Embassy
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Posts posted by Embassy
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I understand it is exciting to see one's child capable of doing accelerated work but I would hold off doing a "curriculum." Regarding reading, let her choose her books (w/pictures) and set up a time where you can read together. Talk about books, include fiction and nonfiction reads. Engage her thinking skills AND her reading skills. Regarding math, instead of worksheets, get some fun math games to play with her. As for science, go out in nature and identify plants, animals, cycles, etc. Have fun with science for it is all around us. History can be taught with simple story telling, proceed with SOTW next year or the year after depending on her interest. At 4yrs I would be really cautious about having her do "seatwork," unless she really wants to but I would limit it. At this age, experiencing learning through play, discussion and picture books is key.
:iagree:
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This is going to sound crazy....but I feel like a stalker. When I first decided to homeschool last year I knew nothing (I only know a little more than nothing now) and I typed eclectic homeschooling into Google and your blog came up. I am not much of a joiner and the only people I knew that homeschooled were also just starting, or were, how do I say this politely, different. So your blog was a life raft for me. I follow you and your family by reading your blog constantly and I didn't know you were also on this forum until I clicked on the above list and realized that I knew the 'list' well. So anyways I am not a stalker, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your sharing, and I bet there are plenty of others out there who silently lurk learning what we can and feeling less alone by people like you who actually blog about your experiences.
Wow :) It is nice to know the words I put out there are read by someone. Thank you for your comments:001_smile:
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If I lived in that heat I would probably feel miserable. If the onset of the problems came with the heat I suspect that cooler weather would help. I'm guessing you have AC so it is tolerable inside. If they miss outside activities maybe you can do some inside activities like dancing, jumping around on rebounders, etc.
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No. We usually slow down when we go deeper (taking the time to read *every* book our library has in the children's section on a particular topic and some from the adult section, visiting several museums that have exhibits on the topic, reading magazine articles, watching documentaries, doing lapbooks, drawings, wrtiting about it, researching reputable internet sites, doing crafts, creating board games, etc.).
Okay, I think I'm getting it :) Acceleration is advanced and narrow in scope. Deep can be advanced because you are learning more information than the typical narrow scope. Would you say that is true?
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I think of acceleration as going through a sequence of material faster - such as math. Going deeper implies to me a more thorough and involved treatment of the material.
Isn't the thorough and involved treatment also addressed at the accelerated level?
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Are going deeper and acceleration equal?
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What has been your approach to teaching your gifted child/children? Do you sink deep into topics, cover more topics, or accelerate into a higher grade level?
Have you found that your gifted child/children need to be taught a certain way?
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Has anyone been to Uncle Tom's Cabin in Ontario? Was it a worthwhile trip? I am considering a trip there for the upcoming school year after my older son reads the book. It would be about a 2 hour trip each way so I want to know if it is worth it.
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I've lived a transient life so I can't fully understand what you are going through. I wondered what it would be like to live in one area for so long. Maybe someday I'll find out. As of right now I'm still trying to break my record of living in one place for 5 years. That record has stood since 1986.
If you do need to move I would go with the renting out your house to give you the option to come back to your forever house.
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I can only comment on first grade, and only pertaining to my experience teaching it---but I would cut handwriting down in the amount of time per day, but up it to daily. 5 minutes of GOOD practice daily is all you need--with you over his shoulder making him redo as necessary. I would also add more reading time and decrease the rest til he is fluent and loving it, then slowly add on the other things.
Good idea about the handwriting. As for reading time, what would you consider fluent? He is on the verge between learning to read and reading to learn.
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That's great. We don't do many textbooks, but we don't do much hands-on either. You must spend a ton of time doing prep for all that hands-on, parent-involved activity! What a blessing to your kids. :)
Thanks Rosy. I usually spend several months planning before the school year starts so there really isn't too much to do during the school year. But then again it looks like we will be moving in the middle of the school year again so (yikes) there will be much to do!
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I just feel that I've let him down, because he could be reading by now.
Your signature says he is begging for first grade to start. Maybe you could have pushed him and have him reading at a higher level, but he has something more important. He wants to learn. That can be squished out of a kid. What matters more - a child reading long vowel words or a child who wants to learn? You are doing a great job!
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I didn't know one could actually *read* at a pre-K level.
From your post, it sounds like your son is making great progress. I'm sure you're doing just fine.
:iagree:
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I'm having my oldest son read 8 books this coming school year (book list in signature). Some of them are quite long. I can always add more if he completes them early.
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It sounds like it's working well for you. Now that I understand a little better what you're doing, I think that would be a great way to homeschool. My kids would probably love being taught by you! We don't have nearly as much fun in my house. :P
I appreciate how graciously you're accepting everyone's advice. :)
Thanks Rosy. Maybe I should have explained a little better in the OP. I know many people go the textbook route, but it bores me silly. I do use some textbooks, but living books are more the norm. I know I could just have my kids read about ziggurats in 10 minutes, but it is so much more fun to take a hour to build one out of watermelon.
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This seems like WAY too much to me, especially for the 1st grader. If they are used to this amount/level of work, that's terrific. I think most kids that age could be sufficiently schooled in 2-3 hours a day, maybe less for the 1st grader.
I agree, but we shy away from "work" so it tends to take longer.
I'm not sure you're asking for this, but if you want to know what I would do differently....the biggest thing that jumps out at me is that you are doing 5 different foreign languages and spending 5 hrs. a week on this. That seems like it could get confusing really quickly. I would pick one (or even one modern and one ancient) and focus on those. If you wanted to do two languages, I would spend 15 min. a day and alternate between them, maybe even one week on one and one week on the other.
I appreciate the advice. The 5 languages may seem confusing, but they are not. We are going slow and steady with many years ahead to sink deep into the languages.
