Jump to content

Menu

Jamee

Registered
  • Posts

    1,340
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Jamee

  1. That's what I was wondering too. Are you taking these tests early, as opposed to in the spring when they're usually taken? If so, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I would be more curious to see their scores again in the spring after they've finished their year and see how much growth has been made. That was how we took the tests when I was in school and I'm really surprised they don't do that now: once in the beginning of the year and again at the end so the amount of growth can be measured.

  2. Thanks for the responses! I'm still interested in hearing more, but this is helpful. DS doesn't like math, but doesn't despise it either. I'm hoping to find a way for him to get more out of it, more enjoyment. (I am not a math person and I'm hoping he has a better experience than I did.)

     

    Are the chapters, lessons that you go over together, or are these self-taught texts?

  3. I'm intregued by Life of Fred and think it might be a good fit for DS. He is currently doing Saxon, but I think something with a twist, and sense of humour, might be useful. From the threads I've seen here, it seems to be a mix of "yes, it's stand alone" "no, use as a supplement." I was thinking more of using it as a supplement. Perhaps a lesson a week. Is that moving too slowly through the program? Is that too much for one day? Looking for some suggestions, advice, experiences.

     

    Thanks!

  4. Am I the first first one to say D'Aulaires? D'Aulaires.

     

     

    This is a great one. Don't know if anyone has kids interested in computer games, but I was really surprised at how much my boys have learned playing Age of Mythology, from Age of Empires. Judging by what they've gotten out of the Percy Jackson books, I think you'll learn a lot from those too.

  5. Curiosity is eating me. Why do you all call it Sign Language instead of ASL?

     

    Rosie

     

    There are other sign programs/schools of thought out there beside ASL. I'd only want to learn ASL, but I know that the whole "baby sign" has been popular too.

     

    Anyway, we are HUGE Signing Times fans. Started with DS back when he was in pre-school and little brother was not quite a year at the time. They both signed all the time! Not so much lately, but every once in awhile they'll get the DVDs out to watch.

  6. Last year for 4th, I created a bulletted list on power point and printed it out. He'd check the stuff off as he went. This year and got a write-on wipe-off class calendar. It works well, because it's essentially just a grid. I write the work in for the week, each square a different subject/day. This has worked really well for him. He marks off each assignment as he finishes, can see what he has coming up, work ahead if he feels like it--hasn't happened yet, but I suppose it could. He essentially does everything on his own but will ask if there's a question. I will also step in when I know something is new and has to be taught. So depending on the topic, there are still many areas where we work together too.

  7. I think at that stage--early reading--anything is better than nothing and if they're reading it independently all the better. Yes, I suppose that some books are better than others, but to me if they're reading, great! My kids have really enjoyed all the leveled readers that you can get through Scholastic or find in the book stores, particularly those that are science or history based. DS is just learning to read and has been choosing books on both Greek and Egyptian mythology, next he wants to try the one on Pompeii. But he also enjoys the Scooby Doo phonics readers too, and I don't see anything wrong with that. (I always liked the Amelia Bedilia books when I as that age. Same with the Miss Nelson books.:D)

  8. As I wrote in the other thread, I think that teaching to the test can lead to kids spending weeks or months worth of class time doing test prep instead of learning. What I mean is that kids spend all their time learning how to figure out the answer from the phrasing of the question or how to guess when you don't actually know. They drill the same sorts of questions over and over and over until kids get better at doing multiple choice. But if they were to be asked to have a conversation about the topic of the test or to write about it or practice the knowledge in a new way - like using the math to add up a grocery bill - they would be stumped. It's just pathetic.

     

     

     

    Exactly, I've seen teachers, who a couple weeks before the test, go on massive "review" mode. They're suddenly throwing all kinds of stuff out there making sure they get everything covered, dropping any other subjects that don't comply. I think this is especially so with math, where all of a sudden the homework coming home is a different aspect all together: fractions one day, then a bunch of geometry, how to do this function or that.:tongue_smilie: (All multiple choice, fill in the bubble type work too) It also doesn't help that when the tests are taken, the texts are not completed so naturally the student hasn't seen everything that will be on the test.

  9. We hav the Seamus Heanyly version too and was planning on having DS listen to the audio along with it--although I realize it's abridged. I'm not sure which version I read in high school that would be more appropriate. Keeping my eye on this thread though as it's one DS wants to read this year.

  10. And what's wrong with grey eyes! :D

     

    Jean (with the grey eyes which change color a bit depending on what I'm wearing).

     

    :iagree:this is me too. Eye color doesn't have to change. My boys were both born with beautiful blue eyes and everyone wondered if they'd change too, and just asked "why?" Despite Dad being very dark--brown hair and brown eyes--our boys are as blond hair and blue eyed as can be.

  11. Thank you! You have all instilled the fear of Cold in me. I am definitely a novice camper. I have surmised that cold camper = unhappy camper.

     

    Aspiring on being a happy one, I did not want to our little group to look like this with my blanket idea ==> :chillpill::chillpill::chillpill::chillpill::chillpill:

     

    So since this morning, I got some real sleeping bags and liners too. Here is a fresh question: if moisture is the enemy of warmth and our existing sleeping bags are of cotton/flannel/polyfill construction (in fact, here is what I have .... Coleman), what should I do with them during the day? Let them hang hang outside on lawn chairs? Did I mention I am a novice camper?

     

     

    That looks like it'll be perfect! Glad you went with the cotton too, those nylon bags are the worst. I think you'll be nice and toasty. And, when you camp in warmer weather, those are great to lay on top of with a sheet and light blanket.

  12. FOr 40 degrees, I'd definitely do sleeping bags. We camp a lot and I've used both sleeping bags and blankets. When it's cold outside, I'm shivering with the blankets on. If I can get inside of a sleeping bag, I'm warm.

     

     

    :iagree: Not only that, you need to make sure your sleeping bags are rated for at least 40 degrees. We camped this summer in Yellowstone and it got down into the 30s. Never felt a thing since we had good sleeping bags--our boys were really surprised when the stepped out of the tent and it was as cold as it was. (I think the bags we had were rated for 30 degrees and had a nice flannel inside.) You can do blankets, but you're going to need a lot of them and probably some long-johns too.

  13. I should run and hide after this, but when did they rename Australia, "Oceania?"

     

    Good question. I went to Wikipedia since it would be the fastest and a good starting point:

     

    The term "Oceania" was coined in 1831 by French explorer Dumont d'Urville.[dubious – discuss] The term is also sometimes used to denote a continent comprising Australia and proximate Pacific islands,[2][3][4][5] and is one of eight terrestrial ecozones.

     

    THis has been one fascinating discussion!

  14. Sorry for the delay in responding, I forget these forums are here sometimes. RIght now he is all about the workbooks. We've been answering the questions and he's had a blast drawing pictures. (I write his answers for him.) Since I didn't really have any intention of writing myself, I can see me taking dictation. I was just talking to DH about this last night in fact, wondering how we were going to manage that aspect of the project.

  15. We're looking for some computer grammar games, either online or software. DS really struggles with his parts of speech and I think something he could "play" might be better than trying to drill him with lectures or worksheets. Are there any decent iPhone apps that would help? we're open to that option too.

     

    Thanks!

×
×
  • Create New...