abrightmom
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Posts posted by abrightmom
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Jumping in with a newbie question . . . . (I have read this entire thread -- my poor babies! :D)
If I am happy with WWE and FLL at this point (not sure about spelling yet) what compelling reason would a Mom have for using something so comprehensive as The Phonics Road? It seems awesome and overwhelming at the same time. It is simply a preference? To spend the time watching the DVDs and working through so much material, teaching the markings, etc. seems like a lot!!! :) For the effort expended, there must be a bigger prize in view, right? I'm honestly soooooooooooooo perplexed here.
I find WWE and FLL easy to pull off day to day but I have come back to looking at PR a hundred times!! Eeeks. When it comes to writing I think I cannot argue with SWB about how to teach it!! But . . . . (insert tiny little voice squeaking out the words "The Phonics Road").
Lovedtodeath, you've answered my questions before (yesterday, regarding AAS and my son needing to be more challenged) and I see you grappling through similar questions. Can you write a succinct list as to why you made the decision? Is it hard for you to let go of FLL and WWE? What exactly will PR give you/your kids that the others do not? Is it simply going the AIO route that appeals? Or is there more? Can you compare the FLL/WWE/AAS combo versus PR? Side by side :) for an objective, concrete thinker such as myself? I WANT to beat this to death so that I'm content with the decision. Waffling and wondering is exhausting!
A link back to something you've written previously would be fine. After while all of the posts blend together and my brain goes to mush.
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This is a very helpful, enlightening comparison!
OhE, do you use some sort of plan to implement VP? I'm not positive but I think their plan is called Scholars (maybe Scholars is their plan for utilizing all of their curriculum options which wouldn't work if it was simply the history/Bible one wanted, right?).
Anyway, for day to day implementation of VP what do you use? Do you think that VP Bible/History is easy enough to teach to different ages/learning levels at the same time??
How did you deal with VP's omission of other ancient civilizations? Honestly, I'm not sure I understand why they did that or why it matters! :) Does it matter and did you teach that on the side?
Are you planning on using the Omnibus? Does TOG appeal to you for the logic/rhetoric stages?
Thanks!
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:bigear: Just wondering if those of you who use MOH think it's better to use it in a logic stage history cycle. I've been hanging out (spinning my history wheels :001_smile:) and waiting for the revised edition (coming soon I think) and longing to use it alongside SOTW! However, if it's going to be over my kids' heads too quickly perhaps I should plan for it when they are older elementary/middle school.
Thoughts or recommendations?
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I did NOT think that at all :). It was an invigorating read and I was sorely tempted to jump ship and swim over . . . But, since the FLL/WWE/hopefully AAS combo is working (and with some modifying will be more thorough for my DS) there is not a compelling reason to switch!!! Sigh. So many wonderful choices out there!!!
I will always be watching and listening to discussions though . . . I've checked out WRTR a couple of times and looked at SWR's samples/website numerous times and PR . . . . AAS seems to be similar/smaller scale and totally user friendly. I NEED that now because I am outnumbered! :D Too many kids. I did, however, order HTTS :) and I look forward to the possibilities alongside AAS. You turned me on to that resource (thanks!) and I looked into it further. It went up for sale used and I snapped it up!! We'll see. . .
Thanks for thinking things through and asking great questions! I've seen you a lot on numerous threads lately!! It's so fun!
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. . . because of all the wonderful advice!!! Thanks so much!
Lovedtodeath, you are so fun! I read through that monster thread on The Phonics Road and THAT is what caused my eyes to :blink: bug out of my head. I learned a lot but I'm not there yet . . . I LIKE WWE, FLL, and the idea of AAS. I've recognized a tendency to be emotional about "other" curriculum and realize I need to take time with what I have FIRST. I am going to "use what I have" and take the good advice here (which, frankly, confirms my "leanings"). I am ordering AAS 2 today (DH said "Yes. Order that!"). Thank-you for confirming that I'm not alone in feeling like I do. I'm checking out the Star Spangled States too . . . studying American History is on my agenda (at least on the side :) ).
Practicing skill areas in other subjects makes perfect sense -- I've been too compartmentalized in my thinking!
Woohoo! :auto: I'm off to order AAS 2 and pull ETC5 off the shelf and ponder utilizing skills in history/science. Sigh. The fog is disappearing!
