Kindergarten Curriculum Guide
Looking for a Homeschooling: Kindergarten Curriculum Guide that doesn’t take all day, but covers what your child needs to succeed? I am going to share with you what worked for us and how we got there.
My fourth child, but first girl, is starting kindergarten this year. Hard to imagine that I will also have a 5th grader, 3rd grader, 1st grader, and 3-year-old who also enjoys participating in school time. When my oldest went through kindergarten, I created and put together his kindergarten curriculum guide without using any purchased curriculum. The idea of doing it all myself quickly changed when the second boy entered kindergarten. At that time, my oldest was entering 2nd grade, my youngest boy was a toddler, and we had just brought home a baby girl also. I knew I needed to streamline our school day for my sanity and their education.
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Kindergarten Curriculum Guide
Let me reiterate that this Kindergarten Curriculum Guide is what works for us. It may not work for you, but it can give you insight and ideas about what might work for you and yours! This is only a guide. I am not going to supply time frames or even necessarily how often because there are no exacts. In our home, we have a general schedule that we follow, but we live life as it happens, and things are always subject to change. We have followed the below kindergarten guideline for 2 children with a 4th child starting this program in the Fall.
For those wanting to see the exact learning standards for each grade for your state, I would advise you to search your state’s name along with the words, “state learning standards.” For example, Ohio state learning standards. You should be able to locate them this way.
For Georgia, the state standards are located here.
Do you have to follow the state standards? No. I do not follow them, but merely refer to them. However, if you plan to only homeschool temporarily, it may be helpful to you. In kindergarten, focus on the three R’s… reading, writing, and arithmetic.
English & Language Arts
English and Language Arts covers a gamut of different skills and can seem overwhelming. I like to think of it in terms of letters & sounds, reading, and writing. The cool thing is that you can use reading and writing to support the learning of history and science. You can view the Georgia’s state standards for (ELA) English and Language Arts here.
Letters & Sounds Workbook from Abeka
This workbook covers a lot of the ELA standards required for 1st grade. What I love about the workbook is that I don’t have to worry about leaving gaps in my child’s education in terms of phonics. As a busy mom, the ability to order an already bound workbook that doesn’t require me to print is ideal.
How many pages a day do we cover? I take the days that we plan to homeschool and then divide by the number of pages in the book. We do not use the workbook everyday. With one of my son’s, who disliked coloring, we usually skipped the coloring pages and focused on the more valuable content. I focus on 1 page front and back at a time.
Additional Free Letters & Sounds Activities
You will find FREE printables, activities, and ideas to use with your kindergarten student. I have found these activities and worksheet packets to be effective in teaching my children letters & sounds. Most of the activities in this section were used for my eldest when I did not purchase the Abeka phonics book. Check out Letters & Sounds here.
Reading
READ! LOTS! OF! BOOKS! The books you read should vary from storybooks, history readers, science exploration, to Bible stories. Audio books are super cool too. For those of you learning how homeschool can look different than public school, than this is one area that can differentiate. Reading out loud does not have to be something that happens while sitting at a desk. Listen to books in the car, read at bedtime, and especially story time! It is the one thing that you can do to encourage a love for reading and learning!
Depending on what you read, science and history can be covered through your reading time. For example, you can read books about American holidays, our country and its symbols, or the life cycle of living things. We also offer a nice collection of emergent readers here.
Reading is one thing that we encourage year-round. During what we call summer session, we always have a reading log that each of them complete for a prize… more books! You can read more How to Encourage your Child here or if you are interested in seeing how we tackled learning to read.
Sight Words
Learning sight words is a huge step towards learning to read. You can read more about how we incorporate sight words into our kindergarten year here. You will find free sight word resources and printables in our Sight Words & More.
There is no certain schedule that we follow for learning sight words. We just keep plugging away at them. The kids watch videos, play sight word board games, use computer slideshows and put traditional flashcards to work. Whenever you can fit them in… great. Don’t stress over them… it will come.
Word Families
Word families help students sound out words and assist them in seeing patterns within words. You can see how we add word families into our routine here. Word family activities are ones that we use in kindergarten and into first grade.
Writing - Part 1
This is an area where I have used writing workbooks from the Dollar Tree that assist in manuscript. My kids like them because they are decorated with animated characters. I use the writing paper for manuscript practice. You can read more about how we start the writing process in Elementary Writing.
There are tons of free alphabet and number printables online that you can use with your child to perfect their writing. Softschools.com offers a wide variety for you to choose from. Print out what you want to use and have them ready to go when the time is right!
Writing - Part 2
I love Primary Composition books. They are perfect for early learners. The top half of the page is empty while the bottom half is lined for writing. This allows for your child to write a few sentences at the bottom and draw a corresponding picture at the top. Some of my kindergarten students did not start their journals until the 2nd half of kindergarten.
Read more about how we include writing into our homeschool here.
Math
Kindergarten Math standards for the state of Georgia can be accessed here.
Number Skills K5 Workbook from Abeka
This booklet offers the same benefits as the Letter & Sounds Workbook. It covers all the standards necessary for kindergarten. You can order this booklet and others bound or loose leaf. For organization purposes, we order the bound copy.
We focus on 1 page front and back at a time.
Additional Free Math Resources
When looking to add some excitement into our math day and provide some hands-on activities for my student, I will resort to math activities found in our Numbers & Counting, Shapes & Colors, and Kindergarten Math Upgrades.
