Do most people follow the Core plan or add in more science & history on their own?

[Zumbamama3]

I am brand new to MP and was curious if I should find some science and history to go along with my my children's core package? We are planning on doing the K5 and 2nd grade complete core. I have seen that some mom's choose to add in these other subjects, but I guess my questions is; is it really necessary? Or will they catch up on those subjects in 3rd grade and beyond? I was looking at Bookshark science to add in, but now wondering if it is worth the extra $$ if we will cover all the science later? Thanks in advance!

[Jen (formerly) in Japan]

I'm going to guess that most people don't add in extra history or science in the preK-2nd packages for several reasons. One is that there are some multi-kid/large families using these packages so the families aren't really looking for more distraction. MP is unabashedly "The 3 R's" in the lower grades, focusing on phonics, reading, and arithmetic.

Another reason is that the read aloud packages that MP does have to correlate with preK-2nd ("enrichment") focus on a variety of history and science topics. It looks *a little* like Five in a Row: a picture book is used to extend learning, encouraging rabbit trails into the world around the child.

Another reason they might not: in the classical model of education, the lower grades are encouraged to do nature observations. The recitations (memory work) are full of "history facts", but the lower grades make no USE of the facts (which will come in later grades).


So, I am going to say that most people do NOT add in science and history to the pretty full MP lower packages.


That said, I have a late in life baby who will be doing 2nd next year as an Only Child. I have my eye on some other books that I may decide to add in, once the school year gets started. We are Catholic, so he will already have a full year with Sacraments, but I may decide to add some extras in, too. Still, I feel like that is a luxury that I have, but most other homeschool families are super busy, just getting everything done that is IN the LPs!


And, one last reason maybe not to stress out about adding in. Years later, I came to realize that my older kids (homeschooled) couldn't remember more than a handful of facts from before about 4th grade anyway. All that cramming down their throats was for nothing.



Jen


PS: You do know that Bookshark is Sonlight, don't you?

[The Autumn Oak]

It is not necessary to add anything to the core packages...Some people choose to switch certain things because they were already using something else for that particular subject that they really like, or they just like something else...Most people don't add things on top of the core...People also do different things during different years sometimes or just eliminate some things, but the core will cover everything...If you are doing K-2nd, that is plenty of work for that age group...Once you get to 3rd it is still plenty of work :-)

[CelticaDea]

We've enjoyed adding hands-on, fun sort of science things. Sometimes they tie into the topic we're studying in the lp's, sometimes not. K-2 covers lots of great science topics but not always with projects or hands-on sort of fun. I know learning doesn't have to be fun but, to me, when they're little the day doesn't have to be serious all the time either. Sometimes it's just fun to melt some crayons to learn about states of matter or make a volcano erupt etc...

If you chose not to do the enrichment portion of the younger grades, you'd have room for a specific science/history/SS. There's lots to learn with just penmanship, reading and math to tax a brain so being lite on the other areas isn't a bad thing though.

[pickandgrin]

Our family uses the MP curriculum exactly as presented. I like to say that if you use MP you won't need to supplement. If you choose to to add variety or to spice things up a bit, that is completely your choice. However, it won't be because they're aren't getting a complete education from the materials used. Less is more in education and I believe this very strongly at the younger ages. We do a lot of Charlotte Mason-type activities as a family but we do them because they are wonderful, and not because they are school.
Hope you find the perfect fit!

[SaintJude7]

science and history

You don't have to add in more, but some parents do choose to do so. We add in a lot of extra science and history reading from the library, usually whatever catches our eye on that week's trip. This year we will be using "Science and Living in God's World" instead of the MP science. We also use Child's History of the World in kindergarten and first grade as a weekly read aloud.
Blessings,
Jude

dd 17
ds 14 (special needs)
ds 11
ds 9
dd 7
ds 4
dd 2

[Zumbamama3]

thank you

I really appreciate your feedback! I feel good about just jumping in to the core for both, especially since it will be my first year teaching two. It is also good to know that with the amount of $$ spent on the core packages, I won't have to buy more supplemental material!! Last year was a nightmare, we did another program that left it all to the parent as to supplemental stuff, and as a brand new hs mom, it was so overwhelming!!

[Courtney]

I don't have time to add anything else in and sometimes I don't get to all the enrichments either. But I definitely make sure the 3 Rs are solid and getting done above anything else. For science, I really like the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock if you can get to it but it really just enhances a simple nature study. Inquisitiveness is key with science in the early years I think. I don't follow any plan with it. But, for instance, my young sons and neighbor kids were carrying around a toad in a bucket of water yesterday and we definitely had a discussion about toads and frogs! lol

[CherryBlossomMJ]

Jude---

For a CHOW, did you read a chapter or section or just whatever was desired at the time? I just bought this at a local used curriculum fair for $5! And now I'm trying to figure out how to add it just for its own sake.

(This year we're doing MP 1st at her own pace, adding in Seton1 Am Hx/rel/and eng, uncertain on little sister (maybe Level B, maybe just reading and printables), and newborn baby brother - in a few weeks).

Margaret

[SaintJude7]

Child's History of the World

We read one chapter per week, which spreads it out over two years per the LCC recommendation.
Blessings,
Jude

dd 17
ds 14 (special needs)
ds 11
ds 9
dd 7
ds 4
dd 2

[pickandgrin]

Chow

Margaret,

Can't wait to hear about that baby!!

With Sonlight we read through this over two years starting with Chapter 3. Since it has about 90 chapters you'd have to do about a chapter every other day to get through the whole thing in a formal school year. It really makes a great casual read aloud though...lazy afternoons, bedtimes.

I'm hoping to read it aloud again soon to my rising Ker who was a baby when we first read it years ago.

[CherryBlossomMJ]

Thanks ladies!

(Re: baby boy. Most likely I have until the first week of July as he's expected early.)