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Homeschool Curriculum For A Right Brained, Spirited Child

You are here: Home / Homeschooling / Homeschooling a Creative Child / Homeschool Curriculum For A Right Brained, Spirited Child

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August 5, 2013 by Sallie Borrink
9 Comments

I’ve been thinking off and on all summer about our right brain homeschool curriculum choices for my spirited child for this coming school year. I’m one of those people who has to investigate, read, and then let it all ruminate in my subconscious before I can make a decision. Now we’re getting to the time to make decision so here we go!

Right Brain Homeschool Curriculum

David and I regularly pray for guidance to know how to best educate Caroline given her personality and learning style. Our method so far would be best described as:




  • semi-organized
  • delight-directed
  • Charlotte Mason appreciating
  • relaxed homeschoolers

I’ve given Caroline a lot of unstructured time with plenty of time to play. We have utilized the computer quite a bit using Starfall, More Starfall, ABCMouse, ABCya, etc. And we’ve read books.  Lots and lots and lots of books. I do formal lessons with her, but not every day.

This year I think we are ready for a bit more structure although we will still be pretty relaxed. Caroline is a right-brained learner so I’m trying to work with that. She also finds writing challenging so I am also working around that. I believe in picking my battles. I am mostly interested that learning continues to be enjoyable for both of us. One thing that would not work for either of us is a highly structured curriculum so a curriculum in a box is pretty much out of the question, appealing as it may be.

One of the things I struggle with as the mother of an only child is how much to spend on materials. So far we’ve spent very little on homeschooling. But Caroline is someone who thrives on variety and it really isn’t fair to her to limit what I purchase just because I won’t have the opportunity to use it again with additional children. It would be much easier to justify spending money on things if I had two or three more children to use them!  But Caroline shouldn’t miss out because she’s an only so I’ve made peace with spending a bit to get things that really make a difference.

So here’s a rundown of what I have planned for the beginning of the year. This is what I have to get us started. I am very much someone who tinkers along the way and so I really don’t think much past Christmas at this point. Then over Christmas vacation I’ll assess where we are, where we need to go, and what we should do next. It’s too hard to anticipate where a child will be in four months and so I keep things pretty open ended in my planning.




Helpful Tools

Because writing is an issue, I’ve invested in some fun tools to use. I’m putting up a Magnetic Dry Erase Board in our learning room and we’ll utilize that frequently because it will be fun, active and easier to use than a paper and pencil.

Board Dudes 24-Inch x 36-Inch Aluminum Framed Non-Magnetic Dry Erase BoardBoard Dudes 24-Inch x 36-Inch Aluminum Framed Non-Magnetic Dry Erase Board

We’re also going to utilize a Boogie Board 8.5-Inch LCD Writing Tablet, Pink.

Boogie Board 8.5-Inch LCD Writing Tablet,PinkBoogie Board 8.5-Inch LCD Writing Tablet,Pink

I think this will be one of those fun tools we can take advantage of while snuggled up on the couch. We can use it for spelling, math, or phonics. Again, a different set of tools usually makes the physical act of writing more appealing.

Calendar Time

We’re going to continue with calendar time. I use a Calendar Pocket Chart on the wall.

Monthly Calendar Pocket ChartMonthly Calendar Pocket Chart

We’ll be starting to use the various Fun Fact Cards that I’ve been creating and selling. Caroline has been watching me create them and is very excited to start using them!




We’ll also do some math during this time (time, money, etc.) so we practice those concepts every day. This is one of those good get up and move around activities that go over well!

Reading, Phonics and Spelling

I have Caroline read aloud to me every day as we snuggle on the couch. So far we have primarily used readers that I ordered from the library. We’ve been through so many series already such as:

Annie and Snowball

Annie and Snowball and the Wintry FreezeAnnie and Snowball and the Wintry FreezeAnnie and Snowball and the Cozy NestAnnie and Snowball and the Cozy NestAnnie and Snowball and the Prettiest House (Annie and Snowball Ready-to-Read, Level 2)Annie and Snowball and the Prettiest House (Annie and Snowball Ready-to-Read, Level 2)

Henry and Mudge

Henry And Mudge First BookHenry And Mudge First BookHenry And Mudge And The Snowman PlanHenry And Mudge And The Snowman PlanHenry and Mudge under the Yellow MoonHenry and Mudge under the Yellow Moon

Mr. Putter & Tabby 

Mr. Putter & Tabby See the StarsMr. Putter & Tabby See the StarsMr. Putter & Tabby Feed the FishMr. Putter & Tabby Feed the FishMr. Putter & Tabby Pick the PearsMr. Putter & Tabby Pick the Pears

To start the year, I’ve purchased a number of books to use. We’re going to start with the Cobble Street Cousins series which I can tell she will enjoy. (Later update – The Cobble Street Cousins was one of her favorite book series ever. Even years later!)

