Poppy told me yesterday that she was ready to start first grade. As in: Today. I don’t have our First Day of School celebratory stuff ready to go, but I did let her do a little bit of geography, spelling and handwriting this morning. I’m not about to discourage her from wanting to “do” school.

Here’s what she’s doing for first grade:

Social Studies: “Story of the World: Volume 1” and “Map Skills”

Years before the kids were born, I read “The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home” at my sister-in-law Chloe’s house. It’s the book that convinced me that homeschooling was right for us, so it seems natural to use the author’s history curriculum. Pete will do some tag-along work with us here. I don’t expect him to do the notebook-keeping parts just yet, but I’m sure he’ll enjoy the activities. He might even listen to some of the stories.

Math: “Math Mammoth: Grade 1B” and “Teaching Textbooks: Math 3“

Through no planning on my part, Poppy finished the final page of Math Mammoth 1A on the last day of kindergarten. She really enjoys worksheets, so we’ll be working through 1B this year. We’re also going to give Teaching Textbooks a try. It’s a computer-based curriculum, and she loves anything she gets to do on the computer.

Language Arts: “A Reason for Spelling: Level B” and “First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind: Level 1“

“First Language Lessons” is, obviously, another “well-trained mind” book. I can’t remember where I originally read about the “A Reason For…” books, but I bought their handwriting book, too, so I’m hoping they’re wonderful.

Science: “R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey: Life (level one)“

We kind of free-wheeled it through science last year, and I discovered that I don’t do well with that method. I like to have everything planned out for me in science. I’ve read good things about this curriculum, and a cursory flip-through has me encouraged. We’re still going to be meeting with our “science club” once a week for lab time. I think we’re going to be basing most of our experiments off of what we’re doing with “R.E.A.L Science.”

Handwriting: “A Reason for Handwriting“

Spanish: Rosetta Stone

Poppy’s love of the Rosetta Stone program has waned a bit, but I already have it. So we’re going to stick with it for at least awhile longer. I’m not going to make her do it every day, though.

Art: Artistic Pursuits

Like Science, I have a hard time planning an art lesson every week. We saw Artistic Pursuits at a homeschool conference, and I think it has the ideal amount of direction for me. You can also buy a supply kit that includes everything the student will need for every lesson. It’s on the pricey side (which is why I don’t actually have it yet), but I think it’s going to work really well for us.

PhysEd: Ballet, soccer & weekly kids fitness class at the gym

Ballet doesn’t start until mid-August, and I think soccer starts in September. The fitness classes at the gym are ongoing, but she hasn’t actually been to one yet. Because I would have to actually be at the gym in order for her to go.

Pete is still in the Light, Vaguely Structuring Preschooling phase. I do have a bit more of a schedule for Poppy than I had last year, so I’ve penciled in activity ideas for him, too. They include things like Puzzles, Starfall and Reading with Mommy. I’m hoping he’s amenable to my plans.