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Joy at Home

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Posts posted by Joy at Home

    About to curly up in a cozy chair with my new LOE manual!

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Hunter, what is CGE?

     

    Tx

    Lisa

     

    Lori, what I did was invest in the two teacher books for 5-6 and 7-8 to get a view of where the curriculum was heading. Then when I saw it was right, I ordered the student workbooks. I was lucky that Rainbow had some damaged copies and I was already putting in an order.

     

    This is the first curriculum I ever bought the full set ahead of time. It really helps me to see the whole picture. Because every single lesson is meant to be completed, just viewing one year can be deceiving. They don't repeat every type of lesson every year, forcing you to figure out what to complete and what to skip. So it can look like important composition topics are skipped, when they are not. I can see that at times I might want to redo a composition lesson from an earlier year, when doing a unit study, and certain type of writing is called for.

     

    The only R&S book I ever owned was the OLD grade 8 when there was no grades 9-10. I really liked that book. It was the finale. CGE reminds me of the old R&S which I fear has become too updated for me. I adore finale curricula. CGE 5-8 come with handbook appendixes. The grade 7/8 handbook is extremely useful as an adult resource. I have never seen a curriculum that masters letter writing, any better. I recommend this curriculum for the letter writing instructions alone. The 5/6 handbook would be useful as a resource in the younger years. The thesaurus is particularly nice, and could be used in a variety of types of vocabulary lessons.

     

    CGE is worthy of putting on a bookshelf as a reference even if you don't use it.

    Elementary Spanish question - Discovery Education

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Thanks Anne, that's a big help!

     

    Lisa

     

     

    We use the grade 3/4 level. According to the teacher's manual (a link provided on each video), you start according to grade level. IOW, using the grade 5/6 program will start at the beginning of learning Spanish for that age range. Don't forget to print out the daily worksheets.

     

    Also, I've found there is a program that continues into 7th and above that is on Discovery Ed and I can't remember the name of it at the moment. HTH!

    Above ground pool owners - help me decide please!

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    We had an 18-foot Intex pool that we used for about three years. We upgraded the pool filter because the one that came with the pool couldn't keep up with cleaning, algae, etc. It was a great pool for what it was--the size was perfect for us, the kids loved it, etc. The major drawback was that we had to take it down every fall, then put it back up in the spring, which was a major headache. The frame that the liner attaches to was definitely beginning to show wear and tear from being taken apart so many times.

     

    A few years ago, we switched to an 18-foot metal sided above ground pool similar to the one you linked (I don't remember the exact brand). We were able to continue using the upgraded filter we bought for the Intex pool. My husband actually leveled the ground, and he installed it with help from family, but it was a lot of work. The benefit to this pool is that we can leave it up year round. In the fall, we drain it about half-way, dump in appropriate chemicals, cover it and leave it until spring. In the spring, there are several things that need to be done to "open" the pool, but it is still much less work than setting up and taking down the Intex pool.

     

    We're really happy we switched. The cost for the metal-sided pool was definitely more than the Intex, but we shopped around and bought the previous year's model.

     

    I didn't realize we would have to take the Intex down in the winter. I thought I read reviews that said they kept it up all year. That definitely would be a bother. Hmmm . . .

     

    Thank you so much for this thread!! I've been kicking aorund with the idea of getting an Intex pool because I have a large concrete pad in our backyard for a basketball court. We don't actually LIKE basketball so there it sits not getting used.

     

    I have been pondering an Intex to see how much we use it before committing to a "real" pool.

     

    I've seen the saltwater filters and I would LOVE to do that instead of chlorine. Did either of you use that system?

     

    Lisa, that Namco pool is gorgeous! Do you think one shape of the pool would be more fun than another?

     

    Yes, I love the look of the Namco. I really want oval, since we had a round already and I think a longer pool would be more conducive to swimming laps:)

     

    I only have experience with the Namco style pool. We have had ours for four years and have had really good luck with it. We had the company put ours up but when we watched them doing it, we figured we could have done it ourselves. It does take a couple of people working together.

     

    Don't forget to factor in the cost of preparing the ground properly (this will save your liner). Everything has to be level and you need to put down a few inches of a very fine gravel. This was included in the installation of our pool. When we checked out the cost of the gravel and renting the equipment needed to level the ground and spread the gravel paying for set up suddenly didn't seem like a bad idea.

     

    Also, how are you going to fill it. Our well can handle it if we go slow over a week. Many people have to truck there water in to the tune of about $700.00 in our neck of the woods to fill a pool the size you are looking at.

     

    No matter which way you go your kids will love it.

     

    Yes, still deciding if I want to tackle the project of installation. As far as filling, we have a well and as long as we get adequate rain, I think I will fill it slowly over a week or so. I do NOT want to pay for water delivery.

     

    Thanks, everyone, for your input!

    Lisa

    Above ground pool owners - help me decide please!

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    We would like to install an above ground pool. Last year we put up an Intex, $300 range, and the kids loved it. We want to upgrade to a larger, permanent pool.

     

    Intex sells this http://www.amazon.com/Intex-54979EG-24-Foot-12-Foot-Rectangular/dp/B004DCANNK/ref=dp_cp_ob_lg_title_0

     

    which has good reviews and is in our price range. The local pool shop prices are much, much higher, but I'm sure the quality is much different. The one that I looked at is here:

    http://www.namcopool.com/pool/above-ground-pools/pools/15x20x52-willow-oval-pool-with-liner.html

    I could get a much better price in the namco store by buying last year's model.

