Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum - Our Homeschool Curriculum Choices 2016 17

[@mommyandmethings5205]

My daughter is about to start school. I am having a hard time knowing what to do. My heart wants to homeschool. Love your channel!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

I completely understand. The best thing to remember is that you ARE her teacher. I would ask to see the scope and seqeunce from the teacher for the year at her school and then as a family include different things that could go along with it at home. Family read a loud books, different fun weekend projects, fun adventures related to what they are learning in school. :) There is so much traditional school parents can do to still be involved in their education.

[@laureldouglas1]

I love your videos! I have a first grader, pre-K and a toddler so I'm learning so much from watching your videos. We are watching from Northern California and look forward to more videos :)

[@HeatherTorresTV]

thank you for watching! :)

[@robbinsnest6163]

I am from Mississippi and I plan to come home at the end of the school year and be with my kids who are 4 and 2 and I have been looking for different advice and different people to follow for homeschooling and I am loving your Channel!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi! Welcome. WOW! Thank you so much for the kind words. I have a ton of new videos coming out soon (yes to the end of the school year and more time to create!) So let me know if you have any videos you'd iike me to create :)

[@ariannad8946]

I'm new to homeschooling. Teaching K and Preschool. There is so much information, it's so hard to choose which way we want our schooling to be. First official day was today and I'm so excited to be teaching him and her because they're always asking for more and I love it. It's very nice to meet you and I appreciate your tips, thanks.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Arianna D congrats!! Just take it week by week. At those ages it’s all about experiences and the basics. You got this mama!

[@abundanceintheson_316]

This is a great video! I loved how simple you are keeping things. I just found your channel and one of my problems is complicating things (from homeschooling to the grocery list). I mention this because just as God opened my eyes that I need to simplify my homeschooling then I found this video. I have been homeschooling for two years and I have two Kindergarteners (upper K and lower K). I am in Oregon and we are having a mild winter and able to have more nature studies outside than I expected in October! I am using two different math programs for my girls but hoping next year to have them both in the same one. My eldest is doing "Subraction facts that stick" by Kate Snow. We finished "Addition facts that stick" recently. We have loved these books. I plan to use "Math Lessons for a living Education" level 1 with her when we finish with Subraction. My youngest is doing "Mathimatical Reasoning Begininer 2", which has taught me I don't like the spiral method of teaching and my teaching style is more mastery based. Anyway....for reading I am doing "100 Easy lessons to Teach your Child to Read". It has been great. My eldest also does the McGuffeys. Next week, I hope to start my youngest in the Mcguffeys as well. For writing, my eldest is doing cursive and print. She wanted to jump into cursive and I am following her lead. I use Classical Conversations Prescripts for Cursive and I would not recommend it. My daughter likes it but I wish it spent some time on teaching how to connect letters. For printing, we are using Memoria Press' Copybook 1 (which I love) and my daughter loves!!!! For my youngest, she is in "Kick Start Kindergarten" by Handwriting Without Tears. She loves this program and as the saying goes if it isn't broke don't fix it. I am not doing any grammar program yet. I am looking at starting my eldest in "Gentle Grammar" adapted by Sherry K. Hayes next year. So, other than my Morning basket and our Classical Conversations memory work, I have felt God lead me to scale everything back. I was trying to teach my girls ASL and Latin, composer study, additional history (apart from the CC memory work), etc. I mean we just started doing Picture/Artist study this year (Morning basket) and Poetry (Morning Basket) which we have been enjoying BUT I am beginning to feel burnt out and I have barely done 3 months of school....and I thought I am being a wimp and I will just push through. Then God popped a book in my lap, then an article, and then your video all with the same message slow down, step back, simplify....anyway so Thank you and that is probably more than you wanted to know. But, I really loved your video and I am subscribed and excited to watch more (tomorrow as I now need to sleep). Bye!

[@caglechick87]

I am totally into homeschool. I tot schooled my 5 year old and now she is advanced in public school. I am currently tot schooling my 2 and a half year old. I would homeschool both but my husband wants my oldest to go to public school. However I homeschool her during the weekends and sometimes at night so she stays ahead. Great video!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Oh I love that. We are parents are our kiddos first teachers either way so it's wonderful to expose your kiddos to both options. :)

[@DBUPatriotPrincess]

My oldest will be kindergarten age this Fall! We've homeschooled for preschool, but we're looking forward to (and nervous about) starting elementary!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

You got this! :) Welcome to the channel!