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:D Colleen,
You make my heart happy!!!! You explain things so well and they make sense!!! Thanks for the encouragement alongside the explicit answers!
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:) Thanks for your words of wisdom!!!!!! God has confirmed so many things for me through asking questions and hearing answers from older, wiser Moms!!
MerryAtHope, if I switch to AAS (the consensus here is that we should :) ) should I take my DS7 through Level One quickly and then move to 2? Level 1 (which I own :o ) looks sooooooo easy for him. How do you organize the cards? Mine are all prepped (and have sat) but the 3x5 card file box (I just bought a standard one from Target or Office Depot) is stuffed tight. Is there an ideal way to organize the cards (a particular box that you use)? Does each child end up needing their own tiles? What about cards? Do your children have their own sets/boxes of cards or can they share? I have a K'er who is almost ready to begin.
TengoFive,
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer each specific question. I resonate with all that you've said and find that you have confirmed my "suspicions" and the way I've been leaning . . . that is HUGE! Love the blog and was very impressed with your enormous white board schedule :001_smile:
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Thanks for the insight on Abeka :)
Ariana, what do you love about Beautiful Feet? I've looked at it a lot!! Have you used it with your young ones (6 year old) or are you just considering it? Do you think it appeals to boys and girls?
I agree about Sonlight! Core 3 & 4 look so so so cool BUT I agree that the reading level is too advanced still (for your ages and for mine!). I am going to wait!
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Have been searching and reading every post/thread and my eyes are bugging out of my head!!!
I think that OhElizabeth has MUCH wisdom here and so does Colleen (love her counsel on writing) . . . Siloam (Heather) and, oh, can't remember (the Mom with Audrey Hepburn as her avatar!!). Anyway, I ask very humbly for your advice. I realize that every situation is unique. I think I have some questions that are simply the result of a lack of experience. Perhaps your experience will shed some light.
My DS7 reads well. He has stumbled a bit with multi syllable words and we are reviewing those sections in OPGTR. He's done great with ETC (through book 3 -- I may continue on but book 4 is so different -- I'm looking it over now). We started spelling with R&S (2nd grade level). I considered AAS then didn't use it. I am waffling on that decision because I think that learning the phonograms and rules from the beginning will help him (based on seeing some of his struggles). We are using WWE and FLL. I like them both and they seem to be working :). HOWEVER, I am wondering if he needs to be doing anything else to cement what he's learning (like reviewing concepts as in a CLE type of program with that spiral review). I FEAR doubling up too much but I am also realizing a GREAT NEED to solidify his foundation. I would much rather send history and science to the back burner and focus in on math and language arts skills in these early years. I might be doing that already but I am not experienced enough to SEE it if it's happening.
1. Is FLL/WWE/spelling enough? Obviously we're reading too. I have read WTM and SWB says it is. I just feel really nervous about that and I don't see my son being challenged. Maybe he doesn't need to be yet but I am sensing a need to up the ante for him (based on a number of things I'm seeing).
2. Do I need him to be able to transfer those skills yet? Does that come in the logic stage?
3. If I make a switch to AAS will that reinforce phonics for him?
4. Is CLE a sensible reinforcement without being overkill? Is it simply NOT needed?
5. In lieu of that, does continuing with ETC make sense? Perhaps we should see it through to the end (would probably take us to the end of second grade if we finish through Book 8).
6. Is the copywork in WWE enough in a week? At her pace it's only 2 sentences!!!!!! That seems like very little.
7. Can I move ahead to WWE2 without finishing WWE1? I honestly think it's easy peasy for him. BUT I know that sometimes moving ahead can backfire later.
8. Is it O.K. that things are easy? :) I want him to be challenged. He is actually MOST challenged by having to read the instructions and follow them (like in a CLE type of book or in his spelling). They require him to think and process the question. He struggles with this and I'm wondering if he needs to use something to practice that skill. Oral learning works great for him but it also reinforces some passivity (my observations here). It might be just fine for now -- I continue to grapple with this.
I'm sorry to be so boring in my questions!!!! I know they've probably been answered thousands of times . . . I hope that someday soon I'll be able to return the favor :).
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How do you use those? As a spine? If I want to dabble in Am History with a 1st and 2nd grader can I combine them in one of Abeka's texts?