In Aunt Lucy's Kitchen (Cobble Street Cousins)A Little Shopping (Cobble Street Cousins)Some Good NewsSpecial Gifts : Ready-for-ChaptersSummer PartyWedding Flowers

In fact, we’re going to use a number of Cynthia Rylant stories such as Thimbleberry Stories and Let’s Go Home: The Wonderful Things About a House. (We are all about cozy, homey stories!)

Thimbleberry StoriesLet's Go Home: The Wonderful Things About a House

I’ll also continue to pick up books at the library. Most Level 2s are perfect for her, but a few are still a challenge. I imagine we’ll be on to Level 3s shortly.

For phonics and spelling, we are going to use All About Spelling. Caroline reads very well, but needs more work on decoding. And since I’m avoiding writing as much as possible with her, this hands-on approach will work much better.

I’ll also be supplementing with my own literacy materials that I create and some different workbooks I’ve picked up here and there. And we’ll use sentence strip activities with a large Sentence Strips Pocket Chart.

Learning Resources Standard Pocket ChartLearning Resources Standard Pocket Chart

Read Alouds

We’ve been slowly starting to make our way toward reading chapter books aloud. For the start of the year, I would like to begin working through:

  • All-of-a-Kind Family Series
  • The Betsy-Tacy Series
  • Little House in the Big Woods and Farmer Boy

We’ll create some lapbooks and other hands-on materials for these.

Writing and Handwriting

For handwriting, I have lots of workbook pages I can still use that we didn’t use last year. I’m taking a wait and see attitude on the handwriting and will not be pushing it. We will continue to do a primary journal in which Caroline dictates to me,  she reads it back to me, and then illustrates.

Mead Primary Journal Creative Story Tablet, Grades K-2Mead Primary Journal Creative Story Tablet, Grades K-2

Math

I read about the Life of Fred series this summer and think it will be a good fit for Caroline. I think she’ll enjoy the quirky story aspect of it. I’m only ordering the first book to see how it goes and then we’ll go from there.

The Life of Fred Elementary Set #1: Apples, Butterflies, Cats, DogsThe Life of Fred Elementary Set #1: Apples, Butterflies, Cats, Dogs

I’ll also use my own materials that I create, some workbook pages from here and there, and other materials I can purchase here and there. I like to put together my own little packets using my Fellowes Star Manual Comb Binding Machine.

Fellowes Binding Machine Star+ Comb BindingFellowes Binding Machine Star+ Comb Binding

Science

I’ve decided to utilize a lot of Early Readers for science. I looked at many science textbooks out there and none of them grabbed me. Many of them simply aren’t engaging enough visually even if the content is solid. If it doesn’t look appealing, it is simply a no-go for Caroline.

So I went through Amazon and Barnes and Noble and selected a variety of topics I know Caroline will enjoy. I splurged and purchased many books for this. I plan on creating lapbooks or other activities for many of them. I decided the books were an investment I was willing to make because Caroline will read them over and over again after we study the topic. Although we utilize the library a great deal, I also want her to have a full bookcase of books in her room to enjoy. (This is one place where I part ways with Charlotte Mason. She encourages a few high quality books read slowly over many weeks. That would never fly in my home. It’s about both quality and quantity around here.)

I’m going to group them in loose topics such as:

Polar Creatures: Polar Pals, Penguins, Polar Bears and Polar Mammals

Polar PalsPolar PalsNational Geographic Readers: Penguins!National Geographic Readers: Penguins!National Geographic Readers: Polar BearsNational Geographic Readers: Polar Bears

Water Creatures: Sea Creatures, Dolphins, Weird Sea Creatures, and Fishes

Sea CreaturesSea CreaturesNational Geographic Readers: DolphinsNational Geographic Readers: DolphinsNational Geographic Readers: Weird Sea CreaturesNational Geographic Readers: Weird Sea Creatures

Creatures of America: Forest Friends, Wolves, Temperate Forest Mammals, Barnyard Critters and Our Feathered Friends

Forest FriendsForest FriendsNational Geographic Readers: WolvesNational Geographic Readers: WolvesOur Feathered FriendsOur Feathered Friends

Animals Around the World: Tigers, Cheetahs, Pandas and Curious Creatures Down Under

National Geographic Readers: TigersNational Geographic Readers: TigersNational Geographic Readers: CheetahsNational Geographic Readers: CheetahsNational Geographic Readers: PandasNational Geographic Readers: PandasCurious Creatures Down UnderCurious Creatures Down Under


We’re also going to cover some other topics with hands-on materials. I purchased Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 and will have her do a unit on electricity and circuits with her daddy.

Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery KitSnap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit

I also purchased ROCK ON! Geology Game & Rock Collection, Let’s Go Rock Collecting (Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out Science. Stage 2) and National Geographic Readers: Rocks and Minerals since she has shown a strong interest in rocks. I’ll probably also add a few other books to our study as we get closer and create some materials to go with it such as a lapbook.

ROCK ON! Geology GameROCK ON! Geology GameLet's Go Rock CollectingLet's Go Rock CollectingNational Geographic Readers: Rocks and MineralsNational Geographic Readers: Rocks and Minerals

I would like to introduce a Charlotte Mason type nature study, but my motherly instinct tells me this isn’t the year to do that. We do spend a lot of time noticing nature already, but I’m not sure we’re ready to study and draw it on a regular basis.

History and Geography

This is one area where I’m not doing much planning. Caroline is taking two classes at co-op and they are both history and geography related. We’ll get into history as we do other things (read alouds, etc.) and that will be sufficient for this year.

Bible

We’re going to use a Grapevine Studies book this year. (They also happen to be one of our clients!) At this point, I haven’t decided which book to use. That’s one of the last details I need to work out! But I think Caroline will like the stick figuring aspect of it. 🙂

Music

We listen to a lot of classical music in our home. We were joking today in the car that Caroline’s probably one of the only six year olds around who asks, “Would you put in the Telemann CD?”  LOL!

So we’re going to continue with the classical music in a structured way. We’re going to use World’s Greatest Composers Volume 1 from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I thought about making my own curriculum, but I decided it was way easier to spend $5.50 and use what Erica has already created! 🙂

Art

I still haven’t decided what we are going to do here. I’m still looking for some inspiration in this area!

I did buy a Spirograph Deluxe Design Set and I’m not sure who is more excited – Caroline or David. (He had one as a child and LOVED IT.)

Kahootz Spirograph Deluxe Design SetKahootz Spirograph Deluxe Design Set

We keep a well-stocked cabinet full of art supplies so Caroline has lots of opportunities for creating her own things. I realize this isn’t the same as art appreciation, but it is very important to us to give her lots of materials to use.

Subscriptions, Games and Fun

Caroline has absolutely loved the BrainPop videos she’s been watching on the Kindle Fire via the Unlimited FreeTime subscription we have. She would really like me to purchase a subscription to the BrainPop site, but I haven’t decided if I’m going to plop down the $85 for a year. It’s probably more than worth it, but I haven’t done it yet. 🙂

I’ve also ordered some new games. Appletters, Blokus and Qwirkle will be new to us this year and all look like a lot of fun.

Mattel Games Blokus GameMattel Games Blokus GameAppletters: Spelling and Word Tile Game By BananagramsAppletters: Spelling and Word Tile Game By BananagramsQwirkle Board GameQwirkle Board Game

So there is what we have for getting started! It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds in the weeks ahead!

Homeschool Curriculum for a Right-brained, Spirited Child

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Category: Homeschooling a Creative Child, Our Homeschool Curriculum Choices, Right Brained LearnersTag: Dysgraphia, Spirited Children

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Missy Homemaker

    August 6, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    What a fortunate girl your daughter is to have a mom who not only understands her learning style but works with it. Well done Mom!

    Reply
  2. Linda

    August 8, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    So many great resources here! Betsy-Tacy is a favorite of my 7 year old right now. What a blessing to have the freedom to tailor our materials and teaching to our children. Have a wonderful school year!

    Reply
  3. Sallie

    August 12, 2013 at 8:28 am

    Missy – Thank you for your kind words. They truly encouraged me today! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Sallie

    August 12, 2013 at 8:28 am

    Linda – Thank you for stopping by! I agree that being able to customize our children’s education is such a great blessing and opportunity! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Julie

    August 30, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    I didn’t know that the spirograph was still available, gonna have to get that one and see if my kids will get into it, of course I will like it too. My oldest kid is defently a right brain learner, very hands on, she wants to do science where things explode, well to do it safely I got a book on irresponsible science with safe but really interesting reactions. I like Charlotte Mason too but I tweak it to my kids attention spands.

    Reply
  6. Lori D.

    April 23, 2014 at 10:46 am

    Great list and I love your gentle approach with your daughter in concerns with her writing! I would like to suggest two products for you. Handwriting without the Tears http://www.hwtears.com it’s not your typical handwriting program and has worked well for both my boys (one with dysgraphia and the other very right brain and left handed). The other is Brave Writer – it’s a very gentle approach to writing and one of the products that she has is called Jot It Down which is exactly what you are doing with your daughter now. I think you would both enjoy the fun writing projects and her philosophy of writing. You can check her out here http://www.bravewriter.com – and Julie is very accessible to ask questions etc., I hope this helps. Enjoy your year 🙂

    Reply

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