Ting Tang
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Posts posted by Ting Tang
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I wondered if you ladies would know. I decided to look into another testing path through our special education office. The psychologist said that in Illinois, we fall under the umbrella of private education, so we are not eligible for services. Is that typical? I am not terribly upset but thought it might be a better route than what we currently have in place before I go the private route.
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When I was younger, it was much easier to spend hundreds on my hair. I have never truly dyed it yet, but I did start to use a glaze with color. It is much like dying, but it only lasts a week. I think it is a good way to start or enhance your natural color. My next step will be something semi permanent. My hair budget goes to my Dysport (botox) fund. ha ha
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My husband farms, so certain seasons have him working long hours all seven days of the week. He also wants me to be in standby to help, but it’s very hard with four kids at times. I hate fall and spring! But this too shall pass… if there are ways to make life easier while he is gone, do it.
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On 9/24/2023 at 2:45 PM, Soror said:
Yes, it's a lot like teaching. Everyone has an opinion about how you are doing it wrong but few want to step up to do it and often those opinions are not based on facts but conjecture. Oh, you're already working for peanuts why don't you sacrifice your health while you're at it? Then people wonder why aren't lining up for the jobs.
I know at the height of the pandemic they switched to mostly phone visits, past that I'm not sure. Considering that people were forced to mask when accessing any other services I can't see why social services would be any different. Why should workers deserve less protection because their work is in someone's home? This doesn't dictate what one has to do the rest of the time but while they are accessing services. However, the first step would be to see if a compromise could be reached- with distance, masking, and outside meetings.
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I don't remove anyone from their homes. Even in DFS, at least here, that is a small part of what they do. I don't know why everyone jumps to that.
Yes. And your health is everything. My father is dealing with the consequences of a lifetime of smoking---cancer treatments and surgeries wrecked his body. It is not pretty.
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Oh I do hope my son will become more studious! I am still thinking about a good writing program for him. Fortunately, the activities he does outside of school work could be much worse. He has fish and crawdad habitats, and now he has aspirations to breed fish. We are not entirely thrilled about that, but I am sure he has learned a great deal through his research on how to do this all.
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17 hours ago, Melissa Louise said:
It's not about allergies.
It's a carcinogen.
Exposure to secondhand smoke can give you cancer.
Employers should not expose their workers to known carcinogens, and if people would like social workers, health aides, etc. exposed, due to patient autonomy, they'd better be good with those same workers receiving hazard pay. A very high level of hazard pay.
It's unacceptable to expose workers to known carcinogens.
Might I add that, at least from my experience, these types of jobs are not exactly lucrative. I left social services because I felt the culture was to be a martyr in too many ways.
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Yes, I am pretty certain that is the law in Illinois. I could double check, but he isn't ready for that, either.
Unfortunately, I am taking my daughter to various activities in various parts of the state, and I think once we'd drop her off for anything, get settled someone, it'd be time to pick her up! What we have done for piano and whatnot is brought work with us. Her stuff is all for her main sport, and it's hard to fix any of that. But the rest I do think can be fixed or should be fixed. We honestly need more time at home.
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Maybe the organization that sends their employee out should also send a list of "expectations" or something to the client?
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Try not to panic. He will have to communicate with your lawyer and make his ridiculous statements to a 3rd party.
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Without a restraining order on assets, I think you’re okay with what you did. I’m not a lawyer. You need a lawyer. Nobody can make you stay married to this guy. If he doesn’t cooperate, it will go in your favor and he will have zero say over anything in the divorce.
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41 minutes ago, Indigo Blue said:
I just think my mom seems to lack true empathy that one day I will actually be old and struggling. I think about my own boys, and it makes me sad to think of them that way. My mom isn’t in pain or struggling right now. She does love to make it seem as if she’s thinking she would love to be around when I am old one day with my pile of wash cloths, pj’s, Depends, and bed….so she can say, “See, I told you so.”
It’s weird because it’s not like I am saying anything to provoke these comments. I am not.
Well, you could always respond with, "getting older is a privilege denied to many." Maybe that sounds crass, but it is so true. I do not like everything about aging, but I am glad to be here, that's for sure!
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Thank you both! I think I am going to seek out more help with writing. I wanted to add some classical writing, and I do have a good resource from a classical school. However, I probably just need a curriculum of that nature to keep us on pace. I've looked at Sabboth Mood, too, while searching around for Charlotte Mason-type stuff. We're currently reading "Eyes No Eyes" and he also has "Secrets of the Woods." He is enjoying the books, but he is also the type of kid who likes to still collect creatures. I cannot tell you how many aquariums he has set up now, lol. But I do know we should get more serious. Last year, we did TGTB, and I just didn't care for it. It had great information, but I hated reading from the book and sharing it with the kids as I was reading...
