Question posted by: SuzyQ on December 01, 2003

Hi! This is my first year homeschooling and my 6 yr old dd is doing great. She was enrolled in an ACE christian pre-school and we are now doing A/O Lifepacs which she loves. My "problem" is that she will be completely done with 1st grade by January (she completed her SS textbook in 9 weeks)and half- way through 2nd grade math. So. Do I move her into 2nd grade -which we really can't afford another curriculum, or should we just work on handwriting, spelling and maybe a foreign language? Also, when she does start 2nd grade should it be a more challenging curriculum? Sorry this is so long.
Thank you for any input!

SuzyQ
 

Answer:  Maintaining the skills she's already learned will be the challenge.

Math**
Reading**

These are the two critical subjects where skills can be easily forgotten over the summer--that's why public schools spend so much time reviewing at the beginning of the school year. Since this will be about a 7 or 8 month break ('til Sept.), the effect is magnified. You may find it easier in the long run to just go ahead and buy the next level of math when it can be afforded and also the next level of Language Arts--that is, if you would like to continue with Alpha Omega.

In the meantime, you can buy el-cheapo workbooks from the grocery store/Costco/Target. The most expensive would probably be $10 but $6 is also a possibility

Alternatively, there are many free worksheets online that you can print out.

aaamath.com provides some online drill.

History/Geography and Science can easily be done with library books or you can spend time with other subjects as you mentioned, like a foreign language. Even simple sewing, crocheting, etc., might be just the ticket. When little, my kids enjoyed painting; they even made bookmarks out of watercolor paper and watercolors and then covered them with clear contact paper. It might be a good time to introduce a few good biographies from the library. As Kathy mentioned, reading aloud each day is an excellent way to pass the time--answering your daughter's questions about the readings as you go.

You asked:
"Also, when she does start 2nd grade should it be a more challenging curriculum?"

Ummm. Maybe. Horizons is a bit more challenging than Lifepacs, imo. A Beka is, too. They both have a nice workbook format. Many folks like Singapore Math, so you may want to research that to see if it's something your daughter could benefit from. (Singapore Math web site)

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