monalisa
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Posts posted by monalisa
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I have Giggle Facts, and my dd loves to play these games. She doesn't really like the RS games which we also own, which aren't visually very stimulating to be honest (and even the book is a challenge to figure out really). I also own Family Math and it is a little off putting to me for some reason. We've never played anything in it, which is my fault. I bought it used and am going to sell it because its been sitting there on the shelf unused. Most of the games are beyond a 1st grader from what I remember.
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This happened to me last year too. It got a little annoying. The first time I talked to the rep, but from them on I did not answer and final they stopped calling.
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This is my first year of HS, with a 1st grader, so I have recently been right where you are.
Here are things that have helped me the most figure out what to do/use:
Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Curriculum Picks
Ruth Beechik's two books: The 3 R's, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully
The Well Trained Mind
I've used booklists from Veritas Press catalog, and the Sonlight Catolog (this year, we read a lot from SL Core 1). Mostly, I get books from the library, or Paperbackswap.com
Curriculum that's worked well: (and yes, I'm a Peace Hill Press junkie)
Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading
First Language Lessons 1
Writing With Ease Workbook 1
Story of the World (perfect for first grade history!)
Handwriting Without Tears
Good luck to you!
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My first grader has loved this this year, and is able to do the narrations (get the activity guide -- its wonderful for the book lists and narration alone). I would wait until first grade. Had I done homeschool for K, I think I would have done some simple geography instead of doing any history, or maybe some american history read alouds.
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OH, since I'm now on this roll, I noticed that the conference I'm attending in June has a vendor selling...Juice Plus! WTHeck? I tell you, next year I AM ATTENDING THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION, COME HECK OR HIGH WATER! *stomping foot!*
Just so you know, the Cincy Convention had Juice Plus there too! And there were plenty of non-education workshops!
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This is similar to a previous poster. In the Bob Jones math program, it has the student follow this Problem Solving Plan, which I have printed out and in a page protector on the desk whenever she does word problems:
1. What is the question?
2. What information are you given?
3. Do you add or subtract? (or multiply or divide for later)
4. Does your answer make sense
As they suggest in the curriculum, I force my dd to walk through these 4 steps on every problem she does to make it automatic. I have her underline the question and circle the information.
I know this is very basic, but I like that it is forcing them to get into a routine vs. just jumping in and doing the first operation that comes to mind (which is what my dd wants to do, of course).
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You could start AAS now. Really, one could start it at the same time as OPGTR, because it could also be used as a How To Read program, though it moves a little slow for that IMO. I started AAS at the beginning of the fall, long before lesson 83 in OPGTR with dd (in the 40's) and they go well together. You can do AAS completely with the tiles and no writing if writing is still an issue, so age of child isn't a factor really.
FWIW, you probably could start FLL before lesson 140 if you want to. We did, and I'm glad I did not wait because FLL is so gentle. I remember reading that guideline before, but I don't see that it is necessary to wait that long.
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I don't really plan (though I wish I did) but I do track what we do in The Well Planned Day. This is an awesome planner that works well for tracking too.
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Pam,
That is comforting! So did your dd do fine with her regular lessons (able to complete worksheets in a reasonable amount of time), but then not be able at all to do a page of very simple facts (like addition within 10)? She can rattle off the +1 and +0 no problem, but anything more than that she has to stop & think usually.
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Thanks for the replies! My dd is actually highly auditory with visual being her second favorite learning style. Sometimes math manipulatives have been more distracting than helpful, which has made me hesitate at MUS. However, when I've watched the demo videos (and DD has also), I've really liked them. Maybe I'll try to find used and give it a shot! Thanks!!!
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:grouphug: I have been in the same boat as you with dd 7, and sometimes we still are. I've done many of the things suggested, and over this year things have greatly improved. Hang in there, and know you are not alone!!!!!
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I'm bumping this because I typed the code in wrong in my first post; It is corrected now. The correct code again is FS0410
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We are struggling w/ dd7 getting her math facts down. She has no issue understanding math concepts at all. She just isn't retaining addition & subtraction facts. I've tried games, CD's (though I just got a new one w/ classical music that she likes that might be better), Calculadder, & copywork. What is bizarre to me is that she has an incredible memory for language -- she can memorize a poem or song with 1 or 2 readings but she can't seem to retain math facts (for example, doing a Calculadder drill today she sat there for probably 20 or 30 seconds trying to remember 2 + 8).
This summer I'm going to work on this with her. I was already planning to do parts of a different math curriculum; I bought Sing. Stds. 1A & 1B, but now I'm thinking this really isn't going to address her main need. I've looked at MUS off & on, and wondered if doing Alpha with her would help her cement the facts. I don't think I want to switch to MUS completely, just do it as a summer math curr. and possibly as a supplement.
Has anyone else used MUS for this purpose with any success?
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FYI In case anyone is thinking of ordering from Veritas Press this spring, through the end of April you can get free shipping. You have to click on the Quick Order page and type in FS0410, and it will add a free shipping special to your shopping card that will be manually adjusted later.
P.S. I just edited the free shipping code; I had it typed wrong at first.
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We just got Math Facts to Classical Music from Veritas Press (they don't publish it, I just ordered it from them because they have free shipping in April). The same publisher does one to different music too. I think you can hear them on Sing 'n Learn. My dd is at the moment listening to addition (she LOVES classical music, so this is a hit for us).
