Best Curriculum for Combining Multiple Grade Levels?

[Spunkify]

Have you looked into the Montessori education approach?

ETA: These links may be helpful:
http://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/...ool-classroom/

http://www.montessori.edu/homeschooling.html

http://www.montessorihomeschool.net/

[hac1224]

Originally Posted by HeatherlovesCDs Yes, that would absolutely work and is what I was suggesting. It is probably what I would do if I was starting when you are and know what I know. (having used K and 1st) I do love both K and 1st, but I definitely don't think you need them. In fact, this is basically what we are going to be doing next year. The only difference being that I already own K and 1st of MFW. So, we will use them for our phonics and handwriting. If I didn't own it, I would probably get something that is specifically phonics and handwriting to save money. So, yes, makes perfect sense! I have not done Adventures. So, what I am telling you comes from reading and researching for next year on their forum. What I have read on the forum about the student sheets in Adventures is that it is a good idea to buy them for all the kids you plan to have tagging along. Your "older" children will do them as written. Your youngers will do some as written and some they will just color on, but it makes them feel like they are definitely part of school. I've seen several threads on this, both people saying how glad they are they got a set for each and others saying they wish they had. I am planning to get them for my two 5 year olds and my 7 year old next fall. I'm not sure if I will get them for the 3.5 year old. It gets expensive. For math, I do use Singapore starting in K. I just need a little more guided direction than MFW gives for the math in K and 1st. (though, they have a new edition of K and are working on 1st. I believe they have changed the math a little.) I like Singapore, but you definitely can use something else. Hope this helps! I'm glad you are getting it figured out. Deciding on curriculum is so tough....and fun...and stressful too!

Thanks for the info! I thought we were thinking along the same lines with this. I've decided I'll get a full extra student pack for all of my school age kids, but not the 3yr old. I will get her and the other kids the maps and the paint & marker cards. I'm not usually one to start school work at that early age, but she is anxious to be like her siblings. I'm just going to get her the first series of Rod & Staff preschool books. Nothing difficult, but it will keep her busy and involved.

[HeatherlovesCDs]

I don't start anything formal at that age either. I tend to take a very relaxed approach to pre-k and K and not push it. My 4 year olds were really wanting to do school too, so I got them the Rod and Staff books a while back. They really enjoyed them. Very nice and very affordable! Now, they are 5 and not set to start K till the fall, but are going to be starting in the next few weeks because they want to so badly. But, we'll be going slowly probably not even doing it daily. (One of my twins is VERY ready and asks daily. The other not as much.) I will probably do the same for our kids when we do Adventures next year.

[HeatherlovesCDs]

A thought I just had....what about Rod and Staff for the LA for the youngers? Very affordable. I've heard good things about it. I've thought about it. But, I haven't ever used it.

[~Laura~]

It seems you've already decided but I thought I'd throw it out there in case some one else is looking, Weaver from AOP combines grades K-6. I have some experience with Weaver and really liked that everything was clearly laid out for me.