Getting started (PK) - suggestions please!
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:39 pm
Hi!
My son is still just a little guy (not size wise by any means) at 15 months old. We realized recently (when my 2000 page homeschool catalog arrived) that this coming school year he'd be old enough for early early learning. He is our first and only (so far) but we've known for years we want to homeschool. Right now I'm figuring on just reading, doing fun (but educational) games and activities, crafts, etc. When he gets old enough for lessons I plan on taking a unit study notebooking/lapbooking approach (if that suits his learning style.) Anyway I'm working on putting together a supply list of sorts for this coming year. I'm trying to get a well rounded few books of activities, plus plan to check out new ones periodically from the library. Also I want to order a few books that I here are great that we don't have yet, plus he will no doubt get more throughout the year (we just bought 20 at the thrift store for him today! lol) I plan on checking out basic how-tos, info types etc from the library. Our county is the best library system in the state, so I'm counting on it a lot. It always pulls through. Our local thrift also has great book prices and book sale mondays, my mom is addicted to auctions, and my aunt used to homeschool and has her old stuff plus is seeking new (used) stuff for me, so more stuff will now doubt come my way.
I'm hoping if I share my "shopping list" then more experienced people can ixney some books, give ideas of swapping this for that, suggest a MUST have book, and just generally make suggestions. If it helps any we are not christian, so I don't want books with strong christian or religious bases, but some context is okay.
Any and all input is welcome and appreciated! Here's my shopping list:
For activities/games/etc ideas:
101 Great Games for Infants, Toddlers & PK
365 Activities You and Your Toddler Will Love
Adventures with Books (the little workbook from Rod & Staff mostly so I can see how I like it)
Instant Curriculum
The Learning House
Peak with Books
Toddler Theme Calendar (a calendar with themes and activities for the year)
Books to get just cause they are great:
Accidental Zucchini: An Unexpected Alphabet
Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom
Goodnight Moon
I Knew Two Who Said Moo
Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book
I was also going to get the Lauri Toddler tote, some cool colored plastic rings (so I can make my own little color/shape/whatever books) and some white sticky putty for hanging stuff. Also budgeted is printer cartridges (to print out great stuff like flashcards, mini books, games ideas, alphabet train, etc etc etc there is so much great free stuff out there to print) two 3" binder (one for games/activities/crafts and one for worksheets/mini books/flashcards etc printouts and copies) sheet protectors, a case of printer paper, and crayons and paste/glue. Oh and construction paper, just cause we love that stuff.
I plan on using all the really great printable freebies intended for daycares and preschools, hence all the printing supplies.
I was going to buy the Toddler Busy Book, but figure I can either do without it or discover it at the thrift one day.
I also thought the books I picked would serve me well for the next few years. So next year I can get more activity type books, and basics books, then more the year after that.
Do you have any other must have book recommendations? Or suggest I don't buy one I have listed? If so why?
Also in the future I was wondering is it actually feasible to do $200 per kid per year?? My aunt said I'm looking to spend about $1200 per kid, but I said there is just no way! I figured doing unit studies can easily be cheaper then buying premade curriculum. Also just a lot has changed since she homeschooled, and she also didn't use the internet (to buy used books, get freebies, find printouts, etc) which I'm sure affect the cost involved.
Thanks! Hope this wasn't to much info! I tend to get carried away.
A
PS. I hope this is a relatively active forum, I'd hate to ask all this to get like one response.
My son is still just a little guy (not size wise by any means) at 15 months old. We realized recently (when my 2000 page homeschool catalog arrived) that this coming school year he'd be old enough for early early learning. He is our first and only (so far) but we've known for years we want to homeschool. Right now I'm figuring on just reading, doing fun (but educational) games and activities, crafts, etc. When he gets old enough for lessons I plan on taking a unit study notebooking/lapbooking approach (if that suits his learning style.) Anyway I'm working on putting together a supply list of sorts for this coming year. I'm trying to get a well rounded few books of activities, plus plan to check out new ones periodically from the library. Also I want to order a few books that I here are great that we don't have yet, plus he will no doubt get more throughout the year (we just bought 20 at the thrift store for him today! lol) I plan on checking out basic how-tos, info types etc from the library. Our county is the best library system in the state, so I'm counting on it a lot. It always pulls through. Our local thrift also has great book prices and book sale mondays, my mom is addicted to auctions, and my aunt used to homeschool and has her old stuff plus is seeking new (used) stuff for me, so more stuff will now doubt come my way.
I'm hoping if I share my "shopping list" then more experienced people can ixney some books, give ideas of swapping this for that, suggest a MUST have book, and just generally make suggestions. If it helps any we are not christian, so I don't want books with strong christian or religious bases, but some context is okay.
Any and all input is welcome and appreciated! Here's my shopping list:
For activities/games/etc ideas:
101 Great Games for Infants, Toddlers & PK
365 Activities You and Your Toddler Will Love
Adventures with Books (the little workbook from Rod & Staff mostly so I can see how I like it)
Instant Curriculum
The Learning House
Peak with Books
Toddler Theme Calendar (a calendar with themes and activities for the year)
Books to get just cause they are great:
Accidental Zucchini: An Unexpected Alphabet
Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom
Goodnight Moon
I Knew Two Who Said Moo
Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book
I was also going to get the Lauri Toddler tote, some cool colored plastic rings (so I can make my own little color/shape/whatever books) and some white sticky putty for hanging stuff. Also budgeted is printer cartridges (to print out great stuff like flashcards, mini books, games ideas, alphabet train, etc etc etc there is so much great free stuff out there to print) two 3" binder (one for games/activities/crafts and one for worksheets/mini books/flashcards etc printouts and copies) sheet protectors, a case of printer paper, and crayons and paste/glue. Oh and construction paper, just cause we love that stuff.
I plan on using all the really great printable freebies intended for daycares and preschools, hence all the printing supplies.
I was going to buy the Toddler Busy Book, but figure I can either do without it or discover it at the thrift one day.
I also thought the books I picked would serve me well for the next few years. So next year I can get more activity type books, and basics books, then more the year after that.
Do you have any other must have book recommendations? Or suggest I don't buy one I have listed? If so why?
Also in the future I was wondering is it actually feasible to do $200 per kid per year?? My aunt said I'm looking to spend about $1200 per kid, but I said there is just no way! I figured doing unit studies can easily be cheaper then buying premade curriculum. Also just a lot has changed since she homeschooled, and she also didn't use the internet (to buy used books, get freebies, find printouts, etc) which I'm sure affect the cost involved.
Thanks! Hope this wasn't to much info! I tend to get carried away.
A
PS. I hope this is a relatively active forum, I'd hate to ask all this to get like one response.