monalisa
-
Posts
895 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by monalisa
-
-
We just got a set of games called Giggle Facts that teaches the addition & subtraction facts. My dd7 loves this so far.
http://www.gigglelearn.com/index.html
It seemed expensive & I thought about buying it for months because I couldn't find any reviews on it. However, I finally took the plunge because flashcards, etc weren't working. I'm glad I did -- we really like it.
-
Living Learning Books Level 2 may be of interest to you. It is earth science & astronomy I've used Level 1 this year (biology, human body, plants) and we've liked it. It's a classical approach geared for K-2 (for Vol. 1), similar to what WTM recommends. I think I'm gong to use Level 2 along with the A Child's Geography, Explore His Earth.
http://www.livinglearningbooks.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=16291&category_id=311
-
You're just where I was a year ago! My dd was in private K at a Christian school, and we decided to homeschool for 1st and I was in a tizzy trying to figure it all out for this year. My advice is drop the school at home for this year. Read all the book reco's people have given you, and try to resist the urge to do school at home. I too thought my dd would like (and needed) worksheets, because, after all that was what she was doing at private K! No way was that what she wanted (I found out too late)! I spent a few hundred $ on traditional curriculum that we promptly dropped within about a month. I'm now using almost all WTM recos, and they are working well. I second the Handwriting Without Tears reco -- it has worked well for my dd who has had some major penmanship issues (but is now much improved, and I'm going to start her on cursive in 2nd grade). But you only need 5 or 10 minutes a day on it max.
It's ok to want to use something that's planned out for you. But you can find things that aren't "school at home" workbook type that are that way too (or follow the recos in WTM,and many of those are laid out with day by day plans too). I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned looking at Sonlight? Also, look at Simply CHarlotte Mason -- they have a lot of things on DVD, and a great planning tool called "Planning Your Charlotte Mason Curriculum" (that isn't just for CM'ers) that I just got, and am totally excited about using -- the DVD is really good along with the book to help you think through lay out what you want to do.
Hang in there, read a lot & trust yourself and your daughter! You'll do great!
-
I've ordered from them twice. Both times I got my package in less than a week. It might depend on where you live, since they are shipping from Wisconsin I think.
-
Highly recommend Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schooland. Its short and sweet, and very sound. Great for little kids through elementary, and good for adults too! It's part of Sonlight's curriculum, but you can order it from Amazon. I'm using this with my first grader for Bible this year, and its been great. Probably takes us 10 minutes.
-
bump...any more thoughts?
maybe I should rephrase, I didn't like the way Saxon was scripted more int he way it was formatted; I am OK with scripted in general I think (I use FLL and WWE, and OPGTR)
-
I'm figuring out next year and need some help on what math to use. We've used BJU 1st this year. My dd7 understands it and we haven't hit a topic yet that she didn't understand pretty easily. What she is slow at is getting the addition & subtraction facts nailed down (she has no issue understanding HOW to do the operations). I thought I would just stick with BJU since I think I want to use a mastery program, and she may go to school in a few years again (and of course BJU is tradition S&S). However, I'm wondering if I need to get out of this box.
My dd doesn't seem to need manipulatives all that much (she doesn't dislike them, but she does tend to play with them). She seems to grasp things fairly quickly. However, the traditional number line and counting up, counting on, counting back doesn't work too well with her. She is very auditory and somewhat visually oriented. Language is definitely her area of strength. I'm wondering if she needs a non-traditional S&S type of math program (MUS, RS ETC) that would help her understand (and like) math more. She balks at all the worksheets in BJU and she detests timed drills. Sometimes I wonder if she is bored with BJU 1, but since she doesn't know her +/- facts I can't really tell if she needs to be doing more challenging work. I have combined lessons sometimes when things are way too easy for her. We have the Right Start math games, and she enjoys using the abacus (I let her use that for +/- problems). Even though she can do the math we're using, she has told me often that she doesn't like math (except for geometry, which she enjoyed because she liked the solid figures). I really want her to both understand and enjoy it if possible.
I am not math phobic at all (I went through diff. equations for engineering). I do think I want to stick with a mastery program. I like BJU because its colorful and the TM is easy to use. What I don't like is that it is so classroom oriented, and so segmented by short lessons which makes it hard for me to combine lessons and speed it up (without feeling like I'm skipping something important). I had Singpore but sent it back and got BJU because it seemed so different than how I learned math. I tried Saxon briefly in the fall, but I didn't like how it jumped all over & was so scripted (and so boring!). I'm wondering, though, if I should have stuck with Singapore. Now that I've rethought all this, I'm even wondering if I should look at MUS or Right Start (I've read lots about most every math curriculum can't really determine what would be a good fit!)
Any thoughts on this rambling post would be much appreciated!
