Colleen in SEVA
-
Posts
782 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by Colleen in SEVA
-
-
Aside from cheering for the VA homeschool girl from my local area (a 14 yo there for her last chance at a win, she and her sister have won our local bee multiple times) and the VA homeschool girl who is the youngest contestant ever (a 6 yo homeschool girl who is soooo cute), should I also be cheering for any sons or daughters of hive members?
-
Sometimes I daydream about sending him to PS, just to see what they would do with him. :)
I am so thankful I have my DH to be DS's voice. They just think SO differently, and approach problems from such a different angle. I know DS will be great in whatever path he chooses in life, I'm just struggling with how to help him get started on it! :(
-
(Cross posted on the general forum, but I'd love the input from this board as well)
I tried to write a post with all of the details, but it was too complicated to try to explain.
Basically... my 8 yo DS learns and thinks in a completely different way than I do. The former classroom teacher in me assumed it was various learning disabilities, but extensive testing showed that is not the case (actually, the testing showed that he has numbers that would qualify him for the Davidson Young Scholars program, but that is not a path we have chosen to travel at this time).
When I try to explain something to him, I usually just end up confusing him. My wonderful DH (who thinks/learns similarly to this DS) often can "translate" things for me, but he is not home during school hours. Up to this point, my strategy has been to stay out of his way and let him learn on his own. This has worked... I suppose (his reading and math levels are great)... but he is spending less than 30 minutes per day on school work and I'm trying to figure out how to ramp things up for next school year.
He has enjoyed several fun co-op classes (newspaper, chess, etc) and I am considering a few online class options for him. When I look at my plans for him for next year, I will not actually be teaching him ANYTHING. I am conflicted about this. On one hand, it doesn't seem right that I am handing off ALL of his education to various other people. On the other hand, I don't feel like I can best teach him (and yet I am willing to hand this over to people I've never met???).
Please help me think this through! I don't have peace about my plans for next year for this kid, but I also can't really think of a better plan.
FYI: If I let this particular DS choose what to do, he would play Yugioh and Minecraft all day. He is not motivated enough at this stage to be a completely independent learner.
__________________
-
I tried to write a post with all of the details, but it was too complicated to try to explain. :)
Basically... my 8 yo DS learns and thinks in a completely different way than I do. The former classroom teacher in me assumed it was various learning disabilities, but extensive testing showed that is not the case (actually, the testing showed that he has numbers that would qualify him for the Davidson Young Scholars program, but that is not a path we have chosen to travel at this time).
When I try to explain something to him, I usually just end up confusing him. :( My wonderful DH (who thinks/learns similarly to this DS) often can "translate" things for me, but he is not home during school hours. Up to this point, my strategy has been to stay out of his way and let him learn on his own. This has worked... I suppose (his reading and math levels are great)... but he is spending less than 30 minutes per day on school work and I'm trying to figure out how to ramp things up for next school year.
He has enjoyed several fun co-op classes (newspaper, chess, etc) and I am considering a few online class options for him. When I look at my plans for him for next year, I will not actually be teaching him ANYTHING. I am conflicted about this. On one hand, it doesn't seem right that I am handing off ALL of his education to various other people. On the other hand, I don't feel like I can best teach him (and yet I am willing to hand this over to people I've never met???).
Please help me think this through! I don't have peace about my plans for next year for this kid, but I also can't really think of a better plan.
FYI: If I let this particular DS choose what to do, he would play Yugioh and Minecraft all day. He is not motivated enough at this stage to be a completely independent learner.
-
That auction site looks amazing, I wish there was something like that near me.
If you click on Browse, you can choose to only look at items from Alberta.
-
If you are willing to drive to MD to pick it up (or pay to move it), there is a mobile classroom at auction on this site for $2.25 (not a typo).
http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/auction/view?auc=727284
There are several other buildings listed there -- definitely worth watching for one closer! :)
-
I know someone who purchased a no-longer-used mobile classroom from the school system for $500 at an auction -- complete with a bathroom, light fixtures, flooring, etc. When school systems are finished with the mobile classrooms (they only last a few years), they sell them at auction for super cheap. The one that I mentioned above even included a BUNCH of old book cases and desks.
I don't recall the website she used, but it would be worth calling your local school system to see what they do with their mobile classrooms when they replace them with new ones!
And be sure to check your zoning laws.
-
I let my oldest DS choose which grammar program he would like to continue with (among 3 that I approved of), and he chose Hake. His comment: "It seems like this one will be a little bit more work each day, but I know how much doing the daily review in Saxon math helped me, so I bet this will be the same." :D:D
When I looked at the scope and sequence, all 4 levels seemed essentially the same. When I compared the tables of contents, it seems that each level starts at the beginning.
If he has already completed FLL3 and MCT Grammar Island/Town/Voyage, will he be fine to start with Hake 6? It seems like there are a couple of things in Hake 5 he hasn't covered, but he will get these things in 6, right?
