rwilliams
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Posts posted by rwilliams
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But it is true that if you do more than the worksheets, it comes from you and not from the material, correct? I'm asking this respectfully because maybe I'm missing something in MM.
I think that some of the instruction my actually be built into how the problems are arranged. It is true that the actual instruction at the top of the worksheets is minimal....I supplement with manipulatives and white board instruction as needed.
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I think your son's narration is similar to what my 9 year old son would give. He also likes to add in details that were not there. I just say that you have to tell me what was in the book. I let him add in his imagination for almost everythingelse in life.
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We use it as our main program but we do need to pull our manipulatives from MUS and RightStart out sometimes... so maybe people prefer that hands-on component to be in a Teacher's Manual.
Yes....we pull out other manipulatives to learn concepts. MM gives me just the right about of info for teaching....not too much like saxon and not too little like singapore.
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interesting thoughts. Thanks for the comments. I think it may just be something we need to try. We are currently doing Saxon. Here are a few of our issues.
1. it takes FOREVER. Math currently takes up too much time in our day.
2. I feel my dd is simply memorizing the "trick" or rule and not necessarily grasping the concepts. For example on the daily math sheet, she will often say "double the lower number?" She is getting it "right" but I REALLY want her to "get it."
3. I do math the Asian/mm way (or at least I think I do from what I have read!) :lol: I don't know why I do as I grew up with Abeka, Saxon, and BJU. But, my dad is mathy and that is how he did it and that is what he taught me. It makes sense to me. I find myself teaching dd how to add/subtract and checking it using my method. Then I think, why don't I just teach her the way I do it, it makes so much sense! :001_huh:
My concerns in switching:
1. She is not mathy, I am not mathy. I fear moving away from the scriptedness of Saxon. Will the explanation be enough?
2. Currently she needs the practice of Spiral, so I fear moving away from that. However, I think, if we spent more time on it initially perhaps she would "get" it instead of dabbling with it for a few days and having it click a few days in. :confused:
thoughts on our situation???
Thanks!
My son finally got math facts with MM after all the other ways of learning without real retention. The mental math is awesome for really understanding concepts. It has helped me really understand things.
It sometimes takes me a few minutes to really understand the unwritten why behind the problems but I do get it. I like that it is challenging at times initially for me and then I have an "aha!" moment!
After trying at least 5 different math programs in K and 1 and tons of research...MM is the one for us. The cost is so minimal it is not a risk to try.
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We use it, and I like it because it's solid and affordable and easy to use.
My older daughter just hates it because she says that the word problems are really dull and the problems are repetitive. I think she'd despise Saxon and most textbooks. The only thing that seems to speak to her are LOF (which she's not really entirely ready for I think) and TT. She also likes Murderous Maths (which isn't a textbook). So take her opinion with a grain of salt: I think she wants a math textbook to entertain.
We supplement with Daily Word Problems which are interesting and have more variety. We still do MM word problems.
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:iagree: I would tease a friend about being a book snob - all in fun and joking around. We they smiling? or actually being mean to you in a serious way? I think they were just teasing. I tease people all the time. I hope they don't take it seriously!
Me too! I am blunt and love to tease my real friends without any meanspiritness behind it. Do you feel they were being mean-spirited or just joking with you about something that is actually true from their perspective. It's okay to be a book snob.....I am a restuarant and food snob!!
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The regimen the allergist put my son on included nasonex and zyrtec. The nasonex helps the most. It stops the rhinitis in the nose before it can cause other problems. You have to take it everyday for 30 days to reach the therapeutic level and if you miss one day of dosing it loses significant amount of effectiveness until you build back up. I also have asked for this and it helps GREATLY with my sinus issues! The allergist said that my son would have less colds taking nasonex than the average child and that is true.
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Stress to your kid that you are NOT trying to change him - but give him tools to be happier and fit in.
If NORMAL was a rock band he wanted to fit into, he'd need to learn how to play an instrument to fit in, right?
I think of "normal" and "not normal" in this way also. I work with alot of kids under the Autism spectrum.......there are alot more people out in the world who technically could be in the "not normal" category these days that one would think. I tend to view everyone as "not normal" to some degree....If you really know who had dx mental illness you would be surprised....who is taking activan........I happen to think "normal" people are pretty boring and much prefer interesting but happy, functioning people. My rule for success is.....is the child functioning well in his environment? If not....then we learn skills to help with success.
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I hear you about library books and such not coming in on time. It's really frustrating when a library book that you've had on hold for 5 weeks finally arrives and it's for a chapter you did 3 weeks ago. :glare:
I have given up trying to coordinate History so well. I just figure we will read books about the Ancients during that time so we read the books whenever I get them and keep going. I think of it as adding layers. We watch great movies I find after the fact lots of times.
