Monongalia Homeschoolers Association

READING:
Kevin will read aloud to me daily from simple readers, such as the "Sing, Spell, Read, and Write" program, "easy readers" obtained from the public library, and the Celebrate Reading books for second grade from the public schools. Kevin will continue with phonics and reading activities and games, particularly those from Games for Reading by Peggy Kaye. I will read aloud extensively to Kevin both nonfiction books on science and social studies topics and fiction books. We will also share books together with "family read-alouds", focusing on Newbery Award winning books and other children's classics. Kevin will participate in the Summer Reading Club at the Morgantown Public Library and in the Pizza Hut Book-It program through the Monongalia Homeschoolers Association.

WRITING/ LANGUAGE:
Kevin will continue to learn to write simple words and sentences. He will write regularly in a journal, at least a few sentences and a drawing each time. Kevin likes to dictate to me longer stories that he creates. He will help with our family newsletter, The Jacks Gazette. Kevin will have weekly spelling lists to study and will work through the Independent Practice for Writing (penmanship) booklet for second grade. Kevin may also dictate letters or will write short letters to relatives and friends.

MATH:
Kevin will use Mathematics Plus for second grade, the public school text, and use Cuisennaire rods and accompanying booklets from the Miquon Math Lab Materials. Kevin enjoys playing many games from Games for Math by Peggy Kaye, so we will continue to use those for acquisition of basic concepts. He will also work problems in Math by Kids by Susan Richman. Kevin is beginning to learn to use computers and will continue to build on his knowledge this year.

SCIENCE:
Kevin will be involved in hands-on science activities using Janice VanCleave’s Spectacular Science Projects series and the Science Weekly publications. I will read aloud to Kevin from Ranger Rick Magazine and Zoobooks magazine. We will also regularly obtain books on science topics from the Morgantown Public Library. Kevin will regularly watch programs on PBS such as "Kratt's Creatures", "Bill Nye the Science Guy", and "Nova".

SOCIAL STUDIES:
Kevin will learn about history through my reading aloud to him historical fiction and non-fiction. We recently read together Johnny Tremain and several other books about the American Revolution. For geography, Kevin will continue to learn the states in the U.S. by using a jigsaw puzzle map. We will label settings of books we read on a world map, and Kevin will begin to learn world geography in that manner. Kevin will sometimes listen to my reading aloud of Cobblestone and Calliope magazines and National Geographic Magazine. We will keep a time line on our hallway wall and label events we read about there.

MUSIC:
Kevin will continue to learn to sing songs with me. Kevin will play on our electric keyboard and percussion instruments. He has expressed an interest in learning to play the snare drum, so his older brother may begin instructing him in simple lessons. Kevin will be exposed to a variety of musical styles from the radio, tapes, PBS, and concerts at the WVU Creative Arts Center.

ART:
Kevin will try a variety of art projects throughout the year. He will use paints, colored pencils, pastels, crayons, and markers. Kevin enjoys drawing and spends a good deal of unstructured time in drawing. We will do some craft projects such as origami, candle-making, and paper mache projects. We will use several art and drawing books from the Morgantown Public Library. Kevin will take art classes at the Monongalia Arts Center with our homeschooling group and participate in an art display with the homeschooling group.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Kevin will be involved in a variety of sports and outdoor play throughout the year. He enjoys learning to swim and spending time at the pool. Kevin will participate in the Morgantown Youth Soccer Association’s league this autumn. Kevin has learned to ride a bicycle and will ride for enjoyment. Kevin will ice skate frequently from October through March with the Monongalia Homeschoolers. He will occasionally go bowling with the Monongalia Homeschoolers. He also enjoys lots of outdoor play and informal football, basketball, baseball, and soccer with family and friends.

ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE HOME:

Kevin will be involved in:

• Regular field trips, meetings, and activities with the Monongalia Homeschoolers Association
• The local soccer league, MYSA, and perhaps a basketball league
  
• Classes at the Monongalia Arts Center
• The Morgantown Library's Summer Reading Club activities
• Frequent informal get-togethers with other homeschooling families

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