Thanks!

It takes a bit of time though, but math is important in my book and I'm willing to devote a lot of time to it. Dss just turned 10. They started with RS A and we began supplementing with Singapore when they were in RS B. We now use both programs fully, including Singapore Extra Practice, Intensive Practice and CWP. We'll go light for the summer though, and throw in some Life of Fred. HTH

Dss should be finished with Book 1 of this course by year's end. They won't start Book 2 until next fall. Is there a Bastien book or other piano book that would be good for them to use over the summer to practice the skills taught in Volume 1 of the Older Beginner's Course? TIA

But my prayer is to be more giving than gifted.

Dss read Fallacy Detective when they were 8 1/2 and liked it. They brought it out again a year later and LOVED it. For me, it created a great opportunity to teach about humility and discretion because dss had WAYTOO MUCH fun pointing out to people all the logical fallacies they were making in their conversations. I think 6th grade would be a good age to go into the topics in depth. The book is written in a fun, conversational style. It does not cover formal logic. From what I've seen of Critical Thinking Press materials, there is curriculum that covers both formal and informal logic. HTH

Dss took drawing/fine arts lessons at Mission Renaissance, which is a chain of art studios in Southern California. They also used the DVDs during the summers when they did not attend lessons at the studio. The "Gluck Method" is the studio's version of the classical method of imitation. Kids Art and other chains use the same method. Students are given a sample drawing. The opposite side of the page shows the drawing broken down into four steps which are essentially recognizable shapes such as circles, ovals, etc. The student follows the steps to complete the drawing. The student progresses to more difficult samples and then onto "reverse step" drawings in which the student looks at a completed drawing and breaks it down into the steps herself, by recognizing shapes. After working with pastels, the student moves on to sketching, watercolors, oils. Dss have moved on to art lessons with a professional artist who is a graduate of the Pasadena Center of Art/Design. She has commented that the one thing she notices in students that come to her from Mission Renaissance is that their drawing is very "loose". She has worked with dss on refining their drawing skills and I do see much more precision in their drawing. But of course, this could have still taken place if they stayed at Mission Renaissance. The teachers at Mission Renaissance are not all artists. Some are people with non-art backgrounds who got hired and trained my Mission Renaissance. The DVDs, I believe, have the artist as the instructor. HTH

I chose to start covering California History in 4th grade because I figured most of the docents at our field trip destinations will have developed their tours and programs for 4th graders because ps children study California history in 4th grade. Field trip opportunities are endless and one of the best ways to learn about the state. Tiny little adobes scattered throughout the state house museums that make the history come alive. If there is a mission near you, that should be a must see. We are combining Oh California! with His California Story. I like many things about His California Story, however, it contains several things that I strongly disagree with. My dss are pretty deep thinkers, though, so when we come upon the things I disagree with we discuss them. I wish I had time to go into some of the issues I saw, but I don't right now. Also, I like many things about the book and would want to cite those things to give a balanced review and that too would take up a lot of time. All this to say, if you can preview a copy before buying it, that would be a good idea. I supplement with a book called, "Practicing Law in Frontier California" which I purchased years ago in a nearby adobe/landmark/museum. Granted, it may appeal only to a niche audience, but we are having fun with it. It is an adult book, so I wouldn't just hand it to the student to read on his/her own. Another fun angle: Pirates! Yes, "thar be pirates" in California's history. With homeschooling I get to learn things that ps never taught me. Fun! Sorry for the scattered fashion of this post. HTH.

Sorry for the confusion. The K12 Human Odyssey has been mentioned in other threads as appropriate for logic stage/middle school so I'm looking into it. Thanks!

