PSA - Curriculum - resources for parents.

[Anonymous]

OP, many thanks for all of these recommendations - you're clearly knowledgable.

Kids Discover looks great, especially the written materials. I think there is some evidence that kids read better in print than on screens, so I would be hesitant to let my kid loose with the online version of Kids Discover. I think the idea is that with online text, people skim and read more quickly because they're eager to scroll and see what's next - so you're just not reading as deeply or thoughtfully as with print.

With the Core Knowledge curriculum, it's kind of overwhelming. The materials they provide are several hundred pages long (like one document out of 15 for a grade). It's hard to know where to start with this.

[Anonymous]

Kudos to those willing to basically homeschool their kids, but I’m not doing it.

I want my kid to have time for extra curriculars and to just relax.

I don’t want her wasting her time at school not learning anything.

We’re going private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, many thanks for all of these recommendations - you're clearly knowledgable.

Kids Discover looks great, especially the written materials. I think there is some evidence that kids read better in print than on screens, so I would be hesitant to let my kid loose with the online version of Kids Discover. I think the idea is that with online text, people skim and read more quickly because they're eager to scroll and see what's next - so you're just not reading as deeply or thoughtfully as with print.

With the Core Knowledge curriculum, it's kind of overwhelming. The materials they provide are several hundred pages long (like one document out of 15 for a grade). It's hard to know where to start with this.

Everyone reads better, and retains more, in print.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, many thanks for all of these recommendations - you're clearly knowledgable.

Kids Discover looks great, especially the written materials. I think there is some evidence that kids read better in print than on screens, so I would be hesitant to let my kid loose with the online version of Kids Discover. I think the idea is that with online text, people skim and read more quickly because they're eager to scroll and see what's next - so you're just not reading as deeply or thoughtfully as with print.

With the Core Knowledge curriculum, it's kind of overwhelming. The materials they provide are several hundred pages long (like one document out of 15 for a grade). It's hard to know where to start with this.

OP here.

Kids Discover - I did not use the online material for anything but printing out some worksheets. My kids and I are avid readers. We cannot sleep without reading and we still prefer paper books and magazines. We have a HUGE library in our basement, filled with all kinds of books and every few years we cull the collection and donate to the public library. We are a bit old-fashioned and we realize many people want to read on devices. So, whatever works for you.

Core Knowledge Curriculum - I hear you. Start with buying the book for the grade your kid is in, from the "What your x grader should know" series. The book is a curriculum guide as well as text. Start with Math and English section only (Buy 2nd hand on amazon). If you feel that your child needs more help, buy the next lower grade etc.

The text books cover most subjects - English, Math, Science, History, Music etc...so, you don't take on everything at one go. Start with the grade that your child is currently in. Gauge where he/she is in Math and English first...and skim the rest of the sections. BTW - if you buy second hand, the 8 books in the series will cost you way less than 100 bucks. Depending on which grade your kid is in, you may decide not to do the lower grades, or you may choose to buy every book, and skim through them and figure out where the gaps in knowledge are. You may decide that your kid is not too far behind and then resell the books you don't need or pass it on to someone else.

Don't become overwhelmed by taking on too much at once. 2.0 has been in effect for only 7 years. My kid got full 7 years of this curriculum. I feel any kid can easily and quickly catch up on these core knowledge books, but it is best to start with the grade that they are in. Your immediate goal should be to tackle the grade the child is in....and the long term goals can be looked at during the summer break. The reality is that your kids learned something at their school and you are not starting from zero.

[Anonymous]

OP youbare awesome. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, many thanks for all of these recommendations - you're clearly knowledgable.

Kids Discover looks great, especially the written materials. I think there is some evidence that kids read better in print than on screens, so I would be hesitant to let my kid loose with the online version of Kids Discover. I think the idea is that with online text, people skim and read more quickly because they're eager to scroll and see what's next - so you're just not reading as deeply or thoughtfully as with print.

With the Core Knowledge curriculum, it's kind of overwhelming. The materials they provide are several hundred pages long (like one document out of 15 for a grade). It's hard to know where to start with this.

OP here.

Kids Discover - I did not use the online material for anything but printing out some worksheets. My kids and I are avid readers. We cannot sleep without reading and we still prefer paper books and magazines. We have a HUGE library in our basement, filled with all kinds of books and every few years we cull the collection and donate to the public library. We are a bit old-fashioned and we realize many people want to read on devices. So, whatever works for you.

Core Knowledge Curriculum - I hear you. Start with buying the book for the grade your kid is in, from the "What your x grader should know" series. The book is a curriculum guide as well as text. Start with Math and English section only (Buy 2nd hand on amazon). If you feel that your child needs more help, buy the next lower grade etc.

The text books cover most subjects - English, Math, Science, History, Music etc...so, you don't take on everything at one go. Start with the grade that your child is currently in. Gauge where he/she is in Math and English first...and skim the rest of the sections. BTW - if you buy second hand, the 8 books in the series will cost you way less than 100 bucks. Depending on which grade your kid is in, you may decide not to do the lower grades, or you may choose to buy every book, and skim through them and figure out where the gaps in knowledge are. You may decide that your kid is not too far behind and then resell the books you don't need or pass it on to someone else.

Don't become overwhelmed by taking on too much at once. 2.0 has been in effect for only 7 years. My kid got full 7 years of this curriculum. I efeel any kid can easily and quickly catch up on these core knowledge books, but it is best to start with the grade that they are in. Your immediate goal should be to tackle the grade the child is in....and the long term goals can be looked at during the summer break. The reality is that your kids learned something at their school and you are not starting from zero.

For those curious about the " What your x grader should know" books they are available in used book stores and the libraries at least in Howard county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kudos to those willing to basically homeschool their kids, but I’m not doing it.

