abrightmom
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Posts posted by abrightmom
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:party: Read this thread, wrote furiously, made a shopping list and I'm going to :driving:to get the stuff ASAP. This is fantastic and it is crystal clear in my mind that it will work. LOVE these ideas . . . it is so very organized and brilliant to front load all of the copying, filing, etc. and to use numbered weeks rather than dated weeks when filling the folders.
Now, what colors shall I choose?? For sure I'm going with color coded seasonal folders (blue for winter, green for spring, yellow for summer, orange or red for fall - I have those colors) but the weekly folders hold amazing possibilities . . . (:glare: I do have lots and lots of plain yellow manilas . . . should probably use those . . . but I can still choose something pretty for the hanging folders and the crates). Thanks so much for inspiring me!
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:001_smile: Bump!! I'm very curious to hear thoughts and ideas here . . .
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:001_smile: Julie,
I was at the home school convention in Oregon yesterday too! I went to the MFW booth to purchase Adventures. I have been poring over it and have been breathing deep sighs of relief. My boys are going to enjoy it and I can teach this! It is a doable schedule and a balanced variety of subjects. . . Now I want to begin school in July :D.
May God bless you and your kiddos this year as you have your Adventure in My Father's World!!!
Katrina
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I am all confused as to what to do for my kids for history next year. They are 4,6,8,10. I was thinking of SOTW or Mystery of History or My Fathers World. MFW is the five year cycle. Problem with that is that my oldest Daughter will miss out as she moves into a HS level in 3 years. I feel like she'll miss out on major important things she should have had earlier on. SOTW seems for younger kids. I'm not sure what in the world to do.
I also want to have the English be all inclusive as far as grammer, phonics, reading and spelling go. Is Bob Jones or Abeka the way to go and how in the world do I say, heck I'll shell out 700 bucks on those books? So confused as to what I need to do here.
What grade will DD10 be in?
As far as history is concerned you are looking at some fun programs! They are different though . . . MFW is more than history as it schedules multiple subjects such as history, science, geography, time line, notebooking, music, and art. It is designed to use in a multi-teaching format. I haven't used it in that way yet but many who do say that it works! MFW uses SOTW 2, 3, and 4 in the last 3 years of its history cycle. This makes it easier to fold your youngers into what you are studying.
For SOTW or MOH (or both if you'd like!) you should look at Biblioplan. It's history (with some literature, mapping, timeline) that is scheduled for you using SOTW and/or MOH as your spine resources. There are schedules for grammar, logic, and rhetoric levels with corresponding encyclopedia and other reading assigned. It is a doable schedule as far as I can see!! It is quite popular so you could search some threads and read more about it. Go to their website as well. They have recently revamped several of their year plans to include parent supplements and Cool History Packets :D. I recently inquired and their Year 2 (Medieval) will be up and running in its revised format this fall! It's quite affordable with a reasonable schedule. It is designed to teach to multiple ages. It is also just history so you are free to choose your other subjects as desired.
As far as your oldest daughter is concerned you shouldn't worry about it :001_smile:. That is, of course, easier said than done. I know!! The time line is what it is. She will learn a lot and even if she were going into first gradet this year there is no way you can ever teach her all that she needs to learn or could learn! It's more important to focus on teaching her how to learn and instilling a love for learning. I keep reminding myself of that . . . I get caught up in "fitting it all in" and lose the fun in the process.
You just decide where to begin and your criteria for deciding will fall to you to determine. You may want to look ahead to high school and consider what or where she'll be studying. Then determine what periods in history are most important to you or to her! You could also let her decide where to start (what time period) if that seems reasonable to you. It is also quite reasonable to fill in some knowledge gaps in off seasons by helping your daughter select material to read (summer breaks and such). If she is already a good reader and loves to read then that is all the better! If she isn't then perhaps you can purchase SOTW or MOH on cd and let her listen. There is a lot to be said for just hearing the stories . . .
As far as all inclusive language arts I'm no help there!! I think you may need to research more about your goals in the language arts. There is a lot to consider: phonics, spelling, reading/literature, grammar, spelling, penmanship, writing. There are some fine programs to choose from (too many!).
FYI: SOTW 1 is intended for grades 1-4, SOTW 2 for grades 2-5, SOTW 3 for grades 3-6 and SOTW 4 for grades 4-8. If you read the Well Trained Mind and/or purchase the ACtivity Guide to accompany the SOTW volume you select it will tell you how to use the material with an older student (adding in appropriate encyclopedia work and literature).
:grouphug: Choosing is daunting. I wish you the best as you work through the process.
