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kailuamom

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Posts posted by kailuamom

    IOWA vs. CAT??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Is one more "difficult" than the other? Our state accepts the CAT and it seemed the easiest to administer (not as many restrictions as far as who can administer/when, etc.) -- wondering if it is less rigorous test-wise, too?

    LLATL colors/levels...help!!

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    If my ds already knows his letters and is sounding out words (he is in Explode the Code 2 and about half way through OPGTR), what level would he be in for LLATL? I have never used the program before and am a lost in all the "colors" of the series! I don't want it to be overly challenging, but not boring, either.

    Dilemma: would you pay all, part or nothing of this ER bill?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    My .02 -- the parents should pay. I would not expect my parents or in-laws to pay for my child's medical bills, whether insurance covered it or not. You had no choice but to get him the care...it's not like you said "Hey...instead of getting ice cream, let's go to the ER!" He was hurt and needed care. They would have done the same thing if he had been with them.

     

     

    (That said, you could offer to help pay if you have the means and they don't right now...but that depends on many things, including the dynamics of your relationship. You are her mother, but she is a responsible adult now, kwim?)

    Alternative to Writing Strands?? Writeshop?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Writeshop is at the top of my list for this fall. My ds is a rising 6th grader. He writes fairly well, but I'm not sure if I am skipping anything important. Sometimes his editing is done haphazardly and I really want to get him on a system for approaching his writing assignments.

    When I thumbed through Writeshop, I got that AHA! feeling. It lays out everything quite specificallly. I think Writeshop will help me be sure that I've taught everything. Once we complete that program, I will feel more confident about moving into more advance writing assignments.

    If you need/want step by step instruction on how to teach writing, I think Writeshop would be a good choice for you.

     

    That does sound like what I am looking for -- dd writes well, but has a hard time organizing sometimes and could use help self-editing. I hope to focus on expository writing. She is much better at fiction and story-telling.

     

    Thanks!

    3rd Grade Reading

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    My ds is a rising 4th grader and a good reader. I was proud to start some of the classics you mentioned, only to, very recently, realize that I was rushing the leap into literature, and passing up some great 8 yo books. I, too, would hold off on some of the more difficult books, like Treasure Island, Heidi, Kidnapped, even Little Women, - it looks like maybe all the books after wizard of oz on your list. It may be that cd enjoys them more if you wait a bit. Just my experience - don't rush it.

     

    I think that at this age they can get a bit frustrated with the book if they get a bit bogged down and don't feel that "sense of accomplishment" they do when breezing through books like MTH or other books of that size. My daughter just took off, too, and reads the American Girl books in a couple of hours lately. But, I think she LIKES the fact that she does that -- it makes her feel like a reader! :001_smile:

     

    A suggestion I have for the longer books that you want to do, at least in the beginning of the year, before he is ready for the longer books -- books on cd/tape. My kids love those. We did the Narnia series and she read along. So, she is reading, but keeps her interest longer because someone is reading it to her. (Similar to you or dh reading it to him, but you can do it in the car, too! :001_smile:)

    Alternative to Writing Strands?? Writeshop?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    WriteShop is fine - I have used it with two kids so far. We tend to do level 1 and part of level 2 and then switch into Format Writing, so the kid has a beltful of WriteShop (with all its helpful checklists to teach a kid to EDIT their work, and to help the parent grade the work!!!! Most valuable part of the program!) before tackling Format Writing and the traditional types of five-paragraph essay before high school.

     

    Thanks so much for the info! I like the idea that they learn to edit themselves! :001_smile:

    Alternative to Writing Strands?? Writeshop?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    After two years of Calvert, I am looking for a writing program for my 6/7 grade dd. She tried Writing Strands in 4th grade and it just didn't "click" with her. Any suggestions for a good program? I have looked at IEW but it is a bit pricey and, honestly, it may be a bit too teacher intensive with all we have planned.

     

    Any opinions on Writeshop?

     

    Thanks!

    Another baby at almost 40? Maybe the baby boat already sailed?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    You are not too old -- a lot of people are not having their first until 40 these days -- but I hear you with all of your concerns. When we got (surprise!) pg with our 1 yo, a whole new set of fears came about because of my age. We are very blessed and I absolutely love my family of four. But, I will be honest and say that, at least for me, being pregnant and having an infant was MUCH harder at 39 than it was at 28 (when I had my first). It is just more taxing all around (especially the breastfeeding/hormones on my body this time around) as you get older. Again, that is me. And every child is worth it. But, we are "done," so to speak, as far as adding to the bunch -- at least that is our plan.

     

    Good luck with your decision.

    Latin Prep vs Lively Latin (response from author of LL)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I went with LP for my kids, because for them, LL would have been review. They had both been through LCI and LfC A, and were really ready to move on, rather than go through the introductory stuff again.

     

    quote]

     

    I am having a hard time deciding between the two. They both look good, for different reasons!

     

    You mention you chose Latin Prep because your kids already had some Latin. Would you say, though, that Latin Prep could be used with a complete beginner? Or should I do LL if she (they) have not done Latin before? I plan on using it primarily for my 11 yo, but want my 8 yo to listen along, too. (Maybe not do it as a strict program? But she does read above grade level, so doing it with her sister may work. )

     

    Thanks!

    Ridgewood Grammar by EPS Books?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Well, I love the Harry Potter books and movies myself. But my kids are not interested in them. Thanks for the heads up. How do you like LLATL?

     

    If I remember, there are only a few references. Luckily, my kids are as into Harry Potter as I am. :)

     

    We used Ridgewood and I was pleased with it. Good way to cement the basics, and they incude diagramming.

    Please tell me how you've gotten over not having any more children

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

     

    I just think you have to bear it with grace--mourn the loss (it is a real loss!) and pray to become content with what you have.

    Hugs to you--it's hard to let go of that season.

     

     

    Really well said. As with so many things, you just have to find the strength to close the chapter...realizing that there is so much more to be written.

     

    Here's to some really exciting chapters ahead. :)

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