Jump to content

Menu

miracleone

Members
  • Posts

    417
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by miracleone

  1. I need a history that is not so parent intensive yet very interesting for my auditory learner.  She could also use some writing practice.  I thought of VP self paced history but don't want to spend $249.  We did MOH Vol 1 this year with me doing all the reading but I think it is not too interesting for my child.  She didn't want to do the projects suggested in the book either.  Please help.  Thank you.

  2. Bible:  Awana and YouVersion devotions (with mom)

     

    Math:  Math Mammoth (first time to use it because Excel Math has retired.)

     

    Science:  Outsource, possibly using Real Science for Kids

     

    History:  MOH1

     

    Language Arts:  JAG grammar and Mechanics

    Writing:  Still unsure if IEW is a good fit (she doesn't like SWI-A so far but we're not giving up yet) - Any suggestions for an easy to teach writing curriculum?

    Vocabulary:  Caesar English and Vocabulary cartoons, reading books

    Spelling:  Moby Max Spelling 

     

    Electives:  piano and acting classes

     

     

     

    • Like 1
  3. I need help selecting the right grammar program for my 9 year old.  She's very articulate, can tell good stories and have great retention when she has to retell her stories or facts, but when it comes to writing she is not very enthused about it.  She's also a reluctant reader.

     

    She's 3rd grade and we're using FLL2  and we are going to do FLL3 soon.  I need something for next year and don't know if I should stick with FLL4 or try something different to avoid burnout.  These are the ones I am looking at but I am still undecided. 

     

    Junior Analytical Grammar and Mechanics

     

    Fix It (The Nose Tree)

     

    For writing:  We're currently using WWE2 and I just ordered WWE3.  I don't think I will go beyond 3 and would like suggestions on which writing program to use that will be easy for me to teach. 

     

    Spelling:  Currently we're in SpellWell Aa and we have SpellWell B and Bb.  I don't know if she's learning anything or retaining what she is learning as her spelling is really bad. (Example:  goat is goet, visited is visted, engine is engin, great is gret, auto is otow, wait is wate, trouble is truball...)    I would appreciate knowing what to use to teach her but something NOT too difficult to use would be great.

     

    Thank you so much for your advice.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  4. Every study done on spelling shows that every type of spelling curricula and method studied did not improve student everyday spelling.

     

    The students that NEED a spelling curricula the most are the least likely to improve from using one.

     

    There are natural spellers just like there are natural gymnasts. At this blip in history, a LOT of attention is given to spelling. Much more so than gymnastics. That hasn't always been the case. So, okay, we live in THIS blip, right, and I need to stop with the theory bullpoop and give some concrete advice, right? :grouphug:

     

    Do choose a curricula that you can afford both the time and money. Do not overextend yourself in something with so little chance of payback. Get a little something. Spend a little time on it. Do not make it a hill to die on. 

     

    If I'm not sure the student has learned basic phonics, copying and talking about Alpha-Phonics is where I start and do it pretty stealthily by using the copywork as intensive handwriting practice and adding grammar lessons in as we go.

     

    Alpha-Phonics is free now. May Sam, my hero, rest in peace.

    http://blumenfeld.campconstitution.net/

     

    I prefer to teach Spalding manuscript and cursive because I had so many lefties thrown at me when I needed to choose my default style to teach, but Don Potter has written excellent slanted traditional cursive lessons for Alpha-Phonics. And quite a bit of other support, too.

    http://www.donpotter.net/reading_clinic.html

     

    If the student has prefect handwriting and knows their phonics and still cannot spell, ME, we are talking about me, I'm just not going to stress over it, and give spelling maybe 10 minutes a day and a maximum of $20.00 and probably not even that.

     

    Good luck!

    That was a well thought out answer.  I have Alphaphonics and we're actually still using it for reading.  I never thought about using it for copywork  but I am going to start with that and do reviews while I wait for the Spellwell to come. 

    • Like 1
  5. Help!  My dd8 (almost 9) is using Spelling Workout B but her spelling is horrible.  Last year, we tried Sequential Spelling and she didn't like it.  I don't expect perfection but she doesn't seem to retain what she is doing with Spelling workout book.   Is there a non-parent intensive spelling program that will work for her?  Thank you so much!

  6. I ordered the Visualize World Geography for my children to use.  I heard some videos are corny but they saw the sample lesson online and seemed to be ok with it.  I am thinking of getting another curriculum, maybe, Mapping the World with Art to go with it.  Still checking the latter one out.  I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.

     

     

  7. Hello.  We're just finishing up with HOD Missions to Modern Marvels this year after doing 4 years of HOD.  It's been great considering that everything we need was in a box and we just changed the language arts and do our own math.  For 9th grade, my daughter does not want to do Heart of Dakota again so I am not sure what to use.  Can you kindly share what you're doing for your 9th grader, what subjects you're covering and what curriculum you're using.  If you're doing geography, what curriculum will you be using.  This will greatly help me.  Thank you.

