I mentioned in April that we were going to give homeschooling preschool a try for a bit and see how it worked. It has been interesting. Here are some random observations in no particular order.
What Hasn’t Worked Well – Repetition
Caroline does not enjoy doing the same thing or similar things more than a few times. We started out making those cute foam letters and by the time we got to about F or G she had totally lost all interest. It didn’t matter that they were different or super cute. She just didn’t care to do the same kind of project again. She craves variety and thrives on new experiences.
So that means the preschool curriculum I purchased was not really helpful. It has not worked well for us for a couple of reasons. One, Caroline was already well past a lot of what was in it. And, two, many of the activities are ones that are repeated multiple times with multiple letters. Again, Caroline has no interest in doing something again and again and again for weeks.
I’ve also realized that a great deal of what I have saved from teaching will probably never get used. I have lots of files that I am going to pitch because they won’t be relevant with the child I have.
This past week David and I talked again about whether or not we should consider sending Caroline to preschool this fall. I admit that part of it would simply be for a break, even if just for this year. But now that she is already reading words all over the place, I think she would be bored. She’s definitely not ready for a kindergarten class. But when I read the four year old curriculum online for the place I was researching, I think she would be bored.
I have lots of little readers that she’ll be reading in probably another week (as soon as I sit down and work on some basic sight words with her). And even when I think about the fact that I would get a break, I think of the running back and forth to drop her off and pick her up and the volunteering in the classroom, etc. It really would not be a break. So I think we’ll just stick to hiring a babysitter to come in once a week for a break for all of us.
What Has Worked Well – Variety
Starfall.com has been a great tool. Caroline is thoroughly enjoying it and has learned a lot simply by playing games on there. Using the LeapFrog videos was also very instrumental in helping her. We have had the first two since last winter.
We haven’t bought this one yet, but will since it focuses on long vowel sounds and I know it will be helpful.
This weekend we bought this one and she’s already talking about commas and periods.
I looked at this at Target this weekend, but am not sure.
It has two sets of phonics books you can buy to use with it (one short vowels and one long vowels) which could be helpful.
But so much of the rest of it is marketing propaganda (Little Mermaid, Dora, Cars, etc.) and I don’t want to go in that direction. (We do Hello, Kitty! and Pooh. That is enough.) The books are kind of pricey so I’m not sure I want to open that can of worms. Ten bucks for a DVD is one thing. The entire Tag thing will get a lot more expensive and I’m not sure it will make that big of a difference. So the verdict is still out on that even though we’ve really liked the other LeapFrog things we’ve used.
What Should We Do This Fall?
So now I’m trying to decide what to do about the fall. I’ve been looking at the Sonlight curriculum this week, but I’m not sure we really need that much for a four year old. I’m thinking just an organic, teachable moments-based learning approach will probably still work just fine for this year.
One of the other big things I’ve learned admitted to myself is that I do not want to spend a lot of time in planning. Reading through the 27 Reasons Families Love Sonlight and 27 Reasons Not to Buy Sonlight was helpful in a few different ways, especially after doing our practice preschool.
While I thoroughly love doing research and planning out units, I do not have the time to do it at this point in my life. When I went through my elementary education program, I was in a selective, specialized program called Academic Learning. The focus was on developing curriculum. I ab.so.lute.ly. love to develop curriculum. But if I am honest with myself, I just do not have the time and energy to devote to it. So I think we will eventually end up with an all-in-one type curriculum where everything is basically planned and then we’ll supplement as necessary. But I’m thinking we are still a year away from that (at least). (Update years later: Ha! This is exactly the opposite of how things turned out. LOL!)
So that’s where we are. Learning is happening all the time because we’re just three learning type people. And it will all continue to evolve as we move forward!
Duck, Duck, Goose! A Coyote’s on the Loose!
Christian,
Thanks for mentioning that. I’m not so sure about the extrovert thing any longer. I have observed that by the time we get out of church, she is worn out and wants to retreat to comfy clothes and a DVD or something that allows her to unwind and (I suspect) decompress. So now I’m thinking she may not be an extrovert. I’m still trying to figure that one out.
I am also planning on doing a Bible study this fall so Caroline will be going out with me for that. Between church, Bible study, library trips and a babysitter or two each week… I’m thinking that is probably plenty of interaction for a four year old. 🙂
You’ve mentioned in the past that Caroline is an extrovert. While the curriculum of preschool may not be exciting for her, I can’t help but wonder if the “people factor” and various activities offered might compensate somewhat. Just a thought… You know her best!
Interesting and insightful observations. Thanks for sharing your latest resources.
So a couple of thoughts 🙂 SO much fun about her reading – I love it, love it when they really start to get it.
The TAG reader thing – I think it is weird? I guess it sounds snobby, buy why not just read to your kid? I know that you do. Of course I also do A LOT of books on CD so I guess it is the same thing? Do you know about LibriVox? They have tons of older books that kids can listen too – I am sure that you know about it but there is also Ambleside year 0 or 1, I am sure that Caroline would be all over that 🙂
AFA your old school supplies, if you don’t think that you will be using them offer them to another homeschooling family – I am sure you have tons of great stuff and you never know what others might need or use. I guess I am saying, don’t throw them out, so many of us are trying to school on a dime and will fit stuff in even if it isn’t the most popular programs out at the time.
