Mapping Our New Adventure

This is it, we’re really doing it. Macie Jane goes to Kindergarten this year and she won’t have to travel too far. In fact we’ll be doing kindergarten together here at home! I am SO excited! The teacher heart in me swells thinking about getting to teach my own baby while the mama heart in me gets so sentimental that this day is coming- she’s ready for school. (Wasn’t she born a few months ago?!) 

As much as my heart is in denial I can’t deny how ready she is. She is eager to learn about anything and everything. She’s bouncing up and down at the thought of reading and will gladly join in any opportunity to do what she calls, “mommy school.” (oh my soul, isn’t she the sweetest?!) 

So here’s our plan. Technically in South Carolina you can opt out of Kindergarten so technically that’s what we’re doing. But in reality I’m doing Kindergarten with her but using this year as the guinea pig year. (first born probs) I’ll use the state standards to loosely guide me along with LOTS of wisdom and support from homeschooling mamas walking beside and ahead of me. 

I’ve spent hours and days researching homeschool strategies and curriculums. I’ve talked to countless homeschooling families. My sweet husband (who was homeschooled through high school- my mama-in-love is amazing) helps keep my grounded. And so far I’ve decided for this year we’ll take a very basic Charlotte Mason approach to Kindergarten. We’ll read living stories, study artists and composers, memorize scripture and poetry along with learning basic number sense and how to read. We’ll sprinkle in a little French and do a couple science experiments too! Because it’s important to my husband she’ll develop her digital literacy skills with him in the evenings or on the weekend. 

I’m not committing to a specific curriculum because I’m admittedly naive and want to plan out activities on my own that match the map I’ve written out for the year. Maybe I’ll regret it. 🙂 I’ll let you know how it goes. A couple things I know I’ll use are Coffey Design’s Gospel Alphabet, How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Evan Moor’s Everyday Literacy: Math to supplement activities, and a super special project I have in development. 🙂 Here’s a sneak peek: 

Curious to see what that map looks like? You’re in luck! Click the button below to find where I linked up our Kindergarten Learning Map. It’s not finished quite yet but I’ll update it as we go along. There’s a blank download for you to use too if you want. 🙂 

Anyone else new to homeschool? I’d love to hear your thoughts and plans! Oh, and if you’re a fellow Charlotte Mason fan I would LOVE to hear any and all the advice and wisdom you have!!