Term Three Evaluation: Munchkin

Munchkin is not yet officially registered for homeschooling, but I am doing a (VERY) informal kindergarten curriculum with him this year.  I do not INSIST that Munchkin complete any written work UNLESS he is preventing his brothers from learning, then I direct him to his own work.  He was VERY excited about handwriting at the beginning of the school year, but as I expected, the enthusiasm did not last.  However, he LOVES maths and has completed his ENTIRE kindergarten textbook already.  I have purchased the Year 1 textbook and he is enjoying the challenge. I have noticed that he is still grasping the concepts quickly and easily, so we rocket ahead in math.  The rest of the school subjects (seen below) are well and truly covered for Munchkin through his combined participation with his older brothers.  All read alouds that I do with the older boys (with the exception of some history for Monster in the late evening) are also directed at Munchkin.  While I know he doesn't understand all of what I read, a lot of the information sinks in, as evidenced by conversations he has with me, his father, or his brothers later on down the track.

Maths -
Maths Plus Year 1 Textbook
Topic Covered Include:
Following Directions, Sharing, Counting, Picture Graphs, Adding on number lines, Numbers to 30, Odd and Even Numbers, Recognizing 3D objects, 

Read Aloud Books that Pertain to Maths:
One Very Tired Wombat - by Renee Treml
Ten Kisses for Sophie - by Rosemary Wells
Uno's Garden - by Graeme Base
Ten Pigs An Epic Bath Adventure - by Derek Anderson
Seaver the Weaver - by Paul Czajak


English -
Handwriting:
Targeting Handwriting Kindergarten
Munchkin NORMALLY works on two pages of handwriting per week that correspond to his Letter of the Week program. However, this term we sort of slacked off on the Letter of the Week program. I plan to get a bit more structured with this during term 4 and get more handwriting work done.  On the weeks when we have reviewed letters learned so far, he gets a break from handwriting, which he LOVES.

Writing:
No formal writing is being done with Munchkin as he is now a fluent reader yet.  However, we are working on letter sounds, concentrating on a Letter of the Week program, and I allow him to do any "writing" that he would like to do as he initiates it.  He can write his own name and a few words and does enjoy writing letters (in the form of copywork) to friends/family on occasion. This term he wrote thank you notes for birthday presents he received, as well as a couple of apology letters.

Reading:
Reading is HUGE in our family.  I make sure that the boys are surrounded by reading material (books, magazines, etc) and we read aloud EVERY day, and as they learn to read independently they spend 30-60 minutes reading silently to themselves.  Munchkin enjoys the online reading program Reading Eggs and works through that for a portion of each of his school days.

Over the course of the term I have read 100 books aloud to Munchkin... many are his favourite picture books and others address our school subjects.

Read Alouds ~ Literature:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - by Eric Carle

The Very Busy Spider - by Eric Carle

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig - by Irene Triviza

Horace the Baker's Horse - by Jackie French

Bread and Jam for Frances - by Russell Hoban

Bedtime for Frances - by Russell Hoban

A Birthday for Frances - by Russell Hoban

Best Friends for Frances - by Russell Hoban

Slinky Malinki - by Lynley Dodd

The Classic Tales of Beatrix Potter

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - by Dr Seuss

Science -
Munchkin takes part in ANY science experiment we do at home and at co-op group on Thursday.  He LOVES books that focus on animals and particularly enjoys watching David Attenborough special on TV (or borrowed DVDs from the library) about science topics.

Read Alouds ~ Science:

Deadly Reptiles by Andrew Solway

Circle by Jeannie Baker

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Brain Eaters: Creatures with Zombie-Like Diets by Alicia Klepeis

Natures Undead: Animals that Seem to Rise From the Grave by Alicia Klepis

Endangered Animals of Australia by Marie Allgor

Paper by Material World

History -Much of our history lessons are done in the late evening AFTER Munchkin has gone to bed, but if we read a historical picture book through the day he will listen in.  A few examples below...

Read Alouds:

Warnayarra the Rainbow Snake

Dunbi the Owl

The Bat and the Crocodile

Millicent by Jeannie Baker

Mirror by Jannie Baker

Belonging by Jeannie Baker

Animals That Changed the World by Keltie Thomas

Tracks of a Panda by Nick Dawson

Geography -
Again Munchkin absorbs much of his geography from anything the older boys are learning as he listens in.  Some examples of geography books I read aloud this term...

Read Alouds:

PDHPE -
This subject is multi-faceted and deals with Person Development, Health and Physical Education.  Again, a lot of what Munchkin learns is through the group learning that we do.  He walks everywhere we go, enjoys riding his scooter, and loves climbing, jumping and balancing when we play at our favourite playgrounds.  We have frequent family discussions about healthy life habits that surround things like eating, exercising, and safe activities and behaviours when out and about in our neighbourhood.

Creative Arts -
Munchkin enjoys painting, drawing, and colouring so this is the largest portion of his creative arts for this term.

Sept/Oct School Holiday Events:

Attended Bingo at local library

Attended Live Animal Show at local library