[@OmegaKat]

Im here in Vegas, and very interested in homeschooling. Your videos have been most helpful, thank you for them.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Thanks Kat!

[@continuouscreation]

Hi Heather! Thank you so much for your videos. I'm planning to homeschool my son. I wonder, at what age did you start homeschooling? And what did you start with? My son is 3 years old now. Thank you.

[@Mirthy]

I am seriously considering homeschooling my kids until they are at least seven. I heard that from birth to 7 are the most important ages for mental developement and want to make sure they have a solid knowledge about self worth, finances, and success and happiness and what truly matters at the end of the day. These concepts I didn’t see while I was in HS. I have a 8 month old, 2.5 year old, and a 7 year old who is special needs. One problem is I work a typical 8 hr day job. Working towards FI but until then it’ll be tough. My wife stays home with them so I might be able to get her excited about doing homeschooling since a she got into it a little bit during lockdown and helping our oldest study at home. Any tips would be great but otherwise I’ve just started going through the videos on your channel so 🤞I’m excited and hoping for the best.

[@erikapodhajser5280]

This is my first week homeschooling my kindergartener and preschooler! We are in Lake mary FL. :)

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi! Welcome to homeschooling :)

[@mamamelissahomeschool]

My kindergartener does the same. She memorizes the images of the story and "reads" it to her little brother. Sneaky little ones. 😂

[@28maripr]

Thank you! I have a kindergarten starting this year💓🙏 looking for fun ways to help him learn! Sending you blessings..from Connecticut!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi and thank you for your comment! ;)

[@ReyesWonderFUN]

Hi Heather, love, love, your energy, and videos. I have 3 toddlers. 1,2, and a 4 yr old who will b 5 this year. I been homeschooling her since she was ready to learn at 1yr 1/2. and i am planning to continue homeschooling her and the rest of my kids. I do have a teaching degree background and experience. I have to say, I feel freeeeeee to teach what I want, when I want, and how i want to do things with out having to check w the principle. lol I am learning so much from you and other homeschooling moms out there. love it...packing my brain with new knowlledge every day because I try to keep up with your videos 😉 i feel that I want to start giving back to this community of homeschooling, I have been adding videos as a free learning resource where you can find activities for kids, things I use and do with my kids. Thanks Heather for your amazing videos.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

WOW! Thank you for watching! :)

[@denisejohnson4037]

Woah you look like jill duggar....i homeschool too and i highly recommend math mammoth for first grade. Its a curriculum where the teaching guide is in the work book and its setup to where the child can easily understand the instructions as well.

[@denisejohnson4037]

Also, since you're christian, have you visited christianbooks.com for homeschool books?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Thanks for watching. Yes - I’ve been on the site before.

[@marinaa4237]

Hello!! New subscribed,I'm from Barcelona, (Spain) I have one First Grade and one Prek..love your videos!!I like your simplicity .God bless you!! Can't wait the next video!!!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hello! Welcome. Thanks for subbing! :) How is homeschooling going this year?

[@naturalmunchkin]

Hello from Atlanta I plan on home schooling my 2 year old son who already knows his numbers 1-20 He can recognize his letters from a through Z and he knows some sounds

[@taratags4499]

We are starting Ambleside Year 1 next week!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Oh I love their curriculum! :) We incorporate a ton of their literature readings. I'm here if you have any questions!

[@mrscynthia]

THANK YOU for the Bible recommendation. Have been looking for one for my 5&6 year old boys.

[@mrscynthia]

Also I'm brand new to homeschooling, love watching these videos, very encouraging!

