pehp
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Posts posted by pehp
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These programs are my frontrunners for school once my son completes k/1 work. If anyone can speak to the differences, and any personal experiences you have has with either one (or both!), that would be great. I am particularly interested in amount of online time needed in the younger years. It appears to me that k12 goes through history chronologically (which I prefer)--I can't tell for sure, but I don't think Calvert does this. Less reliance on textbooks in the earlier years is also a preference.
I would be using both privately--not via a VA. I have seen that they are both strong and seem academically rigorous and thorough. Calvert does look pricier!
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My children are very young.
But my expectation is that they will both (i have a boy and a girl) learn domestic skills (keeping house, meal planning, laundering) and that they will both get rigorous educations, including graduate degrees.
That having been said, I would love to see my daughter stay home with her children. I am the first at-home mother in a long line of women who had careers outside the home, and I love our lifestyle.
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I think it looks great - and fun! One thing that I like to add, but is completely up to you of course, is Geography and Cultures. An introduction to our world, different countries, the child's place in it, and so forth.
The other thing I like is a language.
Lastly, even though I know you want to avoid formal science, check out the pdf of BFSU Volume 1 for kids K-2. It's only 5 bucks. With you being on a farm, it's so easy and natural to encounter nature and opportunities for learning. BFSU is like a spine and a resource for explaining and getting kids to understand at their level. I believe it meshes very well with CM as well.
BTW, my dd is starting Kindy this fall :)
I was just poking around and am only finding this on amazon--is there a link to the pdf version? Somehow I can't find it, but that might be Late Night Brain interfering. :D
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Thank you all so much! I appreciate the input. Maybe I will just do HWT and skip the pre-K. His fine motor skills seem decent for a 4 year old boy---but then again, he's my first child, so I have no idea what is normal.
I like the idea of geography and cultures--we have geopuzzles and we like to work those....doing some sort of 'around the world' study would be very neat. I'll have to ruminate on that one!
I also appreciate the BFSU Vol 1 suggestion...I am going to check that out! THe price is right! ;)
I hadn't thought about a language for kindy. I was thinking of introducing Latin at 3rd grade-ish, and I am not sure about what modern language to teach, and when. My husband and I are both proficient in French, he knows some Finnish (!) but I think Spanish is really the way to go. Actually I have thought for several years that it would be neat to eventually hire a (native-speaking) Spanish tutor to teach the entire family, so we can learn together. May be a bit early for that-I'm not sure when we should go there!
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Hello everyone,
I'd love some advice from some seasoned homeschoolers. I'm new here, only a few posts already, and I'm doing some finalization of my plans for kindergarten. (DS turns 5 in June.) Right now he knows his letter sounds and we are starting to sound out two-letter words, very gently, kind of using OPGTR as a guide. He's about halfway through the MUS primer. He loves to write letters (?!) and frequently writes, although of course it's either ginormous or itty bitty chicken scratch--I just let him have at it and have fun. The only other thing we do is that we are sort of moving through history, looking at structures, b/c he is obsessed with buildings things (dad is an engineer)--we've looked at pyramids, stonehenge, now we're going through ancient rome and greece....just for fun. And not even in any planned way. "School" now consists of quick math, quick phonics. And we enjoy reading aloud.
I'm a believer in academic rigor, and plan to implement a rigorous program (details TBD!!!) in a few years. My thought is that I should start gently, focusing on the 3 Rs, right now, with an eye to introducing more rigor as he reaches age 8ish. (3rd grade-ish.) So with that in mind, here's what I was thinking for kindy--which we will probably officially start once he's done with his MUS primer......(so, maybe around his b-day in June?):
*Miquon Math, starting from the beginning....(10-15 mins, 5 days/week)
*continuing the phonics I'm doing now--my own little system, and continuing into simple early readers (10-15 minutes, 5 days/week)
*HWOT Pre-K, moving into HWOT whenever he's ready (maybe 3 days a week? for 10ish minutes?)
