Micah’s Kindergarten Plans

Well, I think I’ve finally narrowed down my plans for Micah for Kindergarten.  With Caleb, homeschooling was really formal, structured, and rigid from day one.  However, over time, that has all changed.  So, with Micah, I told myself I wouldn’t be that way.  I’d try a different approach…a more relaxed approach.  Don’t get me wrong…I still have grand plans of teaching him how to read, how to do math, etc.  But – it’ll all be done in a fun way.  Here are my plans as of right now because we all know it’s all likely to change if I keep pondering it.
Bible – Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan and Richie Hunt is the plan right now.  I’m not positive this is what I’ll use, but I’m pretty sure.  I have some other items on hand that I may use as well, but I’m still debating.
Calendar – We will use this time to go over days of the week, months of the year, counting, even/odd, etc. 
Phonics and Reading – I plan to use the scope & sequence from Bob Jones University Press Beginnings Phonics course.  I will also use their Beginnings Phonics workbook.  Once we have finished this, I plan to move on to Alpha-Phonics.  I also want to teach him basic sight words, and I will use this program to teach those.  I will use BOB books to help him with his reading as well, and I also have the reading books from Bob Jones University Press that Caleb used.
Handwriting – Bob Jones University Press Beginnings K5 Write Now!
Language Arts – For Language Arts, I’m going to use a weekly poem to teach basic LA skills…punctuation, parts of speech, capitalization, rhyming words, syllables, etc.  He’ll get a new poem each week, and we’ll read it each day and do a chosen activity or two.  At the end of the week, he’ll illustrate the poem.
Math – I will use the scope & sequence from Bob Jones University Press Math K5.  However, we will not use their workbook.  Instead, I plan on implementing a math notebook/journal.  He will write or draw about the skill for the day.  This is something I didn’t do with Caleb, but I’m really excited about doing with Micah.  I’ve seen lots of ideas on Pinterest, and I really prefer this approach over doing tons and tons of worksheets at this age.  I think it will help cement the concepts a bit more.  Now, we will do some worksheets, but they won’t be required.  When I need worksheets, I’ll just use one from the oodles of workbooks that I already have on hand.  I will also use lots and lots of manipulatives and hands-on games to teach the math skills.
Science and Social Studies – I’m not really worried about these two areas right now.  We may pick a theme or topic each week to read and do activities or lapbooks on, but I’m not going to press myself to get this done.  If it happens, it does…if it doesn’t, oh well.  He may also join in on some of the topics that Caleb chooses.  So, we’ll just see how it all plays out.
Centers and Electronic Learning – I will use some centers and manipulatives to occupy Micah during my instructional time with Caleb.  I’ll need him to be doing something somewhat independent so that I can focus on Caleb.  He’ll also be able to play educational computer, DS, iPad, or Leap Pad games.  He LOVES doing this now, so I’m sure it’ll be a HUGE hit.
I think that’s it…I think I have the basics covered.  I really, really hope that it turns out to be a fun, adventure-filled year of lots and lots of learning and memories.  I’ll share my plans for Caleb’s 5th grade year soon (wow, 5th grade…how did that happen?).