Jump to content

Menu

Kay in Cal

Members
  • Posts

    1,366
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Kay in Cal

  1. Yep... we moved to EPGY after even Singapore got to be too repetitive for my ds. It's great because they move totally at thier own pace based on how many incorrect answers they get on a type of problem. It also seems to jump into using more algebraic thinking early on and uses more complex mathematical terms that I haven't seen in other curricula at such an early age--it uses terms like commutative, associative and distributive properties, intersection vs. union of sets, etc. This year he has done two grade levels worth of EPGY (2nd and 3rd grade, about to start on 4th grade) and it has been wonderful. Definately for "math heads", it isn't a program with lots of cute animations or funny animals, just math.

  2. Just so you know, the MP guides to Famous Men are quite challenging. If you are just planning to read the stories aloud (not do the exercises) they may or may not be a good fit for your child, However, if you are thinking about using the actual workbooks, unless he is reading significantly above grade level they probably won't be a good fit.

     

    We're using FMOR next year, so I have it here... random chapter...

    _______________

    Lesson 10

     

    Facts to Know (people and places from the text)--Manlius Trorquatus, Appius Claudius, Appian Way, Lucius Posthumius, Phrrhus, Pyrrhic Victory, Cineas

     

    Vocabulary (from the text, use a dictionary to look up the words)--encamped, torques, valor, prows, rostrum, pulpit, aqueduct, ambassadors, toga, Coecus

     

    Comprehension Questions--What is the first duty of a soldier? Describe Manlius Troquatus' reputation and give and example of how it was earned. What were three responsibilities of a censor? Why did Posthumius visit Tarentum? Describe the Tarentines' treatement of Posthumius and Posthumius' reaction? Describe Pyrrus' most unusual weaon and its effectiveness in battle. What did the Romans say about the clever and eloquent speeches of Cineas?

     

    Activities--Explain how and why the term Pyrrhic Victory came to exist. Can you think of some examples of pyrrhic victories in history? Identify on your map of Ancient Italia and memorize: Tarentum, Epirus, Mt. Vesuvius. In which two Famous Men of Rome stories do fathers condemn their sons? Which is similar to the biblical story of Saul and Jonathan?

    ________________

     

    I haven't seen FMOG, but I remember reading that it is more challenging than FMOR. We did the D'Aulaires study last year successfully, but my ds is very accelerated in reading and comprehension level. Even so, I think FMOR might have been a bit much last year! We're starting it this next year, so I may have more insight after completing it, but that was my first thought looking at your schedule. YMMV (as I am well aware, lol), but thought I'd let you know if you haven't seen a hard copy yet.

  3. Hmmmm.... I was going to say we teach all our own, but my older ds is taking EPGY math now, which is online. Of course, it isn't "interactive" online, it's a program that he runs and we work with him, but still we pay for it on a monthly basis... So maybe I'm on an isthmus?

     

    What about curricula that use DVDs? Would they be on the island?

     

    Other that that, only "normal" outside activities are outside--Karate and swimming, and one day at the park. But no classes or academics.

  4. ((Joanne)) Oh... I'm sorry. I do remember about your mom and your sister. How is she doing?

     

    I've been blessed that I've never lost a close loved one yet, but I have been told my dh was going to die (although he didn't). All the people I've ever had to tell were church members or strangers when I was a hospital chaplain. It's just hard for me to imagine...

     

    Anyhow, again, wasn't meaning to sound short with you. Sorry if I did!

  5. Well, I'm not "angry"... not at you in the least! Sorry if I seem passionate about it, but I honestly think that anyone who has had experience with informing people of death (or being informed themselves) would NOT think this was a good idea.

     

    There are much better ways to teach about drunk driving, and frankly, without strong parental involvement I don't think any sort of "shock" program is going to make any sort of lasting impression.

  6. Really? Have you lost someone close to you suddenly? Can you imagine if in the midst of those intense early stages of grieving (maybe a few hours), they popped up and informed you it was all just to teach you the dangers of *insert dangerous item here*.