  8. My daughter is in a Write Shop class 2 and they will be finished this May.  She did IEW with CC Essentials one year and IEW Medieval Writing at home last year.  I need recommendations for the next writing curriculum for her.  I really like the WS class she's in because the teacher corrected her papers and gave her grades. 

     

    I am looking for the same thing where I don't have to be the one to edit her papers.  Can you recommend a good writing program that does that?  She likes to write.  If they are online or available through dvds, kindly recommend and tell me why you like it.  This will be so helpful!  Thank you.

  9. Can someone recommend a fun science for 2nd grade?  My daughter is in 1st grade and we're just reading a bunch of books right now about different topics but have no formal science.  I need something easy to implement yet interesting for her.  She likes to have experiments.   These are the ones I am considering.  Do I have to get supplemental books and materials for these? 

     

    R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (either Life, or Earth & Space)

    Elemental Science

     

    Let me know your experience with them and if you can recommend something else.  Thank you.

     

     

  10. I used an eclectic approach when I started homeschooling and we also did CC but what really helped me was switching to HOD at 5th grade and it's been a great fit for my daughter.  She's now using the RevtoRev and next year will go to MtM.  I am very happy with it.  Now for my 2nd grader, I had a bit of trouble with BLHFHG just because I wasn't crazy about their science and other minor subjects.  The history was ok but not great for us either so we switched to Abeka social studies plus lots of library books to supplement the history topics.  Same thing with Science. 

     

    • Like 1
  11. I have a rising 7th grader as well.  We will be using HOD Revival to Revolution. 

     

    Language Arts :  Caesar English 2, Analytical Grammar, Write Shop 2, lots of reading from HOD list and classical literature

     

    Math:  this is my dilemma right now.  We've used CLE up to 6th grade.  My daughter likes it but I am just not sure if it's thorough enough.  For those using CLE 700, why do you feel a need to supplement? 

     

    What is Aops?  Is this an online class?  Do you have the link to their website?  I am looking for help in teaching Math because it's not my strong subject and I would rather have someone else teach it. 

     

    Any expert advice from you all will be appreciated.  Thank you!

     

     

  12. The Inventors Study is separate and has it's own notebooking pages. You could choose not to do it. Personally, I do not think the Exploration Education is "meaty" enough. But, my boys did enjoy it. It is a very hands on program, with a lot of projects. That part did appeal to me. AND, science was getting done...and w/out much help from me. That was a plus. wink.gif We did not end up continuing the Inventor Study though it is very good. HTH

     

    HI Sue,  which EE kit did you get, the advanced or the standard?  Thank you.

  13. Now this sounds like just being 11. ;- ) I've got one of those. The fact that she sat down to play of her own volition and enjoyed tells you a lot. I'm sure she still loves piano and that once you get going again consistently with a teacher she'll get the motivation back. Even as an adult I need someone to report to to motivate me to do some things. Hang in there!

     

    Sara, thank you so much!  DD goes back to teacher #1 on Thursday.  

  14. She's had a few weeks off right? I find that my kids aren't very engaged after they have more than an extra week off. I might warn the teacher she's a little nervous about coming back and is feeling lethargic about the whole thing, and see how things roll once she gets back into a lesson/practice routine. Since the teacher called you directly, I'm sure she'll be sensitive! :)

    Thank you so much!  I appreciate you taking the time to respond.  DD finally got on the piano tonight and played for half hour.  She was actually proud of herself when she was done.  So there's hope afterall...

  15. Hi, I'm back and this time with a different issue.  Please be patient with me.  I am feeling quite frustrated already.  So we casually mentioned to dd11 that we're going back to teacher #1.  She didn't say anything negative but she didn't look happy either.  She is still refusing to practice and saying that it's boring.  She doesn't want to quit piano but doesn't have any motivation to practice.  Arrggggg!  (I am venting so please be kind with your comments.  Thank you.)

  16. A student - teacher bond is very important. You work with your teacher one on one for years and to be overtaken by negative feelings, or being nervous and uncomfortable isn't conducive to learning. Unskilled teacher is a waste if money, so yea, you are in a tough spot. I would stay with teacher number 1 for now, but I would be actively looking for a new teacher that will be a good personality match for her.

    I understand what you're saying.  I think teacher #2 might be a good match in personality but again, it's hard to tell when we only tried her once.  DD is not uncomfortable, but she probably would prefer someone who is more cheerful and have a sweet disposition.  You're right, I am in a tough spot.  

  17. Is there not a teacher #3? Teacher 1 has too many negatives and teacher 2 may not know enough for your DD's level. Sounds like you still need to shop around.

    There were teacher #3 and #4 but I already ruled them out.  I thought teacher #3 would be great because she was the most cheerful and enthusiastic person out of the 4 but found out later from other parents who use her that she is passive-aggressive and they don't trust her with their kids and have to sit in during the lessons all the time.  Teacher #4 didn't feel right for us - personality wise.  

     

    Thank you for all your responses.  I am still pondering on everything said here and appreciate your input.  

×
×
  • Create New...