*we live on a farm: nature walks! nature study! (hours per day--we are fools for our vitamin D time!)
*read alouds of non-twaddly, living books (i'm going to use Ambleside/Simply CM as guides...) (30-60ish minutes per day)
*Maybe a Bible program--reading through the Child's Story Bible, and I am also considering CLE's little Bible books (a few times a week?)
*Classical Conversations--TBH, we are simply joining this because I REALLY want to hook up with some local homeschoolers. I figure we will have this CC morning one day a week in Kindergarten and first grade, maybe second, and then phase out--I just want to establish more social opportunities for him/us, and get plugged into the community here. So I will not be enforcing any of the CC memory work, etc. We're just gonna do it for fun. ;)
*Completely informal, CM-inspired art, music and poetry...I'm a classical music addict and a poet, so this is already a big part of our lives. Just for fun! Unscheduled, as the spirit moves me....
Questions I have:
1) does this look okay? not too much for a 5 year old?
2) Can Miquon stand on its own? I've seen many threads about people combining it with Singapore, but is that necessary?
3) HWOT--should I skip the pre-K and just do HWOT? He can color within the lines 'perfectly'--not because I taught him to do it, he's just a little perfectionist. engineer-y. ;)
4) I'm NOT doing any history or science...I figure CC will provide some of that, and I want to spend our 'concentrated' time on the 3Rs. I do think my son will end up being a math/science guy--and I feel strongly about rigorous math and science programs. But I'm not thinking I really need to do any science for kindy.....
5) any other input? I'd welcome it!
Thank you. What a blessing it is to have this forum.
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I'm currently homeschooling 'lite' with my 4 year old. Baby girl is shredding paper and dirtying diapers. I want to ask a question of those of you who both homeschool and work part-time (or do heavy-duty volunteer work outside the home)--and consider yourselves good time managers. I want some pointers on this.
I'm probably already a decent time manager, but I'm always looking for ways to improve. Lately I've been thinking I'm not, but that may be a 'season of life' thing (there is little efficiency with a 1 year old tornado in the house). Still, I always feel like I want to get inspiration and wisdom from those who have BTDT!
I'm an attorney, not currently practicing. I anticipate homeschooling indefinitely, but we'll see. I used to practice part-time, from home, on a contract basis. I really think I'd like to do that again once the children are older! It might (?) dovetail nicely with homeschooling!
I also want to find some way to volunteer in a hands-on, meaningful way with children in foster care, I think. I have been doing some reading about the foster care system and would appreciate trying to help make an impact on children who are marginalized. (I've entertained the thought of fostering myself, but I'm not sure DH would be totally onboard, and we are a TEAM!)
None of this can happen *NOW*, but perhaps after my little girl is about 5. But I do like thinking, dreaming, envisioning, and planning, and right now I think the more I can streamline and manage my time very very well, the easier it will be later to add more to my plate.
Also--I like to exercise regularly, I cook dinner (we have weird diets--kind of gluten-free vegan-ish, and we can't really eat out much)--so that definitely takes a HUNK of time every day, and I like a clean house. Clean-*ish* with baby hurricane here. She's one busy girl!! :001_smile:
I just want to hone my time management skills, I suppose, to the extent I can at this stage of life!
Thank you.
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Yes!!!! When we are home he seems NT--chatty, hilarious, open. In public? Shy, evasive, avoidant. Night and day!!! It confounds me at times!
One plus is I can take him anywhere --he is so well behaved!!! At home he lets loose. It will be interesting to see what happens as he gets older......
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I have a friend with many children who used k12. She supervised school and kept house. Kids all academically very successful--astronomical SAT scores, full scholarships ....it worked for them!
I plan to use a similar approach, I will probably look hardest at k12 (not via a ps) , Calvert and Memoria Press.
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My ds is 4.5. We do simple phonics and MUS primer 5 days a week, and we keep it short, sweet and fun. We read aloud and take walks. We have fun!