My gut says go with Hake 6, but I need someone's permission. :) :) Or -- should I go with 5 to be absolutely sure he doesn't miss anything, even though it's below grade level? Or -- should I use Hake 7, since all of the info from 5 & 6 will be reviewed, and he has a firm grasp on basic grammar (but not punctuation)?
-
:)
Marking my spot so I remember to come back and read & reply.
-
-
I definitely vote for "good." :)
It would be completely independent for a 7th grader, other than a brief discussion once a week or so (there are notes for the parent, along with answers to the questions). It would probably take a 7th grader 20 minutes on each of the lesson days, and 20-40 on a lab day each week. On the 4th day, I have my DS look up one of the topics from that week (his choice) in the Usborne I-L Science Encyclopedia, go to the online links, then write a narration to add to his notebook along with the written answers to the questions in the book.
I wouldn't call the text engaging. The reading sections are short and to the point (2-5 pages), with a little bit of goofy added in.
The kit is COMPLETE (and this single fact is what sold me on the program), all you add is a gallon of distilled water at the beginning of the school year. It even includes a Sharpie for labeling things, an ice cube tray for labs that require ice, and a ruler. There is a "map" included that tells you where in the kit to find the item you need for each lab.
A science minded 4th grader could definitely tag along!
Other things I like about it: It does not require a lot of writing, there is a lab every single week that my DS can do 100% on his own, and it is not hard to adapt for our secular family. Meaning -- when it says "God created humans to be inquisitive," my son realizes that is how the author views it, and that the information and scientific principles are the same whether credit is given to God or evolution.
-
-
Do you subscribe to this philosophy of education? What do you think of this paragraph, in particular
I pretty much believe the exact opposite of their philosophy. :D I provide opportunities for my kids to read at an early age (read: I do not PUSH them to read early, but if they WANT to, I am happy to oblige). I do not have the time, energy, or willingness to read to all of my children until they are 14. How in the world is that even possible?!? My kids have such varied interests!!! I would be doing nothing all day BUT reading to them.
My oldest was reading Bob Books at 2, easy chapter books at 3, Harry Potter at 4 (my other children were not reading THIS young). He now reads several books per week (I stopped keeping track after second grade, but he read 160 books that school year). He does not have ANY eye trouble at all. Only allowing him to read for 15 minutes a day would be torture for him, and I can NOT see why someone would suggest doing that.
For my kids, learning to read early has opened up the entire world to them. Whatever they want to learn about, they can find a book, or look in the encyclopedia, or do an online search. There are not enough hours in the day for me to look all of this up for them, nor would I even want to. Every time they open up an encyclopedia to answer one question they have, they read for several pages which usually leads to all sorts of fun rabbit trails. If they had to rely on ME to look up information for them, they would only have the answer to that one question.
I am thankful that we homeschool, and that each family can decide which path is right for them. In my family, we have chosen the "better early than late" path for reading, and I am VERY HAPPY with the results.
-
-
Welcome to the 5 boys club! :):party:
-
Rainbow Science will be re-usable, so divide the price by 5. :) You're welcome. ;) ;)
-
Moderator (or anyone else in the know):
Do you agree with these directions from Hampton Roads, coming up I-64?
Thank you!!
9. Take exit 242A to merge onto VA-199 W/Humelsine Pkwy W toward Williamsburg/Jamestown
5.9 mi
10. Turn left onto VA-5 W/John Tyler Hwy
5.1 mi
11. Turn left to stay on VA-5 W/John Tyler Hwy Continue to follow VA-5 W
7.1 mi
12. Turn right onto State Route 623/Wilcox Neck Rd
5.1 mi
13. Continue onto State Route 615/The Glebe Ln Destination will be on the left
2.4 mi
18101 The Glebe LnCharles City, VA 23030
-
When you do directions, it's about double the miles since it's such a round about way to get to the farm.
At least, that's what I'm getting...
ACK!! 29 miles, 43 minutes to that Residence Inn. Sigh. It's only 66 miles, 89 minutes from my house to the PHP address.
-
I am using Rainbow Science for my oldest right now because he can do it completely on his own. There is a teacher discussion guide that gives a short list of the main points of the lesson so we can discuss it. The reading is short and to the point, at first I hesitated to get it because there are only about 4 pages per week that he had to read in the text, but the general opinion of the boards seems to be that it still covers everything.
There are 3 lessons per week. Day 1 is a short reading assignment and 2-5 short questions to answer. I also have DS look up all of the vocab and write definitions, he spends about 20 minutes total. Day 2 is the same for another section. Day 3 is a lab and filling in lab sheets (where more learning takes place) and takes 15-45 minutes depending on the lab. On Day 4, I have him look up something that he covered that week in a science encyclopedia and do a short write up.
From what I have read on the boards, it does cover everything needed before high school level science in the entire 2 year program. It isn't as rigorous as some other things we looked at, HOWEVER -- this is the FIRST time I have ever been able to use something as intended for my DS without having to adapt the output level. It is perfect for where he is at right now, and I am trusting the other moms that he will be ready for a rigorous high school level study after its completion.