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11 hours ago, SilverMoon said:
That car time is valuable! I start with whichever kid is getting dropped off first and round on the next one after that. It's really just a "So what'd you learn in your history book today?" starter.
Maybe keep the family science and history if it's working well and give him something he can do on his own too. Science kits if he likes hands on, something on the internet that might feel more big kid, etc. I'd try asking him how he'd make those subjects better. Some kids that age will just shrug but some have really good insight. For my 7th grader it would be more mature books on the same topic. I gave him a few adult nonfiction books last year (6th) and just assigned them in him size bites. He's very much a "give me ALL the details" kid.
Thanks so much! Today has been rough. He's done two things and is avoiding us. I'm getting fed up.
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I ordered a new pair of Skechers light up shoes on Ebay. I imagine they are overstock. I've bought two pairs for my daughter, which worked great. The pair I just ordered for my son has one shoe that lights up and one that doesn't. I suppose I should return them. I've tried hitting the one shoe against the floor hard. Is there anything else I should try? I looked online. I know this is a silly question. I don't see how I could take apart the shoe...
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With my first, my in laws happened to come when they needed to re-insert my catheter since I couldn’t urinate after giving birth. That tends to leave a memory… lol. In all seriousness, maybe the mother feels too much pressure knowing family is there, even if they are not permitted in the birth or recovery rooms? She could offer ways to help support the family in other ways. Maybe the hospital time is just too stressful to even think about extended family. It’s nothing personal. Hopefully in due time, all will be well.
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37 minutes ago, Lori D. said:
Totally depends on the child:
- delays? advanced? average?
- interest level (or lack thereof 😉 ) in school and academics?
- "fit" of materials used for schooling?Also, 6th grade can be a transitional stage for the child, as pre-adolescence and hormones start to kick in -- for boys especially: brain fog, forgetting they ever had seen the material before (lol), and loads of physical energy so very restless and less inclined towards formal schooling.
All that said, if you are doing a solid 4 hours of work per day 5 days a week, you're getting 20 hours/week of concentrated learning most weeks during your school year. I know some families here are able to be more rigorous and are able to do 1 hour per grade, so in 6th grade they're doing 6 hours of schooling a day. But again, you must look at the child before you -- what is reasonable for THIS child. (We were NOT able to do about 6 hours/day until 9th/10th grade here. So YMMV.)The big picture goals for middle school (gr. 6-8) tend to be:
- solidify foundational / core subjects
- time for exploring interests
- introduce/work on study skills
- as appropriate, add some subjects (logic, typing, computer, foreign language...) to fill in for those subjects that are being finished up (spelling, grammar...)If you feel your 6th grader is not doing enough, and is *capable* of doing more, perhaps start going a bit deeper in one or more ways:
- writing = explore writing his own blog entries or creating a newspaper/newsletter or creative writing; check out Cover Story
- literature = add Figuratively Speaking or other resource for learning literary elements to prep having a few "tools" for digging deeper into lit.
- literature = add a weekly "poetry and tea" time
- science = add some hands-on activities and maybe a very occasional simple lab report -- or use a TOPS unit and answer questions on the activity
- penmanship = replace handwriting with learning/practicing typing for future papers/essaysOr, add some additional subjects:
- foreign language = add a Latin program that will work for you both
- logic = add a gentle/beginning Logic resource
- art/music/drama = start lessons in art or musical instrument or voice; join a community youth theater; once a week, use an art program
- home ec = once a week do baking/cooking/meal; a beginning personal finance resource; learn basic auto maintenance; etc.
- electives = DS choose an activity of interest: computer coding; soldering electronic kits; robotics; woodworking; etc.He’s very bright but resists a lot of a school work. I think he has other things on his mind, but I have a nagging feeling we’re not doing enough. I also worry I’m not able to support a whole lot more, with four full time learners. I am considering a writing program and extra history perhaps? I feel we did more school when we started homeschooling with Abeka and him in the 3rd grade way back when. I’m struggling now that life is more normal and not pandemic-y. Thank you for your suggestions!
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51 minutes ago, SilverMoon said:
Does he really need separate spelling and penmanship? Without knowing the kid I'd drop those little extras and make writing the primary focus. Just narration for writing could get monotonous though. An actual writing book would offer various assignments to shake it up, and make it easier for him to just do whatever is next. I like Winning With Writing for this age. If he's average for his grade you can just grab the same number book, but the covers say level rather than grade so it's easy to back up if needed.
We totally just read and discuss for 6th grade literature though. I try to keep a wide variety of authors, genres, etc.
I'm not sure why narrate and discuss are separate. We just discuss. 🤷♀️ If I recall correctly you drive a lot for extracurriculars? I drive someone to dance 5-6 days a week and that time in the car is great for distraction free discussions about their schooling.
