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abrightmom

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Everything posted by abrightmom

  1. Oh yes, I've seen these classes. He would likely enjoy a Minecraft class that doesn't require coding! Thanks for putting that in front of me. I'll show it to him and just see how he responds ....
  2. Agreed and I truly have no problem with it. I'm pretty flexible with books ..... I've relaxed a lot. :coolgleamA: He's a puzzle. :ph34r: I'm truly grateful for all of the input! There has been a gracious sharing of food for thought, ideas, possibilities and I'm mulling it all over.
  3. My oldest son is doing a Minecraft class and he is nuts about it! Younger DS plays Minecraft but has a difficult time getting into the Minecraft handbooks. He is SO intimidated by the classes because they involve coding. He simply does NOT get coding. He WANTS to like Scratch but he tells me that he doesn't understand it. He feels embarrassed about it too .... I'm trying to figure out a way to help him get into Scratch. A class or tutorial or book that will walk him through step by step. He does really enjoy Minecraft but depends on his older brother to walk him through how to do stuff ....
  4. No. And I am befuddled and even a bit embarrassed about posting...I'm a bother! He will read through books he is gripped by such as Percy Jackson stories or Gregor the Overlander. But, he misses what I consider obvious things like directions within a workbook or basic story lines. He CAN narrate to me and he often does quite well with basic narrations but he misses subtleties and he does NOT understand MOST books he begins. If the storyline isn't gripping to him he is lost in it. It isn't simply boredom as far as I can tell but it's possible that what he says he doesn't understand is REALLY boredom. I just don't know... The fact that he WANTS to like more books is hard for me to decipher as well. He is truly envious of his siblings who LOVE to read all sorts of books. He wants to like more than he does and he wants to "get" more than he does .... He has these struggles within math also. Math is TOUGH for him. I work HARD to keep him moving forward in math... He's in a bit of a fog all the time and it's just enough of a fog to keep him frustrated. I wonder if understanding more about reading comprehension and the different aspects of it will help me to pinpoint what he is having trouble with. It's so hard to know what to do. He HAS to read. There's no question about that. And, he has to read more than twaddle :) because school work requires reading. He IS a good reader in that he has a great grasp of phonics and spelling. But, what he reads isn't always clicking with him and I just don't know why. I keep hoping he'll just get over this hump and that maybe if I pull him along a bit that will help. :coolgleamA:
  5. This would work for us. I did a bit of research but I'm fuzzy on the details. Is there more than one type of Woodcock-Johnson test? Any tips on how I could go about finding a person in my area that would administer a test? What kind of doctor or clinic am I looking for? If there is an area of weakness that is bogging him down and we could do something about it that would be wonderful. Even if it just takes the edge off of reading disdain .... And he certainly has his strengths too and that might boost his confidence to see it on paper and/or hear it from a professional. He really likes to read when he's into a book. He feels jealous of his older brother and younger sister who read everything. He is often frustrated that he doesn't have a book to read. "Buddy, you have access to thousands of books!! You just won't read them!"
  6. Good point. I looked over his test. It was TN2/CAT 6 Survey with Plus. His National Percentile Rank was 64 but his Grade Equivalent was 4.6. He was at end of 3rd at the time. In looking over the summary he made an error in each area. No one thing stands out. Maybe it wasn't such an awful score. Just lower than I'd prefer. And we all have weaknesses. 😀 I expect to have to work on strengthening weak areas but it's not easy to pinpoint the real issue. And I don't always know what is a worry and what isn't. So many struggles iron out over time. But then sometimes they don't and we Mamas want to the right thing by our kids!
  7. Mom instinct says he CAN read and understand if he wants to but because he finds most books BORING he won't. He does say he doesn't understand stuff ..... It IS hard to tell. I've let it ride the past year in hopes he will mature but it has been nagging me hard and I feel the need to talk about it. When he finds a book he LOvES (Gregor the Overlander and Percy Jackson -- that is the series I couldn't remember) he reads like a fiend!! Yes, he can discuss read alouds. He prefers to read the end of the book and just find out how it ends. He doesn't have the patience with any book that isn't a thrill ride. This is why I am not confident moving forward with any curriculum or testing because I'm not really sure what he is dealing with. It could just be immaturity and character issues. We do have to push this kid .... Anything that is a teensy bit hard results in protest. He wants the easy road and he is a fighter. 😜 I have wondered if he is a late bloomer in this area and that with some maturity will come a willingness to read?