I wouldn't force the issue with a child this age. We want to build a relationship that is respectful and relaxed (will benefit us down the road). Trying to force a 4yo to 'do school' is a battle I have no wish to fight.
We plan to do CC next year for social/community building reasons. We will not be doing the memory work unless my son is interested in it.
Thisis the age, Imo, to develop habits and a good rapport. Start with math and phonics and keep things happy!!
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Since MIL has been ill, we've hired someone to come in and help with the kids to also give me time to go over and tend to things my inlaws need done too - so when I'm doing school with DS7, the pt nanny/assistant has the baby in another room, playing with him. Even when MIL dies (she is terminal now), I really want to keep her! It is sooooo much easier to do school with another set of hands to watch the baby!
I bet it is!!! I have considered hiring a mother's helper a couple days a week--but was thinking I'd *clean* during that time, not school. Maybe school would be better!! ;)
And I just wanted to tell you that I'm so sorry to hear of your MIL's illness, and good for you for being there for your in laws during such a difficult season.
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Love this... Do you mind telling me more about the activity boxes--what's in them?
I have a 2nd grader, a K'er, and an 18 month old hurricane lol! I have found the key for us is planning time for all the DC!I put together about 20 activity boxes for him, and put a bunch of his 'big toys' in a box in another room. Each day toddler gets:
1:1 time with me where I read to him, while DS is playing Reading Eggs and DD is finishing violin practice (I work with her for 20mins then she has 20mins on her own).
1 big toy to play with while I work with the big kids.
Break/Snack!
1 activity box to play with while I continue to work with DD.
Then he'll have lunch and nap. While he's asleep we get to finish off our work - usually bigger projects that he just can't keep his hands off (art/science etc).
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Thanks for the ideas! Let me clarify: I do not need 1-2 hours for preK or kindy. I need about 10-15 minutes for focused math time and about the same for phonics, plus time for read alouds (this is more like 1+ hour total, interspersed throughout the day).
She *used* to spend 1-2 hours napping, but I no longer have that (I'd use that for schooltime plus cleaning house and other activities 1:1 with my son)--we're dealing with some nap issues, which will probably sort themselves out, but it is what it is for now. (She naps, but not well without me.) That's where the 1-2 hours bit came in--I just no longer have that chunk of time with him, and him alone.
I am simply looking for ways to keep her entertained in fresh ways while we do our schooling. She's very inquisitive and enjoys new activities.
I do let her play w/ the bigger MUS manipulatives, and of course she 'listens' to read-alouds, but her little hands have to keep busy or else she starts whining!
ETA: I think I'm a bit spoiled b/c at 15 months my ds was able to entertain himself for *very* long stretches of time (60-90 minutes).
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I am going to try to be concise in offering a bit of background info.
My ds is 4.5. When he had just turned 2 he was diagnosed with ASD. He has been on a gluten-free, casein-free diet since then.
He has always been 'intense.' Intense feelings, intense dislikes, intense interests. Even as a baby. Loud noises like sudden laughter, a train horn....would set him off. He would scream. (You with intense children will know what I'm talking about!)
He didn't say his first word until 18 months, didn't say mama/dada/ until he was 2. He crawled until 18 months, then just started walking--never did the falling down thing. Perfectionistic. Is still very, very perfectionistic. Everything has to be 'just so.'
He's extremely (!!!!) shy. Getting him to make eye contact or say hello to a stranger is almost impossible. He talks constantly at home, and not about one topic only....we carry on perfectly typical conversations, although he sometimes does get 'stuck' on an idea (asking a question several times--is this normal 4 yo behavior, or ASD? I am not sure.)
He does not have stimming behaviors. He does not flap arms, echo our speak, or toe-walk. He doesn't have many of those 'standard' autism symptoms, which is why we were caught off-guard by his diagnosis. I just thought he was an intense, noise-hating, shy boy!