     

    It's hard enough to tell families that a loved one has died--something I have indeed had to do in real life. I've looked into thier eyes when you tell them thier son/daughter/husband/wife is gone. Yes, it is "only" thier friend in this case, but that's beyond the pale. I can't imagine lying to someone about that. Faking a death as a "life lesson" takes a special kind of sadistic cruelty.

  7. Jean! I thought you were going to have this out SO long ago! :confused1: I remember a couple of "failed" attempts, but for some reason I thought you eventually did it...

     

    Anyhow... really easy surgery. Laproscopic surgery is a breeze, recovery is fast, and the recovery is only 1/10 of the pain of a gall-bladder attack, if that, so you'll be fine. The anxiety is the worst part. If you have any tools you use for stress/anxiety in other areas of your life, pull them out here. It's a breeze. No lie!!!

  8. Two days. But you just got lucky... I always shave on Sundays, otherwise it depends on how fast I am in the shower.

     

    I'm in jeans today, so I didn't worry about it.

     

    I do have to say that I have quite a few friends and acquiantainces in the "no shave" category--meaning full leg hair, underarm hair, the works. Having lived in Europe it never bothered me, but I know from this board that I my feelings don't seem to be the norm. They are all highly educated women in their 30s and 40s, some working full time, some stay at home, only a couple of homeschoolers---must be a So Cal thing, right?

  9. Well, there are many MANY Christians (including myself) who believe in evolution, so I think you can honestly teach your children that. Exposing my own children to a variety of philosphies is important to me, but I also think that it is important for you to answer authenically for yourself when they ask. Just as it is important for your dh to answer authentically for himself. It also sounds like you would be more comfortable teaching about faith if you had more of an idea where you really stand... so try to find some time for your own spiritual search.

  10. I looked at both and we chose SWO. I like it because it gives some exercises, has vocabulary (particularly at higher levels), and it's soooo easy to implement.

     

    However, we do a pre-test, and only do the "busy work" based on how ds does. We always read the text and go over the rules, then do an oral pre-test. If he gets all the words right, we call it a day, and move on to the next chapter the next day. But he has to do exercises based on the number of words he misses... if he misses one word, he can choose one exercise, misses two he does two, up to "do them all". It seems to work well. I think practicing with words you can spell naturally is indeed busy work. This way, the amount of work is directly tied to his performance, which seems fair.

  11. My ds 6 has ADHD (he's taking medication) as well as dxed with SID (sensory-seeking), and some speech difficulties. He is just... more intense than kids around him, over talkative, awkward, goofy and un-coordinated. He definately has some Aspergers symptoms, but no one has wanted to put that label on him, particularly since he communicates so well with adults and is so very well spoken. He's also profoundly gifted. He loves to run over to kids and start talking to them, but most of the time they blow him off and walk away because he's "weird".

     

    Just last week:

     

    I talked to the mom of a girl in his karate class who constantly teases him. Admittedly, he is socially inept, but constant teasing isn't helping.

     

    On our homeschool field trip, he said "Nice shirt!" to another boy. Except he can't pronounce "sh" properly. The conversation went like this:

    (my son) "Nice thirt!"

    "Nice what?"

    "Thirt! Thirt! You know, the article of clothing that you wear on your upper body!"

    "Oh, you mean... pants?" (being a smart-ass now)

    "No, thirt! S-H-I-R-T!"

    "Oh... well why didn't you say 'shirt' then? What's wrong with you?"

    "I have trouble pronouncing my SHes, that's all."

    "Well, you sound weird!"

    At this point, the mom of the other boy rebuked him, while my ds wandered off. I asked him if his feelings were hurt, he said yes, and returned to accept the apology. All I could think was--one more time he's knocked down for trying to be nice.

     

    I am just feeling bereft about this. He wants friends, he loves other kids... and they just can't stand him. He has his brother, and we have some friend with kids his age, but we don't see them that often (maybe once a month?). Karate and play groups and swimming--it's all just painful for me to watch, and he's yet to make any kind of connection with another child. His best friends (he says) are our friends--a couple that we socialize with frequently, and he loves to play games and converse with us grown ups. But no kids.

     

    Any advice?

×
×
  • Create New...