Here’s my curriculum for the forthcoming school year (my kids are 3rd grade, 2nd grade, and preschool):
Math: Singapore Math 3A and 3B and 2A and 2B and Miquon Math and Kumon Math Workbooks for Grade 2 and 3
Science: Apologia’s Astronomy Textbook, Journal, and Lab Kit. I do want to do an Earth Science unit but I’m seeing how long Astronomy takes us before I decide.
Writing: IEW’s Medieval-Based Writing Lessons
Handwriting: Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting
Grammar: Michael Clay Thompson’s Caesar’s English, Grammar Voyage, Paragraph Town and Practice Town
Spelling: Riggs Institute Level 2 and Level 3
History: Story of the World Volume 2: Medieval History and accompanying Activity Book
Bible: BSF’s study of Genesis and leftover curriculum
Latin: Latin for Children A
Spanish: Spanish for Children A and Rosetta Stone Latin America
Greek: Greek for Children A
Geography: The Complete Book of Maps and Geography
Art: Artistic Pursuits Book 2 and Art of the Middle Ages (Art in History)
Music: Guitar Lessons and Note Study from Hirsch
Nature Journaling: Weather Permitting
Miscellaneous purchases:
Medieval History Wall Timeline from Knowledge Quest
National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers
What Your Fourth Grader Needs to Know
The Kingfisher Atlas of World History
Glow-in-the-Dark Constellations by C. E. Thompson
Note for Preschooler: My goal is just to teach him to read, which I will start with the phonograms and then move on to The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading by Jessie Wise and Sara Buffington. Anything else he picks up from our daily school is just an added bonus. He won’t be Kindergarten until next school year but I’m hoping to jump start him.
You have done a wonderful – thought out job on the new school year. Tina
What would you recommend for a parent who’s child is learning RIGGS in a charter school kindergarten? I want to supplement at home, but I don’t understand the RIGGS system.
Erin,
It’s hard to advise you because some charter schools only implement some of the Riggs program. If you follow Riggs to the T, it takes a majority of the day. In our old charter school, they only did part of it. I’ve heard some do all of it though so there’s a range.
I would first ask your teacher about specifics: what exactly are they doing (which parts) and what you can do to help. They may be able to give you some of the materials for home use.
That’s really all I can say now without knowing all the specifics. If you want, you can respond to this post again if you have any more questions after speaking with your teacher and I’ll try to help!
Hi there, I’m starting to home school my oldest who just turned 5. I have the Riggs program and the Ordinary Parent’s Guide…and a few questions. Although the two methods say they are both explicit phonics, they seem to contradict one another, so I’m confused.
1. Riggs teaches spelling, reading, and writing simultaneously whereas OPG separates them. Any thoughts/experience on this?
2. With my just 5 year old, should I work through ALL of the Riggs phonogram cards or just a portion? And should I skip the writing portion for now or do some of that?
3. How do you mix these two books successfully?
Any thoughts would be great to hear! Thank you!
Hey Lisa,
Here’s what I do: Do all the phonograms and then begin OPG. Yes, skip the writing for now. Work on reading first then return to Riggs after you finish OPG. Hope that helps!
I just learned about the Riggs program. My DD gr 2 is an excellent reader already so I am interested in it more for spelling. We have been using Sequential Spelling for spelling, which I actually like and takes a different approach. (doesn’t teach rules/graphemes/phonemes explicitly) However, I like the idea of this program — the philosophy behind it, and I think I like that it is a comprehensive LA program. (not sure…I like to mix and match)
If I were to get it, what are the bare-bones resources I would need, would you say? Our homeschooling budget is limited. Thanks!
Hey Sharla,
I like to mix and match too!!
It’s hard to say. If you got Level 1, the words would be too easy for your daughter. But Level 2 assumes you know the Riggs Method and how to teach it already. And the Level 1 has extensive notes on how to teach it (very important or it won’t make sense to you).
I’d call them up and ask! They are a small company and every time I have called, they answered their phone.
I use it exclusively for spelling because if you use it for a language arts program you have to buy more of their books. Plus, Level 2 is not very detailed. They tell you to go to their other books and teach from them.
In my opinion, it’s not a whole language arts program UNLESS you are willing to do all the work and buy all the other reference books (not expensive but not my cup of tea).
I have found other LA programs I ADORE and will not switch….
Level 3 is exclusively spelling words and is quite cheap.
Bare-bones are the teacher’s manuals for each level. The rest is unnecessary.
Not sure I’ve helped or not. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thanks for your help. I think we will stick with Sequential Spelling, but I noticed a list of rules on the Riggs site and am going to print them off and may refer to them from time to time with what we come across in SS. SS is just so easy (and works too); I hate to add something more parent-intensive right now.