Sounds like you have one smart cookie either way – it has been really hard for me to just let Ellie kinda do her own thing. I KNOW she is super smart but when I start to push she pushes back, she is 5 1/2 now and I told her that we are starting Kindergarten, that she will have a list this fall and it won’t be optional, she seems tolerant of that. 🙂 Kyle had been doing required school stuff for a year by her age. They are all so different. Your doing great!
I wouldn’t do preschool if you are considering (decided on?) homeschooling. It can be hard to pull them back out of that constant interaction once they get used to it.
For reading, I think I wrote this before, but we’ve had great success with ReadingA-Z.com. You pay a subscription fee, but it is worth it! Leveled readers, assessments, etc. Loads of material! It’s really awesome. I use it for my first grader and my preschooler now.
Oh I meant to add about the TAG system…
We have one and it is really a silly product IMO. It’s better to just read to them, or let them read readers on their level. And they aren’t cheap. But again, different kids, different strokes and all that.
Also, on the ReadingA-Z.com, if you like Starfall, you will like RA-Z. It’s like Starfall but has 100X more material.
I agree, Sallie, sounds like you’ll have just enough going on to keep you both more than sufficiently busy. I would be hesitant to add anything more to that fall agenda, especially considering the fact that she seems to have the inklings of fellow introverts!
Thanks for the links to Sonlight, Sallie. I’ve heard good things about this curriculum, and it was nice to be able to read about it. I’m hoping I can get a look at it somewhere.
A mom I know who used it said that she enjoyed it, but that it was a lot of reading. We do a lot of reading here already, so I’m not sure how different that would be for us. She also said that she really loved Our Father’s World. If you ever check into that, let me know what you think.
It seems like all Seth (3 1/2) wants to do most days is have me read books to him. =) I’m not complaining, but I do wish he’d be a little more interestd in playing learning games with me or doing learning puzzles, etc., just to break things up. Do you have any suggestions? Should I push that kind of thing harder? He can identify most of his letters at this point, and we’re starting to work on making sure he knows his lower case, too.
I’m trying not to stress myself out with curriculum hunting right now because I have a couple more years, and I don’t want to freak out over all the options. Thanks for giving me some little things to think about that aren’t overwhelming… =)
If you haven’t looked at My Father’s World that might be something you would like. I’ve been using the K program with my daughter this past year and she loves it! I also use My Father’s World for my older children (we’re getting ready to start Creation to Greeks) and I really like it. Just another one to add to your list of things to look at!
Another thing that might fun is Five in a Row, especially since Caroline likes to read so much. I actually found some of them at the library and have used them to get ideas of good books and some activities to go along with them. I don’t follow it as written or use it as a curriculum but I’ve found that it has some good book and activity suggestions that we use with our younger ones just for fun.
Have you heard of Picture Book Preschool? It also has some good book suggestions, organized by topic and season.
Have fun and enjoy all those special times reading and learning together!
We have researched EVERY thing out there. I have a 3 yr old and a baby. I currently have the Abeka for 3’s and will be passed down every year after from another family. I like Abeka. But I will be supplimenting with other things. Sonlight REALLY was of interest to me so we will be using alot of their books on our reading list. I am also planning on using a TON of the Letter of the week things. (thank you BTW for that link). I guess my answer is too integrate a few different things into her learning, Too keep it fresh and exciting! I remember hearing HS mommas talk about all the new things they do each year. I didn’t get that. I wanted to buy one bulk pack and be done. Yep, now I see why. Some things get boring after a while. Completely normal!
On the extrovert thing. Our firstborn son, we all would have sworn, was an extrovert. I mean, for YEARS and YEARS (he’s 28 now, and I mean through age 20 or 22). Now he swears he’s an introvert (which makes sense, given the composition of the rest of the family). 🙂
But he is a strong “P” (Myers-Briggs). I think a good chunk of what was showing as extroversion in him was really just a desire for something new — “interesting” stuff happening. He still likes (craves?) that.
Susan (mama to eight)
Thanks for the good discussion! 🙂
I looked at My Father’s World online and will try to look at the other ones suggested.
Ellen – I wouldn’t worry about Seth. For one, he’s a boy so he’ll likely hit things later than a girl anyway. I’m only starting to do things with Caroline because she is really forcing me to do so. I’ve said time and again that I would not rush my child and she’s the one pushing me along! I blame those LeapFrog videos! And the fact that she’s home all day with two very verbal adults.
Heather – You are very welcome!
Susan – That is VERY interesting about the P thing and your son. Caroline craves interesting things and thrives on new books, activities, people, places, experiences, etc. Thanks for the heads up. I will have to look into that. Very interesting!
Hello Sallie!
I tried to leave a comment last week, but I always do something wrong on your site…even when adding the code at the bottom there 😛
I just wanted to say we ordered the Sonlight 3/4 this year and it has been worth every penny. I was hesitant to order it since we already have a large library, but the books and activities have been such a blessing to us…it is a wonderful investment and we’ve made a ton of memories. We plan to save up in order to buy the 4/5 package at Christmas (although we buy most of them through Amazon used and the instructor’s manual from their site)
I’ve looked in to MFW and Heart of Dakota too. There are so many wonderful choices! I ended up not ordering these b/c it required prep work on my end, but they looked wonderful. I may order them just b/c I’m a curriculum junkie though and love to read all that i can! Such cute ideas in them~:P
Blessings Sallie! 🙂 I’m glad I can read what you’re thinking through b/c I’m right there with you :). We’ve considered preschool too, but it’s not an option for us now…but it’s good to know that there’s freedom to choose what works best for your family.