Guides, page 2 of 4

Teaching English
English Phonics for Beginners: First Sounds and First Words
A plain guide to English phonics for beginners and English learners: what phonics is, what England and US research guidance say, and a first-words sequence.
6 min read
What kids learn by grade
What Should a 3rd Grader Know by the End of the Year?
What a 3rd grader is expected to know in math, reading and writing by the end of the year, from multiplication and fractions to grammar, with checks for home.
8 min read
Homeschool planning
How to Homeschool Kindergarten: What to Teach and When
What to teach in homeschool kindergarten, a four-quarter year outline, an example day, how long lessons should be and how to learn if kindergarten is required.
7 min read
Toddler and preschool
How to Teach a Child to Write Their Name, Step by Step
A seven-step way to teach a child to write their name, with what the CDC, AAP and Head Start say about ages, capitals and lowercase, and tracing.
6 min read
Handwriting and cursive
What Is Copywork? How to Use It in Your Homeschool
What copywork is, how much to give by grade from kindergarten to 5th, what to copy, how to run a five to ten minute session and when to move on to dictation.
6 min read
Teaching math
How to Teach Telling Time on an Analog Clock, by Grade
What children are expected to know about telling time in grades 1 to 3, plus an eight-step teaching order for the analog clock with worked examples.
9 min read
Reading and phonics
Reading Comprehension Strategies for K to 3rd Grade
Five ways to build reading comprehension in kindergarten to 3rd grade, from a 2010 IES practice guide, with what to say, an example story and question starters.
8 min read
Holidays, parties and games
Disguise a Turkey Ideas: 40 Easy Costumes and a How-To
Forty easy disguise a turkey ideas with materials and difficulty, a step-by-step how-to, a household materials list and help writing the hiding story.
8 min read
Teaching English
How to Teach English to Kids at Home: A Step-by-Step Plan
A plain step-by-step plan for teaching English to a young child at home: session length, a weekly routine, mistakes, the home language and age.
6 min read
What kids learn by grade
What Should a 4th Grader Know by the End of the Year?
What a 4th grader is expected to know in math, reading and writing by the end of the year, from multiplication and fractions to grammar, with home checks.
8 min read
Homeschool planning
How to Start Homeschooling: A Step-by-Step Checklist
A plain step-by-step checklist for starting homeschooling: check your state's law, withdraw from school if needed, send notice, set up records, plan week one.
7 min read
Handwriting and cursive
When Do Kids Learn Cursive? Grades, States and Readiness
What grade kids usually learn cursive, what Texas, California, Florida and Georgia say, how states are counted and how to start at home when ready.
6 min read