So you found Core Knowledge and it sounds great and all but how in the world do you homeschool with it?! I’m here to help! But first let’s get one thing straight. When I say Core Knowledge, do not let your brain jump to Common Core. Remember the education plan that no one seems to like yet almost every state had adopted it at some point? This is a common misconception but they are NOT one and the same.
Fun fact, though. When the Common Core was being created, the powers that be worked with the founders of Core Knowledge because they saw the logic behind the principles of Core Knowledge.
Why Core Knowledge?
I have known and taught Core Knowledge for over ten years now and wrote all about why I love it in an earlier post. But, here are the fast facts about why, even though I’m out of the classroom, I still use it:
- The content is very rich. There are so many topics that are not normally covered in most main stream schools and it is approached at age-level. “Big subjects” like the Civil War and Ancient Egypt don’t have to be just for older children.
- Music and art are just as important as other subject areas. Specific artists and musicians are to be studied as well as music styles and art techniques.
- The curriculum spirals. My son won’t learn about the Civil War one year and never learn about it again. He will learn about it in second grade and will then revisit it two more years building upon what he already knows.
- The “What Your __ Grader Needs to Know” is an amazing all-in-one book. Read cover to cover, Liam could have lots of knowledge. This is NOT what the book is intended for but it is all the information I need at my fingertips.
- There is freedom. As a homeschool parent, I can take the information that is given and do it anyway I like! Or, I can follow the specific lesson plans and do it exactly as they say. It’s up to me!
- FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE!
Advice for Homeschooling with Core Knowledge
I don’t work for Core Knowledge and don’t stand to make any money by getting you on board with teaching it. I simply think there is such goodness in it but the task of getting it from a plan in your head to a lesson to your child is daunting.
I used parts of the Core Knowledge curriculum to teach my preschool son the last two years. Here is how I made it manageable for us.
The next bit is long so I highly suggest reading it in chunks so that you don’t get overwhelmed! Above are the links so that you can go to different sections of this post at anytime so take advance of those!
Core Knowledge Listening and Learning
This program has the Read-Aloud Anthology, the Flip Book and image cards all available for free download. It covers a lot of the stories, science and social studies topics – but not all!
The Read-Aloud Anthology has a lot of information in it. While it is all very good, I do not come close to doing everything it suggests. I do not use any of the worksheets or the image cards or most of the ideas and activities it suggests. I really use the guide for the Read Aloud and the questions it prompts you to ask.
The Teacher Side
The Read-Aloud Anthology
- I look over the Read-Aloud Anthology and write down the page numbers of all the pages that I want to print. This is usually just the story itself.
- Then I print the pages four to a page. This is simply to save paper.
- I staple each story/lesson together.
- I place all the lesson packs in a folder so they are easily accessible when I need them.
The Student Side
All the child needs is to see the pictures as you are reading. I’ve done this two ways:
- I’ve projected the pictures from my computer onto our TV screen.
- I’ve let him hold the iPad and look at the pictures.
The second option is easier but I prefer the first option. This is because he likes to scroll through the pictures if I allow him to hold the tablet. I prefer him just hang out on the couch and look at the picture on the TV screen while he listens to me read.
What We Do
As far as planning with the CK materials, it’s pretty simple. I grab the guide I made and the iPad and we read and discuss the story. We’ve done this laying in the grass, in his treehouse, on the couch or at the table. Anywhere.
I also try to always have an after reading activity. This does not always happen but it’s a goal I shoot for for as many lessons as possible.
I get some of my ideas from the Read-Aloud Anthology but more often than not I find it on Pinterest. The activity may be a song, an art project, a writing activity or even a trip. Something to take the read-aloud a step further and allow for more discussion (and an opportunity to use some of the vocabulary that was learned!)
Core Knowledge Skills
This program is not available to preschool. However, I did my own thing with my son when he was three and four. I found that once I was ready to begin the Skills program with him, we were able to skip several of the beginning units. It is also available for free download.
The Teacher Side
The Teacher Guide is where I put the jist of what I need to teach and do. I can not stand to look at all those pages so I get to know the unit by reading over it and then I make my own plan.
- I screen shot each important part. (On a Mac, press Command+Shift+4. This was life changing for me!)
- I place each part on a powerpoint screen labeled at the top with the lesson number.
This becomes my cheat sheet. I omit all the directions. I simply want to know the plan.
Now, I did not simply sit him down and say “This is the rule. ” “Let’s practice.” “Now do this worksheet.”
