ago. I think someone constructed it but it never went any further.
You know it's funny but even if you go really slow you can do everything that the school suggests. You certainly don't have to but since we homeschool year round I find that it's possible.
