Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Our Curriculum for 2008-2009

Autumn-7 years old:

Reading Comprehension & Post-Phonics Oral Reading: Read books from Sonlight and Veritas Press reading lists, use reading cup questions. Reading Strands.

Spelling: Choose words from 1st grade spelling list and her weekly writing. Write three times by: three mediums, rainbow writing, and using in a sentence. Test weekly.

Language: Explode the Code Books 1 through 3 1/2

Writing: Writing Strands 2 and Evaluating Writing

Math: Saxon Math 1

German: Rosetta Stone

Heidi-5 years old:

Reading Comp.: Read with Mom daily and discuss our reading.

Reading & Phonics: 100 Easy Lessons

Spelling: Write three times by: three mediums, rainbow writing, and magazine clippings. Test weekly.

Penmanship: Zaner Bloser worksheets from first-school

Writing: Writing Strands 1

Math: Janice Van Cleave’s “Let’s Play and Find Out About Math” (From the library)

German: Muzzy (from the library as often as possible) & adult-assisted Rosetta Stone

Joint Lessons:

Scriptures: The Articles of Faith from ldsactivitydays, Book of Mormon Reader, and The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families

History: All Through the Ages: History through Literature Guide

Geography: The Ultimate Geography & Timeline Guide

Science: Noeo Biology I (using required books from the library and substituting experiment kits with Janice Van Cleave’s experiments)

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Blastoff! Readers

Level 1 provides the most support through repetition of high-frequency words, light text, predictable sentence patterns, and strong visual support.

Level 2 offers early readers a bit more challenge through varied simple sentences, increased text load, and less repetition of high frequency words.

Level 3 advances early-fluent readers toward fluency through increased text and concept load, less reliance on visuals, longer sentences, and more literary language.

Level 4 builds reading stamina by providing more text per page, increased use of punctuation, greater variation in sentence patterns, and increasingly challenging vocabulary.

Level 5 encourages children to move from “learning to read” to “reading to learn” by providing even more text, varied writing styles, and less familiar topics.

People of Character (Level 4)

Abraham Lincoln: A Life of Honesty (Tonya Leslie) 630/3.9

George Washington: A Life of Self-discipline (Anne Todd) 630/3.8

Jackie Robinson: A Life of Determination (Colleen Sexton) 570.3.3

John F. Kennedy: A Life of Citizenship (Anne Todd) 660/3.9

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life of Fairness (Tonya Leslie)

Mother Teresa: A Life of Kindness (Ellen Weiss)

Rosa Parks: A Life of Courage (Tonya Leslie)

Thomas Jefferson: A Life of Patriotism (Tonya Leslie)

Oceans Alive (Level 2)

Clown Fish (Colleen Sexton) G/600/1.8

Corals (Ann Herriges) G/430/2.3

Crabs (Ann Herriges) G/410/2.1

Dolphins (Ann Herriges) G/320/1.8

Eels (Derek Zobel)

Jellyfish (Ann Herriges) G/420/2.2

Lobsters (Martha E. H. Rustad) 650/2.1

Manatees (Ann Herriges) G/420/1.8

Octopuses (Ann Herriges) F/440/1.8

Parrotfish (Martha E. H. Rustad) 540/2.2

Puffer Fish (Colleen Sexton)

Sea Anemones (Martha E. H. Rustad) 600/2.1

Sea Dragons (David Schach) G/520/2

Sea Horses (Ann Herriges) F/450/1.9

Sea Lions (Colleen Sexton)

Sea Stars (Ann Herriges) G/440/1.8

Sea Turtles (Ann Herriges) G/490/2.1

Sea Urchins (Martha E. H. Rustad) 660/2.1

Seals (Colleen Sexton) G/490/1.7

Seal Pups (Colleen Sexton)

Sharks (Colleen Sexton) 530/2.2

Squid (Colleen Sexton)

Stingrays (Martha E. H. Rustad) G/550/1.8

Walruses (Colleen Sexton) 530/1.9

Whales (Ann Herriges) G/340/1.8

The Senses (Level 4)

The Sense of Hearing 590/3.1

The Sense of Sight

The Sense of Smell

The Sense of Taste

The Sense of Touch

Mighty Machines (Level 1)

Airplanes (Mary Lindeen) F/440/1.4

Ambulances (Kay Manolis)

Backhoes (Ray McClellan) E/320/1.4

Big Rigs (Kay Manolis)

Bulldozers (M. T. Martin) D/230/1.5

Concrete Mixers (Ray McClellan) E/390/1.7

Cranes (M. T. Martin) D/350/1.6

Dump Trucks (Ray McClellan) D/330/1.3

Earth Movers (M. T. Martin) D/400/1.2

Fire Trucks (Mary Lindeen) E/450/1.2

Garbage Trucks (Mary Lindeen) 580/1.9

Graders (Mary Lindeen) 490/1.2

Monster Trucks (Kay Manolis) 49O/1.8

Police Cars (Kay Manolis)

Ships (Mary Lindeen) F/310/1.3

Snowplows (Mary Lindeen) 470/1.4

Tractors (Mary Lindeen) F/400/1.3

Trains (Mary Lindeen) F/310/1.1

Trucks (Mary Lindeen) E/520/1.4

World of Insects (Level 2)

Ants (Emily K. Green) 390/1.3

Beetles (Colleen Sexton)

Bumblebees (Emily K. Green)

Butterflies (Martha E. H. Rustad)

Cicadas (Collen Sexton)

Cockroaches (Emily K. Green)

Crickets (Emily K. Green)

Dragonflies (Emily K. Green)

Fireflies (Emily K. Green)

Grasshoppers (Emily K. Green)

Honey Bees (Colleen Sexton)

Ladybugs (Martha E. H. Rustad)

Mosquitoes (Martha E. H. Rustad)

Moths (Martha E. H. Rustad)

Praying Mantises (Colleen Sexton)

Termites (Martha E. H. Rustad)

Walkingsticks (Emily K. Green)

Wasps (Martha E. H. Rustad)

Watch Animals Grow (Level 1)

Bunnies (Colleen Sexton)

Ducklings (Colleen Sexton) 610/3.1

Kittens (Colleen Sexton)

Piglets (Colleen Sexton)

Puppies (Colleen Sexton)

Farm Animals (Level 1)

Cats (Hollie Endres) 610/1

Chickens (Emily K. Green)

Cows (Emily K. Green)

Dogs (Hollie Endres)

Ducks (Hollie Endres)

Geese (Hollie Endres)

Goats (Emily K. Green)

Horses (Emily K. Green)

Pigs (Emily K. Green)

Rabbits (Hollie Endres)

Sheep (Emily K. Green)

Turkeys (Hollie Endres)

Learning about the Earth (Level 3)

Caves (Emily K. Green) I/630/2.4

Deserts (Emily K. Green) H/540/2.1

Forests (Emily K. Green) H/710/2.4

Glaciers (Colleen Sexton) 610/2.6

Lakes (Emily K. Green) H/480/2.1

Mountains (Emily K. Green) H/480/2.1

Oceans (Emily K. Green) H/510/2.2

Prairies (Hollie Endres) 610/2.4

Rainforests (Colleen Sexton) 660/2.6

Rivers (Emily K. Green) I/510/2.1

Volcanoes (Emily K. Green) I/580/2.8

Wetlands (Hollie Endres) 670/2.7

Weather (Level 3)

Clouds (Ann Herriges) 550/2.2

Lightning (Ann Herriges)

Rain (Ann Herriges)

Snow (Ann Herriges)

Sunshine (Ann Herriges)

Wind (Ann Herriges)

First Science (Level 4)

Electricity (Mari Schuh)

Energy (Kay Manolis)

Light (Mari Schuh)

Magnetism (Mari Schuh)

Matter (Kay Manolis)

Sound (Kay Manolis)

Temperature (Kay Manolis)

Seasons (Level 3)

Fall (Ann Herriges) H/420/1.6

Spring (Ann Herriges) H/580/1.8

Summer (Ann Herriges) H/350/1.6

Winter (Ann Herriges) H/390/1.7

The New Food Guide Pyramid (Level 2)

Fruits (Emily K. Green) H/550/2.2

Grains (Emily K. Green)

Healthy Eating (Emily K. Green)

Keeping Fit (Emily K. Green)

Meat and Beans (Emily K. Green)

Milk, Yogurt and Cheese (Emily K. Green)

Oils (Emily K. Green)

Vegetables (Emily K. Green)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Margaret Hiller’s “Beginning-to-Read” Books

I discovered as I compiled this list that there are 13 new books this year which haven’t been given ARR Levels yet so I have not included them. On the publisher’s page they are marked with a “New” so they are easy to find.

