Getting cultured - kindergarten home school

 I may already be questioning my decision, but I did decide to home school the kindergartener. We signed up with a charter school, which in California entitles us to some funds for classes and books. In exchange, we have to meet with a mentor teacher and take some assessments at the beginning and end of the year.  We officially started school on August 20th with a little MCP math and phonics - workbooks that are now out of print. I used them with the other kids and found them easy to use without teachers' manuals.  We've done half of the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and have been progressing through BOB books from the library. For history we are reading A Child's History of the World because the first Story of the World book seems a little mature for this particular kid.  I plan to add in some children's picture books about famous Americans, but I need to get organized and intentional about it.  Ditto the religion lessons - right now we're either reading Beginner's Bible or going to Mass.  And for science we are doing things like visiting the Living Coast Discovery Center, counting birds in the neighborhood, and going to the zoo. Does watching Magic School Bus count also?  I figure we'll look at some Jim Arnovsky books for natural history, visit some parks to hike and picnic, and try to keep a nature notebook, but at this stage my goal is just to practice observation and drawing conclusion skills.

I am not a super creative teacher. My method is something like this: Hey kid, let's read some books and then you draw a picture, and we are done.  We've been reading Magic Tree House books at night and a variety of easy readers during the day, but I want to gather a stack of fairy tales and children's classics and some poetry to memorize.  If I were to buy a curriculum, I think it would be Five in a Row.  She also has a beginning composition book/journal for practicing handwriting.  I'm using the state funds for classes in art, piano, and "kinder club" a couple of days a week, while I am teaching, and one day a week she will go to a friend's house while I teach.  My friend was a pre-school teacher, so I'm thinking she'll plan some fun activities - or they will just play and that will be fine, too.

I think my favorite part of homeschooling is taking field trips.  Last week we visited a few favorite spots, Living Coast, the zoo, and the art museum, See below:

I forget the name of this interesting and rather social bird.

The San Diego Museum of Art was hosting a really nice exhibit of "The Golden Age" of Spanish art showcasing works from 1600-mid 1700s. Mostly Velazquez, Zubaran, and Murillo - who are all memorialized in stone on the front of the museum, along with El Greco and Ribera. A bit on the gory side, but full of rich colors. And walking around the darkened gallery amidst hushed whispers is a relaxing experience on its own.

Sor Juana Inez, an early librarian

Lamb of God by Zubaran

This is a stunning statue of St Benedict the Moor

A nursing mother

The clever "Kitchen Maid at the Supper of Emmaus" by Velazquez. Notice that she is looking at the reflection of Christ breaking bread with the travelers in the reflection of her brass bowl. 

A very interesting depiction of St. James on horseback

A very gory devil despatched by St. Michael - he is eating his own shoulder

Three other paintings of St Michael. I don't remember which artist is which but Velazquez, Goya and Zubaran were  heavily represented

An unusual depiction of young Mary

A Zubaran St. Francis, one of several portraits of St. Francis in this little gallery showcasing "Art in the service of Faith," 2 by Zubaran

This painting is not a part of the exhibit, but I love Childe Hassam

Eagle Scout project installed - 4 cabinets for storing sporting goods

Last concert of the summer

Kindergarten accomplishment: learning to ride a bike! This romper was made by our friend at church who has been gifting us with handmade dresses all summer

A quick trip to the zoo

A funny freebie from the SD festival of the book