It is not secular, but it still presents actual science (unlike some other religious sciences). For example -- when it says "Humans are designed to be inquisitive" my DS just translates that into "Humans have evolved to be inquisitive."
The absolute BEST aspect of the program (and honestly, the reason I decided to try it despite my hesitations about the religious content and the light reading) is that it includes every. single. thing. needed for labs, including an ice cube tray, masking tape, sharpie pen, etc. You buy a gallon of distilled water at the beginning of the year, and don't have to worry about it again.
If your DSs are used to working as lab partners, it would be fine to get one kit and let them do it together. You will want a separate lab book for each, though. They could probably share the text, each taking a 10 minute turn to do the reading. You will be able to save the whole thing for your younger boys, they sell a consumable kit that includes additional materials that were consumed the first time around.
In short: It is VERY large-family-friendly, it does prepare students for high school level science, and can be used in secular families who are willing to overlook author bias.
-
I am coming, and I am NOT bringing any children. :D
I haven't made a room reservation yet, but I see there is a Residence Inn 12 miles away. Does anyone want to share a room (either one that you have reserved or I can make a reservation)?
-
There are 3 principal parts in English (the first 2 PP of Latin - infinitive and first person present - are usually the same in English), but not Spanish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal_parts
In Spanish, verbs are traditionally held to have only one principal part, the infinitive, by which one can classify the verb into one of three conjugation paradigms (according to the ending of the infinitive, which may be -ar, -er or -ir). However, some scholars believe that the conjugation could be regularized by adding another principal part to vowel-alternating verbs, which shows the alternation. For example, herir "to hurt" is usually considered irregular because its conjugation contains forms like hiero "I hurt", hieres "you hurt", where the vowel in the root changes into a diphthong. However, by including the first person singular, present tense, indicative mood form (hiero) as a principal part, and noting that the diphthong appears only when that syllable is stressed, the conjugation of herir becomes completely predictable.Interesting side note: They are prinicpal parts, not principle parts, which I only discovered just now when my search for principle parts was redirected. I pulled out DS's Latin book to confirm, and they are called principAL parts in the book that we have been using for 2 years and I never noticed. Strange, anyone know why? PrincipLE makes more sense to me.
-
We have hit a road-block in math. HUGE.
...
My issue is this is NOT a child who likes "discovering" how to do something. He does not like too much of a challenge and will absolutely shut down. He wants to be TOLD how and why, then apply.
...
And then, there is the fact he's 12, and can't remember to put the burrito that he didn't finish away before going to bed (among other things)
We went through this a few months ago with my oldest. Sigh. In our case it wasn't completely his fault -- I had to hand over his schooling to someone else during cancer treatment and they could not effectively teach him math, so I figured he could just take a few months off since he was so far ahead in math. In hind sight that was a bad idea. When we started up math again he was going through that "brain fog" stage. He told me he couldn't remember how to add fractions, and had never learned how to multiply fractions. The fact that he had completed Singapore 1-6, LoF Fractions, Key To Fractions, MUS Fractions mattered not.
I first had him go through the Teaching Company Basic Math series (which was really old and they don't sell anymore, I bought it used) and that reminded him HOW to do the things he had forgotten, but he wasn't confident (still had to stop and think if he had to change the denominator or not). So I went to the dark side (tee hee) and had him go through a full level of Saxon. He took the placement test and scored into Algebra 1/2, but I backed him up to level 7/6 because it spent more time covering the things he needed practice on. My plan worked! After practicing with fractions every single day for months, he is back to the point where he can answer problems quickly and confidently. He can get through a lesson in about 30 minutes if he isn't distracted.
Since this was all review/practice for him, I still continued forward in his Algebra book but at a MUCH slower pace. He spends about 20 minutes on Algebra and 30-60 minutes on Saxon per day (depeding on distraction level... as I type this he is twisting a paper clip around his pencil).
I know most people don't like Saxon (and it isn't my long term plan for this child), but it was exactly what he needed the last few months. I just thought I would throw another option out there for you. :)
-
Well, I live with 6 males but they all sit (no mess!!). Our guests do NOT sit, so I actually have to clean AFTER we have guests because my kids are grossed out by the drips that guests leave behind. :eek:
Our downstairs toilet (used by kids and guests) is cleaned once a week by my son who loves cleaning toilets.
I only use the bathroom off my master bedroom (locking door, peace and quiet!), and it gets cleaned every 2 weeks.
-
Saxon... Dolciani... Singapore...
It seemed to me that Singapore textbooks are aimed at future engineers whereas Dolciani textbooks are aimed at future mathematicians...
Does that help?
Nan
I helps me! :D My oldest is using Saxon this year as a "gap filler" to increase his speed, confidence, and automaticity, but I do not want to use it beyond that. I am trying to decide what to use for Algebra, and your explanation makes sense to me.
Are there any hive babies in the National Spelling Bee?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted