Teaching My Newest Kindergartener

Don't worry, we're not going that old school with Titus.  

Up till this year, teaching Titus has been a very casual process; testing the waters with a lesson or two, then taking a break and trying again till I thought he could finally handle a schedule. Then, as I always do, I created a creative learning program just for him.

His day starts right after breakfast.  I have his brothers do their independent work at this time so I can focus on him.  His day lasts about two hours, then I send him off to play with Amber while I work with the older boys on the things they need my help on. 

I have used a number (as in too many) different phonics and spelling programs with his older brothers.  So one would think I would just use one of those for Titus, but alas no.  I am using some of the programs I used in the past but I've added three new ones for a grand total of five programs.  Stop laughing!  I know it sounds absurd, but believe it or not, it's really working.  Each program approaches phonics from a different angle and together they are working to make Titus quite the reader, speller and typer.  Yesterday, he actually read "Go Dog! Go!" out loud to Amber.

Here's the list:

• CLE Learning to Read What I like about this program is its wholesome gentleness.  I never have to worry about inappropriate sentences or words (like Learn to Read in 100 Days; great program, terrible content).  I don't use it alone because it moves a little too slowly.  If I was using this alone Titus would be bored and I believe loose his enthusiasm for reading.
• Adventures in Phonics with Christian Liberty Readers This is one of the new programs I bought.  What I like about this program, like CLE Learning to Read, is the readers are completely safe/appropriate.  However, unlike CLE, this program moves really fast.  We only do one worksheet a day and practice a lesson in the reader.  It's approach to teaching phonics is very different from the other programs I use but the differences do not seem to bother Titus at all, in fact I think it helps him excel. 
• Classical Phonics  I got it last year for Titus when I thought I could use one source (Memoria Press) for all my homeschooling needs (that hope was short lived).  I bought this with the First Start Reading Program.  I quickly ditched the First Start Reading Program (way too slow) but kept this book.  I used this for a long time to test the waters to see when Titus was really ready to read.  Now we use it about once a week for reinforcement and practice.  I do like/buy into the philosophy of the book and I particularly like that its designed to teach reading without writing, so it can be used with younger children.
• Rocket Phonics I have used this program from the very beginning of homeschooling.  I know it has changed a bit since my copy was published but I hope it has not changed in essentials.  Unlike Classical Phonics, I can't say that I buy into their method of teaching phonics. Thankfully, that has never stopped me from being able to use their book, I have just covered up or ignored their clue system from the very beginning.  To use it this way a child needs to have a basic understanding of phonics before beginning this program, but once they do its lots of fun.  The strength of this program is its heavy focus on comprehension.  From the very beginning, when the child is only reading a word at a time, they must find the word in a silly picture.  It then progresses to phrases describing the picture that the child reads and then decides if it describes the picture, saying "True or False".  As you continue to progress, the stories move from silly to quality, never twaddle.  Depending on the section we are in, we do two to four pages a day.
• Read, Write & Type  I found this program while looking for a typing program for my older children.  When I tried it out, I realized it was too elementary for them but just right for Titus. I would not suggest this program as stand alone phonics program, it jumps around too much and lacks explanation of phonics/spelling rules.  But as a program to reinforce spelling/phonics and teach typing I give it five thumbs up.  This is Titus' reward for completing the rest of his school work each day.  He really likes it because he thinks its funny and he gets to use the computer.  I like it because its safe/benign and it gives him a leg-up being able to type so young.  I think being able to play piano has helped him learn to type quickly.

Math was easy because I am convinced, after much research and trial/error, the CLE Math is the only Math program for us.  If the proof is in the pudding, then his older brothers standardized test scores prove its effectiveness, they consistently score 3 to 4 years above grade level.  It provides breath, right amount of repetition, tools for mastery and application of math principles from the very beginning.  He is progressing well, already at Lesson 65.  Once he's been introduced to all his math facts, I'll start him on XtraMath.

For now we only do this schedule three days a week, Monday to Wednesday.  On Thursday, he has his SEEK classes and Friday we leave free for catch-up and field trips.  Maybe if I'm lucky this schedule will work for Amber and I won't have to re-create the wheel a fourth time :-P