[@GraceandGrit]

Thanks for showing what your using! I love the simplicity of it all!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

thanks friend! Love ya! :)

[@MommyCanMakeIt]

Hey! We are doing our first year of homeschooling. My little guy is 4, so we are doing Pre-K work but I found this super informative! 😉

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Welcome to homeschooling! :) Prek was so fun last year with my little guy. Let me know if you have ANY questions I can help you with. I'm no expert but I know how blessed I've been by the moms who've gone before me. :)

[@MommyCanMakeIt]

+Heather Torres Thanks! 😘

[@jessicad.4645]

We are planning to use the same book to teach our son to read for his kindergarten year (our first year homeschooling starts after Labor Day!) :)

[@jessicad.4645]

and wow I picked up the same paper notebook at Target in the dollar section. My SIL sent some.of her kindergarten curriculum which included Horizon math (idk yet if in will use it or not) & Handwriting Without Tears for handwriting. We're keeping his & our first year homeschooling simple and fun too. Reading, writing, basic math, nature study/lots of time outside, habits, bible study/Sunday school at our church, setting a good rythm at home, etc. We're mostly following Charlotte Mason but Classical, Interest-led/Project-based, Unschooling, Montessori might trickle in at times. So CM primarily with a mix of eclectic homeschooling of various methods :) Super excited to start VERY soon!! Enjoy your school year ♡

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Awesome! :)

[@HeatherTorresTV]

We LOVE this program :)

[@jessieguillermo7911]

Omgosh! Are you in Vegas?! We live in Vegas too. I stumbled across your channel and just subscribed. I'm about to start my very first year of homeschooling for my 4 and 5 1/2 year olds so I'm in the super research phase. Lol. Anyways. Thanks for the great videos and good content. :)

[@Brighten-up-sunshine]

super Awesome ! Have a Terrific Toy Filled day !!!💜💛💚💙💜

[@jennbaker7839]

We are new to homeschooling and starting with our oldest this fall in Northern Ohio.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi Jenn! Welcome! ;)

[@learnlaughlove4113]

We are doing Kindergarten this year too! Great video!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Yay! Have a great year :)

[@meaganr7176]

Hello!! We are about to pull our son out of public school and I'm really just trying to figure out where to start!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Oh wow! What a new journey your family is about to start. Homeschooling is a wonderful option but can be soooooo overwhelming. My first piece of advice is this: Figure out what your homeschooling goals are. It can be academic and/or it can be emotional. For example: Our goal this year was to make learning FUN, to enjoy time as a family, and to complete/excel the state standards for their grade level (which in my state is really easy to do). This means we take our time through the subjects and get deep into the topics that light up my kids, we spend time together as much as possible so if daddy has a random day off that is suppose to be a school day we take it off to and don't think twice about it, and we encourage learning in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere which can be under the kitchen table for language arts or curled up in bed with mommy for math. Hope that long winded response helps! I just know that most people go into homeschool thinking about trying to figure out the WHAT without taking a step back and recognizing the WHY.

[@sahmomzy5787]

I am not a homeschooling mom YET! Have you gone to any homeschool conventions? I would love to go to one so I could see inside the curriculum books, and get a feel for them

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hey! No I haven't gone to any conventions yet. I plan too though so I can interview different homeschool people and companies so other people can see what's out there.

[@teamcourageouscoachtrainin4928]

Hey Heather! I am watching from Lansing, MI and we will have a Kindergartener in the Fall! She will JUST be 5! :) You had said you would do a review on the Horizons Math! I cannot wait because we are considering that for my daughter.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Video on Horizons math coming this week :)

[@TheAgapeHouse]

We use the same Bible for our oldest daughter. We love it! Great video girl I love your energy! :)

[@HeatherTorresTV]

This bible was such a great purchase for us. We love it :)

[@ashleygaver1591]

We're doing 2nd grade, Pre-K, & our 2 year old will be tagging along with us 😊

[@HeatherTorresTV]

So fun!!! What curriculum do you use? What type of homeschool style is your family? I love connecting with other homeschoolers!

[@ThePreciousYears]

Great choices...he is doing many of 1sr grade stuff too. Do you just add in science..I think I saw IG post about nature study. Love your videos. I have been homeschooling for about 3 years. Thanks for sharing.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hey! Ya we are doing a nature study (that I forgot to put in this video!) but I have it in my second grade curriculum video that I'm posting next week. These are all of the structured things he is apart of. Everything else is free reading and art. Nothing too serious.

