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lilamom

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Everything posted by lilamom

  1. Thank you!! Really appreciate these details.
  2. Wonderful! Thanks! Do you mind sharing a rough summary of what level 3 includes?
  3. Hi there, I've been re-reading WTM and like the sound of Writing Strands for my fifth grader. Unfortunately, I know that the series has been recently revised, and it seems quite different than the originals mentioned in WTM. Can anyone point me to good resources/discussions here comparing the old and new versions? Alternately, any currently published good alternatives to the original Writing Strands? Thanks!
  4. Hello! I am considering using The Critical Thinking Company's "Mathematical Reasoning Level F" for my rising 5th grader's primary math curriculum. She used Level E at the end of last year and loved it. However, I am concerned that the book is not "enough" by itself and that she would have trouble transitioning to a more standard math curriculum if/when she attends a traditional school for middle or high school (this would likely be Saxon, MathUSee, or Singapore for middle school). Has anyone had experience with this curriculum? If so, is it "enough?" How/when did your students transfer to a different curriculum? Thanks so much!
  5. Super helpful perspective. Thank you!
  6. I'm considering using Memoria Press's 5th grade curriculum, but I'm nervous about jumping "all in." Could anyone who has used their program help me out? I am homeschooling one child and we've used some of MP's materials off and on for the last few years and generally really liked them. I find them a bit dull, personally, but DD seems to thrive on the direct, clear instructions and memory work. I've long wanted an all-in-one curriculum that I can tweak *just* a bit rather than putting together my own package. My hesitations are: -Composition: DD is great with words, so I mostly just want her to practice writing with correct grammar and varied topics that challenge her to *think* as she writes. -is it TOO rote or cut/dry? I want her to learn facts but also how to think about and use facts -DD and I both love history and SOTW, so I'd want to include a lot more reading than what is assigned with MP -I'm personally not a fan of their slogan of "Saving Western Civilization One Student at a Time" Probably not a big deal, but maybe? Thanks!
  7. Hello! I just posted another thread asking about composition/writing goals for 4th grade which was super helpful (thanks to all who chimed in!). I have a related question, but it is distinct enough I wanted to separate it out as its own topic. Question: Does CM narration work for teaching formal composition? I think that the ability to recall/retell what you've heard or read is immensely helpful. I think narration can be great for that! What I'm wondering is whether doing just oral and written narrations through elementary school gives students the practice they need for formal writing. I am a big believer in reading as the best way to shape a writers' "ear." However, it's seeming to me that some basic practice in applying grammar structure (e.g. proper sentences, paragraphs, etc.) is necessary, at least for students who may go to traditional school for middle/high school and have college aspirations (that's where we are at at the moment with our fourth grader). If you've used narration extensively as a composition teaching tool, or seen it used as such, would you mind sharing your experiences? Thanks so much!
  8. Hi all-- thanks so much for taking the time to offer some guidance and feedback. I really appreciate it! After reading the comments and thinking through things, I'm planning to continue using MP Intro to Comp for a bit during this second semester of fourth grade. It's giving her great practice with sentences, outlines, and short paragraphs. The back of the book includes some formal instruction on paragraphs (topic sentences, supporting details, conclusions) which I'll plan to cover, too. We're also going to continue MP Grammar Recitation for now, and just continue to work on various rules and general habits of revising/editing as we go. Ideally, it would be nice to get to a short essay/report at the end of this year but we'll see! For Fifth Grade, I'm considering Writing with Skill or something similar, and possibly Shurley English for grammar. Memory work and jingles are a great fit for her. I think this will serve her well whether she continues to be homeschooled for 6th grade and beyond or transitions to a traditional school. I've been able to look at some of the curriculum plans for various schools we are considering and that's helpful as a frame of reference. Thanks again for the feedback, and hope this thread is helpful to others at some point, too! 🙂