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Ladies,
We are also looking closely at this program (convention is tomorrow and GeoMatters will be there!). What would you recommend we do the year before beginning this program?? It is my understanding, after reading through the (awesome) samples, that the target grade is 3rd. My oldest is a rising 2nd grader so we are a year off from beginning something like this! I am drawn to the slower, deeper focus . . . I already feel rushed and I'm only a year into this home school thing!
I'm a tiny bit concerned about taking 3 years to study through American history. Is that what we'd be doing?? How does this approach fit into the big picture of studying through most of history with our children (i.e. giving proper weight and time to as much of history as possible)? How are other time periods, countries, cultures, etc. studied along the way, either before, during, or after POE? I am thinking that it may not be a good option for a larger family with a wider span of ages unless it can be done quite independently in the later elementary/middle school grades.
:D Just thinking out loud here . . . I'm enjoying this thread.
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I think JudoMom is using this but I'm not positive about that . . . :001_smile:
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I don't know why people struggle with accelerating FLL1/2. Go to the toc and find the first lesson where each new concept is introduced. Do that lesson, memorize the definition, done. That's it, that's all that's necessary. Then you move into the 3rd grammar book of your choice. Many bright kids don't need all that repetition. FLL still has excellent, excellent introductions to each of the parts of speech, even if the rest is overkill. Their minds memorize so easily at this age, and you're not really teaching grammar, just introducing concepts to them and asking them to memorize a def, no big deal. But the foundation it creates is AMAZING. It creates a comfort with grammar terms so that later they are familiar and easy. They then have enough grammar background to go into a latin program, writing program that uses grammar (CW, WT), or anything else they want to do, all without the tedium of traditional grammar methods. It's a terrific thing!
:D Yeah . . . what she said!! (I agree with OhE!!):001_smile:
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Kelli,
Thanks for sharing all of that:001_smile: . . . I love the cards and songs (for the kids). I love the maps and medallions. I love the time line sheets at the back of the manual. I love the Biblical focus. But . . . I am wavering . . . The mantra, "Don't dig up in doubt what has been planted in faith" rings in my ears. :glare:
I am re-considering my VP choice for this year (that I purchased already!). I'm not sure my guys are quite ready for it yet . . . I think that the resources are excellent but may be "lost" on my 1st and 2nd grade boys. :001_smile:
I am praying a lot and thinking. . . We are back at the drawing board.
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I really like the VP cards. They are beautiful. I bought the 1815 to the present Teacher's manual and cards. After looking over them, I'm not sure I will use the Teacher's guide but I really love the cards. I'm still torn on what to use, but I'll consider adding the VP cards to anything else I might choose.
aquiverfull,
:001_smile: Why are you uncertain about whether or not to use 1815 to Present with the TM? Just curious because I'm in the same boat. We purchased NT/Greece & Rome and now I'm thinking that we're not going to use it . . . keeping the cards though. :D
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http://www.usconstitutioncoach.com/page0003.htm
I don't know if this is helpful or just overwhelming but it is comprehensive . . . I don't own it and I don't know how it is organized but it sounds like a powerful resource!
:001_smile:
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Oh, darn its. I forgot to include the most important element in homeschooling:
COFFEE!! Lots and lots of coffee! :willy_nilly:
:iagree::iagree::iagree:
ETA: I feel your struggle Mom! I haven't figured it out yet . . . this past year has been a disaster. I am literally terrified of the year to come. We are REALLY evaluating our plans, the curricula, what is ABSOLUTELY necessary. Our age spread is similar to yours but our dynamics are different. Each situation presents unique challenges . . . some littles LOVE to sit and color while others LOVE to play in the toilet or empty drawers (my kids!). Some are easy to train while others test every limit all the time! Some kids are reading early and well while others are not. Some kids need mom there for every.little.thing. while others take off with a little pre-flight training! I'll be watching this thread! We may be pitching all of our plans in the toilet for something very different than I'd envisioned! Some ideas that I like from these Moms include:
Coffee
The play scape in the house idea
A short video for the littles
Nap time for Mom (or was that for the 2-year-old?!)
Sonlight (We used Core 1 this past year. It has been the one thing that has gone well. It's not my long term plan but I might do it again. The kids love it and I don't have to plan anything. We read in the nooks and crannies of the day. It works! We can then focus Mom's teaching time on the skills that they need for later learning in 3rd or 4th grade and beyond.)
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These . . .
There is a series and I think they look wonderful! I haven't used them yet but they're on that master list!! :D
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I would get CLE math for the girl and just add an activity book onto SOTW2. The middle ages is a very fun period, and you don't need a fancy program to do it. Pick one or two hands-on books for the middle ages and let her chose one project a week to do. Or get the SOTW ag and do the projects in that. My dd made cardboard castles, dressed up, etc. etc. It doesn't have to be *you* driving it.
:grouphug: and :iagree:. OhE has wisdom and fantastic insight. I instantly thought of CLE Math. It is VERY popular and well loved on these forums. Easy on Mom, thorough, and many considered it a bit ahead of the curve grade wise. It has built in drill as well (I consider that a bonus :001_smile:.). If SOTW is working then use it! By all means . . . if you can spring for it then buy the audio book version that is read by Jim Weiss. He is fantastic to listen to. DD can do a coloring or activity sheet while she listens (or something else or nothing else) and follow up with the map work and an occasional (if you have time or inclination) activity. Keep a basket full of books from the library. Ask DH to stop there (or take some of the kids there) every 2 to 3 weeks and fill up a big basket of books for your reader! If you have the inclination then use Sonlight, Veritas and HOD's book lists for ideas.
Why CLE math instead of Singapore? What other programs do I need to be doing (grammar, latin, spelling etc?)...or will math and history be enough?
CLE is Mom friendly I think. But perhaps Singapore suits you. Math Mammoth is similar to Singapore but it is more Mom friendly (no HIGS to wade through . . . it's a work text). There are many recent MM threads . . . it's a fabulous program.
I think you should wait on Latin. Mercy me Mama! You're tired and busy with all of those littles. It won't hurt a thing to wait a year or even two or three if needed. At one time I thought I'd start Latin FOR SURE by 3rd grade. Now, after feeling so overwhelmed with all of these littles (I only have 4 and I didn't have them as close as yours) I have decided that Latin can wait for a bit.
***** I think Winter Promise is more than you should take on. It's busy busy busy . . . . If you want a full program then I second Cadam's vote for My Father's World.
Your 5 year old should just work on learning to read (and enjoying his math as it sounds like he loves it!). What about using something straight forward that will get the job done? Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading is my vote. It is scripted. You just do the next lesson. Set the timer for a certain number of minutes each day. Sit with him. Do the lesson. Practice a bit on a white board if needed. Teach him to write his letters. Be done. :001_smile: Laying a good foundation for reading seems like the best goal for him.
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:lurk5: Great ideas . . .I'm inspired. Organization is a key to success, especially with unpredictable littles running around. I've learned that the hard way . . . :D
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:001_smile: I'm with you . . .
We are using Math Mammoth full time in the fall with RS on the side in a loop fashion. I'm only teaching RS until we finish Level B and I'm going to teach the "high points" (addition and subtraction strategies, place value) and skip some of the other stuff. I want to throw RS out completely but can't quite bring myself to do that yet. It has proven to be advantageous and it's a PAIN to sell all those manipulatives so it seems sensible to plod through even if the pace is slow. MM will carry us though. I'm VERY happy with it overall.
Our boat has sunk! I am in agony trying to figure out how to do everything. . . :001_huh:
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:001_huh: I MUST be missing something . . .
Babi? :glare: We can't end words in i so we use y . . . That I understand. It's the SAYING "bay-bih" or "bay-bihs" versus "bay-bee" or "bay-bees".
Perhaps I need to just accept that there is more than one way to look at it and Mrs. B. has decided to teach it this way. I get her "why" I guess. . . I just don't like it :D. I wish she had included both ways because the other "way" (saying that y with a long e sound) is familiar to all of us. That bums me out.
The biggest sigh ever here . . . I won't bother you all with it anymore. :D You've been beyond patient with me, that's for sure.
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I just posted a picture and details on the mini-binders for the Veritas Press History and Bible Cards on my blog. Please feel free to ask in questions or leave input in the comment section. I think you'd like this idea much better than laminating! (or at least I did :)!)
Blessings,
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´ -:¦:-Tina ~
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*
:D Thanks for sharing!! I'd seen these before and was anxious to find them again! My VP order arrived TODAY (so so so fun) and those cards are lovely! We must get those binders! :001_smile:
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I do understand those differences and when to use them in the middle or at the end of a word. :001_smile:
My hang ups are primarily with the letter i and the vowel team ie. I LOVE the building codes but here's a trouble spot. How do you teach this?
Building Code 14 which is titled Vowel Suffixes on Words That End in -Y
Words such as babies, carries, studied, bodies, parties . . . She instructs us to mark the ie with a 3, her third sound of ie (a short i sound). No other resource I've looked at (I am going to look at Webster's today because that may have it!) teaches that as a sound of ie (the same with y having a short i sound at the end of some words). It is counter intuitive and confusing!!! I can choose not to teach it. I do get that :D. I can teach them to mark the ie and i the way I want them to . . .
