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From:	Secular Humanist Vegan Family Seattle, WA (24.18.178.9)
Subject:	Secular Homeschooler Pre-k and Up "ideas to get you started"
Date:	February 7, 2010 at 12:21 am PST

We use moving beyond the page, global village school with Handwriting
without Tears, Righstart Math, Brand New Readers and Bob Books, A myriad
of DK books and stickers. So here's the basics for the curriculum I want to
cover whether it is in the curriculum or not, language arts, writing, math, art
and music appreciation, history, social studies, humanities, health,
occupational education, science, spelling, reading, and (Ecology - Diversity -
Non-violence). We set up my child's room to have a reading nook kid size
couch/chair, computer lab, kid size desk/chair, and free play zone. And
change out pictures on the wall with diverse pictures from around the world,
with a focus on different cultures. We use the removable wall tape to hang
Giant Learning Basics Posters and use a folding white board/chalk
board/feltboard. Here are some of the manipulative and book companies we
added into the mix also. We are focused on an integrated approach to
learning, as a person whose completed 2 years of a doctorate educational
program, I love books and order. So a curriculum, workbooks, field trips, and
toy/game play is a must for our family. Many of these items can be purchased
through Amazon 4 for 3 promotions, Half-Price, Library Sales, and believe it
or not I've picked up many of our Melissa and Doug from Value Village. I also
saved a lot by making a gift list for birthdays and just because to get items
that I wanted for his learning. Hope this helps, and thank you all for your
input, because I visited your website when my Homeschool Curriculum
journey started. I learned so much it prompted me to learn more and this is
what we came up with for our family. Some may say its too hands on, others
too book laden, and still others say its too structured (ran this by some
friends of mine and a few chatters). We do: free play, circle time, free play,
curriculum item, outdoor playground/field trip, lunch, quiet Reading Time,
free Play, curriculum item, nature walk, free play, clean up. My son has a
great time learning each and everyday 2 of our core curriculum items typically
in an integrated format so math and reading might be number tales, Graeme
Base storybook, and related counters. The other curriculum breakout will be
from moving beyond the page or global village school curriculums will go
longer than manufacturer timeline. Curriculum items not included in pre-
made curriculum is broken into a game/play, hands on manipulative or
sensory, book/reading and we try as much as possible to add songs and
writing practice into the mix. Learning is a journey, and I think its easier to
learn something when it is presented in multiple ways.

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