-
No, you're not making a big deal about it. This is a great teaching oppportunity for you with your son. What this woman doing is wrong (it is stealing -- which is a sin), and she's setting a BAD example. I would speak with her privately about it, and if she can't see that this is wrong and agrees to stop, I would take my child out from under her authority. If she can't do what's right in a "little thing" what's to say she will in a bigger issue? It is a slippery slope. You and your dh need to have a heart to heart talk with your son about this to make sure he understands that what she is doing is wrong and why.
-
You sound very reluctant to give up the time during the day. I'd be really cautious about commiting. I'm in a similar boat of deciding what to do for next year, whether to continue with Classical Conversations or not (and I agree with it being hard to give it up now that we started it!). My dd likes it a lot, and would like to keep it up. I do not like going every week that much and am not convinced its a great use of time; I feel like giving up that day makes me feel "behind" all week. Based on your description of how you feel about it, I wouldn't do it. Especially since its a coop that will require you to contribute - if you're not ready to put time into it, it could be really stressful. I'd take the other suggestions of finding some afternoon social outlet or hosting something yourself (I may try this too).
-
If there are lots of veggies I prebake at 450 for 5 - 7 minutes before putting on the toppings & cheese.
-
Yes, you could do this. However, the games aren't, IMO, fantastic. They are OK; a little boring, if you like nice graphics etc for your games. The manual is written in a black & white, boring style (Dr. Cotter is an engineer ; when you read the manual it shows, and I know because I am one too :) I find the manual difficult to wade through, to be honest.
My dd 7 will play them, but says they are boring. We just got another math games set, called Giggle Facts, which she likes much better. It is a set of board games for learning addition & subtraction facts. We also have the Peggy Kaye Math Games book (check your library). You can play the same games we've played in the RS set with regular old playing cards (you'd need several decks).
For $50, I'd try to get your hands on the RS Games before you buy them and make sure you like it (I wish I had!!!). There are many games in it, however, it seems to me that they are geared to ages beyond 6 or 7 mostly. Its a nice set, just not what I quite expected it to be.
You could also look at the Activities for the AL Abacus - its not a full curriculum. I've thought of getting it as a supplement.
-
I couldn't find any reviews of the product, Giggle FActs, which is an addition & subtraction fact review program back a few months ago. I finally just ordered it. We've been using it for a few weeks now, and my dd7 absolutely loves it. It is a series of games (and a workbook for checking if the facts are sticking) that teaches strategies and practices addition & subtraction facts. The idea is to play the games a few times a week, progressing through the levels, instead of drilling flash cards over & over & over (which my dd7 HATES).
I was hesitant to spend the $ because I couldn't find anyone who'd used this. Also, I have the RS Games, and my dd doesn't like them all that much (she'll tolerate them). But these are a big hit with her. The game boards are colorful, and the games are really simple. So far I can see that it is helping the facts sink in with her.
Just wanted to post this in case anyone else is looking for addition & subtraction practice games. It was $50 including shipping and came very quickly.
-
I just ordered Planning Your CHarlotte Mason Education, and it is FANTASTIC! I'm not a Charlotte Mason homeschooler per say, but I read about this planning tool on some post on this forum. It is great -- it walks you through how to plan your whole program, then year (by term), then week, then day. I got the book & DVD and I'm glad I got both. I can't wait to use it, both for planning out the rest of this year, and for next.
http://simplycharlottemason.com/books/planning-your-charlotte-mason-education/
I tried workboxes, but have fallen into a big rut with doing everything the same, and having no year long, or overall plan. The concept is good for day to day, but doesn't have a long term hook for me I guess.
-
I don't use SWR, but have looked at it several times (I use AAS for spelling). I don't see why it would conflict at all since FLL is covering grammar, not spelling (we are using FLL for grammar and we love it! Get the CD, my dd likes to listen to it for fun).
-
I know a lot of people (and some schools) that use Saxon a year ahead because it tends to be slow in K-3. Veritas Press for one recommends this. But I agree with the advice to put him in something more challenging. Saxon is Boring with a capital B!
There is a placement test on Singapore math.com -- I was just looking at it today.
-
NAC Cursive is ruled too wide for her (I think its the standard 1st grade width, whatever that is).
I just went & looked at NAC, and I'm incorrect. NAC is ruled at 1/2". The opening page for every letter has a really wide section, however. Previousl, my dd was using wider 1st grade paper (and HWT 1st grade is a little wider than 1/2" for at least the first part of the book). What she's using now is narrower most of the time (HWT 2 is narrow all the time), which does help her.