  9. Hello! How should I figure out a general goal for how DD should be writing at the end of 4th Grade and then into 5th grade? DD is finishing up fourth grade this semester and I'm trying to figure out where we need to be with writing, especially as I evaluate writing curriculum for fifth grade. DD is a voracious reader and can write fiction with a great "ear." She writes for fun outside of school time (a magazine for instance! 🙂 and I help her edit those compositions when she asks. We'll keep working on spelling/grammar but we're still struggling a bit with making sure sentences are complete and proper placement of commas, etc. We recently started using Memoria's Intro to Composition toward that end, as well as their English Grammar Recitation I. We use Rod and Staff for Spelling and have dabbled in MCT Grammar. In our area, fifth grade is the end of elementary school (is that true nationally in the US these days?) and we are planning to re-evaluate homeschooling when she gets ready to enter middle school. If she goes to a traditional school, there is a chance it could be a classical school that uses IEW. I'd really like to focus on formal writing skills now-end of 5th grade (May 2023). So, strong sentence, paragraphs, etc., but also essays of various kinds (persuasive, compare/contrast, narrative, etc.). I think we can address fiction components (setting, characters, etc.) best through reading good literature and discussing it. I'd like her to do a little fiction writing, but it's not my priority at the moment. So.... is it best to focus on writing "rules" and structure of sentences/paragraphs, etc? Or to let her write and slowly teach those things as we edit together? She prefers to write (and does her best writing) when I'm not sitting by her (I'm the same way when I write! :). Would love any feedback or thoughts on curriculum choices! I've considered using more Memoria Press, although their Classical Composition program seems a bit pedantic to me. I like MCT but I feel like DD and I would both prefer something with more structured practice. I'm really not excited about IEW, even though it is super popular, because I'm not a fan of video courses and the IEW focus on style (using certain types of "dress up" words, etc.) seems like it would just confuse her naturally strong "voice." Thanks so much for any feedback!
  10. Hi parents! Are any of you homeschooling in Denver, CO? Would love to connect with other homeschoolers of elementary-aged kiddos!
  11. What are some of the pros/cons of Horizon vs. Abeka math for second grade? Background: we did Miquon for K, Singapore at a private school for most of 1st, but struggled to continue Singapore at home for the end of 1st. I want to go with a procedural curriculum that will provide a really solid foundation and be fairly straightforward. We will probably need to back up to a first grade level for math to review a bit. Thank you so much for any advice! 🙂
  12. Kai-- this is so very helpful! I love your distinction between tablework and "couch time." I love this! Thanks so much.
  13. Could anyone offer some advice for simplifying second grade? I am reading The Well Trained Mind and *loving* the approach. However, when I printed out the curriculum planning worksheet, I counted between 10-12 separate subjects. Yikes! Any advice for how to provide a quality education that is a bit more streamlined? Thanks so much!
  14. I'm considering using Winter Promise's Hideaway in History this coming winter/spring. I've read mixed reviews about WP, but many of them are quite old. Any recent experiences with them? I'm looking for a curriculum for my newly 6yo that incorporates (1) living books and (2) activities. She is an only child, so can handle a bit extra prep, etc. Thanks so much!
  15. Well, I think I'm going to just order both Miquon and Singapore, compare, and plan to return one. For those of you who did EarlyBird Singapore, did you do just the textbook or the activity book, too? Thanks for all the helpful feedback! :)
  16. Thanks! Did you get the Teacher Guides for Miquon or Singapore?
  17. Thank you all so much for your input! I *think* I've ruled out Right Start and Horizons and have narrowed it to Miquon or Singapore. My new thread is here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/654356-k1-math-miquon-vs-singapore/
  18. I *think* I've narrowed it our K math options down to Miquon or Singapore. I'd really able to be able to look at both, but it looks like I'd need to buy both in order to do that. I'm looking for a program that (a) teaches the "why" of math from the beginning and (b) is relatively easy for the teacher to use. DD (5.5) is already great at doing mental math. I know Miquon teaches the "why" but can be intensive for the teacher and/or confusing. The simplicity of Singapore is very appealing, but I'm not sure it teaches conceptually as well as Miquon. Advice/experience from those who have used one or the other or both?
  19. Thanks so much! I haven't been able to talk to anyone who uses Right Start. How long do lessons take on an average day?
  20. Hi there, I'm getting ready to start K with my 5.5yo who shows quite a bit of interest in math and talent at mental math. I'm debating Right Start vs. Horizons vs. Miquon for her. Any advice? Thanks so much! :)
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