[@saraface01]

I have a 5 year old who has been reading since she was 3, a soon to be 3 year old and a 6 month old. I did not send my 5 year old to Pre-school and now am trying to Homeschool. Our first day was today and I feel like it was NOTHING like I had imagined it would be. Baby screaming the whole time (what a GREAT day to get a tooth, kid!), 2 year old won't stop talking or wiggling during Bible time. He hated everything I gave him to do because he woke up in a mood and persisted in screaming over the baby at me. Meanwhile my coffee got cold (three times) and my 5 year old had this bored and helpless expression on her face as she patiently watched me go back and forth giving time outs. I had no idea I was supposed to have actual curriculum for kindergarten so I put my own binder together for both of them (which was also a fail). I have no idea what I'm doing! I refuse to give up, but I see videos like this and think, "what was I thinking?!" I am so not put together!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Oh Sara!!! So sorry that was your first day. This is TOTALLY normal. Not all days go well and especially not when the baby is teething. I would say, take a breath, know that everyday will be different and it gets better. Make sure your lessons are SUPER short and really fun. My 5yr still doesn't sit still during bible time so know that there is NO pressure. It's baby steps. :)

[@ThinkMediaTV]

Great video!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Thanks! :)

[@Inallthingsgivethanks1]

:-) We just started! We are also doing kindergarten as well :-) TFS. Good choices.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Congrats on a new homeschool year! :) So fun! Let me know if you have any questions I can help you with throughout this year.

[@tammyallen5860]

I homeschool 2. 2nd grader and 6th grader. It is our first year. We use Heart of Dakota curriculum.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Oh I've heard great things about that curriculum. Did you always know you would homeschool or did you decide after having kids?

[@tammyallen5860]

After my kids started school. They went to a private school. This is our first year

[@bfa4127]

Do you have to be enrolled in to an actual school to homeschool?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

That's a great question! It depends on your states homeschool laws. Where we live no they do not have to be enrolled but they have to be accounted for so I have to submit a letter with my curriculum to the school district office stating we are homeschooling. Each state is different.

[@lauraknauff6857]

thank you for this video! I will be starting kindergarten with my oldest next year. For the first language lessons book, do you know if Brave writer is a replacement for that?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Laura Knauff brace writer is teaching through books. So you will read through a book and pull the language arts lessons directly from the text. First language lessons teaches lesson by lesson and refers to literature and poetry throughout.

[@lauraknauff6857]

Heather Torres Thank you for your reply so much!!

[@wafaaesmeil8764]

can you tell me what is the main reason for homeschooling??

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Great question! For my husband and I we really wanted to lay a good foundation for them as their primary influencers in the world. At such a young age they are separated from the family for long periods of time and parents become the second or third influencers in a child's life. We have several other surface reasons but for now at this age, that was our biggest draw.

[@_little_mama_purple3452]

I am doing free online public school with connections academy and Bookshark this fall.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

That's great!

[@_little_mama_purple3452]

Heather Torres😀

[@jeimyreyestv]

Those all your books are religion curriculum ?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

no not at all - we do both

[@LifeinYellowknife]

Thank you for your video! How young were your children before you started with audio books? Do you have a set audio book time in your routine or do you just have the on when the kids play? I'm just going through and watching all your videos but I def wish there were more!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi and welcome. We started audiobooks at around 2-3 yrs old. They weren't sitting and listening. They were always playing with something or looking at the picture books while it was reading to them. We don't have a set time. The routine always changes.

[@SixOfOneHalfDozenOfTheOther]

Great choices!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

thanks! :)

[@davidedwinastoutenburgh9618]

When it comes to curriculum, I have a few questions. Question #1 I have 2 children in Kindergarten, would I need to purchase 2 sets for their curriculum or can I purchase 1 & make copies? Question #2 can I reuse curriculum or would I need to purchase new every year? We are looking into homeschooling our kiddos & we currently have 2 in Kindergarten, 1 in preschool & the youngest is home with me still. They’re 6(7 in Dec), 5(6 in Jan), 4 & 3.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Great questions! :) I would purchase one and make copies. We try and keep our curriculum so we can reuse it or sell it used after we are finished. Everything but our math books. Those are just used and done with. Happy homeschooling. let me know if I can help in anyway!

