Where do we stand??

With homeschooling I sometimes wonder where the boys stand and if they are meeting up to the standards that are set by the "experts." I know some homeschooling families are more eclectic and don't follow standards, but for me I'm still learning all of this and I like knowing what the standards are.


So here is where we stand. The ones in red we have already mastered.

This is Kindergarten level


Reading

*Know upper and lower-case letters of the alphabet both in and out of sequence
*Know letter sounds for all the consonants and the short vowels
*Know that letters are linked together to form words
*Be able to blend short sequences of phonemes to form words
*Understand syllables, and be able to count the number of syllables in words
*Know simple VCC, CVCC, and CCVC words
*Recognize their own name in print
*Know age appropriate sight words {Dolch word list}
*Be able to order pictures in proper sequence for telling a story
*Listen and respond to a variety of age-appropriate texts, including fiction, non-fiction, myths and legends, fable and folk tales, and poetry
*Know proper methods of holding and positioning writing materials
*Be able to print all the letters of the alphabet, both upper- and lower case
*Be abler toe write simple words, messages, descriptions and stories using basic knowledge of phonics and invented spelling
*Follow simple one and two step directions
*Retell familiar stories
*Invent and tell fantasy stories or recount stories about real-life happenings
*Memorize and recite short poems and rhymes

Math

*Be able to group objects into sets
*Identify and continue simple repeating patterns
*Be able to count from 1-31
*Understand one-to-one correspondence
*Identify ordinal position from first to fifth
*Given number, be able to identify one more or one less
*Understand the concept of one half
*Be able to add and subtract numbers from 1 to 10
*Know the meaning of the plus (+) and minus (-) signs
*Invent and solve simple story problems
*Make and interpret simple pictorial graphs
*Identify pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills, and recognize dollar and cents signs
*Experiment with measurements of length, weight, and capacity
*Know that a thermometer is and what it measures; be able to make simple hotter than/colder than comparisons
*Compare lengths of time that it takes to complete various activities
*Tell time to the hour
*Know the days of the week in order; recognize names of the months of the year
*Identify right hand left hand;be able to use the terms of position and orientation such as closed/open, over/under, in front/in back and so on
*Recognize and identify the basic two-dimensional figures; square rectangle, triangle ect.

History and Geography

*American Indian culture
*Early exploration and settlement
*Revolutionary War
*Famous Americans
*National Symbols
*Learn about families and family life in different times and places around the world
*Be familiar with the use of maps and globes
*Draw simple maps of known areas such as their bedrooms in rooms in their house their yards or neighborhoods
*Know names and location of the seven continents of the world

Science
*Be able to sort objects into groups according to physical characteristics
*Experiment with magnets
*Experiment with lights and shadows
*Be able to discuss difference between living and non living
*Become familiar with plants: beginning botany
*Become familiar with animals: beginning zoology
*The human body: Know five senses and their associated body parts
*Be able to describe the basic composition of the earth
*Know the names and features of the four season
*Be familiar with different types of weather

Art
*Be able to name and describe colors, shapes and lines and identify these in works of art
*Observe and discuss famous works of art by a variety of artists from a range of historical periods
*Experiment with a range of art techniques and media

Music
*Be familiar with such basic elements of music as rhythm, melody, and harmony
*Listen and respond to range of different musical selections both classical and multicultural
*Recognize instruments by sight and sound

Health and Physical Education
*Know the importance of exercise, cleanliness good nutrition and sleep
*Participate in age-appropriate athletic activities

I took these from "Home Learning Year by Year" by Rebecca Rupp. If you are thinking about homeschooling, or if you kids are in public school I think it's a good book to have. The resources that are in here are great. I know there are some moms that are much more sure about where their kids are and don't need this, and to you.... I applaud you! But for me {right now} I feel like I need to have a list, just so I know what I need and were I'm going.