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You don't have to sacrifice content in order to focus on the 3R's. Practice your reading and writing with your content material. My dd is in 3rd grade and at first looked to have a similar schedule to your ds. She is done with school by lunch most days if she doesn't dawdle and we also do Latin. However, I have combined her reading aloud and her WWE. She reads her WWE selection out loud to me and then we write. Also, I have started incorporating the method that WWE teaches into our history. On days that we read history and write a summary like WWE teaches we do NOT also do a WWE lesson that day.
It looks like your ds is working on copywork as well as handwriting. Why not combine those two?
Since your ds is a natural speller and working through Spelling Workout, I think you could drop Explode the Code.
Hope you find the balance you are looking for. :001_smile:
Thanks for your suggestions. Do you think this is too ambitious or just about right? He is weak in writing so I was trying to push the skills for writing harder for a while thus more narration and copywork.
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I'll ask some questions and you see if it makes sense. It sort of looks like you've doubled up on curric in many subjects.
How long does your school day usually last? It does look like there is some redundancy in your subjects. Instead of just getting rid of things, maybe you could drop a few things down to just a couple of times a week instead of 5 times a week.
MMA is mixed martial arts. Thanks for all your suggestions. I like the idea of reducing but not eliminating things entirely. The whole routine on a long day is at least 5 to 6 hours not counting breaks, outside time and the pace is not relaxed with time for off-task activities.
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Hmm.... I like your schedule but then I wish my son had less free time some days. But I believe strongly in the fact that each parent knows what is best for their children. If you feel like it is a good idea to make a change then you should do it.
I do not know what is best about structure versus freedom. I struggle with this theme contantly in many different ways.
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I am direct and matter-of-fact when things need to be done. I do not call names, but I don't white-wash the facts, either. I have said, "Your hair looks greasy; you have to take a shower today." I have told children I can see yellow scum along the gum lines of their teeth and they must go brush again. I have also explained that it's possible to not smell your own odor and they need to be aware of that.
My own parents did not provide adequate guidance. I am determined to not do the same. If the worse thing that happens is that my kids think I nagged them to be clean, to dress appropriately, to keep their rooms neat, well, that is a down-side I can live with.
I agree! I regret more the things my parents did not teach me that I had to learn the hard way. I will teach my own son things he needs to learn even if it requires effort and aggravation when it would be easier to let him have cavities and dress poorly!
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He is happy with his outside activities meaning MMA and PE. We was taking gymnastics 2x week but we stopped for a while because of heel/foot pain. He loves to be FREE! Structure is not his friend. Plus he needs much stucture and routine and supervision to keep on task. He can waste more time inbetween things. He is most happy when we flow and are free....like fieldtrip days. He likes to explore and learn about his own thing when it strikes him. Classical style schooling is not his natural way to learn but it is very effective. He does not dislike school anymore than any other structured activity that keeps him from being free. This type of learning challenges him and really makes him use his brain. Things that use to be difficult are now enjoyable because he has reached a level of mastery like with reading. He loves all the reading we do! Thanks for any suggestions and feedback!
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What curric do you use in the day and what activities does he do in the evenings?
My first reaction is NO! Don't change things! Since you said he's happy and you're pleased with what he's learning. But maybe if we know what you're doing each day, we might see something that can easily be taken off the plate without compromising his learning or removing too many happy activities.
This is our curriculum:
Daily activities:
Computer time: math games online to reinforce, keys for kids(Bible story) and play chess for 20 mins
Reading: We read-aloud to him 20 mins, he reads aloud to us 20 mins and he reads independently a chapter and narrates to me. These are 3 different books on 3 reading levels
Writing: WWE Grade 2 (sometimes not daily), he reads a page (short) from a book on Greek Gods and Goddesses and writes a 2 to 3 sentence summary, We work on poems so he has copywork from our current poem daily.
Handwriting: daily cursive practice sheet( Zaner- Bloser) and he writes spelling words in cursive weekly
Grammar: Rod and Staff Grade 3 We try to do this daily because the lessons and writing take a long time. If we did more orally he would not retain it as well. The writing helps with retention. This program is very effective but just work not fun. Explode the Code Book 5.... very easy and effortless reinforcement.
Spelling: Spelling Workout B this book is very easy for him but I read somewhere to start at level B. Spelling comes easy for him with just normal practice.