  8. Do programs like this help or are they busywork? He'd hate having to do them but if they are needed I'd require we do it together. http://classicalacademicpress.com/beginning-reasoning-reading/#.VZ6Fw-t7Dat http://www.prufrock.com/Jacobs-Ladder-Reading-Comprehension-Program-Level-2-Grades-4-5-P353.aspx http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/003427
  9. DS11 HATES to read most things and he always says that he doesn't understand what he's reading or he doesn't find it interesting. I have tried: All levels of reading (here, this chapter book isn't too long and there is a lot of white space on the page. Try it!). Giving him umpteen lists to choose from; drawing him into the choosing process. Gobs of graphic novels and comic style books (Calvin & Hobbes live at our house, Asterix has grown in popularity). All genres. Incentives. He'd be content to stop reading and math at this level and somehow he'd get through life. :laugh: The ONLY books he has wanted to read in the past half year include the series Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins and there was one other but I don't remember. He did some Kindle reading but only read bits and pieces of things. He won't finish stuff because it's BORING. Redwall - no. Narnia - no. Awesome, stand alone chapter books - no. Missionary stories - no. Historical fiction - no. Non-fiction - no. My kids play Minecraft and watch some TV in fits and starts. If they were doing it daily for hours and hours I'd be worried. However, my DS12 loves the screen, has addictive tendencies and he is an AVID reader. Reads books from all genres, all levels, any topic and will work for a book because he wants to see how it will end. DS11 is a rising 5th grader and so is a grade level *behind* (which I think is baloney but it does cause me to worry because he is OLDER for his grade level and has such a hard time wanting to read any books at his grade level). At the end of 3rd grade he had to take the standardized tests and his reading scores were the lowest of all. He *passed* but they were in the upper 60's or low 70's. I can't remember the name of the test portion he struggled with but it was in the area of comprehension and I wasn't surprised at all based on his struggles at home. I don't believe we've made any strides in this area over the past year and his disdain for reading has grown. He FIGHTS us tooth and nail over it. **He is a very good reader and speller though. I see nothing alarming other than the poor comprehension and disdain. I clearly remember SWB saying that I must do all I can to move his reading level forward at this stage. He is an OLDER 5th grader this fall and the boy needs to read for most subjects. It's not optional. I don't care at all if he consumes Calvin or Asterix at bedtime but I need the boy to read and understand. He also dislikes audiobooks unless it's Odyssey. He DID enjoy the BFG Audiobook. Like eye reading I'd have to require him to listen. He isn't more motivated by audiobooks. ******* Do I need to worry about this? I AM worried. Do I need to DO anything about this? Should I give him some reading tests/screening? Use a special curriculum designed to help kids with comprehension? I despise most reading programs (except CLE which I adore) because of the mindless and endless "comprehension" questions. THAT approach would seal his coffin. He needs glasses for reading but there is nothing going on that leads me to believe he needs a special eye exam. I perused the COVD Website lists and other than poor reading comprehension he has none of the symptoms. The ONE thing we have resorted to this summer is requiring him to read FIVE chapter books. He wouldn't choose so I chose them off of a 4th grade(!!!!) reading list. He has to set a timer for a measly 15 minutes a day. The meanness and horribleness of this is not lost on him. What loving parent would REQUIRE their child to READ for 15 minutes a day? :glare:
  10. We signed him up for the Youth Digital Server Design course. There was a sale but it wasn't 50%off. HSBC had the MOD Design for half off but he wanted the Server Design. He loves it! They do answer questions quickly and so far I am impressed with the professionalism. He will want take more classes when he is done and he is getting more screen time because he is learning rather than just playing. 😀 Happy son.
  11. Chatting with myself ..... Rod & Staff English is winning and I think it will mesh well. It is easy to do the work orally and on a whiteboard so there isn't writing overkill. Now to decide on placement in Rod and Staff and whether or not to study spelling....
  12. BJU sounds like what I've been trying to replicate. Still waiting to hear on the 5th grade TM. Two levels of BJU at full price will blow my budget. We are paying tuition for our oldest this year so I'm doing more to cut expenses. I've been blessed with a generous budget. DS still doesn't grasp multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, 1000 etc. I asked him yesterday what 23x100 is and he paused for 30 seconds or so before coming up with the right answer. WE have gone over this so many times and for a good long while (year or more). I think that even place value is sketchy for him. MATH!!!! :banghead: Math U See is a program that I think would work for this DS. I nearly purchased it recently. The blocks REALLY help and I think they unlock the whys for kids (and some Moms). The mantra he uses in the earlier levels of Build It, Say It, Write It (or something close to that) would help my son. He thrives on VERY CLEAR direction. You almost have to literally point out what is RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM in math (or reading. Wow, reading is another area of serious difficulty. ) I'm afraid to shift to MUS this late in the math game though. But, he does SO MUCH BETTER when he can SEE the concepts. He's very hands on and concrete still. He's easily overwhelmed also and I've wondered if the slower, less intense pace of MUS would work for him with a repeat of Algebra in 9th grade. So, he'd do Epsilon 5th, Zeta 6th, Pre-A 7th, MUS Algebra 8th then a more rigorous Algebra in 9th. If he goes to high school then he'd be fine coming into Algebra as a freshman. His math brain may unlock before then and he could gain momentum but it's okay if he doesn't as long as he stays the course.
  13. I REALLY like this for 5th grade. I was looking over the Dictation Resource Book last night and trying to imagine personalizing a spelling program. It would have to be open and go here ... but I'm intrigued because I don't last with any workbook based spelling program. Off to peek at Language Mechanic. :)
  14. I have been considering CLE with DD9 also and I'd place her in 3. We use and LOVE the CLE Reading program but I wait until about age 10 to begin Reading 400. It is too much to run both CLE LA and TC though! There is plenty of grammar in the first Section of TC and the opportunity for mechanics work within the writing lessons. However, if I want to use CLE with her for a few years then I feel it would be best to begin it now. I do like the integrated spelling and I'd ax any writing/penmanship in CLE. The light unit format works well for my girl. Maybe I'll just stay with Rod & Staff because it's oral/whiteboard and easy to condense as needed. :coolgleamA: I do NOT want to overdo it. So, I'm pondering.
  15. Kathy, This reflects our experience this past year. My DS struggled so much with math but he did GREAT on the tests, always scoring A's. But, it felt like there was too much review and not enough focus on the new so I began to believe that moving toward mastery with built in review would be better. I still feel trepidation at moving to a new math program though BJU sounds like what I am looking for. I'm taking a look at CLE 5 stuff today as I have it on hand. This DS despises math and it doesn't matter how it's packaged or presented. He'll balk and whine and avoid and hate. So, the decision requires wisdom on my part and I have to try to blow away the smoke from his bad attitude so I can see the real issues with the curriculum. His attitude is definitely a problem and a challenge to be worked through over time but I want the right approach for him. It's also a bit frustrating for me to have to supplement CLE with CWP or Process Skills. Frankly, CLE's word problems are too simplistic and so I feel that I HAVE to supplement but time constraints make it tough to actually fit in regularly. I'm attempting to streamline more this school year. I went ahead with MFW First Grade for my youngest and feel really good about the math integrated there. I have CLE and Math Mammoth materials in the house also and so can supplement or pad the MFW materials if needed (though I love what they do at this level). If we venture into BJU territory and like it I'll likely plan to begin it in 2nd with this boy.
  16. **Sorry. Had some weird disappearing and then double post thing happen.**
  17. If you are using TC what else are you doing to round out your LA lineup? Just finished reading thru the intro and scanning the lessons. I am thrilled with this curriculum and intend to use it with my 9 and 11 year olds.
  18. Kathy, Thank-you for answering all of my questions and for so thoroughly explaining BJU Math to me. :001_smile: It has been a HUGE help. I do believe this may be the right math path for us and I'm strongly considering putting DS11 and DD9 into BJU at this time. The 1st grade looks great also but I do dislike having my youngest in such a heavy duty math work text at age 6! We are going to enjoy MFW First Grade and there is plenty of hands on math built in so I think I'll keep BJU in mind for him at 2nd grade. Do you have any placement recommendations? I'm thinking that we'll just go in at grade level and if there are any gaps I can easily fill those with the resources and knowledge I have. The hardest part of this change is the COST! Wowsers, BJU is a lot more money than MM or CLE. And, I have CLE 5th and 6th in my box so no need to purchase anything if we keep going with CLE for DS11. But, boy, does he HATE it and I think the spiral approach has stopped working. He really needs the mastery with built in review format! ETA: My son has NO desire to do ANY math and NOTHING sounds or looks good to him. It's still his loathed subject. It feels so risky to change NOW and I'm very uncertain!