-
Since this is going to be a little negative, I hate to be your only response...but we didn't really like this. In fact, I have a very partially used book that I am going to erase and sell (pm me if you have any interest; she only wrote in a few pages). For my dd, the line width is too wide. She had been in HWT K, started HWT1 and wasn't making much progress, and I thought going to cursive was the ticket for her to improve. I inadvertently figured out she just needed smaller lines. I now have her working in HWT 2 and on 1/2" 3 lined paper for copywork, and her writing is much improved. NAC Cursive is ruled too wide for her (I think its the standard 1st grade width, whatever that is). Also, after being used to how HWT teaches (there is kind of a little script for every letter), I missed having that to help her with. Also, HWT teaches the letters in order of how they are written; NAC teaches in alphabetical order. I'm sure NAC works great for some, just not for us. It is a nice curriculum and has a cute meerkat mascot, but not a fit for my dd unfortunately (and it seems overpriced to me, compared to the economical HWT books). I really like the look of the font though, compared to HWT which has a vertial cursive font, but since HWT works for my dd I think we're sticking with it. The HWT cursive really builds off the manuscript; and with the struggles we've had with writing I think my dd will do well with it.
-
I really like the Well Planned Day.
-
Elfin baby, I will PM you
-
That's nice that your campus is more flexible. It proves that every campus has a totally different setup & personality. We do not have a nursery at all (which is something I wish we did have, because it gets chaotic in the rooms with lots of little kids at times). We have almost a full campus so lots of kids and moms, and lots of cleaning to be done (plus every classroom has an attached bathroom, which gets cleaned) so I guess they decided assigned cleaning was necessary. Plus, our recess is in a full sized gym and with that many kids, 2 recess monitors are necessary.
-
I am also pro CC:D If you are sticking to just Foundations, then it is simply 9-12.
True, the program ends at 12, but then at least at the 2 campus's I've seen, you then have a group lunch, and then the moms all have cleaning jobs or recess duty. Cleaning or recess duty aren't optional, and only on rare occasion do people leave before lunch. We aren't done until about 1:15 or 1:30, so by the time I get home its 2 pm. The morning is packed, so we are exhausted and don't accomplish anything else that day except for music lessons in the late afternoon. I do sometimes stop at the library on the way home, but I find it hard to get organized enough on a Monday morning to have lunch & snack packed plus plan out a library run.
-
MCP Plaid Phonics could work, though it doesn't go exactly in the order of OPG. You'd have to find the pages that would work with the lesson. I have level 2 and was going to do this, but never got around to it. Since I also so AAS with my dd, I felt like it was overkill. Cathy Duffy recommends these workbooks, and they are quite colorful and "fun" for workbooks. They are pretty inexpensive (I got mine on Ebay for a good price).
Before I switched to OPG, I was using Bob Jones Phonics, and their workbook pages can also work pretty well with OPG (we've used a few now & then when my dd was in a rare workbook mood) but you do have to search through to find which ones to use when since again they are teaching the phonics in a different arragement. Last week when we hit R changed vowels, I pulled out some of the Bob Jones phonics stuff with Bossy R which my dd enjoyed.
-
Really? Because I have noticed that my son writes numerals far better when doing math than he does for HWWT, and if he has a choice, he does them about half size.
I'm not sure what you are asking, but yes my dd does much better if she writes on SMALLER lines than what was in the K or 1st grade HWT books. She's now in the 2nd grade HWT book, which is about 1/2" lines (I mean 1/2" 3 lined paper, like Zaner Bloser). So the HWT 2 lines are about 1/4" apart I think. Sometimes she's even writing on 3/8" paper but I can't find it with a pink bottom line so I usually stick w/ the Z-B version.
I think I read in Writing Road to Reading that smaller lines tend to be easier for a lot of children, and I noticed at a Classical school we visited that they had the 1st graders writing on 3/8" paper.
-
Mary Poppins
Magic Tree House (my dd is addicted to these, and she can read them herself so maybe not the best for read aloud if you want to use them for Indep. Reading later)
Another vote for the Sonlight lists, as well as Veritas Press
A Childs Geography Explore His Earth by Ann Voskamp
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I have this, and am planning to use it next year for SCIENCE (earth science)! It really isn't geography in the way I was thinking of Geography, with maps etc. It really is earth science. Look at the online samples and you will see what I mean. I think it looks like a great curriculum, however, and am going to use it along with something for astronomy for 2nd grade. When I bought it, I realized it would be above my then 6 year old's level, because it requires some writing.
Based on what you're comparing it to, I don't think it is what you are looking for. I own that Rand McNally book you mentioned (though we haven't used it), and it is more along the lines of what I expected for beginning geography. However, it is workbookish, so if your dc aren't writing much, it might not fit the bill either. I have Daily Geography practice (first grade level) that is more geography basics with maps, directions etc. You might look at this too (Amazon has it) though again its workbook pages. I found it at my local teacher's store.
http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Geography-Practice-Grade-1/dp/1557999708/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266951086&sr=1-1