Eclectic Homeschooling Curriculum: Pre-K and 4th Grade

August is upon us and for many of us, it brings with it the planning of another homeschool year. Curriculum’s and school supplies bombard our senses as we walk through stores and browse online. It can be quite intimidating and overwhelming. I found myself jotting down notes about this upcoming school year while I sipped my coffee earlier this week. Our homeschool doesn’t run off of a boxed curriculum like some. That isn’t to say that we don’t use them at all. We simply don’t use them in the traditional way of starting with chapter one and working our way chronologically to the end. We prefer the ability to follow our interests, tumble down rabbit holes, and to get lost in our passions. If you are new to homeschooling, please read my post 10 Things You Need to Know to Homeschool. It answers many questions you may have about getting started.

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An Eclectic Approach to Homeschooling

Our rising 4th grader is asynchronous in his learning. What I mean by asynchronous is that he is many ages at once. He may be chronologically 9 years old, but have the social skills of a 5-year-old, the handwriting of a 6-year-old, and the scientific knowledge of a college professor. He is very advanced in Language and Science yet struggles with Mathematics and Writing. Plus we have added sensory challenges. Because of our son’s unique needs, we follow a very eclectic homeschool philosophy. Many aspects of our homeschool are unschoolish such as science, history, and literature. Last year we discovered that our son NEEDS daily instruction with math and writing. So those things are now required, but they are still presented in fun and inviting ways that he self chooses. Other subjects are per his request but are not necessarily a daily activity. We ebb and flow with subjects and curriculum’s based on his needs, choices, and interest. Much of it is unplanned…it just happens.

Eclectic Homeschooling Curriculum

Our daughter will be turning 4 in a few short months and let me tell you what a firecracker she is! If big brother is learning something, then she wants to learn it too. If Mama or Papa are doing something, then she’s right there in the middle of it, HA! She stated back in the spring that she wanted to learn to read so I needed to be the teacher and teach her. Oh yes, that happened. While I think she is too young for formal sit down lessons, I do feel she needs to be surrounded by lots of nature, art, and literature. I also plan to come up with weekly themes for her with the help of Pinterest and her weekly library interests.

Eclectic Homeschooling Curriculum

Reading, Writing, and Language Arts

• Brave Writer – Last year we began incorporating Brave Writer’s Poetry Tea Time and movie nights into our weeks. This year we hope to continue the Jot It Down Brave Writer Program. I’m loving how it meets your kids right where they are and allows you to follow your child’s interests in developing a love of writing.
• Handwriting Without Tears- Grade 3 Cursive Handwriting
• Writing Through History – Our son loved the writing through history series last year as we covered ancient history. He adores these stories with accompanying copy work. So, this year we will be writing through medieval history!
• The Alphabet: How Pine Cone and Pepper Pot learned Tom Nutcracker and June Berry their Letters! This lovely alphabet book is for our daughter as she learns her letters and letter sounds.
• Read Alouds – I read to the children daily from books that strike their interests. This week it’s The Cabin Faced West. Last week it was the Witch of Blackbird Pond.
• Audio Books –  We are BIG fans of AUDIBLE. Both our son and daughter love listening to audio books while they play, color, paint, or practice their writing. They are also great for long car rides! (Did you know you can get a 30 day FREE trial of Audible plus 2 FREE Audio Books?)
• Library – We love to read. There, I said it. We are bibliophiles of the 1st degree. Last year I kept track of the books our son read…just out of curiosity and you know what? He read 220 books! We would be lost without our library. What’s funny is that he wasn’t always a big reader. It’s true! We actually inspired a love of reading with his love of animals!