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I ordered this a few months ago. Its a set of addition & subtraction facts board games. My daughter LOOOOVES them. I also ordered the RS games, which she loathes, and I probably should sell. You would just order a 2nd workbook for additional kids. The workbook is simply math drill sheets to see if they've mastered the facts for that level. You could play this with more than one child at a time. You would just have to supply extra game pieces for some of the games (I think it just comes with two pawns for the games where you're moving around the game board). The games are very simple, but cute and apparently fun for a 7yo.
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You can get an inexpensive booklet written by Mari McAlister from Adoremus books called "How to Start a Spelling Notebook" that walks through how to get yourself going in WRTR (the 5th edition). She is a homeschooling mom. It is written with several different schedules depending on the age of the child starting the program. It's really helpful I think. Even though the 5th edition is easier to follow than the previous ones, it still is a bit daunting IMO. I am currently using AAS, but keep considering switching to WRTR (we have a love/hate relationship with AAS here !)
I recommend that you do not waste your $ on the Spalding Teacher Guides. They are expensive, and totally geared to a classroom. I bought one and sent it back when I thought I was going to switch (before I got the Mari McAlister book). Also, they charge a restocking fee and a really hefty shipping fee.
I got the WRTR 5th Ed. through Amazon used for a really good price, but it pretty cheap new as well.
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I use a 2' x 3' white board that is mounted on the wall (it doesn't have to be, but I use it for other things too). I got it at target for about $15. We leave the letters parked at the top all the time.
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I don't think its a completely bad idea, but he'll have to accept hearing a lot of the memory work set to music at least on the meeting day. I think most of the tutors do utilize the memory CD in the class. You can practice all the memory work at home without singing it. Our director's son doesn't like doing any of it to music either, but one year he was a memory master so you definitely don't need to sing it to memorize it. I'd be sure to get the memory work flash cards so you at least have another way to practice besides just reciting. My dd loved the songs, and they stuck in her head like glue. Flashcards, on the other hand, hold no interest for her.
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I second the read aloud reco for CHOW. My dd 7 is an advanced reader, and it would be difficult for her (it isn't as much the vocabulary as needing to explain things to her). It is more advanced reading than SOTW I think.
MOH is written for older elementary too, from what I have seen (I have not used it). It isn't meant for 1st & second graders as independent reading from my understanding. I am thinking its really geared to later elementary overall as a curriculum.
I can't think of any overall world history volumes that would be good for 1st & 2nd grade as independent reading; seems like they are all written to be read aloud to them. There are a lot of individual readers that I've seen, however.
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Just wanted to post what I heard Cheryl Lowe, who wrote Latina Christiana, say at the Midwest Homeschool Convention this past weekend regarding Latin curriculum progression (this is what they do at Highlands Latin school, apparently). She was speaking on teaching beginning latin. Someone asked about using Wheelock's. She said she did not recommend using Wheelock's until much later, because it was written as a college text and I think she said it was too much vocab & syntax work for early levels (she said it was a good text, but written for GI's returning home that needed latin for getting into college and was meant to be a high level course). She emphasized that early on the students really need to learn grammar without drowning in too much vocabulary and syntax (I take it that Wheelock is deep on vocabulary). She said a lot more about it that I don't recall, but I do remember that her recommendation on progression was Prima Latina, LC I, First Form Latin, Second Form Latin, then Henle. She said there will eventually be 5 levels starting with First Form. They are going to discontinue LCII because it will be replaced by First Form etc.
I do not know latin myself and am getting ready to start it in a year or two with my dd, but was thrilled to be able to hear Cheryl Lowe speak on it!
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Sonlight and Veritas both sell it. Its around $28 I think.
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I started out the year using them with dd 7, but found it made me LAZY because I just used the workboxes to store materials in and didn't do any daily planning. I now have moved the accessory shelf and shoeboxes to dd's closet for organizing her stuff, and replaced it in the school room with two sets of 4 high drawers (they are very shallow and about 12 inches wide) from Walmart that hold each subject's books nicely and I'm making myself plan on paper more. I was continually frustrated with Sue Patrick's shoebox suggestion because all my books were getting warped in those little boxes. I realized I really just needed a good way to keep the subject materials organized. Workboxes as a system seems like a good concept in theory, but for my 1st grader and me, it made no sense to me to make her go through the routine of getting a box from the shelf, moving the tag, etc.
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I did not have good results finding the maps on C3. Overall, it wasn't even worth $6 a month for me because my dd had no interest in going through the tutorials etc., but yes I saw there were maps on there. The ones I did try to print came out oddly formatted or something (it has been a while since I tried it, so I don't remember more than that it was a frustrating experience). I would rather just have a CD I can pop in and go to exactly what I want instead of having to search for something on a website. So I'm just wondering what all is on those CD's to determine if I want them.
Thanks!
Kale Question
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
I buy it in bunches from the regular grocery store. Look for crisp leaves (not limp). This is how I fix it: soak it in salt water (doesn't matter how much salt) a few times and rinse really well (it gets bugs on it, which is what the salt is for). I tear out the middle rib, then chop up the leaves coarsely. I saute a clove of garlic (pressed) in olive oil in a large skillet, then add in the chopped kale and stir fry very briefly (a couple minutes). I then add 1/2 or 1 cup of water (replenish if it cooks off) and cover with a lid. I cook it probably 15 or 20 minutes, or until the kale is tender. It takes a lot longer than spinach. We love it this way. It's also good in soups.