     

    Anyone have any ideas on which way to go? Is the Intex considered a much lower quality pool, not meant to last in the long term? The Intex looks a little easier to install, so we would consider doing it ourselves, whereas the metal frame would probably require a contractor which would cost about $1000.

     

    Anyone with pool experience, please help!

    thanks,

    lisa

    Anyone Else Confused {SL}

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Lisa, did they say how much later for Core E? I was told the 18th of April for Core E samples via SL. Had I been on the phone I might have called them out on stating April 2nd on the website & how we were told we could write and ask for more via pdf form until our IG arrived. But if it's going to be even later..

     

    Sorry, I may have misstated that. I do believe they said April 18th for D/E AND E, and April 22 for F. Sigh.

     

    Lisa

    Anyone Else Confused {SL}

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I'm disgusted. Such hype over "APRIL 2nd", and the stuff isn't even ready.

     

    I was going to order the IG for D/E. Their site still states that even though it's backordered you can download three week samples to start. But I called and their SAMPLES WILL NOT EVEN BE UP UNTIL APRIL 18th for that core. For E and F it's even later. WTH????

     

    Lisa

    Has anyone NOT liked Logic of English curriculum?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    There is a LOT I like about LOE. I just didn't feel the need to list those things in THIS thread, because of the title. When the great rush of used LOEs start hitting the market, when something else even shinier and brighter hits the market, I'll be snatching one up as a reference.

     

    But the lack of an indexed Ayer's list to be able to reference for misspelled words, and the short list of words included in the lessons themselves, leaves me dumbfounded on how this will work well, in the long run, for remedial students :-0

     

    If someone doesn't own MOH, they can still tell just by looking at the website that the curriculum is NOT finished. Neither MOH or LOE is finished. And LOE is not compatible with Spalding's indexed Ayer's list or any other resource that I know of. Please correct me if there is any new info on what to do the second year AFTER the currently available book is finished. At least MOH is compatible with other programs people can finish off with.

     

    I'm very interested to see what everyone is doing for the year AFTER LOE. I'm going to be ALL ears.

     

     

    I plan on continuing with high frequency words and analyzing them for spelling as we do with LOE. The author has posted high frequency word lists on her site here http://www.logicofenglish.com/resources/free-downloads/high-frequency-word-lists

     

    To say the program is not finished is not accurate. Though the author plans on coming out with other books (I thought I heard talk of grade level books in the future), the Essentials is intended as a stand alone resource. One can easily use the spelling rules and method to move on to any spelling lists.

     

    Lisa

    Anyone else *NOT* 'buzzed'/on board with Circe?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Momto5girls

    I'm kind of confused about all the hype and debate that has gotten so heated. Here's the thing ladies.

    1. We all want the best for our kids.

    2. One size does not fit all in education and THAT is one of the reasons we homeschool, right?

    3. Just like any curriculum/theory you have to pick and choose from the buffet and decide what fits each of your kids.

    4. Everything in moderation.

    5. Reading quality lit to your kids is never wrong or bad.

    6. No one walks in your shoes but you.

    7. Blindly believing anyone is not wise so we all need to tread with caution before we jump in with 2 feet.

    8.At the end of the day we are all just moms/dads.

    :001_smile:Carry on ladies. I have children to get ready for bed!

     

    Agreed.

     

    I haven't read the other because it gives me agita and makes me feel dumb. I don't think I'm smart enough for some of the conversation that goes on here (like Janice in NJ's thread above, which makes me go :001_huh:. Oh, to be able to make sense of that kind of discussion . . .)

     

    But I'm happy that others are happy, reevaluating, inspired, etc., etc. For me, I like to glean tidbits here and there, but I'm not ready for an epiphany now. I need concrete, doable, moderate, etc., etc.

     

    I was just taken aback at the treatment of A.K. displayed here, that's all.

     

    Lisa

    Anyone else *NOT* 'buzzed'/on board with Circe?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I am not mocking or making fun of Mr. Kern. But he is not a random board member. He is selling something. I think it is important to look critically at what is being sold, and at the seller. If you don't, don't. I don't see the point of a curriculum board if one is only allowed to say positive things about a given curriculum.

     

    I said almost exactly the same thing about Oliver DeMille last week.

     

    What is he selling? Has he even once promoted his writing curriculum here? He has been a board member since 2009 and has contributed in ways that has helped many here. Why tear him down so? You are not giving opinions about a curriculum, you are personally insulting him.

     

    Lisa

    Anyone else *NOT* 'buzzed'/on board with Circe?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Me, but I think everyone knows that now.

     

    I looked up Andrew Kern. He has a BA from a fourth-tier university, and I can't find any other education. That makes me suspicious.

     

    I don't think he writes well and I think his pronouncements that CLASSICAL HOMESCHOOLING WILL SAVE AMERICA are hyperbolic to the point of being ridiculous.

     

    Yikes :confused:

     

    What is the point of this whole thread? My guess is the mods had the good sense to lock the other one because they saw it as being so divisive. We have a fellow board member being insulted, his credentials questioned, his education mocked, and it leaves me feeling, well, icky.

     

    Circe may not be your cuppa, and you that's fine. We all have lots of thoughts on education and so does A.K. Yes, I understand he is a professional and NASDAQ, you think his educational background is relevant in this regard. But really, I see it as bad form to vocalize those opinions so openly here.

     

    Lisa

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