We played games! Some I made up off the top of my head. Others I found on Pinterest or Teachers Pay Teachers. Other’s I created on my own. If you use Teachers Pay Teachers, search your topic and sort “Free” on the left side. There is almost always something you can use.
The Student Side
Like I said before, it’s FREE if you go digital. You can buy these products as well. I opted, however, to simply print what I needed. Ink is not an issue for me as I pay a flat rate each month with HP Instant Ink and have ink delivered right to me. Life changing!
Student Reading Books
- I printed them out two to a page.
- I cut the sheets in half.
- I cut a file folder in half.
- I hole punched the papers and folder.
- I placed the papers in the folder and kept them together with two brads.
Student Worksheets
- I printed only the pages I knew I would use.
- I print double-sided to save paper.
- I hole-punched them and placed them inside a folder and secured with three brads.
What We Do
When it is time for to work on Skills, I grab the guide I created. We usually start with some type of review. I make this as active as possible depending on the activity. If it is practicing counting syllables, Liam will probably be jumping on pillows or circles or in hula hoops. Or we may clap or bang on pots.
If there is a new lesson, we do that next. I introduce the new concept with a lot of excitement! I almost always have a game ready to play to practice the new concept. It’s usually a free product such as a board game or card game or something printed from Teachers Pay Teachers. Other times it may be a game I found online. Either way, I know we’ll be able to play it as a review over the course of the unit.
When it’s time for the reader, we usually snuggle up on the couch or in his tree house to practice. Sometimes we take turns and sometimes he simply reads to me.
When completing the worksheets (which I feel are beneficial), he usually sits at the kitchen table by choice. Other times he’ll lay on the couch or floor. One time he used the dog as his table. I don’t care where he’s at as long as he’s putting forth his best effort. We go over the page together and I almost always do some type of crazy, happy dance when he’s done well. This has become his favorite part and he often will be so excited to show his work just to get to the dance.
Sometimes, the order of the lesson does not matter. On these days, I always let him choose which part he’d like to do first.
Core Knowledge Music
There is so much goodness in the music!
The Songs
The first thing I always do is grab my phone and the What My ___ Grader Needs to Know book. I find all the songs that are listed in the Table of Contents.
Then I go to my Amazon Prime account and create a playlist for those songs. Now we can listen to them anytime!
The Other Stuff
I think you’ll find that with the Preschool and Kindergarten topics, these ‘lessons’ will come naturally in life. You won’t need to find a set time to have music class.
But beginning with first grade, the topics are a bit more rich. There are musical composers to learn about and styles of music to learn all about. While this learning can still happen naturally, this year Thursday’s will be out music day. A few friends will come over and we’ll all do the lesson together.
To come up with my plan:
- I got my What My ___ Grader Needs to Know and wrote down all the music topics.
- I began reading as well.
- Any ideas that were mentioned in the book or that I thought of I wrote down as well.
- Then I figured out how many music class days we would have.
- I began to break all the topics into that many days/lessons and then put it in my planner.
- I’ll come back later and fill in what the plan will be for the actual day.
And, once my year long plan is in place, I’ll use the What My ___ Grader Needs to Know and Pinterest to come up with our projects for each lesson.
I can not wait to get started! I will be posting our year-long plan later as well as our projects as the year goes on so please subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss out!
Core Knowledge Art
I plan art just like I do music.
- Write down the topics.
- Jot down some ideas.
- Fit it into the number of days I have.
- Use the book and Pinterest to plan.
What About Science and Social Studies?
Great question. Core Knowledge has started creating Science and Social Studies (History and Geography) units. However, they are NOT homeschool friendly.
Just by reading the Listening and Learning topics with Liam, we covered a lot of the Science and Social Studies topics. His world will not end if we do not cover everything Core Knowledge suggests.
For this upcoming year, I know that specifically in Science he will not learn about Electricity and the Solar System using just the Listening and Learning stories. I have already found an electric circuit board activity on Amazon for $15.00 that I will buy him. Just by playing with this together I will have so many opportunities to teach him what Core Knowledge wants him to know. He’ll be having so much fun he won’t even know he’s learning…and I’ll barely realize I’m teaching him!
How Can I Help?
I have taught Core Knowledge at home for the last two years. I am slowly learning what works and what doesn’t.
This will be the first time that I will have a designated time of the week for art and music and I am so excited! The plan is to have “class” and have a few friends come over to enjoy this time with us.
I have the whole year planned out so be sure to subscribe so that you can take a look at the plan and maybe learn along with us!
And if you are still overwhelmed at all the homeschool options, read this. There are a few options already narrowed down for you.
Until next time, do you have any specific Core Knowledge questions I can help you with?