When he was diagnosed, I read lots of books on autism and early intervention. At that time, we were told that it was moderate autism. We went through speech therapy w/ early intervention...and OT. (His ST and OT both said they did NOT think he had autism, incidentally!) When he was 2.5+ he was tested to see if he qualified for any services in the school system and he did not--he scored at age level on speech (!) and way ahead on everything else.
THat was alright by me, because we were planning to homeschool anyhow and getting services privately was not a big deal. We decided he didn't need further ST or OT--he hasn't had those since the summer he turned 3.
NOw that he's older, I'm gearing up to really start teaching him, and I can see his personality coming out more and more--his 'real, grown-up' personality. And it is interesting. I suspect he's HFA/Asperger's.
So I'm thinking about where we are now and where we need to go.
He's got great vocabulary/speech--he just WILL NOT talk to someone if he doesn't know them/isn't comfortable with them.
He's extremely affectionate with us, with his baby sister, etc. Very sweet-natured and dear. And silly!!! He has a very funny sense of humor!
He does gymnastics one day a week, and enjoys it.
I am hoping to join a classical conversations group for next fall, simply for the exposure to other children. We do not have a peer group around here--he hangs out with my bff's 2 yo sometimes but that's a big age gap....and he has gymnastics, but I need to develop more of a peer group base in the community, I think.
I'm not totally sure what is typical and what is not, b/c he's my first child. I'm cutting my teeth on him! I know he will need some assistance forging social relationships and that is why I am nearly desperate to get him around other children. His noise sensitivity is starting to fade, bit by bit.
Those of you with children who are similar, and older, what have you found that has been useful? I'm talking about books, and also approaches generally--activities, anything to facilitate social interactions.....I'm all ears for any hints you have, from those of you who have BTDT with a child who sounds like mine (ie one who never would have gotten an ASD dx 40 years ago, he would have just been considered "shy" and "quirky" and "sensitive"). I want to help him in the best way I can, and do the best I can for him, and honestly--sometimes it's hard to know *what* that looks like right now!
TIA!
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My children are 4.5 and just-turned-1. My 4.5 year old and I are working on 'school' (soooo lite--like, a little phonics, MUS, read-alouds). But we are 'working' on it!
My daughter, who is 12 months, is into everything and quite clingy lately. Plus, she's not napping well without me around....so my ds and I are not getting 1:1 time for, say 1-2 full hours a day. More like 10-20 minutes, max. Sometimes at once, sometimes 10 minutes here, 10 there.
Ergo, I need to keep dd occupied. The whirling dervish enjoys getting into things and eschews many toys. She's at the stage where she will eat stuff (so, no playdough, crayons--you know). She'll be in the same room with us, but I'd like to keep her quiet and fend her off when I'm doing math and read-alouds (she does enjoy looking at books. for 3.8 seconds!)
Any little tips would be great--any little things that I could do/give her that would seem like a novelty would be superb. She's typical in that she enjoys taking things out of other things, scattering things, and just generally making a mess. Deconstruction.
Once she hits about 2 I think it might be easier. Maybe.
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My sister is 5 years and 3 months my junior and sibling rivalry was nonexistent......we argued as we got older but never competed. We had a great relationship --I was just too bossy, but those days are gone. We are very good friends.
Age made a difference, I think, as did wise parenting!
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I SO appreciate this post! My 4.5 yo and I have worked with the book a little (toying around, mostly) but the writing the letters bit was sort of tedious and felt extraneous, and I didn't know what to skip (it's so scripted, I didn't want to 'mess up' and skip something even though he totally got it)---so I really appreciate your insight. Thank you!
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It is through Memoria Press....& I like the looks of their curriculum generally...... http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/first-start-reading.html
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Bump...anyone?
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I'm culling together my son's K program and am looking into phonics. I've happened upon FSR and am curious to know if anyone has used and loved this. Background info is that he knows all his letter sounds, has excellent fine motor skills, and enjoys writing (I see that it seems writing-heavy...)
