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AnneGG

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Posts posted by AnneGG

  1. CLE Language Arts covers spelling, penmanship, grammar and composition. Rod & Staff English covers grammar and composition. There is a lot of copy work in R&S so it could be used as penmanship, although they also sell a separate penmanship program. They also sell a separate spelling program.
     

    Both are a little light on composition compared to some other programs, but it will be enough if you write across the curriculum or do other supplemental writing activities. Both R&S and CLE have separate reading programs. I haven’t used R&S reading, but we have used CLE. It is very thorough. 

    I prefer CLE’s Learning to Read program over Rod & Staff’s phonics. 

     

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  2. I did not connect with other moms at CC. In our small community, the moms were cliquish and already knew one another. It’s hard to make friends with a group that’s been together for years. Just a heads up, because I didn’t really think about that prior to joining. Same for the kids. It’s even somewhat doubled down amongst big sibling groups in the community. Also, the open houses are somewhat staged in terms of how nice and friendly everyone is. They want your money; especially if you’ve got several kids. 
     

    I don’t have in person homeschool friends. Its fine! I use this homeschool forum (and a few others) and that satisfies my need for homeschool banter. 

  3. Acellus/Powerhomeschool is huge around here. The other online platforms are popular but Acellus is the one I tend to hear about the most. I’ve met a few families that use BJU distance learning or Abeka Accredited.  

    Someone at the library asked me if I used a homeschool program. I mistakingly interpreted “program” as methodology and started explaining we are a blend of CM & Classical but I like a heavy dose of Waldorf in early elementary.  She looked at me wide eyed and said she used ABC Mouse. I felt bad I went in to all that, she probably thought I was condescending. 
     

    I love that there has been a surge in homeschooling. I love that we now have access to homeschool opportunities we never had before. There are tons of local places capitalizing on the surge in hsing and creating classes and experiences. Our city isn’t that big and opportunities, in general, are limited. I really do love that the increase in homeschooling has opened up a whole new economy for us. However, it is a little frightening that some parents genuinely seem to have no clue. They don’t even seem interested in education. I’m afraid this is going to backfire on traditional homeschooling and we’re going to end up with heavy oversight. 


     

     

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  4. I’ve used a ton of lit guides. They all had pros and cons, some were more academic and some were more cross curricula/ unit studies. This year, I bought a reading comprehension kit on TPT that can be used with any book. It’s perfect, and no worksheets. It’s all task cards/discussion prompts. I also bought a literary elements pack. 
     

    FWIW We have used CLE Reading and I liked it. My son tolerated it. 

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  5. I noticed they have a new science course for 3rd grade. I looked at the samples, and the format looks like it would be a perfect fit for my 8 & 9 yo. 

    I was wondering if one of the more experienced moms had looked at and if you had an opinion to share. 
     

    This year we used CLE, which has not been particularly thrilling even with extra books and videos. 

  6. 4 hours ago, Sarah00 said:

    Thanks! What do you use for spelling? We have gone through all of LOE Foundations and his spelling is pretty decent but he is slow to spell. More practice is definitely needed. Mine won't do copywork though. Yesterday, I tried to get him to copy one word in the sentence. He couldn't get his first letter perfectly how he wanted it and after 3 attenpts, gave up, upset. I'm not sure what to do with that. It's not like I'm demanding it to be as perfect as he's going for. 

    I will keep up with the games and look into your other suggestions! 

    Re: copywork refusal. 

    Letter magnets, stickers, tiles.. whatever. That is how we started when one my kids didn’t like the act of holding the pencil. Eventually we moved up to writing on a water board type thing with a water pen, and any other gimmicky kind of writing tablets. Idk we have a lot. 😂 I slowly started requiring one sentence a week done by pen and paper and moved the requirements up from there. 
     

    Also I think it’s important to narrow down if he’s refusing to write because he can’t or because he doesn’t want to. What happens when he says no? 
     

    Re: Spelling

    We use a procedure list I created based on SOR and workshops I’ve taken to teach spelling. Our word list comes from the Aldine Speller (vintage.) 

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  7. I would stick with Writing Games, especially if he likes it and you see progress with the activities. 
     

    I have a reluctant writer. I always thought it was because he found the act of writing laborious, but now I actually think it was because he was not a confident speller. Once we started getting serious with spelling, his ability to write a beautiful sentence soared. I also began incorporating copy work. I don’t know how much the copy work has helped, but he is more willing to copy sentences than write his own. 
     

    We use Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serl and Montessori grammar symbol manipulatives. It’s not gamified but it seems enjoyable enough as none of the boys complain. It is very short, around 10 minutes so that they stay focused and engaged and I don’t lose my mind.
     

    We also like the Ruth Heller grammar picture books. This, along with some occasional variety from free internet games or apps seems to be enough. We listened to Mary’s Grammar on Librivox and I hope to listen to Grammar Land at some point before the year is over. 
     

