1st Grader's Changes/Mid-week Review

 I normally do not curriculum hop and change my plans frequently - at least not this frequently.  But, I am really trying to find something that works for the 1st grader.  I'm dealing with vision issues, a fear of reading (from the vision issues) and his neediness and wanting me to do "school" with him constantly.

I spent this week taking The Well-Trained Mind for a test drive.  Here's my thoughts.

Language Arts

• It's just way too much Language Arts for a 6 year-old.  
• He does not like First Language Lessons.  He looked at me like I was absolutely crazy when I tried to go through the first couple of lessons.
• He does not like All About Reading (long story if you've read the other posts on my blog, but he thinks the readers will give him a headache, because that's what happened before we got his glasses - sigh)
• The perfect combination for him right now seems to be:
• Explode the Code
• A beginning reader book (like Moo Dog) that he can try to read to me and we sound out the words together
• Copywork/Handwriting

History: Ancients

• I got some great kids books about Ancient Egypt from the library.  We started to read one of them.  It was mostly about the Egyptian gods.  He FREAKED out.  His questions were like this:
• Are these monsters??
• Are they real?
• Did this really happen??
• Why would they talk to these monsters???
• Why are you saying they're gods??  They're not God!
• As you can imagine, we could not finish the book and I am basically sitting here with my head in my hands.  I do not know what to do.  

Flying Creatures of the 5th Day (Apologia)

• He actually likes this - a lot.  

Literature

• I added real literature to his day - not just picture books (we read those at bedtime anyway).  I'm reading Winnie the Pooh and he loves it.  He's been sitting on the floor making pretend pizzas while I read.  I was surprised he liked this so much.  We read a big chunk of the book in just one week.  

Music

• I picked up Beethoven's Wig from the library - very cool!
• He is so excited to learn how to play the piano.

Art

• He loves art.

So, the hits:

•  Real children's literature
• Actually reading a book to me- instead of a reading curriculum
• Science
• Music & Art

I actually learned a lot about what he likes this week.  Could he be more of a Charlotte Mason guy??