[@danaparzych7414]

I recently "DISCOVERED" you and I love your videos! I am wanting to go with story of the world for my kindergartener/1st grader and i am clicking on the links BUT I'm not seeing a difference in title between the teacher guide and the other book? I don't want to double purchase and when I enter "story of the world teacher guide i get sent to abunch of other books help me

[@HeatherTorresTV]

So happy you are here. Yes, one is the activity/teacher guide and the other is the story book. They look REALLY similar. The one with the black chunk at the bottom is the story book and the one with the white border is the activity/teacher guide :)

[@danaparzych7414]

Thanks for our response! One more question. There seems to be a separate activity workbook, is that geared more the older kiddos? I ordered the teacher guide and the text book, is it worth it for kindergarten or should I hold off?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

I would hold off. It has more of the maps, crosswords, and writing assignments in it that are geared for the olders. :)

[@danaparzych7414]

Thank you!

[@leeseonlife]

Great video! You resemble Jill Duggar, by the way.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Marsh It ! Haha! I get that all the time!

[@heathercombs8170]

Hi Heather I thought about homeschooling my 6 year old son. He has autism. My question is do you get to do your own curriculum? The home school like k12 and ecot have their own home school work that they want you to do. So how do you get to do your own?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi Heather! Welcome. You will want to check with your state standards and requirements for homeschool. Our state allows us to use any curriculum we choose (or no curriculum at all). You can design your homeschool the way that you want to. If you choose to do an online school they have specific requirements and curriculum. Happy homeschooling :)

[@kristimartinez7908]

Heather, I will be homeschooling my kindergartener this upcoming school year. I'm trying to decide between Math-U-See and Horizons math. Can I ask you what prompted you to make the switch. Thank you for your very helpful videos.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hi Kristi! Welcome! :) We chose to change to a spiral learning curriculum instead of a mastery because of the way my kiddos learn best. I also like how colorful it is too.

[@HiddenRose7771]

I am pursuing a degree in Accounting and have hopes to help bring in an income. My son is about to turn 3. I am thinking that I want to homeschool him. would you say that there is anytime to yourself? I want to be certified with a CPA and work from home on top of homeschooling. thank you

[@DixonChristianAcademy]

April Villegas it can be hard but I definitely just schedule me time like I do any other thing that needs to be planned. Sorry. I know that question wasn't for me. Lol.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Yes! I agree. Having a great schedule is important when you have multiple hats you are wearing. I do schedule in time for myself and I also work too. So just plan out a great schedule and you should be good :)

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Thanks for jumping in! That's what I love. Other homeschoolers here in the community helping out :)

[@HiddenRose7771]

Thanks Dixon and Heather! Yes! Schedule is a big deal. I was just curious if anyone else did this and is successful in all areas. Are there any other tips that yall can advise me on?

[@lovelifeflybelieve]

I’m in fallon Nevada. I am considering homeschooling but just not sure.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Hey! Thanks for stopping by. My words of encouragement to you - it doesn’t have to be a permanent decision. As long as you are going at with all you have, evaluate it, and pray about it. You’ll know what to do. :)

[@herminia7550]

Are you sure those books are for kindergarten?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Thanks for watching! These are the books we used for my son at the level he is at. :)

[@victoriabirchenough]

Could you help..trying to find a bible verse a day program kind of thing for my son..5 and half. Do you just pick and choose each day what verse you will do?

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Great question. I went on Pinterest and found the 100 bible verses for kids. We do one every week or so. I don't put too much pressure on finding the RIGHT thing. Just start with something simple. :)

[@victoriabirchenough]

Heather Torres thank you. :) we actually decided to go with a short story bible story book. :)

[@Fairelady5]

Hi there! I'm from Houston area Texas. I have twins boy/girl. They're going into prek in our local church two days a week. I really want to homeschool them for kinder next year.I loved this video it was very helpful! Thanks so much!

[@k.freeman7091]

Hey! In the Houston area also. First year homeschooling first grade. Will start tomorrow. Hopefully I can make some videos to share!!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Sounds wonderful Katherine. I sent both my kiddos to preschool too. It was a good small break for me. I grew in my confidence to homeschool for the school age years. Please let me know if you have any questions I can help you with as you move into home educating.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

+K. Freeman have fun!!!!!

[@DixonChristianAcademy]

Love this video!!!! I have an up and coming kindergartener. New subbie!!!!! Check out me as well if you get a chance!!!!!!

[@HeatherTorresTV]

Welcome welcome! :)

[@leeseonlife]

Great video! You resemble Jill Duggar, by the way.

[@HeatherTorresTV]

haha, so funny that I get that all the time. :)