     

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  8. Christmas books for the kids! Craft kits are always great too. Hopefully some Yum Earth candy canes because I shuddered at spending $7 for a box. 
    Holiday coffees for me. I will happily sip gingerbread and peppermint until Easter. 

    Last year I hit the clearance jackpot on holiday scented deodorant, soap, and hair products. I was using that stuff until August. 😂

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  9. 9 hours ago, Dianthus said:

     

    Anyone have Christmas craft ideas? We did 3D snowflakes a couple years ago so would like to do again. We hung them in our hallway. I also bought some kits from the craft stores but wondering about more creative ideas with basic materials?

     

    This is not super creative but you might like the simplicity……

    We started making our own wrapping paper yesterday. It’s just brown kraft paper and the kids draw and/or paint it to make their own. 

    We also started making a Christmas village with milk cartons and paper bags. 

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  10. On 11/23/2023 at 10:21 AM, quietgarden said:

    Hi PeterPan!

    I would go with this link that lists a printable unit study for $7.99. It is from the same package I purchased in 2021 but it is much cheaper! This is a really good price for all the info she provides.

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/889684312/reindeer-winter-unit-study-arctic-animal?click_key=a2be32b0f05cd3e97de43cc6e2043acd02980c2c%3A889684312&click_sum=7ee63269&ref=shop_home_recs_2

    I bought the pack that includes the reindeer antler and the lichen (at the time that was ONLY product available - but not sure I would have sprung for the full deal if I had an option. And now it has gone up in price (A LOT). I think I paid $45, which also seemed like a lot, but we really loved getting the lichen and the reindeer antler portion and I was impressed with the unit study. So much so that we used portions in 1st grade, skipped a year, and will do it again with some of the activities that were too much for him then. Getting two years out of it, and having the antler portion (and possibly the lichen if it doesn't decompose!), to keep in the Christmas box seems worth it.

    But if I had had the $7.99 option I would absolutely have gone with that!!

    At this current price though, I think I would want to share the cost with a friend or two.

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/872010094/alaska-reindeer-box-winter-activity-box?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-toys_and_games&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJOPXfX7GQqvaZFNYKtT2mpliJMq4ofJK2k84d1l8-f8R6Pj1oGVsaBoCjwgQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_12665398257_121762925993_511610210343_pla-314535279060_c__872010094_140176376&utm_custom2=12665398257&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJOPXfX7GQqvaZFNYKtT2mpliJMq4ofJK2k84d1l8-f8R6Pj1oGVsaBoCjwgQAvD_BwE

    I was looking at her Northern Lights Cards a few days ago! All of her things look lovely.

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  11. 7 hours ago, quietgarden said:

    We are doing the following fun things the last week or so of school before our Christmas break:

    Math: The Great Gingerbread House Project

    https://www.edutopia.org/article/great-gingerbread-house-project/

    Writing: Gingerbread House for Sale

    https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Writing-Activity-for-Middle-School-Gingerbread-House-for-Sale-2867123

    And because we are in SOTW volume 3,

    Read aloud picture books: Baker's Dozen, A Colonial American Tale and An Early American Christmas

    Independent reading: The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever

    Science: Reindeer Unit Study and Winter mini-lessons from Mystery Science

    Love It! This has been my Christmas school style in the past.  

    • Like 2
  12. 22 hours ago, HomeschoolOnTheRocks said:

    I’m inclined to say if PLL is feeling like busywork, then skip those exercises because they’re too easy. I do feel PLL is challenging, and doesn’t contain busywork/ very CM. Remember anything can feel like busywork if it’s too easy for your child. If it’s certain exercises, skip them to move through the book faster, or start later in book or in the next one. That may solve it. Or of course, switch to CP and update! 😉

    Good points! Thanks for your perspective. He is in 3rd grade, so it’s possible we just need to move faster or even move up ILL. We did lesson 77 on Thursday and he said, “this is basically verb principal parts, right?” I guess he did learn something at CC. 😂

     

     

     

  13. https://librivox.org/marys-grammar-by-jane-marcet/
     

    We use the librivox version. I’m sure it’s on Archive . Org too if you prefer to read it aloud yourself. 
     

    We’ve only been using Serl since July. I can’t put my finger on why I’m not all in on it. I feel like PLL has a busy work undertone to it. I might move over to With Pencil and Pen for my PLL student and then move up him to ILL, and then move to Bards & Poets. 
     

    I don’t know! I just watched a Language Arts workshop today, it gave me a lot of ideas. But Cottage Press would be so much easier on me. Haha.

  14. I’m considering switching for all the reasons you listed. Serl’s books are wonderful but it doesn’t always feel like there is a lot of progress being made. We also use the Aldine speller and we’re reading Mary’s Grammar. 

    I’m looking at Fable & Song and Bards & Poets. I’m wondering if I really need Fable to hold my hand through Aesop though. I’ve listened to every SCM podcast on narration, dictation, copy work, etc. I mean, I’ve got this… right?! 😂 But it just looks so simple & refreshing.

    I might order it from Amazon so I can have a look at it and still be able to return it if I don’t like it. 

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