Luke's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Luke's 1st Day of Kindergarten:

He is super excited about school (or his doughnut) ;)

Another picture of him

Nathan was super excited (until he realized he wasn't getting a doughnut)

The boys and their doughnuts (a 1st day tradition we are starting)

Luke and his doughnut

Luke outside the school "house" - it was really sunny

Mommy and the boys outside our school "house"

Going into the school "house"

Luke's "school bus" - Lee did this

Luke outside the school room

Luke at our work table

Mommy/teacher and Luke

Luke's backpack - isn't it cute?

Lee and Luke in the school room

Mommy/teacher and Luke in the school room

Nathan ready to learn

My M&Ms

Luke after our library visit where he got his library card, some books, and a neat sticker

Isn't that a cool sticker?

Luke in the school room

Luke at our work table

A picture of me (Luke took this)

A picture of me (Luke took this)

Luke doing math

Luke doing math

Luke doing math

Luke coloring his passport for geography

The world Luke colored

Luke's spelling chart

Luke and his passport in front of the geography wall

Luke coloring his family tree for history

Luke coloring his family tree for history

Luke coloring the cover of his Spanish book - He learned "Me llamo Luke" today.

Lunch at the park

Nathan eating his lunch at the park

Mommy at the park

Luke on the spinny thing at the park

Luke on top of the playground

As you can see, we had a great 1st day of Kindergarten. We actually got all of our work done in under 2 hours (during the 1st block of time) so we were able to go to the park and the boys both took a nap. It was a great day. So far I love what we are using for our curriculum. I love how it all ties in together. Number one, I love that it is all Bible-based and Christ-focused.

If you think of it, please pray for our school year. I will try to post as much as I can find time for.

Kindergarten Curriculum - History - Little Pilgrims

Kindergarten Curriculum - History

What We Are Using: Little Pilgrims by Christian Liberty Press

How I Found It: I went back and forth on whether or not I should include history in our curriculum this year. I didn't know if it was completely necessary. I looked at some that seemed really advanced for Kindergarten. My great friend, Vicky, who works at The Homeschool Gathering Place, showed the series to me and I thought it looked great.

Why I Chose It: I chose it because it is really simple, is completely Biblical, and is a great start to history. It gives a general overview of history from Creation to current times to Christ's return. There is a Bible verse for each unit to memorize.

What Will We Be Doing? 2-3 days a week we will be doing lessons. We will read, go over our memory verse, and do a few little projects to re-enforce what we are learning.

I am really excited about this curriculum. I am hoping it isn't too simple for him.

Kindergarten Curriculum - Science - The World God Made

Kindergarten Curriculum - Science

What We Are Using: The World God Made by Christian Liberty Press

How I Found It: I went back and forth on whether or not I should include science in our curriculum this year. I didn't know if it was completely necessary. I looked at some that seemed really advanced for Kindergarten. My great friend, Vicky, who works at The Homeschool Gathering Place, showed the series to me and I thought it looked great.

Why I Chose It: I chose it because it is really simple, is completely Biblical, and is a great start to science. It focuses on the 7 Days of Creation and breaks down each day really well. There is a Bible verse for each unit/day to memorize.

What Will We Be Doing? 2-3 days a week we will be doing lessons. We will read, go over our memory verse, and do a few little projects to re-enforce what we are learning.

I am really excited about this curriculum. I am hoping it isn't too simple for him.

Kindergarten Curriculum - Bible - Bible Truths K

Kindergarten Curriculum - Bible

What We Are Using: Bible Truths K by Bob Jones University

How I Found It: Each year we have had "Bible time" in our homeschool. This time is a devoted time to read the Bible, learn Scriptures, and do crafts related to the stories. I found Bible Truths at The Homeschool Gathering Place and loved it.

Why I Chose It: I chose it because it is really intense. You do it every day of the week. Each week you have a memory verse. It is broken into 15 different units including CHRISTmas, Thanksgiving, and all of God's Word. It has songs, Bible stories, craft ideas, catechism, and prayers. It is really well put together.

What Will We Be Doing? Each day we will read a story from the Bible, work on our memory verse, sing songs, and do arts and crafts related to what we are reading.

I really think we will learn a lot and enjoy this curriculum.

Kindergarten Curriculum - Handwriting - A Reason for Handwriting

Kindergarten Curriculum - Handwriting

What We Are Using: A Reason for Handwriting

How I Found It: I used Handwriting Without Tears last year because it was promoted by Sonlight. I liked it but I thought I would just see what else was out there. I went to The Homeschool Gathering Place (the best store) and browsed. I found A Reason for Handwriting and loved it.

Why I Chose It: I chose it because each week you work toward being able to write a Bible verse. I am all about basing my curriculum on the Bible and God's principles so this was a perfect fit.

What Will We Do? Monday through Friday we will work on different letters and words in the Bible verse and on Friday he will write it out on a border sheet. We are encouraged to give them to people.

I really think we will like this curriculum.

Kindergarten Curriculum - Geography - Expedition Earth

Kindergarten Curriculum - Geography

What We Are Using: Expedition Earth

How I Found It: I love reading blogs, especially about homeschooling. I stumbled upon Erica's blog (http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/) and I LOVE IT! She is Super Homeschool Mom. She seriously needs a cape. LOL! She puts a ton of what she does with her kids on her blog (lots of pictures) as well as curriculum she has created. I found Expedition Earth on her blog and saw some of what she had done with her kids and thought it looked great.

Why I Chose It: I think it is really important that kids (and people) know about the world and not just the tiny area they (we) live in. This is great because you journey around the world, hitting all 7 continents, The Arctic, and tons of countries.

What Will We Do? We will read about each country, color the map, color the flag, do a lapbook, do arts and crafts, make or go out for food, and most importantly, pray for the country.

Overall I think it will be a great curriculum for Luke. We may not get to do everything for each country, but I think all in all he will realize the world is a much bigger place than just Holly Springs or North Carolina or even the United States. I will be learning a lot also.

Kindergarten Curriculum In Detail

I thought I would do a series where I break down each piece of our curriculum for Kindergarten. I will be sharing what we are using, how I found it, and what it will entail each week. Of course we haven't done it yet, so I will be doing a follow-up later to how we like it, but I really believe we will love our curriculum choices.

:)