  19. Carin, Thanks so much for giving a thorough explanation and for answering my questions. I am very drawn to the mastery approach with built in review. How are the word problems? Singapore is so solid in this area (as is MM) but CLE isn't. CLE is a GREAT math program but their word problems are scrawny. They HAVE to be supplemented with Challenging Word Problems or Process Skills (FAN Math). You'd recommended BJU on another homeschool forum (HOD I believe) and I've been pondering it awhile. I have heard good things about it from a variety of places and so it's been on my radar. DS11 is REALLY frustrated with math. I have actually considered Math U See for HIM because I believe the SEEING aspect of MUS would enable him to understand math. I'm not sure that moving to BJU is the right decision and I don't take a math move lightly. Persevering through difficulties is often the right course. I found a BJU 5 TM (3rd edition) for a song on a sale forum so I'm going to contact the seller this morning ..... Math U See vs BJU for this guy ..... it's hard to figure this out. P.S. Hoping you find a great history fit for your history and book loving son! I know it's been a journey for you. We are no longer using HOD either .... though we're going with MFW this year (ECC) for DS11, DD9 and DS5 (almost 6). My oldest is heading to private school which is a tremendous change for our family as we've always homeschooled and I expected to continue. 7th and 8th grade look like a lot of fun but we have some thoughtful and significant reasons for enrolling our son in this school. Time will tell if it is the right decision for him!
  20. I am considering a math change from CLE/MM to BJU for my DS11. What is impossible for me to tell from samples is how much teacher time is required for BJU compared to CLE or MM. I fully expect to TEACH math to my kids but I'd like to make sure I'm not biting off more than I can chew with BJU. Can I expect to spend about 20 minutes in teaching and then require my kiddo to finish the day's work independently for the most part? What is absolutely necessary to buy? I have looked at the BJU Math Grade 5 Homeschool Kit on CBD and it includes the student work text, teacher's edition (THIS IS SO EXPENSIVE!!!!), test pack, test answer key, and manipulatives pack. All of these items sound necessary although I could forego the testing materials. However, the real cost is in that teacher's edition!! Is it worth it? The text is dense and packed which I dislike. Would I only be using it to correct? I only use the CLE teacher guides for making corrections but they are FAR LESS money. The manipulatives pack says it is for Grades 4-6. Could I use one pack with two students then or does each student need their own pack? Thanks :). Not sure I want to abandon CLE with him but it was such a hard year. He hates math.
  21. Chelli, Thanks for laying out the details. I am on my phone and I can't hit the Like button :)! I'm sure your explanations are useful to all. Fewer transitions from subject to subject allows more focused learning time. It takes so long some days to get distractible kids moving from subject to subject. Once the stuff is out it is nice to stay with the work for awhile. A simpler to do list is liberating. Your approach is wise! I do wonder if the history programs I'm drawn to are too intensive. I can't see this working with Biblioplan or MFW quite so neatly. I am going to do the math on it though :). BF looks very good but I'm not sure how it will fit what we want to study the next two years ... Maybe it is kid dependent. Some kids do seem to thrive with short lessons while others settle in for an open ended learning time. I'm not sure about my kids and I'll have to think on it ... ;). They are a tough crew to mesh together. How do you do your geography blocks?
  22. If a BF guide is your history framework are you able to study thru the entire guide in the 6 history blocks? I am trying to grasp finishing a school year of history in 18 weeks but maybe this is possible with the focus being just history those weeks. Are you trimming your science to fit into 9 weeks? That is really such a short block of time! I love block scheduling and focusing on one area deeply but I haven't grasped how it comes out at the end of a school year.
  23. He wants to design a MOD for Minecraft and build a server. Please pardon me if my Minecraft terminology isn't up to snuff ;). He is also very interested in learning programming languages which I think he'd learn while pursuing Minecraft oriented projects. If we could get a two for one here I'd love that~ learn a programming language while doing something Minecrafty. :coolgleamA: I've looked at Kid Coder/Teen Coder for coding and I've just become aware of Youth Digital. As these classes are $$ I'd appreciate a fresh recommendation. I do find threads on this topic but sometimes the searching and culling is tedious! Would you recommend DS has his own computer for these kinds of projects? We have ONE iMac in the house and I think Minecraft almost shut it down!!
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