Also, I am not sure what the BR stands for in the lexile rating (beginning reader?) since the lexile ratings I’ve seen consisted of only numbers. Maybe the BR ones without a number just haven’t been rated yet. I’ll have to do some more research on that but in any case, the ARR Level is still helpful. I’ve also included the ARR Quiz # not knowing what that is but thinking it could be helpful once I find out. :)

The Birthday Car

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9353
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .5
Lexile Level: BRThe Funny Baby

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9364
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .6
Lexile Level: BR

The Magic Beans

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9383
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .6
Lexile Level: BR330

The Three Bears

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9391
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .6
Lexile Level: BR300

The Three Goats

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9392
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .6
Lexile Level: BR230

The Three Little Pigs

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9393
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .6
Lexile Level: BR

Cinderella at the Ball

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9355
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .7
Lexile Level: BR

Four Good Friends

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9361
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .7
Lexile Level: BR

Not I, Not I

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9386
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .7
Lexile Level: BR

The Little Cookie

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9378
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .8
Lexile Level: BR310

Circus Fun

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9356
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR260

It’s Halloween, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9375
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR

Let’s Go, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9376
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR270

Merry Christmas, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9385
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR City Fun

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9357EN
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR

A House for Little Red

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9370
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR290

The Purple Pussycat

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9388
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR

Tom Thumb

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9394
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: .8
Lexile Level: BR140

A Friend for Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9362
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR240

Happy Birthday, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9367
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR

I Love You, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9372
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR270

I Need You, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9373
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.8
Lexile Level: BR

It’s Circus Time, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9374
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR

Happy Easter, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9368
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR

Help for Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9369
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR140

Go to Sleep, Dear Dragon

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9365
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR200

Let’s Have a Play

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9377EN
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR

Fun Days

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9363EN
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR

Who Goes to School?

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9397
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 0.9
Lexile Level: BR170

The Ball Book

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9352
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1
Lexile Level: BR120

The Snow Baby

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9389
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1
Lexile Level: BR

Come to School, Dear DragonAccelerated Reader Quiz #: 9359
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1
Lexile Level: BR140

I Like Things

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9371 EN
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1
Lexile Level: BR

The Boy and the Goats

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9354
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1
Lexile Level: BR

Why We Have Thanksgiving

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9398
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1
Lexile Level: BR

Little Red Riding Hood

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9381
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1.1
Lexile Level: BR80

Come Play With Me

Accelerated Reader Quiz #: 9358EN
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1.2
Lexile Level: BR

PinocchioAccelerated Reader Quiz #: 9387
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1.2
Lexile Level: BR220

The Cookie HouseAccelerated Reader Quiz #: N/A
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 1.4
Lexile Level: BR

Early Readers

This week I found the series A Beginning-to-Read Book at the library and have fallen in love with them! They are simple enough for beginning readers but not trite. Autumn loves them and can read them easily. They are great for improving fluency and practicing common words. It seems that true “early” readers are hard to find so I’m excited about these.

Our library carries ALL of them too, so that’s an added bonus. The library editions also include a two-page spread in the back for “Reading Reinforcement” with word games based on the concepts in each book.This is the link for the publisher information on the books. I love how the information for each book also includes the accelerated reader reading level and the lexile rating. So useful!

I’m making a page for easy reference mainly for me, but anyone else is welcome to it if it helps them. I’m going to include the accelerated reader level and lexile rating for each book so that we can go in order when possible.

Monday, March 10, 2008

2008-2009 Shopping List

Games for Writing by Peggy Kaye

Games for Math by Peggy Kaye

Games with Books by Peggy Kaye

Games for Learning by Peggy Kaye

(already have Games for Reading)

Schoolhouse Rock 30th Anniversary DVD

Saxon Math 1 Workbooks & Fact Cards (22.50)

Noeo Biology I

All Through the Ages: History through Literature by Christine Miller (22.95)

The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide by Maggie Hogan and Cindy Wiggers (34.95)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Read-alouds we've enjoyed

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The BFG

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

The Cricket at Times Square

James and the Giant Peach

The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe

A Wrinkle in Time

Magic TreeHouse - Book 1

Time Warp Trio - Book 1

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Outdoor Toys

We have a pretty good sized patio and I’m looking forward to stocking up with some outdoor toys to entertain the girls. So far, these are things I think would be really fun for them. Anyone else have any fun ideas for outdoor play with limited space? Obviously I have enough room for these but definitely not a swing set or baseball-type things.

Pogo Balls

Hop Balls

Skip Balls

Mini Trampoline

Jump-ropes (they already have these)

A couple of ride-on toys

Hopefully I can find them for cheap! Maybe even at yard sales?