I'm considering a little American History study alongside the world focus and have looked at Abeka's site a few times as an easy way to do this. Their samples aren't very revealing (and I confess to wondering if I'd even like Abeka's approach . . . I LOVE the SOTW and SL books).
The other recommendations look wonderful!!!
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I just listened to SWB's "A Plan for Teaching Writing" (the elementary one -- will finish by listening to the others to get her big picture plan). It was EXCELLENT! The statements about creative writing RESONATED with me (I must be one of those non-creative writers because I suffered under the expectation to write creatively throughout my school experiences).
It makes perfect sense to teach the skill of writing via her "plan" (or something comparable if that exists) and it is best demonstrated (or perhaps only demonstrated??) in expository writing. She said that nobody ever HAS to write creatively but everyone needs to know how to write an essay.
I do think that SoCal Sandra's advice/views are GREAT and they seem like a perfect approach -- teach the skills according to SWB's recommendation (she is, after all, an expert here and her resume qualifies her to tell us how to pull off teaching writing!!) BUT explore the creative writing side at your leisure. Perhaps there is a child in your crew that will thrive/flourish with creative writing. Perhaps there are things to be learned/discovered by enjoying some creative writing assignments or classes. But, don't make that the focus -- our job is to teach the skills and our goal is to produce a good high school writer!!
I hated journals in school and often wrote things like "blah blah blah blah I have nothing to say" in them :). I never did see the point!! I like journaling now but no one is telling me to do it and my English teacher isn't grading my "work". There is no expectation that creative genius ought to flow from my brain and be written down for all to read! :lol:
Perhaps a skeleton plan would be to make SWB's writing plan THE FOCUS and bring creative writing in on the side when it seems appropriate (not sure about the "when" here). Be willing to bag the creative writing if your kiddo is wilting under the expectation. But stick to your guns in teaching the skills of expository writing because that is a non-negotiable.
Fun fun fun!!! Love those seminars and look forward to listening to them again!
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:iagree: I had to contact Maria the other day and had an extensive list of questions! She answered all of them thoroughly!! She replied to my email within 24 hours! Her contact info is on the Math Mammoth website!
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:iagree: with the previous poster. You should go with your instinct regarding your little girl's readiness. August or September as a starting time for a new school year is arbitrary. Your children will move up when they are ready and you will learn very early on that that varies from child to child and subject to subject!! I decided to allow them to move up a grade whenever they were ready but "on paper" the new grade begins according to the traditional school schedule (this is to help me when it comes to abiding by my state's requirements). I also haven't felt it necessary to make it a big deal with my kids - even if they are doing "above grade level" (or below grade level) work we are still "officially in ____ grade". School years begin and end differently for every family!! We have finally found our groove but it was only about a year ago that I was asking the same questions (and that was after making a few mistakes -- being afraid to start because he wasn't officially in that grade AND vice verse -- starting too quickly with a child who wasn't quite ready for something).
Go with your instincts Mama! I am learning that they are usually spot on!!:)
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download! Colleen, you advised me in an earlier thread (is that what it's called?) to purchase and listen. Just today I found that thread (which is a whole two posts long so bless you for answering my questions!) and read your advice to listen to the series.
If the littles stay asleep I will be listening momentarily! I will be back with my two cents ASAP (probably not today but you never know!). :)
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I saw it at Rainbow Resources. Here.
Hopefully that link works. Author's last name is Rudginsky (I may be the only one who didn't know that :) but just in case . . . )
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how the Famous Men series fits into the overall curriculum plan? Is it studied alongside other history (i.e. SOTW or . . . )? I keep referring back to it on the MP website and it's very appealing. I just don't have enough experience to see where it fits in. :D
Thanks.
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. . . under the teacher intensity of this math program. Math is not "my thing" and I confess to liking the safety net of traditional math but aspects of RS (mental math, the abacus) drew us in :001_smile:.
Is there a way to glean some of the advantages/benefits of Right Start without having to use the full program?
I think, for the long term, using a less teacher intensive program as the foundation (just so math is getting done day to day - I am very interested in using CLE math!!) and supplementing with Right Start concepts/ideas (I'm thinking about the Abacus book/worksheet and using the games at times) might be a winning combination.