The history and science do sound lighter than what my little two did in 6th, but maybe that's just right for yours. If he's really balking maybe some more modern books would get him more engaged. It sounds like mostly older texts, which can feel dry to a kid. 🙂
Yes, we spend a lot of time in the car! I separated discussion and narrating because I’m thinking of narration in the CM sense. I have looked at a few writing options for him and may add it. Science is a tough one for us. I was looking for something he could do with his siblings and settled on this. We do enjoy it, but I feel we should do more. Oddly enough, history is what he enjoys most. If I add the Middle Ages and Citizenship books , maybe that will suffice? He’s very bright but would much rather go pick blades of grass outside one by one than do school.
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These are so nice. Thank you for sharing!
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What are your thoughts on this "class load" for a 6th grader?
Math: Mr. D. Pre-Algebra
ELA: Daily work in vintage speller with dictation sentences/vocabulary/etc, Evan-Moor workbook on grammar and punctuation (we did MCT last year and figured we could have a lighter load), Pentime penmanship. We have only done a few writing assignments over the last four weeks of school--very sparse. We did a retelling of a fairytale and a few written narrations from science. I plan to have him do at least 1-2 written narrations each week from various subjects.
Literature: we are alternating between English Fairy Tales and Lad: A Dog. Mostly, just reading.
History: Alternating days between The Story of Canada and This Country of Ours. We narrate and discuss. Stories from the Golden Children's Bible at least 3-4 times per week.
Science: daily reading one or two lessons from a nature lore book. We narrate and discuss.
I was going to restart Latin, but I decided I didn't like the Minimus books as our main curriculum, so that is on hold. He also is in Tae Kwon Do, so that would be his athletics.
I do feel like his load is pretty light. He reads a bit on his own.
We have no other output, really. And even this is a battle. I would say we're trying to read at least 20 pages per day, and I am not sure I am hitting that. I am not great as requesting narrations because it turns into me clarifying or making sure they understand what we've read. I do have a citizenship book and middle ages history books I'd love to incorporate, but I don't know how other than having him read them. I would also like to do a review after 12 weeks or so and have an exam a la Charlotte Mason.
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Hugs! I only have four, and I find myself wishing I was loving this more. We are with our kids all the time basically, and that is very hard. I know it is a blessing, but I do believe sometimes we need time away from each other, too. I also think the more learners you have, the more spread thin you are---no matter how much you try to combine. I hope things get easier and you can catch a break!
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I've been terrified to do this. I just cannot justify the hefty price to color my hair, so what I have done is bought a color-enhancing glass that fades after a week. But if I wanted a drastic change, I'd go to the professionals.
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1 hour ago, Shoes+Ships+SealingWax said:
Could you group your daughter’s activities in such a way that you could drop her off, then you & DS go to a coffee shop or library study room to work for a solid chunk of time? I’ve encountered elite gymnastics & dance kids who practically lived at the studio - several of whom began homeschooling specifically to prioritize studio time! Their siblings either attended brick & mortar school or studied nearby with their parents while the athlete was doing their thing, then the athlete schooled in the evenings while their sibling participated in other activities. It’s an unusual dynamic but it can work!
It's really just a weekly lesson of hers that it terrible with travel time, but she sometimes goes to practice in a gym early in the morning (it's the only way to get FREE gym space for her). She's 8, so I don't really like to leave her. I'm starting to wonder if a brick and mortar school would be best for my oldest, given this situation. But then all the other things just feel like a lot to me right now. I was thinking when my son is 13, I could possibly leave him at home (that is the law in our state), but that is a whole year away.
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From what I read, the Pearl way is not to encourage playing on a blanket. It serves a different purpose. I'm not against conservative families with mindful children, but I think we are associating it with mindlessness and control.
I loved watching the Duggars when they had their series. I was glad to see the girls out of their prairie dresses. It seemed safe, happy, and loving. But it wasn't. I'm sure, though, there must be a way to achieve that without abuse and control.
Nobody here seems like a terrible parent at all. Nobody is perfect--Mrs. Duggar tried to make us think she was. We are real.
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That is usually how our things all happen, but even if we are home by mid-morning, it still throws us all off it seems. Unfortunately, even piano eats up 45 minutes in roundtrip travel time. I always try to bring something for the other kids to do, but I am not sure their focus is great. With my daughter's stuff, if we listen to something in the car, they are at least there a while to ponder a few things. I'm starting to believe this is why our society really centers a child's social life around the brick-and-mortar school, not that kids don't do things outside of school, either. But even my niece now dances competitively for her high school as opposed to a competition dance team at a studio.
Suggestions to Improve Reading Comprehension - 5th grader
in The Learning Challenges Board
Posted
Thanks very much! I do think he should be able to look back. The CM approach seems to want narrations after a single, attentive reading. I understand why, but I wonder if for kids who struggle if the rules should be bent so-to-speak as his issue isn’t just attention-based.