Combining CTG & K or PreK

[dhudson]

Science

We have a Kindergartner and everyone is LOVING the science portions of that and learning a lot. I was just wondering if anyone else has used K science with older kids? We also go a little more in depth (supplement) with things in the K science than the K TM suggests.

I had my older child sit in with us using MFWK but I also did the older science program.

Also, if I remember correctly, the history and Science in CTG correlate particularly when it comes to the Greeks and the creation portion as well.

If you're having trouble getting science done how about a science night or a science Saturday with Dad? We do this when we get behind (or an art night or a read aloud night) and it is more fun because Dad can do it too. Dad likes the Science nights or Science Sat the best.

[Lucy]

Hi Kathi,

I just wanted to agree with Dawn that although your kids can join in with K science they need their own too. The interesting thing is if you look at some of the list of science in the table of contents it is some of the same type lessons as in K since both focus on creation. You will notice that more time is spent on these subjects than in K though. Maybe you could coordinate them with the K lessons except for the weeks that the science units with the history(like in weeks 4-6 where you studied pyramids and weeks 30-34 where you read Archimedes and the of Science). I would just do them in order since that would be easier and less work.

Remember to use the library books to let your kids learn more and go deeper on these subjects. My kids loved all the experiments throughout the year and they really liked learning more about what had happened as they read and explored more in the library books. It seemed to me that in this year the experiments served as a spring board to get my kids interested in knowing more and the library books came in real handy for that. Now to be fair and real my kids were not always motivated by each experiment to learn more, but because of the experiments it made book basket more meaningful for them.

Lucy

[Julie - Staff]

I have a high schooler who is pretty much independent, but I also have 2 children doing CTG and one doing K. How do you schedule everything to get it done? Do you work with your K student in the morning or at the end? How do you coordinate your other subjects around CTG and K? I'd love to see some of your schedules. Thanks! Today was the first day we did CTG and K, before this week we were just working on the 3 R's.

No experience myself, but here are some threads you might start with:

K and older program http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1312

High school with youngers http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=6383

Balancing the schedule http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=11801

There are a few schedule hints mixed in with these large family experiences http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1011

HTH, Julie

[HeyChelle]

Lots of great links.

We are doing CTG and K right now. Our schedule is to start with CTG and complete Bible and History. The I set the CTG children up with math and other independent work while I do all of K with my little one. After K, we have a snack and finish up CTG.

So, ideally, we start CTG by 8:30, then I move onto K around 9:15, then back to CTG around 10AM, and finish by 12:30-ish. We generally save all art lessons for Tue and Fri ( and sometimes science projects) so that we can finish before lunch on the other days. They really enjoy taking their time with science and art, so this works for us.

Our high schooler is public schooled. I follow up with her on her daily work before dinner, then hubby checks in at bedtime.
HTH!

[4littlehearts]

Thanks Chelle, that helps to see how others actually orchestrate their day. It has been a big struggle trying to find time for my K student. The reason being is that when it would seem that my other children should be doing their independent work and I have time to work with my kindergarten child, either one of my other children interrupt with questions or my K-er is just not ready to sit still and work on school. We have many discipline problems with the K child in particular in the area of obedience so that lends to the difficulty of teaching her. It also doesn't help to have all of the interruptions from the other 2 middle children.

[Julie in MN]

, either one of my other children interrupt with questions or my K-er is just not ready to sit still and work on school. We have many discipline problems with the K child in particular in the area of obedience so that lends to the difficulty of teaching her. It also doesn't help to have all of the interruptions from the other 2 middle children.

My rule of thumb with independent work is that it must alwaye something we had done together first. Even a new chapter book I would usually start together, because otherwise too many questions would arise and take away from the independence.

Also, for the K child, I was curious about the age. Is this a young K?

Actually no, she is not a young K. She turned 5 on April 5th. So she is almost 5 1/2. She is just the kind that doesn't sit still for very long. It could be that we were just too lax in her discipline when she was younger as opposed to her older siblings. She is very strong-willed and we are constantly working on obedience issues with her in the home. Ironically, at church or when she is babysat by someone we know, she is very obedient.