I want my kid to have time for extra curriculars and to just relax.

I don’t want her wasting her time at school not learning anything.

We’re going private.

Sure, if you have an extra 25-40K a year to spare, that will be easier on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kudos to those willing to basically homeschool their kids, but I’m not doing it.

I want my kid to have time for extra curriculars and to just relax.

I don’t want her wasting her time at school not learning anything.

We’re going private.

I would love to go private, but we can't afford it, so this is a good option, IMO. Appreciate the OP for offering up some great advice.

[Anonymous]

For learning multiplication tables in ES, there are many resources.

Wrap up keys -


Flashcards and practice sheets that can be reused-


Multiplication grids -

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kudos to those willing to basically homeschool their kids, but I’m not doing it.

I want my kid to have time for extra curriculars and to just relax.

I don’t want her wasting her time at school not learning anything.

We’re going private.

I would love to go private, but we can't afford it, so this is a good option, IMO. Appreciate the OP for offering up some great advice.

We can afford it but don't know if it's worth it on the margin. We are pretty on top of our kids' K-12 education but also have demanding careers. We know the top privates here are better, any way you cut it, but $40K per kid better?
Not sure we're going to carve out $750k * 2 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kudos to those willing to basically homeschool their kids, but I’m not doing it.

I want my kid to have time for extra curriculars and to just relax.

I don’t want her wasting her time at school not learning anything.

We’re going private.

I would love to go private, but we can't afford it, so this is a good option, IMO. Appreciate the OP for offering up some great advice.

We can afford it but don't know if it's worth it on the margin. We are pretty on top of our kids' K-12 education but also have demanding careers. We know the top privates here are better, any way you cut it, but $40K per kid better?
Not sure we're going to carve out $750k * 2 kids.

DH and I have demanding careers too; that's one of the reasons we're not going to essentially homeschool our kid. Our time with her is limited as it is; we want to spend it doing enriching activities that aren't purely academic, and having fun as a family.

Having the option to send her to private school is one of the main reasons we decided to have one kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kudos to those willing to basically homeschool their kids, but I’m not doing it.

I want my kid to have time for extra curriculars and to just relax.

I don’t want her wasting her time at school not learning anything.

We’re going private.

I would love to go private, but we can't afford it, so this is a good option, IMO. Appreciate the OP for offering up some great advice.

We can afford it but don't know if it's worth it on the margin. We are pretty on top of our kids' K-12 education but also have demanding careers. We know the top privates here are better, any way you cut it, but $40K per kid better?
Not sure we're going to carve out $750k * 2 kids.

DH and I have demanding careers too; that's one of the reasons we're not going to essentially homeschool our kid. Our time with her is limited as it is; we want to spend it doing enriching activities that aren't purely academic, and having fun as a family.

Having the option to send her to private school is one of the main reasons we decided to have one kid.

PP, please do not derail this thread. I am sure we all do the best that we can regarding our children's education. I am happy that private school is an option for you. Good luck.

If you have any resources you want to post here, please do so.

[Anonymous]

Read up on Singapore Math. It is a curriculum that has been often discussed here. Many school districts have tried to replicate it but have not been very successful.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/math/math-tips-for-parents/whats-singapore-math/


Workbooks are available online.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read up on Singapore Math. It is a curriculum that has been often discussed here. Many school districts have tried to replicate it but have not been very successful.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/math/math-tips-for-parents/whats-singapore-math/


Workbooks are available online.

Clarification - Singapore Math is amazing. School districts here have not been able to implement it here properly because school districts are not administered by the best brains. For parents who want to supplement at home - singapore math is great resource and allows for content mastery.

I would recommend being careful when buying from American publishers who have created some version of Singapore Math textbooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, many thanks for all of these recommendations - you're clearly knowledgable.

Kids Discover looks great, especially the written materials. I think there is some evidence that kids read better in print than on screens, so I would be hesitant to let my kid loose with the online version of Kids Discover. I think the idea is that with online text, people skim and read more quickly because they're eager to scroll and see what's next - so you're just not reading as deeply or thoughtfully as with print.

With the Core Knowledge curriculum, it's kind of overwhelming. The materials they provide are several hundred pages long (like one document out of 15 for a grade). It's hard to know where to start with this.

OP here.

Kids Discover - I did not use the online material for anything but printing out some worksheets. My kids and I are avid readers. We cannot sleep without reading and we still prefer paper books and magazines. We have a HUGE library in our basement, filled with all kinds of books and every few years we cull the collection and donate to the public library. We are a bit old-fashioned and we realize many people want to read on devices. So, whatever works for you.

Core Knowledge Curriculum - I hear you. Start with buying the book for the grade your kid is in, from the "What your x grader should know" series. The book is a curriculum guide as well as text. Start with Math and English section only (Buy 2nd hand on amazon). If you feel that your child needs more help, buy the next lower grade etc.

The text books cover most subjects - English, Math, Science, History, Music etc...so, you don't take on everything at one go. Start with the grade that your child is currently in. Gauge where he/she is in Math and English first...and skim the rest of the sections. BTW - if you buy second hand, the 8 books in the series will cost you way less than 100 bucks. Depending on which grade your kid is in, you may decide not to do the lower grades, or you may choose to buy every book, and skim through them and figure out where the gaps in knowledge are. You may decide that your kid is not too far behind and then resell the books you don't need or pass it on to someone else.

Don't become overwhelmed by taking on too much at once. 2.0 has been in effect for only 7 years. My kid got full 7 years of this curriculum. I feel any kid can easily and quickly catch up on these core knowledge books, but it is best to start with the grade that they are in. Your immediate goal should be to tackle the grade the child is in....and the long term goals can be looked at during the summer break. The reality is that your kids learned something at their school and you are not starting from zero.

Thank you. So glad to know people like you are out there!