My Curriculum Choices
After many hours spent researching the different curriculum's, I decided to go with an international curriculum as opposed to a local curriculum. I feel that the opportunities that the international curriculum will afford my children far out weight those of the local curriculum. I have however, decided to add in additional subjects that they will not receive with an international curriculum.
As a family, we have decided on the Sonlight Curriculum. Major reasons behind this curriculum are that they will complete there schooling with an international qualification, it incorporates Christian beliefs (although these are always optional), each subject comes with a set "Instructors Guide" carefully laying out exactly what you should be doing each day over the weeks throughout the year, meaning no planning on my side and more quality time with my family.
Sonlight also recommends that children with an age gap of 3 years or less, be educated on the same CORE Level and additional Subjects be added for each child on their level. I can therefore use the same Core for Jellybean and Poppet.
Below is a breakdown of my curriculum purchase from Sonlight relating to all subjects, including the Core Level. As the curriculum is mostly literature based, you generally only have to purchase one of everything for multiple students. There are a few additional consumable items which need to be purchased for additional students, which are listed below for Poppet as "resource for additional child". These Cores will be used again for Bubble and only the consumable items will have to be purchased although worksheets for Language Arts and Science are included in this order so that if anything changes in the Core before then, I wont have to buy a whole new Core.
As a family, we have decided on the Sonlight Curriculum. Major reasons behind this curriculum are that they will complete there schooling with an international qualification, it incorporates Christian beliefs (although these are always optional), each subject comes with a set "Instructors Guide" carefully laying out exactly what you should be doing each day over the weeks throughout the year, meaning no planning on my side and more quality time with my family.
Sonlight also recommends that children with an age gap of 3 years or less, be educated on the same CORE Level and additional Subjects be added for each child on their level. I can therefore use the same Core for Jellybean and Poppet.
Below is a breakdown of my curriculum purchase from Sonlight relating to all subjects, including the Core Level. As the curriculum is mostly literature based, you generally only have to purchase one of everything for multiple students. There are a few additional consumable items which need to be purchased for additional students, which are listed below for Poppet as "resource for additional child". These Cores will be used again for Bubble and only the consumable items will have to be purchased although worksheets for Language Arts and Science are included in this order so that if anything changes in the Core before then, I wont have to buy a whole new Core.
Jelly BeanCore A with Grade 1 Readers and Language Arts
Book of Time D-Ring Binder Cores A-G x 2 Markable Map and Markers Science A Non-Consumable Science Kit Handwriting 1 (Handwriting Without Tears) Teacher Guide Explode the Code - 1, 2 & 3 Singapore Mathematics 1 Handbook for Teachers Challenging Word Problems Electives Artistic Pursuits K-3*** Art Supplies K-3*** Life Skills - Before I Was Born Bernsteins Favourites - Classical Orchestra Bastien Piano Method Primer Bastien Piano Method Level 1 Bastien Piano Theory Primer Bastien Piano Theory Level 1 General Comments * Each child will get their own Science supplies which will enable them to each do their own Science experiments. ** Both levels of Handwriting will be purchased for Poppet in case she will be ready for the level K. *** I will be purchasing art supplies locally for Poppet as I feel that the Artistic Pursuits is a little too advanced for her. |
PoppetCore A with Grade K Readers and Language Arts
Book of Time Timeline Figures A (resource for additional child) Markable Map and Markers (resource for additional child) Create a Calendar (resource for additional child) Science A (to complete what she can with Genevieve) Non-Consumables Science Kit* Science Supplies A* Handwriting Pre K (Handwriting Without Tears)** Teacher Guide Handwriting K (Handwriting Without Tears)** Teacher Guide Sound Cards Capital Letter Wood Pieces Letter Mat for Wood Pieces Lined Paper Cards for Wood Pieces Chalkboard and Chalk Explode the Code - Ready, Set, Go Explode the Code Teachers Guide Singapore Mathematics K Base 10 Starter Kit Electives Life Skills - The Story of Me |
Additional Subjects not offered by Sonlight
As Sonlight is an American Curriculum, there are certain subjects which they do not offer, but which I would like to include as a South African family.
We have chosen to add Afrikaans and South African History to our curriculum. I will also add German (although Sonlight offers this, it is for much older children).
For Afrikaans up to Grade 3, I will be introducing Afrikaans through music with a range of CD's, some of which can be found here. Once my children reach Grade 3, I will begin using a combination of "Leer Afrikaans Lag-Lag", "ANT Books", "Lekker Afrikaans" and "Lekker Lees Stories" as set out here by SA Home School Suppliers.
For History, we will be using the History eBook and Lapbook which covers 9 different topics. You can find these on the Footprints website. We will be starting with The San of Africa and following in the order they have provided as it seems to run in chronological order.
For German, I will begin with basic German words and greetings and will be using the Usborne's German for Beginners Book available on Amazon.com . From Grade 3, we will be focussing on German in more depth, possibly using the German supplied by Sonlight.
We have chosen to add Afrikaans and South African History to our curriculum. I will also add German (although Sonlight offers this, it is for much older children).
For Afrikaans up to Grade 3, I will be introducing Afrikaans through music with a range of CD's, some of which can be found here. Once my children reach Grade 3, I will begin using a combination of "Leer Afrikaans Lag-Lag", "ANT Books", "Lekker Afrikaans" and "Lekker Lees Stories" as set out here by SA Home School Suppliers.
For History, we will be using the History eBook and Lapbook which covers 9 different topics. You can find these on the Footprints website. We will be starting with The San of Africa and following in the order they have provided as it seems to run in chronological order.
For German, I will begin with basic German words and greetings and will be using the Usborne's German for Beginners Book available on Amazon.com . From Grade 3, we will be focussing on German in more depth, possibly using the German supplied by Sonlight.