Homeschool Tools provides a variety of manipulatives, worksheets, and other tools for young students. The pre-school and kindergarten years can be the most challenging years because the teacher must tutor every subject. Older students, who can read for themselves, can increasingly study independently. They also do not need as much repetition as younger students need. To keep your student's interest, vary the way you present your lesson from time to time. For example, in teaching the numbers from 1 to 10, use number cards one day and practice counting using the six square worksheets another day. Children also enjoy "playing teacher" and using the manipulatives to teach you the lesson! Here are some of the tools which are useful for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Math:
The first step in math instruction is to teach young children to count to ten on their fingers. They should understand that there is a correlation between one finger and the idea of "one" and between two fingers and the idea of "two," etc. When they can count their fingers to ten, try printing out some of these work sheets:
Blank Six Square Work Sheet: Using pennies, beans or any little objects, show the student how to put the correct number of objects in each square to match the number. The student may also color the correct number of dots in each square. (The numbers on the sheets are random. Work Sheets A and B cover the numbers to ten, and a blank sheet is provided if you would like to add higher numbers.)
Number Booklet Print ten copies of this form. On the first page show the student how to write the number one on the line and color the arrow line up to the number "1". (The next page will feature "2" and so on.) Next the student should draw the correct number of dots or glue the correct number of pre-cut designs to the page. The completed pages may be stapled as a book or kept in the student notebook under the heading "Math."
Numbers to Twenty When the student understands numbers up to ten, he is ready to learn to count up to twenty. Print this form and cut into cards. The student can practice putting them in order and counting aloud with the cards. Another fun game is to put stacks of pennies on each card to match the number.
Handwriting Paper If the child is old enough, he may practice writing all the numbers using the handwriting paper.
Blank Six Square Work Sheet Use this form to practice higher numbers. The teacher writes one number in each square and the student puts the correct number of pennies, beans, or other small objects in each square.
When a student is proficient with these tools, try the flash cards in the Math Section of Homeschool Tools.
Reading: Homeschool Tools does not include a reading curriculum, but rather provides phonics teaching tips, flash cards and other tools to help teach reading. There are several projects that enhance reading skills: The "My First Words" handout can be used to make a booklet of your student's first reading words which he illustrates himself. "A Book About Me" is a fun project that a child will enjoy illustrating and reading. It also helps the child learn some important facts such as his full name, address and phone number. Also, the Phonics Flash Cards may be printed and, rather than being cut apart to make cards, stapled together as a booklet for the student to illustrate. For the various booklets, you may wish to print on both sides of the paper. Staple them or bind them in a report folder to finish the booklet.
Finally, there is a useful reading list to help you find lots of good books at the library. Reading aloud to children is just as important as teaching them to read. A record form is provided to document all those valuable hours spent reading to your children.
Record of Books Read (To be kept by parents)
Handwriting:
Spelling:
Spelling is often not introduced until first grade. However, using a phonics approach, children are often ready (and eager!) to learn simple words. Use words that they learn from reading easy books, such as "Hop on Pop" or from the reading books in their curriculum. Write the assigned words on the Spelling Assignment Sheet and have the student copy the words while saying the letters aloud. If writing the words is too much of a challenge, give oral spelling tests. Though the Spelling Assignment Sheet gives directions for writing five sentences using the spelling words, you can omit this or have the student tell you a sentence for five of the words.
Click here for the Spelling Assignment Sheet
Speech Drill: Some children benefit from practice in speaking clearly. Click here for the Speech Drill Section for ideas to improve speech.
Other Useful Tools:
Depending on the interests and abilities of the student, there are many other subjects that can be explored during these early years. Check out other areas in Homeschool Tools, such as science or crafts. Below are a few of the tools that may be useful for teaching young children, but there are many others in Homeschool Tools!
Science: Two Experiments on Color
Patriotic Songs and Quotes Memorization Some of the shorter selections can be memorized by young children.
A Collection of Poetry for Memorization: Children naturally learn poetry that has a strong rhythm. Several of the poems in this collection are suitable for young children.
Aesop's Fables Aesop's Fables are animal stories told to illustrate human faults and virtues.
Posters for Classroom / Notebooks: In this section the "Ten Commandments" and the "Courtesy for Church Poem" are useful for young children.
Life Skills Section: There are several tools for preschoolers and kindergarteners in this section, including a chore chart for 2-4 year olds, a courtesy study, and several crafts which even young children can make.
Studying Godly Character in the Bible: This section includes a list of Bible Versus that identify Godly character and a booklet for students to illustrate.