Oh, and while the games idea is so great (it makes sense to me) there has been this huge reality check -- playing games takes quite a bit of time. I am spread thing amongst several learning levels and games aren't happening/can't happen as often as would be ideal. I see my youngers moving up the ranks and also needing this teacher intensive math teaching/game playing and I'm ready to turn tail and RUN :auto:
This is a battle between what is ideal and what is realistic. Just wondering if you've struggled with this and if there are any experienced RS users/believers who have had to balance this out.
Thanks so much.
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So sorry if this is redundant . . . Just need help knowing what to order. Here's the scenario and what I own:
DS7 and DS5 will be starting simultaneously. DS7 will fly through Level One. I will only hit what he needs as far as understanding how AAS works and just make sure there aren't any holes. I expect him to use it very briefly. DS5 will have a slower pace of course :). I own Level One, the tiles, the phonogram cd. I want to order Level two for DS7. With Level two do I also need to order another set of (?) phonogram cards or student materials or something (not sure what) so that each child has their own card file? I can't imagine keeping track of both boys in one card box - I think I'll want to keep their stuff separate so I can at a glance who is doing what. Anyway, I only have the Level One materials for one child. So, what do I need in order to use it with two children and then moving DS7 to Level 2 very quickly? Any corrections to my thinking on this would be welcome as well!!! I hope I made sense!!
Thanks so much!
Katrina:001_smile:
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I also have a son who is fascinated with Ancients and American history. He wants to study both and it's hard to refuse him!! I am totally inexperienced but have been grappling with a number of ideas . . . . I think (and again this is PURE speculation :)) that at this age we should do one of two things (for us this would be for second grade - we have been challenged in figuring out our "path" and have recently devoured books like the Well Trained Mind and Latin Centered Curriculum which have been inspiring):
1. Use My Father's World Adventures and just have fun with American History and start a chronological study of history a little later. Adventures seems like a very appropriate amount of material and challenge for a 2nd grader and with the addition of a variety of books to read would be plenty of challenge. It would definitely satisfy my young son's thirst for knowledge of America. He could continue to read about Ancients on the side and listen to SOTW or MOH audios.
2. OR study history the WTM way (which is my first love) BUT dabble in American on the side via reading great books (have looked to MFW, WP, BF, HOD for ideas here) and perhaps using other resources (videos, audio books). I think the American studies would be an "on the side" thing for my reader/s rather than something I "teach".
I realize that following the chronological study of history will give us plenty of focus on American History in context which is very appealing. However, we also don't want to wait that long to expose our kids to some of our nation's history (the more fun stuff that appeals to their little hearts and minds - pilgrims, famous presidents, American symbols like the flag, Statue of Liberty, etc.).
So many wonderful things to study, books to read, etc. and so little time, right?! I don't think there's any harm in doing it your own way as long as you aren't completely overwhelming yourself or your kids which is why there should probably be a "main" focus and then a "side line or stream" that is driven by the reading child (who can read on his/her own). I have agonized over this very issue (multi stream or two-stream) and I continue to . . . . :lol:
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for the :grouphug: and the counsel!! There is a swirling vortex of curriculum choices and methods out there!! I guess we ARE getting somewhere . . . doubts creep in though I just had to ask if I'm missing something!
Thanks a lot!!!
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Hi MominBC!!
O.K. Yahoo that you have Memoria Press kindergarten!!!! My K'er is 5.5 (6 in May) and reading cvc words well and just getting ready to move to the next level of phonics instruction (I guess that would be long vowel sounds?). I, like you, have been sad about my pathetic plans for kindergarten (for both of my boys) and when I read the MP plan I was beside myself with joy!!!!!!!!!!!! This was after reading Latin Centered Curriculum but that is another discussion altogether . . . . (happy happy)
My question for you is: Do you think a K'er jumping in mid school year would be challenged and blessed by the MP K plan? I realize it's still new for you so your experience with the curriculum is very limited. I don't want to do something that is too easy but he needs something more consistent and "special" at this point. What are you going to do for first grade? Just see the MP plan for K through to the end and move up to first grade mid-school year next year?
If my questions don't make sense please ask. :lol: Thanks for sharing.
Veritas Press (VP) or Tapestry of Grace (TOG)
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Moon,
Your explanations are helpful! What are you referring to when you say "history kits" and "VP workpages"? Are those a part of a teacher's manual?