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Yes, I do think of Sean Connery:D
Trying to work it out because if I don't understand the whys behind the differences then I am frozen in teaching it. Just because something is for sale doesn't mean that I'm going to part with it. :D By golly, I had those tool cards out again today and was looking over them. Admittedly, I did look over AAS again too . . .
Good idea on writing the AAS phonograms on the tool cards.
It's my personality type or learning style (mine is VERY annoying, whatever it is! I do so wish I was different). I have a very difficult time with subjective instructions, with inconsistencies, when things don't work just the way they are supposed to. :banghead:
It's good for me to work through this because if I walk away from PR then I know I exhausted all possibilities. I've learned something in the process and can use that to help others find their path. It's training for me I suppose! :D
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Ladies,
Help? Please?
I compared AAS phonograms to PR's way. Help! The y, o, and i sounds with PR are "odd". AAS adds a long e sound for y. PR's explanation of y doesn't make sense. With the ie phonogram PR adds a short i sound and uses "babies" as an example. :001_huh: With the ey phonogram PR uses a short i sound and the example word is valley. :001_huh: With the letter i PR doesn't teach that i says a long e sound in some words (i.e. ski).
How does one work through this?
Is Mrs. B. looking at the history of English while AAS is looking at modern usage?
I posted PR for sale today. In the meantime, I am trying to resolve my issues. :D
Tina, can you explain how Mrs. B. teaches comp.? I get SWB's way of teaching it. WWE's process resonates. I cannot "see" how Mrs. B teaches composition -- her process, her goal. Can you lay it out succinctly?
Sorry for droning on. I'd rather just :leaving: than bug ya'll with my ?s
Katrina
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Mastery of math facts is not necessary in K . . . in fact, here is what I read in my Math Mammoth First Grade introduction:
"At the latest, your child should memorize addition facts
during second grade, as recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)."
:thumbup1: Maybe that will lend some perspective . . .
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We used Horizons, and DD8 didn't have a problem learning to regroup. I think the number line just teaches the basic concept that adding is the same as counting on. Horizons lays that initial foundation first.
Now why couldn't I have said that so succinctly??!! Well done!! :001_smile:
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we really had trouble with "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" lesson 87 of FLL. He'd heard that story numerous times, but just... couldn't get past including every last detail and completely missing the point of the story. Actually, both my boys were pretty upset that the villagers didn't come running the third time and save the sheep for getting eaten. (heavy sigh! We're working on the concept that lying is wrong!:D)I know that it's just the way the child thinks.
:lol: For what it's worth, my boys would do the exact same thing . . . sometimes what is happening in the story takes over and we just have to forget the whole narration/summary question thing. It's especially true with my kiddo whose imagination is WILD! It just takes over. Thankfully, with these 7 year olds we have plenty of time to work on this!!!!!! :lol:
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:001_smile::001_smile: So many excellent points made . . .
Another "thing" to keep in mind with MUS . . . MUS Alpha is a "mastery of addition year". There is a different focus when you're using a program that is mastery based -- which the OP may prefer!! Horizons is a spiral format and that just looks/feels different. Alpha in MUS is also intended for first grade while Horizons K is K . . . (BTW, we used/use Horizons K and it's been a good fit for my kids up until now for that first year of math exposure).
The hands on aspect of MUS works well for many kids and the light bulb turns on. Some kids burn out on the same concepts all.year.long. while others thrive with mastery and find the spiral approach too scattered. :lol:
Often a "program" gets the credit or the blame when it's a matter of a child's readiness to understand the concepts presented. This can play out with "reading" and "phonics" programs as well!! Of course this is certainly not always the case and it's not always one or the other. It could be an issue of right program, wrong time or right program, right time, or just plain wrong program for this particular child (i.e. mastery vs. spiral for many kiddos) or wrong time (too early perhaps). Sometimes the teacher is at fault :D (ask me how I know!! LOL!!)
I love these discussions!! Great food for thought!! :D
Real advice on teaching more than one child at a time....anyone?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
:001_smile: Tina, Thanks for that blog post. It's chock full of wonderful, WISE counsel . . . I think that less experienced Mamas (me!) forget that the training process does take time . . . it is training and it doesn't happen in a day or even a week. We just need to accept that a patient, consistent, persistent plan put into play day by day will eventually yield good fruit . . . the time table is sometimes hard to accept (at least for me :D).
Thanks again for sharing!!!! You are a blessing . . .