Is Human Odyssey suitable for outlining by logic stage students? Dss start 5th grade next year and I want to follow the WTM suggestions re: outlining a history encyclopedia, but Human Odyssey sounds like it will appeal to dss more than the Kingfisher history encyclopedia will. Are any of your logic stage students outlining Human Odyssey? TIA.

times the number of lessons, and that's your total. You don't need to supplement, but you can add in BOB style books and guide your son in using what he learns when you read picture books together and you come to a simply word that he can try to sound out. We did Phonics Pathways orally because dss were ready for it before their penmanship was, so I don't know if writing adds reinforcement. After PP we used Pyramids from the same author. That really cemented things. I can't say enough good things about Phonics Pathways. When dss sees a copy of it they ask me fondly, "Do you remember Dewey? And Kiwi?" Those silly characters live on in their memories. HTH

I agree that creative writing should never be forced on a child. KarenAnne makes some excellent points, though. Why not test the waters by offering a few creative writing assignments with guidance and suggestions about how to get started? How many of our children have rewritten a tale or fable using the classical method of imitation and have put their own creative spin on it? Quite a few, I'd guess. That's creative writing, in my opinion. Yes, few of us will produce works of creative writing in our professions, but does that mean our work won't benefit from the skills and enlarged perspective that comes from a foray into the world of creative writing? Creative writing gives the student an opportunity to use that expansive vocabulary he/she has developed and it hones the use of literary devices that bring a subtle enhancement to academic writing. Creative writing can foster creative thinking, and that's something that can benefit every profession. It is true that in twenty years of practicing law I never had to write creatively, but I believe that dabbling in creative writing brought a nuance to my writing that wouldn't have been there otherwise. jmho

Thanks.

And now we eagerly await the "Sable Quean" with gratitude to you! I didn't know there was a new book coming out. Bless you my friend! My thanks to Rhonda and Mungo as well for the other great suggestions. I re-posted this as a new thread to make sure you'd see this and know how much I appreciate you.

And now we eagerly await the "Sable Quean" with gratitude to you! I didn't know there was a new book coming out. Bless you my friend! My thanks to Rhonda and Mungo as well for the other great suggestions.

Dss 9 are just about to finish the final Redwall book. They loved those books. I feel as though I know all the characters even though I've never read the books. When dss talk about the various characters they do so in the characters' dialects, based on the written dialogue alone, so the books have obviously come alive for then. What books would you recommend? TIA!

I too discovered it too late to use for the recommended ages but have modified it to use for older children. Basically, I have used the structure of the book and discussion points and its philosophy of teaching the interconnections of the different strands of science. The next volume is due out this summer. It will be more age appropriate for my dss. You are lucky to have found BFOSU early in your daughters education. It sounds like it will serve you well.

my understanding is that it encourages group discussion by the students to help them develop critical thinking skills and the ability to work in teams. Ideally, it should lead to building connections of knowledge from different areas of science and from real life experience so that the knowledge has a structure. It should lead to some of those "aha!" moments and it is from such insights and deeper learning that students will experience the real joy of learning. I'm not quite sure what kind of questions to ask to prompt the right kind of discussion and guide it in a fruitful direction, though, so I guess I'm trying to "seminar" with all of you right here to benefit from a group discussion. HTH.

Pages 28 and 29 of BFSU discuss the use of small group discussions, which is referred to as "seminaring" in NEE. Both descriptions motivate me to want to use this method and I'm hoping to hear from those who have tried it, especially with older kids since Volume 2 (Grades 3-5) of BFSU isn't due out until around June.

I've been pondering this approach after reading about it in Dr. Bernard Nebel's books ("Nebel's Elementary Education" and "Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding") and would like to hear from anyone who has used seminaring, particularly in science. I would like to use this approach with a group of 10-11 year olds. If you use this approach, could you describe a typically seminar session? TIA. :001_smile:

The curriculum guide from the Reagan Library: http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/education/For%20Educators/MagnaCartaCurriculumGuide.pdf The library books we read: Magna Carta by C. Walter Hodges Magna Carta by William Henry Swindler Sorry to take so long to respond. Happy New Year!

We studied it when it was on display at the Ronald Reagan Library. We used a study outline that was on the Library's website and read some great library books. Dss were excited when they saw the manuscript and were able to recognize some Latin words. If I have time I will look for the website link and find the names of the books to post. Today is a busy day for us. Merry Christmas!

Don't give in. You are not alone. :001_smile:

Can the Shurley Grammar songs and chants be used along side other grammar programs? Which level has the songs/chants CD? TIA.

and that has provided us with the like minded associations we had been looking for. It is a welcome addition to our homeschooling. :001_smile:

They have been a hit here. The games are listed by topic, in order of complexity, so it will be easy to find something that will reinforce what your all-boy boys are learning.