Well, this wouldn't work in every family, but one option is just to wait until she's 6. There are some good threads in the K archives about success with waiting, such as this one:
http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1354

In my own experience, my oldest was so busy that I asked his doc if he was hyperactive (before the days of ADHD diagnoses and such). I knew he wasn't ready for sitting in a chair emotionally. And yet I knew he was absorbing the world and learning at a racing fast pace even without "academics." I went ahead and waited until he was 6 years 2 months old to send him to K, and miraculously, he suddenly sat down and became a student at that point. I hadn't done any academic preschool, so he was fascinated by this new world. I wasn't in a hurry, and he even had another gap year after high school. And I know that waiting didn't hurt him because he's now a Petroleum Engineer, graduated college in 4 years, got hired before he graduated.

So waiting is another option.
Julie

[Julie in MN]

My 6th grader did ECC this year with my friend leading and I did Adventures with her daughter and my special needs 4th grader as well as 1st and 2nd grade girls. We did a fun sort of miniature co op in my home. My now 5yr old and 3 yr old colored some state sheets etc. LA was very choppy and we ended up using some worktexts just to be sure that something was accomplished. but Next year feels more complicated.

I am planning CTG with my 7th, 5th (modified assignments),3rd and 2nd graders. But I want to use the new 1st Phonics for my 2nd grader as she is just beginning to master CVC words. I also want to use the K program for my son who is already beginning to sound out simple words as well. I am wondering if I should just use the whole 1st grade program with her and add in 2nd grade math? Following the "how to teach K and 1st together" recommendations? My time struggle comes from the need to work individually with 3 programs. As well as individualized Math and LA for 5 kids, 3 of which are needing actual phonics instruction. ( My 3.5 year old will definitely want to be in on K activities. She is already joining him with his pre k letter activities.) Any suggestions? Thank you!!
Rebecca:)

Okay, it feels like jumping into the deep end to envision your lovely family dynamics but I'll try to see what links might help while you wait for other supermoms to share their experiences.

So, to sum up, this is what I see...

• CTG for 7th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd graders.
  Language arts for 2nd grader is MFW-1st new edition, OR do all of 1st using the "how to teach K and 1st together" recommendations (use 2nd grade math in either case)
  K program for son, and 3.5 year old will definitely want to be in on K activities
  
  3 programs.
  individualized Math and LA for 5 kids, 3 of which are needing actual phonics instruction.

Well, I'm glad you found the "how to teach K and 1st together" post by Marie. That is a nice way to "do it all" but not all at once. With different emphases each year, it also keeps it fresh, I think,

One thought I have is that your worries about 3 kids needing phonics instruction might be over-worrying. It isn't necessary at all to teach a 3.5 year old phonics, and it might even be optional as far as starting a 5yo in kindergarten this coming year. Even if you go ahead with that plan, you do have options if it gets stressful.

Another thought is that language arts always needs to be individually tailored, and because MFW-1st is so efficient, it's probably not a lot more time than a typical 2nd grader would spend on language arts (spelling, PLL, Bible copywork, history notebooking, etc.), and you're doing the same math as 2nd grade, plus the science and deluxe items can be set aside in favor of CTG if that works best.

But here are some past threads that might help you think through a plan (besides calling the office).
K, 1st, and an older program: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1161
Marie's thoughts on not dropping 1st: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=499
Large families: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1011
Littles tagging along: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11069
CTG and 1st: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11650
Preschool, K, and maybe older programs: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5222
Preschool & 1st: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1336
K & an older program: http://board.mfwbooks.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1312


Hoping that somewhere in there is the perfect idea!
Julie

[kayben]

Thanks so much for your help and thread recommendations:) I have been at a college student visit over the weekend and haven't had a chance to reply. I am looking forward to the reading on these threads and hope to find some insight:)
Rebecca

[Joyhomeschool]

From a Mom of Many... Wait to do K with your Ker till you finish first with your 2nd grader. I think teaching one phonics at a time is easier. I would suggest Rod Nd Staff preschool series and the prek kit for this year. Focusing on colors, numbers, sequencing. then start k next year.

MFW uses spelling power which reinforces phonics for older children. One year I had a first grader in first and then a 2nd grader who needed phonics help so I reviewed the phonics rule from first with both kids and we studied a group of spelling power words for a week instead of testing daily. He needed to remember the rules. I also suggest the MFW language lesson books. They are very short lessons and can be done orrally or shortened as needed. We use our own math and its pretty short as well. My 4 students this year are finished with book work in an hour to hour and a half. Then our MFW work takes about the same amount of time.