Curriculum Ideas for Newly Enrolled Students

It is the ESs responsibility to work with the family/student to be sure there are adequate learning materials available for the student until ordered materials arrive. Such interim materials can include texts and/or other resources. Please remember that there is no requirement that the student be working on every subject every day. Even if you are waiting for the arrival of an order, there are many learning activities students of all ages can do which fit under this charter school's student standards. A student can concentrate on a few CORE subjects like math, literature, and history while waiting for the science materials to arrive. With a little creativity, the ES, student and parent can develop a study plan which meets the need of the individual student. While you are awaiting the arrival of the materials, here are some things the ES can do to get the student started in school.

Obtaining Text-Based Materials

--Network with other ES s in your area during group meetings, at local sites, etc. to obtain materials that can be used by the new student, temporarily or for longer term.
--Surplus book warehouses, school districts' discarded materials, library book sales, etc. can provide free or inexpensive curriculum materials.
--Yard sales, flea markets, used bookstores, etc. are sources for inexpensive materials.
--Students may be directed to use the public library as a source for books, tapes, magazines, and videos. Public libraries also provide access to the internet.

--ES s may find it helpful to keep some materials on hand that can be used for newly enrolled students. Such materials (unit study guide books, Super Workbooks, Comprehensive Curriculum, and Learning at Home, etc.) can be purchased for younger students. Interdisciplinary unit study materials and guides, skill-related workbooks, and worktexts may be appropriate for older students. A PO can be processed to replenish those materials.
--Some parents may wish to purchase materials for their students at local educational materials suppliers. Make sure they are aware that neither ESs nor parents will be reimbursed for such purchases.
--The table of contents for various textbooks can be used as a source of general guidelines for various courses. An ES can help to develop a study for a particular subject using the table of contents and available materials, the library, etc. For instance, the table of contents for a U.S. history book gives ideas for appropriate topics of study for that subject. The student can pursue information contained in chapters using various methods of research:
- internet research about the civil war,
- videos on the subject of westward expansion
- biography about Abraham Lincoln
Each of these modalities covers the subject content without requiring an official "text book". Of course, the student could follow up his/her research with an essay or report.

Reading:
Using various research materials, books, videos, audiotapes, magazines, etc. obtained from the local library (Reading selections may include: novels, magazine articles, non-fiction selections, instruction manuals, newspapers, anthologies, poetry, primary and secondary resources)
Participating in local literature-related groups at library and/or bookstore
Attending/participating in poetry readings

Writing Ideas:
Writing essays, reports, paragraphs, sentences, poetry, short stories, biographies/autobiographies, novel, letters to the editor, scripts
Developing personal journals (possibly including illustrations, writing entries, photographs)
Taking notes or writing responses to lectures, educational programs, news programs
Writing critiques or reviews of books, concerts, performances, or films
Comparing and contrasting novels to their movie versions, one author's style to another, various viewpoints/philosophies
Discerning fact or opinion
Outlining chapters
Writing letters, notes, memos (person and/or business)
Creating various lists (groceries, "to do", inventories for insurance purposes)
Developing step-by-step how-to manuals
Dictating and illustrating stories (possibly with help from parent, older sibling, tape recorder)
Entering writing contests
Practicing and improving handwriting
Editing writing samples

Study Skills:
Taking notes on lectures, television programs
Using various books and computer-based research materials (dictionaries, encyclopedias, telephone books, magazines, newspapers, card catalogs, almanacs, atlases, the internet)

Life Skills:
Learning new skills related to meal planning/preparation, cooking/baking, sewing, repair work (automobiles, bicycles, small engines, homes, etc.), animal care, gardening
Completing personal inventories to help discover, assess, and gain insights into abilities, learning styles, aptitudes, interests
Developing a resume
Researching requirements to attain future goals (colleges, tech schools, the military, career interests)
Locating available scholarships for camps, colleges
Reading biographies about successful people in various careers
Enrolling in and attending ROP courses
Locating mentors in field of interest
Attending job fairs
Interviewing business people, college students
Developing apprenticeships
Filling out "real life" forms such as checks, job applications, tax forms
Maintaining personal checking account, budgeting

Physical Education:
Participating in aerobics, bicycling, water and/or snow skiing, hiking, jogging, swimming, martial arts, various sports, weight lifting, horseback riding
Researching particular sporting events, athletes

Computer:
Developing computer skills in such areas as keyboarding/typing, internet research, e-mailing, web design, programming, word processing, graphics, database, spreadsheet, multimedia presentations

Health:
Researching importance of exercise, nutrition, healthful lifestyle choices
Developing a personal health and fitness program, healthful diet program
Driver's education
Beginning study through use of DMV manuals, AAA and/or CHP materials

Community Service / Outreach:
Volunteering at food banks, canned food drives, hospitals, libraries, schools, museums or historical sites, veterinary clinics, political campaign headquarters, fund raiser

Social Studies:
Reading about/researching the stock market
Watching/discussing economics-related television programming
Using maps to plan routes, find destinations
Create scale models/maps (of room, house, neighborhood)
Reading/writing about historically significant people, places, and events
Researching current issues (origins of current ethnic conflicts, political issue conflicts
Arguing various sides of current isues
Researching your neighborhood, family tree, local events, holiday origins

Mathematics:
Using mathematics in building/construction activities, cooking, shopping
Figuring out materials needed for various projects (sewing, carpentry, gardening)
Calculating gas mileage, tips, sales tax Keeping personal finance records (budgeting, savings and checking accounts) Applying math skills in business finances/records (profit, losses, and expenses involved in lawn mowing, babysitting, egg business) Researching various numeric systems Developing an imaginary numeric system of own

Science:
Nature studies may include identification of insects, birds, and plants
Researching pond life, tide pools
Using simple machines
Keeping weather records
Study the stars
Volunteer at nature centers, science museums, or at local creek clean up projects
Research/identify local geological features
Watching/discussing/writing about nature and science-based educational programming
Gardening Animal care
Nature journaling

Special Interests:
Listening and responding to audiotapes/CDs of various types of music
Researching the lives of cmoposers; looking at and responding to various artwork
Researching the lives of artists
Entering art contests, participating in band or choir
Developing/refining skills in metal working, woodworking, masonry, small engine repair, mechanical drawing, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, painting, drawing, sculpting, dancing, calligraphy Actively listening to foreign language programs on radio and/or television

The Internet is a great source for educational materials. Libraries, magazines, radio and TV programs provide information about educational websites. Some Sunday newspapers include a section, "Access", which provides informatino and web addresses for various websites that might be of interest. A search using such terms as "worksheet", fieldtrip", "education", "unit study" and "home school" can product many educational web resources. Following are examples of what is out there in cyberspace: Check out our FREE Educational websites link on our Curriculum page for many ready to use free educational activities by grade level.