Personal experiences would be great, if anyone has used it.
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I was just poking around trying to see if there are any groups here studying books from WEM....
I downloaded don Quixote to my kindle and plan to start reading it this week.....& I would enjoy being able to discuss it with someone.....!
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Cool! Me too! I thought I was all alone.
That is cool!! Do you all find your legalese sometimes leaks into family life? I found myself telling my 4 yo that his behavior was not mitigated by the circumstances recently ....:001_smile:
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Thank you for these useful tips!! I will be checking out these resources soon. I really appreciate it. I kept thinking he might just figure it out because I did that as a child, but I think I'm going to need to be more 'structured' and intentional in actually teaching reading.
I think one issue with 100EZ is that he gets it and the same say it fast/slow etc ends up being dull for him, and he loses interest. And the rhyming just doesn't jive with him at all...
Thank you so much!!!
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Hello everyone,
I've been lurking here for a couple of years, but am finally going to jump in because my son will be 5 in June and I'm starting to work with him in a more formal manner. By way of introduction--I'm polly, my son is 4, my daughter is turning 1 next week, I'm a SAHM with a philosophy degree from William and Mary (that SWB connection! it makes me love her even more!), MA in english and a JD. And....now I'm channeling all this obsessive love of learning to homeschooling my children. ;)
He knows all his ABCs and the letter sounds, but does not read (except that he can sound and spell out C A T and sometimes a few other, similar, simple words). We are working our way through the MUS primer, and it is sufficient for our purposes at this point. He has very good handwriting (maybe this is related to his excellent fine motor skills--he's always been strangely good at fine motor activities?) and so for fun, every few days, I let him copy a few words or sentences, or allow him to make grocery lists for me (I spell out each word....)
The only other thing we are doing/have done is to do a very casual study of buildings through history. He's obsessed with buildings, structures, etc. so we are starting with the ancients (pyramids! stonehenge!) and going through Rome (Parthenon! aqueducts!) through the Middle Ages (castles! cathedrals!) and into modern times (skyscrapers! crazy bridges!). So far we've only really covered Egypt, but it has been rather amusing for both of us.
I own MUS primer, as well as a mudpies and magnets book. And the first ed of TWTM. ;)
My first, basic question is: what do you recommend for teaching reading? I've checked out, and we've fooled around with, 100EZ lessons, from the library. We first tried when my ds was 3 and it was clearly just not going to happen. I sort of fooled around with it not long after he turned 4 (summertime) and I was on the fence as to his readiness. I can't decide if it's the program or just his development. I don't want to rush him. (But the 'rhyming' part of the EZ lessons was just sort of asinine to him--he hated it, though he liked the sounding out....and so perhaps I should just deviate from the 'script.')
I looked at a thread here that listed the curricula that folks regretted and was amazed to see 100Ez lessons listed frequently! So that led me to ask what else is out there that might be worth considering.
FWIW, I've considered using K12 online (not through a public school, just independently) but I don't really know much about their LA program or whether it would be worth it *at all* for a 5 yo this fall.
That's a lot of rambling to get to the point: what's your favorite learn-to-read program?
TIA!
The Gentle Kindy Plan, with an eye to rigor around age 8....
in K-8 Curriculum Board
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THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is one reason I love hearing from people like you, who are 'farther along' the journey! The bolded bit about an interested life is exactly what I think and I love that you put that--thank you for the reassurance. I love seeing what other folks are doing at this level, but I have to restrain myself to keep it simple!
The bit about the copywork--here's one question I have. I have no idea how to teach handwriting, really. I've been letting my son copy from my work (or I will dictate things to him like the grocery to-do list)--and I keep thinking "is this enough? does he need to actually learn to write *properly* yet???".....when do you really need to get into the mechanics of how to write properly.
I love the idea of keeping a journal. I should do that. I have a blog, but it's not totally homeschool-focused. THank you for that tip!