Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum for Bebop

Bebop is 4 years old and starting Pre-Kindergarten!  I think I’m more excited for school to start this year than anyone else.  This is the first year Bebop will have a formal plan and sequence for the entire year.  When our box from Sonlight arrived a few weeks ago, Bebop wanted to read everything right away.  I let him look through all the books during quiet time right after we opened the box.  Then all the books went on the shelf until we are ready to use them.  He asks almost daily when we get to read the new books.

Bible, Reading and History

The year will be based on the Sonlight Core P4/5 curriculum.  I’ve created some additional activities to help Bebop learn his weekly memory verse.  I may also add some additional readers as Bebop increases his reading fluency.  (I bought him a set of beginning easy readers this spring and he has already mastered them.)

Science and Math

We will be using The Berenstain Bears’ Big Book of Science and Nature but in a modified order  from what is presented in the Sonlight Instructor Guide.  Scientific discussions are very common place in our house, so I’m not really concerned with planning any additional lessons.  We will explore topics as Bebop is interested.  I will focus on developing the language of math and science through our every day activities, particularly cooking and baking.  Bebop has a good understanding of preschool and kindergarten math concepts on the concrete level.  I will be using Montessori At Home  and Mathematics Their Way as guides to create lessons so Bebop can master those skills before we moving onto abstract concepts in a year or two.  (He is not yet ready for any abstract math.)

Practical Life

With the new baby coming this fall, I really need Bebop to do things independently.  He is already a great help around the house and I intend to continue training him to do chores.  Again I will be using Montessori At Home as a guide.

Music and Art

Music will be incorporated into our math lessons as we work on patterns and rhythm.  I’ve also created a playlist of songs to learn through the year, including the weekly songs recommended with our Sonlight curriculum.  Bebop loves to do art projects on his own, and I will continue to encourage his creativity.  Many of our planned art activities will be sensorial projects designed for Magoo.

Handwriting

I’ve created some handwriting worksheets based on my mom’s notes from when she taught elementary school.  Bebop writes most letters correctly, just needs practice.  Later this year, probably after Christmas, I will add dictation and copy work that integrate with our reading and history lessons.  This is the only area where Bebop fights me.  He really wants to write words, but doesn’t like to practice forming letters correctly.  I think he just needs to develop his coordination and muscle tone, which we will do with manipulative work.

We only spent about an hour a day doing school 4 days a week, but when I write down my plan and goals it seems like so much more!  I also have a tot school plan for Magoo, and will post that tomorrow.  (Update – Here’s Magoo’s Tot School Plan.)