Math: Math Mammoth....takes time to make sure new concepts are really understood but very effective for learning. Daily Word Problems
At least 3x week
Story of the World Ancients reading and narration, extra History books and narration
Elemental Science
Poem recitation to work on oral speaking skills
Practice Drums
Outside Activities:
MMA four nights a week
Homeschool PE 1x week
Drum Lesson 2x/month
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I have ds9 on a very vigorious school schedule. We cover everything but foreign language. I am very happy with all my curriculum choices and his learning. I just long for more fun and downtime. He is involved with activities everynight that really make him happy. What would be the repercussions of not doing anthing but reading, writing, spelling and math. I worry that I would regret his lack of knowledge someday. I also worry that I will regret all the freedom that I think is great for kids to make up their own learning and games. We just seem to have too much structure for the fun we use to have before 3rd grade. I miss the flowy kind of learning!
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I would try to develop strategies sensory and behavior to help him manage the class. Can the games be adapted so that he is " protected " to a certain degree. If you give examples of the types of games...we may be able to think of ways to adapt it for him so he can manage better but still participate. Lots of time just positioning a child on the outside can help with all the bumping/touching by other kids. Also, could you schedule mandatory "breaks" every 10 minutes where he checks in with Dad and Dad encourages him and helps him manage.
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As far as when I have her, I can calmly talk to her, try to reason with her, put her in time out. And then she goes right back to it. And I set her aside again, explain to her that my kids do not like to be played wth by being hit. And she'll say she didn't hit them, she was playing with them. ANd then it's like :banghead:
Try a different strategy.......Prevent the behavior before it happens. Use anticipatory guidance and teach how to touch gently. Cue her often to touch gently and then praise her in a way that is meaninful to her (verbal, touch etc..) for being gentle. Redirect the hitting without calling it hitting.......reframe it positive and say lets try this again.....demo a gentle touch...let her copy you and then offer praise. Also if she seems full of energy....take her outside for some high energy play to help calm and tire her.
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Sounds a bit like Sensory Integration Disorder. (I think that's what it's called.) The Out of Sync Child is the standard book about this, I think. What you've described - the random hitting, the lack of spatial awareness, etc., are part of it. As I understand it, once you put the pieces together, and understand how it's all related, it's easier to address.
It does sound like a Sensory issue partially. Sensory integration issues and behavior problems seem to go together. You have to meet the sensory needs while also addressing the behavior. When you talk to child about hitting ask her if she would like you to squish her....I am thinking she would just love this and crave it. You can put a pillow on her while she lays on the floor and hit the pillow with like playing the drums with enough force to satisfy her. Let her turn and move how she wants to. You can also remove the pillow and just push with your hands with a slow sustained pressure. Usually when you touch a child like this....try heavy more sustaned pressure over a larger area. Deep, long stroked rubs on the back while you talk to her. Sometimes children will hit another child because they actually crave that type of input themselves. Sounds crazy but true.
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For a read-aloud Percy Jackson is a BIG HIT with my 9 year ds.
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Egyptian, Greek, and Roman myths told on a kid's level (they're often weird and gory in just the right way :lol:)
Can you give me titles or authors? :)
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yes I would to doctor. I have severe ear infections as a child and ear pain after cold is it.
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:grouphug::grouphug:
ODD and ADD are different things. ODD rarely responds to councelling, and sometimes it makes it worse BUT councelling for the mom can help. there are lots of books that can help the mom learn some of the techniques.
mostly it involves rigid routine and emotional-neutral giving of specific and appropriate consequences.
re hitting: this would need to go to zero tolerance, with consistent, specific and non emotional consequences.
fwiw,
ann
I agree! First you need an accurate dx. Then decide on best treatment. But for all aggressive behavior the parents need to TAKE CHARGE and stop it at all costs!!!! Behavior modification. Start with the mildest response and slowly and consistently increase the response until behavior stops with absolutely no emotion from parent. The child must not win and there should be no power struggle. The parent has the power and the child is making poor choices and this is the consequence. Physical aggression is met with physically restraining your child until she has self-control again with no conversation. If parents do not get control of this it will lead to worse problems.....group home....jail......
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be careful when using decongestants......before I understood them I actually caused my son's cold to be prolonged and worse once. The ped explained it this way....decongestants cause your nose to make less "goo".......mucinex thins your secretions...... The nurse helped me over the phone when I had a problem and said that I was layering the mucus that time. Now I just use mucinex and increase water intake for regular colds.
Word problems - I am going to lose it!!
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Get the workbook Daily word problems from skill builders. start below his level so it is easy for him. Let him do two pages a day and build his confidence. He will improve and just plug along doing two pages aday. Explain it to him or guide him when it is hard. I also wrote out steps for solving word problems for my son. 1. Read the problem outloud twice. 2. What does the diagram mean? 3. Do you need manipulatives? 4. Do you need to draw a picture? Instead of talking him through the problem I would have him redo the steps outloud in front of me....if by the end he still didnt have a way to start...I would give him the least amount of help it took for him to be successful.. I am pleased with him word problems skills.