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Aloha2U

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Posts posted by Aloha2U

  1. What do you use or recommend specifically for fun early science education? Can I use the Apologia Elementary books for Pre-K, K or 1st? Other options I've come across are ABeka K & 1 (God's World, Discovering God's World) or BJUP (Grade 1 Science Subject).

     

    I've thought about using Abeka K & 1 Sciences as a quick easy overview and Apologia Elementary Books (Exploring Creation with Astronomy, Botany, Zoology) for more in depth material... or maybe just read aloud material.

     

    Any thoughts? What was your experience with these?

  2. I've chosen to start with Saxon Math K for preschool with my ds this fall. I've been researching, researching, and researching curriculum for our homeschooling journey and came across a curricula review for Singapore Primary Math on the WTM site...

     

    http://www.welltrainedmind.com/J01singapore.html

     

    My questions...

    1. Has anyone used Saxon as the main program & supplemented with MUS or Singapore for its creative problem solving... and if so, what age/grade did you start doing this?

     

    2. I will be doing Saxon 1 for K and Saxon 2 for 1st and I know that VP uses the Daily Math Practices by Evan-Moor to compliment them. Is this a sufficient supplement or do you definately recommend Singapore or MUS as a secondary?

     

    3. What age/grade does this really need to be addressed with Saxon?

     

    I believe my ds will do well with Saxon, but just want to know what to expect and plan for the future to fulfill our math goals for a classical education. As you may be able to gather... I'm a planner!!!

     

    I appreciate any and all feedback.

     

    Thank you!

  3. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and comments, as I greatly appreciate the feedback. I know that I will be tweaking our curriculum as we learn and progress in our hs journey. It's going to be an exciting and fun adventure. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions in the future.

  4. I'm just curious why the Daily Math practice in addition to the Saxon. I have used Saxon K-2 and 5/4 (haven't had a kid with 3 yet but will in another year) I'm not sure if you don't think Saxon would be enough or if there's other reasons. I use Saxon alone and it seems to be enough.

     

    Honestly, I don't know whether I'll need it or not, as I believe Saxon to be enough on its own. I just wanted to be thoroughly prepared and since I'm new to this I pretty much followed along with VP's recommendations. (Maybe overkill?!)

  5. ...regarding the PreK-1 curriculum chosen thus far.

     

    Background... Mother to my one and only ds (4 at end of July) whom I will begin preschool with this fall. I initially had every intention of enrolling ds in first grade (age 6) at a private classical christian school wherein his cousins attend. This spring I decided to look into Pre-K and K curriculum to prepare him for the future. I began researching and that is when I found SWR. Although the pccs is great, it finally clicked in my heart and my head that the best for ds is to be homeschooled by me. I just couldn't see starting with SWR (which I'm really excited about) and not finishing it... or for that matter, continuing with it at home while dc does something else at the pccs. However, I think I still want to stay somewhat close to the pccs curriculum... for now anyways, until my confidence level is up and I get a better feel for what is going to work for us. I believe that they use A Beka for Language Arts and VP for Bible, History, and Math.

     

    With that said... basically, here is my planning thus far for K4, K5, and 1st.

     

    Pre-Kindergarten/K4

    Art: (ABeka) Readiness Skills K4 and Art Projects K4

    Bible: (ABeka) Bible Activity Book K4 and Bible Doctrinal Drill, (VP) Story Bible & Illustrated Bible, (BHI) ABC Memory Book Bible Verses

    Health: (ABeka) Character Development/Health & Safety visuals K4/K5

    Lang. Arts: (SWR) Phonograms, salt box and white board for large motor skills, lots of read aloud w/living books

    Math: (VP) Saxon Math K and manipulatives

     

    Kindergarten

    Art: (ABeka) Readiness Skills K5 and Art Projects K5, (VP) How to teach art to children and Fine Art Primer Collection

    Bible: (ABeka) Bible Activity Book K5 and Bible Doctrinal Drill, (VP) Big Book of Q&A's and Read Aloud OT Collection

    Health: (ABeka) Character Development/Health & Safety visuals K4/K5

    Lang. Arts: (SWR) Phonograms, Cursive First, lots of read aloud w/living books

    Math: (VP) Saxon Math 1 and manipulatives, Daily Math Practice 1

    Science: (ABeka) God's World K5

    Social Studies: (ABeka) Social Studies K5 and visuals

     

