Kindergarten

Handwriting Without Tears.  You can just get the workbook, but there are lots of manipulatives that you can get too that makes learning to print gentle and fun.

My son’s favorite school books have been Explode the Code and the Developing the Early Learner series.  They’re both fun to him.  ETC does involve writing, but it contributes well to the learning to read process.  Developing the Early Learner does not involve letter writing.  It’s more coloring, circling, outlining sort of things.

I love having some math type activities that are hands on, so:

Three Bears math counters and cards/laminated mats (got mine through Rainbow Resource)

Pattern blocks – we have two different wooden sets from Melissa and Doug. One uses larger shapes and wooden puzzle boards the kids put shapes into to complete the pictures. The other uses the traditional pattern block shapes and has flat wooden boards painted with designs and they can match by either laying pattern blocks directly over the design or building it on the table while just looking at the design.

Linking cubes

Toy clock (we have the yellow plastic ones and a wooden shape one from Melissa and Doug (that is helping us learn more exotic shapes).

Attribute blocks.

Puzzles of increasing difficulty!

You get the idea. Lots of hands on things to do. And art supplies!

Oh the other thing to play around with if she’s interested is learning colors and shapes beyond the basics. So instead of green and yellow learn gray, gold, silver, and chartreuse. Instead of square, circle, rectangle learn hexagon, octagon, trapezoid, and chevron.

Games like Boggle Jr, Clue Jr, Monopoly Jr, Spot It, Rat a Tat Cat. Checkers, chess, Chinese checkers, Pictureka, Quirkle.

Have fun!

We are doing a K year with my ds (6 in Dec).  We used Delightful Handwriting and loved it!  I purchased the ebook for the student and we are starting over with the letters for more practice.  Also, we use RightStart level A as well and he is learning so much.  He loves the games!