Science
At this age, science can be covered through reading books, unit studies, science units, and natural observation. The kids have learned more about science related topics by exploring the woods and playing in the yard. They have created habitats for dozens of random insects, worms, and turtles. Around our property, caring for animals is part of their education. Use what you have to make it a part of your child’s education. It doesn’t have to be horses or chickens or even cats and dogs. Your child can learn all about the cycle of life with a tadpole, caterpillar, or grasshopper. My daughter recently had a pet ladybug.
When planning for a year, I look at the state standards for that year and cover certain recommended topics. For early years, we usually hit on farm animals, All About Me, Keep Clean Hygiene, 5 senses, zoo animals, etc. Just have fun with it!
Social Studies
During kindergarten, social studies can be covered through reading books, watching videos, and unit studies.
When planning for a year, I will usually look at the state standards for that year and try to hit on the topics of interest. For kindergarten, social studies usually covers community helpers, our country and its symbols, various holidays, where do you live on Earth, etc. You can check out the Georgia Standards here.
Fine Arts & Crafts
Fine Arts in kindergarten is all about experiences, exposure, and opportunity. Going on a field trip to a local play or museum, watching and listening to different types of music, affording a child the chance to try different types of instruments, are all aspects of providing fine art exposure and experience. If time allows, this may be a great time to join the Christmas choir at church or try a dance class. Many colleges, churches, and universities offer free fine art opportunities for their communities. Your child can also enter art contests if interested. I am always amazed at how many national contests there are even for homeschoolers. You just have to look.
My son went through a phase this past year where he was really into the violin. He watched various violin players on YouTube. We discussed the commitment and desire needed to pursue such an instrument. In the end, he decided to stick with his guitar and access to drums that he plays on… not beautifully, but it is available if the interest peaks. Annually, he is also involved in a summer choir performance. I tell you this to say that learning the arts can happen through various forms.
CRAFTS, CREATIONS, INVENTIONS… OH MY! Most kids in this age bracket love crafts and hands-on projects. To encourage creativity, we keep a plethora of craft supplies and puzzles available for such a time. There is a stash of beads, felt, pom-poms, markers, paint, glue, Play-Doh, and tape in the closet for easy access.
My son is notorious for running into the house, leaving the door open, to grab craft supplies, so that he can create something while outdoors.
When I find my daughter sitting in the middle of cut-up pieces of paper with tape gone awry, I am convinced that her latest art creation is a positive thing. They can’t become independent and think for themselves if we keep them in a box. Even if it does make a mess of your kitchen… and living room… and well, I think you understand.
Physical Education
The kids spend plenty of time outdoors walking, playing, running, jumping, climbing, etc. Last year, we ran in a couple of free fun runs. You may find it beneficial to sign them up for a recreational sport or homeschool P.E. Truth is, the best physical activity at this age seems to be the kind they get while playing on the playground. To view the complete standards for the state of Georgia, look here.
For us, learning about who created us and how we should care for our body is essential to physical education. During the early years, we study God’s creation and how He made us each special in His image. Furthermore, we talk about keeping our bodies healthy in a unit we call Keep Clean Hygiene mixed with another unit called What can we do to keep from getting sick?
We also cover food groups and where our food comes from in the Farm Unit along with the Fruits & Vegetables Unit. The child learns that healthy foods produce a healthy body.
Bible
Bible time we do together as a group. We read, discuss, and do crafts related to Bible stories. The kids watch videos and listen to songs filled with Bible truths. If you would like to learn more about how we incorporate God’s word into our homeschool, check out Bible Truths.
Supportive Programs & More
STARFALL
Starfall has been a program that we have used for years. My kids have all loved it. It provides so many avenues for learning. Starfall is only $35 annually.
During the pre-K and kindergarten years, Starfall offers a phonic based reading program that introduces sight words and word families. There are math games, nursery rhymes, and a variety of other fun activities that will be sure to entice your child to sit and learn.
RECOMMENDED EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS & GAMES
It can be hard to find educational videos, games, and learning activities that are free. Both posts provide links that will give you recommendations that have worked for us. Not all of the recommendations will work for all kids, but look to find the ones that work for you. Videos, games, and online learning are just a few tools to add to your teaching bag!
CHURCH PROGRAMS/ COOPS / SPORTS/ FIELD TRIPS
Many new homeschooling families are concerned about their child’s socialization. I would encourage you to rethink your perception of what socialization is and how children acquire it. There are plenty of opportunities for your child to meet others and develop social graces. Social interactions take place at church, coops, sports programs, and even the grocery store.
Over the years, my children have developed relationships with people of all ages. We have participated in everything from soccer to Awanas to coops to Tae Kwon Do. I have a friend who serves the homeless making lunches while another visits elderly homes singing and ministering to them. More families take classes at the local homeschool coops. And still other families travel more than they are home!
Not Ready to order workbooks?
Kindergarten should not feel like work or school… it should be fun. Other than the two workbooks we use for kindergarten, everything else is hands-on. As a group, we do labs or try new food. We bake cakes and go romping through the forest. I don’t force them to sit and do their workbook, they like getting it done. Just the other day, the middle of a Saturday, my then 4 year old asked me if we could do math. Guess what, we did math. If you are not ready to order workbooks, there are plenty of free resources in the Pre-K to K section to get you started.
Take advantage of the benefits to homeschooling. There is no set time frame for learning. Nor does learning require a room with 4 walls. This will take time for those of you who come from a traditional public school setting to process. Sometimes the sheer amount of freedom is overwhelming. So, stop, take it in. Breathe. Enjoy the process.
You and yours are free to go explore new ventures. There is a freedom to homeschooling that is hard to understand until you are in it. Just remember that you are blessed.
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