    First Grade

    Art: (ABeka) Art Projects 1, (VP) How to teach art to children, Fine Art Primer Collection and Draw then Write

    Bible: (ABeka) Bible Friends Activity Book 1, and Bible Doctrinal Drill, (VP) Big Book of Q&A's about Jesus, The Big Picture Bible timeline and Read Aloud NT Collection

    Geography: (VP) Legends & Leagues, Beginning Geography 1&2

    Health: (ABeka) Health & Safety Manners 1

    History: (ABeka) My America My World 1

    Lang. Arts: (SWR), (VP) Shurley English 1, Punctuation, WOL books by Ruth Heller, Lit Pockets, Read Aloud Living Books

    Math: (VP) Saxon Math 2 and manipulatives, Daily Math Practice 2

    Science: (ABeka) Discovering God's World

    Social Studies: (ABeka) Community Helpers Activity Book and visuals

    *Health, History, Science time allotment = 2 months for each, 3x weekly

     

    I left out some things of minor significance in my list, but that is roughly it. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I think that I plan on doing more from VP and less from Abeka for 2nd grade and on. I guess only time will tell.

  6. When I was a little girl, I started gymnastics through a Park & Rec program. I loved it! However, I was skilled beyond what the program could teach (not to brag). My mother was told about the local gymnastics center and their programs. I remember begging my mother to allow me to attend at least a few lessons and it was all over from there. I was asked to join the team (compete) and advanced as far as level 8 open (at that time). I was very shy when I was younger so gymnastics really brought me out of my shell and I was good at it.

     

    Now, to piggyback on what Linda...inOwasso stated earlier, "Many people can teach your child to tumble. I would look for someone who can teach your child much more than that."

     

    I loved gymnastics and although I was not and still am not a real competitive person, a lot of my drive had to do with my coaches... well, actually one coach in particular. She was awesome and I learned ever so much more than just gymnastics from her. She made me want to be the best I could be... as well as all the other girls too (no favoritism). Unfortunately, the cherished coach had to retire and we were assigned a new one. As such, my drive began to fizzle... so much so that it became more routine than anything and I would make excuses to not have to go to practice. My mother realizing the change was none too happy at the thought of paying out all the money for the few lessons I actually made it to.

     

    I am ever so thankful that I was blessed with my gymnastic experience even if I didn't take it through to college or beyond. There is a time and season for everything and I believe that the experience and lessons learned contributed to molding me into who I am today.

     

    I recall a recent discussion wherein my dh was telling my ds, "Mommy used to be in gymnastics and tumble around like that." My ds eyes lit up and the statement followed, "I want to do that too, can I mommy?" Now being a mother and in my 30's, I wonder... would I allow my ds to do the same, how far shall I let it go and is it worth the sacrifice?!

     

    Conclusion... ABSOLUTELY, if that is the activity that interests him, it is a safe environment, a positive experience, it would contribute to his health and well being, we can afford it, and still have family time. (I guess that will apply to any sport / extracurricular activity in the future.) I understand that parents have to make many sacrifices in our lives for the betterment of our children. It is my hope that if I am in a position to allow any such opportunity in the future, and of course God willing, then we will make the necessary sacrifices for the betterment of my ds. I know it is easy for me to say since I only have one child. I think that it would be much harder with multiple children.

  7. Athough I'll be new to homeschooling with my one and only ds (4 in July), I've just recently purchased materials and am starting to prepare for preschool in the fall with him. The curriculum plans could change in the future, only time will tell. I'm very excited about beginning this journey with my ds. Here is what I have planned...

     

    PreK

    Art: A Beka

    Bible: The Good Book, Children's Illustrated Bible, Child's Story Bible (VP)

    Language Arts: SWR

    Math: Saxon K (VP)

     

    K

    Art: VP

    Bible: The Good Book, VP

    Language Arts: SWR

    Math: Saxon 1 (VP)

    Science: A Beka

    Social Studies: A Beka

     

    1st

    Art: VP

    Bible: The Good Book, VP

    Geography: VP

    History: A Beka

    Language Arts: SWR, Shurley English 1 (VP)

    Math: Saxon 2 (VP)

    Science: A Beka

    Social Studies: A Beka

     

    Also, to piggyback on what Alice stated previously... incorporating lots of puzzles, legos, free play, looking at bugs, being outside, reading together, cooking together, playing music, painting, playing with chalk, watching birds, etc.

     

    Melissa in North Idaho

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