My Homeschooling A-Ha Moment

I really struggle with curriculum. What should we be doing? What should Eli be learning? Am I leaving something out? STRESS, STRESS, STRESS!!! My a-ha moment came when I realized several things:

1) I just LOVE the Montessori Materials
2) I resonate with the Waldorf Rhythm of Learning

I really struggled with what much of the Montessori style expected from such young children. I don't think a 4 or 5 year old needs to know the Latin for the Kingdoms of Life, for example. The Waldorf relaxed style fits for us much better and I use certain Montessori materials as units are introduced. 

I do like having an outline to help keep us focused. Here's the general outline for next year.

XX means we're off, or using this time to follow Eli's interests.

1 Aug 5XX

2- 12- OCEAN

13- 9

4- 26

5- Sept 2- FARM/ SPACE

6- 9

7- 16- APPLES

8- 23- XX

9- 30 FOREST/ ANIMALS AT NIGHT

10- Oct 7

11- 14-HUMAN BODY

12- 21-

13- 28 - PUMPKINS

14- Nov 4- ANIMALS IN WINTER-

15- 11

16- 18

17- 25XX

18- Dec 2- RAINFOREST

19- 9

20- 16- WINTER SOLSTICE

21- 23XX

22- 30XX

___________________________________________________________________________________________

23- Jan 6XX

24- 13- SNOW/ ARTIC

25- 20- ANIMAL TRACKS

26- 27

27- Feb 3 HUMAN BODY

28- 10

29- 17- DINOSAURS

30- 24

31- Mar 3 BIRDS

32- 10

33-17- WEATHER

34- 24

35- 31 XX

_________________________________________________________________________________________

36- Ap7- PLANTS/ GRASSLANDS

37- 14

38- 21- EARTH DAY

39- 28

40- May 5- INSECTS

41-12

42- 19

43- 26- POND

44- June 2

45- 9- SPACE

46- 16-

47- 23- XX

48- 30XX

49- July 7XX

50- 14XX

51- 21XX

52- 28XX

Eli is really loving learning how to read, so we will continue with BOB Books, Explore the Code, Pink Language Series. We will also be adding RightStart Math. 

I have lots of hands-on activities and Sensory Bins to go with most of these units, in addition to utilizing community resources. There's also plenty of space to explore any topic further if he wishes. I've recently been inspired by Unschooling and could very easily see us going that direction, especially if Eli starts to go that direction. But for now, we're doing what works for us.