Tigist during school today announced that her named should be spelled with an E because they are very Kohnjo (beautiful). Now can you all understand why I might forsee some homeschooling difficulties with this beloved daughter of mine??!?!  Seriously, she’s such a free thinker I’m not sure what this analytical, formula tracting mom is going to do!

So, we’re homeschooling and I’m in the market for a good 1st grade curriculum for this fall.  I’ve peiced together what I’m using right now to try to catch Fikadu up to speed through Kindergarden, but want something much more concrete for this fall.  I borrowed a fantastically wonderful book from the library called, “The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Homeschooling.”  Basically your intro to homeschooling for dummies material.  It has been so insightful and resourceful that I am getting really excited about putting together lesson plans and such for this fall.  But I’ve never done this before so I’d like some input from those who have gone before. 

Here’s what I’m looking for:

1. Subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies/History, Bible. 

2.  What have you used and liked?  Does the curriculum you used carry through additional years?

3.  How are the lessons planned out?  Does it give you detailed plans for each day, or just basic overview of what you need to accomplish?

4.   Are you as the parent the main teacher or is it audio/visually based?

5.  What is the average cost involved in purchasing the curriculum you’re recommending?

6.  What am I forgetting to ask that I should ask about?  Basically what else would you like to tell me about your homeschool experience?

I have been using the book, “Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” for, you guessed it – teaching our child to read!  Big surprise there!  After just 3 1/2 weeks home and 13 lessons Fikadu knows letter sounds for s, r, m, t, d, long e, and short a.  He can sound out and read the following words: at, sat, mat, rat, sad, mad, me, see, seed, read, eat, seat, meat, meet, am, ram, sam.  Today he read three words in a row: see me eat.  I love it!  I think truly it is so rewarding to see a child learn to read. 

If you’re in the market for a great teaching resource I’ve enjoyed this book for a couple reasons. 

1.  The daily lessons are all planned out for you, they tell you exactly what to say to the child.

2.  Your book and the child’s book is the same.  You only buy the one book.

3.  It takes only 15 minutes or so a day.

I know there are many views regarding this book and the pros and cons to using it.  You can read all the reviews on Amazon.com.  But I’m thinking it is going to be highly effective for Fikadu as an almost 7 year old with no prior reading or English experience.  I’ll have to see about getting a video up soon.  He tends to shy away or start goofing off everytime I try to record him reading.  I guess I’ll have to go covert!