I would not do logic with a kid under 5th grade. Ok, that's a lie--I'm doing logic with my 4th grader this year, but she is advanced and all we're doing is logic puzzles for now. I don't think a 1st grader can grasp that level of reasoning...and even if they can, I don't think it's necessary until 5th grade.
Logic may not have been the right word. It is more like computer brain games and some fun puzzle books like mazes, dot to dots, word puzzles, logic puzzles etc.
If you're doing reading, lit, phonics and handwriting, I don't think you need to add LA. I would do a gentle grammar program like FLL, for 1st grade that can be done in less than 10 min., 3x a week. In 3rd grade it's more like 15-20 tops, 2-3x/week.
LOL, I think my kids would revolt if I used something like FLL ;) I plan to introduce grammar to my first grader using Mad Libs which is right up his alley. I also plan to have him use some of his language arts time writing on his blog which he loves to do. They are whole to part learners that need depth.
I think history can incorporate geography and wouldn't include a separate geography program.
Yes it can, but learning about world cultures is one of the most important aspects of our philosophy. Geography is one of the best loved subjects around here too. We have had fun making flags, playing games from different countries, watching videos, reading stories, listening to music, and eating food from different countries around the world.
If your boys are thriving on this schedule, please ignore what I've said. But to me it looks like a recipe for burnout. But I am not a rigorous homeschooler by this board's standards, either.
I can see how some may think that. I am rigorous in terms of time, but we utilize many informal ways to learn. I think my boys wouldn't like it if I cut down their school day to just the necessary things. I would cut out all the things they like best.
I appreciate your perspective.
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Have you been doing the 5-5.5 hour/day for a couple of years now, within a 192 day school year all along, too? How are your kids doing with this schedule?
The 5-5.5 hours a day is normal for us. Some days it is more. Some days it is less. I count hours so we are flexible that way. The 192 day schedule is what the public school does here.
Having a shorter time for school would drastically cut down on all the fun things like hands-on activities, computer games, DVDs, as well as the time spent enjoying books.
- combine geography, map reading, and history into two or so 1-1.5-hour slots per week. Make them simpler in order to put them together.
- don't do science and history/geo/map on the same day - alternate
Thanks for the input. I use the x per week to help me plan. We may spend 4 hours on history one day and then not do it again until the next week. Map reading will need to be separate because it involves my kids sitting in the back seat telling me which way to go based on the map in their lap.
- put off typing until grade 5 or so, esp. since they are still working on handwriting.
I considered this. My kids love the computer and spend lots of time on it. My 3rd grader has done some typing since first grade because his handwriting was way behind. I felt it gave him a way to write without the frustration of poor fine motor skills.
- put off logic until grade 5 or later. Or if it's mostly puzzly worksheet type things, let it be optional in free time.
Good point. It is mostly fun stuff. It is mainly for my younger son who needs some help with some memory skills. I added it for my older son because I thought he would enjoy it too.
- foreign languages: how are they with doing 5 foreign languages? If they are having fun with it, great; if they start getting confused and overwhelmed, pare it down to one, and even then, make it "fun time" instead of "required time." I'm guessing by your other subjects that English is their first language, and this is the time to let them get a good grounding in English. Nothing wrong with foreign language - it's also a great time to learn one, but I'd closely watch how they take to all this.
It is slower going with 5 than if I were only doing 1. I added one this coming year because they will need to know it where we plan to live. Yes, English is their first language. I've actually found that learning other languages has helped their English skills. I do keep an eye on things though.
I appreciate your advice!
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I was going to say that all seems like an extremely high amount of work and time for their ages too, but you aren't looking for that. I like my kids to have free time to learn and explore on their own. At these ages play is one of their best ways of learning, and I don't feel so much structure is conducive to that. I'm not really sure what you are asking?
I agree with you about play. My kids learn so much through play. 5 hours of school for them still gives them at least 6-7 hours for play.
I guess I was wondering if there was too much of one subject or not enough of another subject? While I have it all written out as x per week that is just to help me plan. I count hours so I can go at their pace rather than what a schedule says.
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I have a third grader.
At first glance 5.5 hours seems like a lot! Then I realized that you are including reading time, P.E., games and read alouds. So that's probably pretty close to what we are doing, when we include interruptions and breaks.
It would be too much for my kids at first grade, though. Unless some of that time is listening in to the readings but not expecting quite as much.
Thanks for the input. I appreciate another perspective. Time wise it does seem like a lot, but we have lots of hands-on activities, computer activities, and videos in the mix. "Sit down and work" time is limited. I figure if a child in public school can be there from 8-3, my kids can spend 5.5 hours in school. We just use the time more effectively.
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What dates are you doing school? How many days off, etc.?
We have a 192 day school year, but instead of counting days I count hours. I considered how much time to spend on each subject per week and added it up. I allowed 20 school days for extra things like homeschool group days, field trips, or special projects. As we go through the school year I mark off how much time we spend on each subject. I don't plan on how much to do in math each day because every day is different. Sometimes we may need to slow down and other times we need to speed up. I do list assignments chronologically so if I am combining two different math programs I will list assignments in the order I wish to do them such as page 50-51 in x book, pg 112-130 in y book, math game, etc. When our time is up for the day we stop and continue where we left off when we do that subject again.
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I'm in the planning process for the upcoming school year. I do a loopish kind of schedule, but count hours. The schedule below is based on a 192 day school year. I've allotted 20 full days for field trips, projects, and homeschool group days. Based on the amount of times below our school day should be between 5-5.5 hour long which is what we have been doing for a couple years now. I think reading may be a little less than typical, but my boys are both very strong readers and often read in their free time. Any advice or suggestions?
3rd grader
Bible 30 minutes 5 x week
History 60 minutes 2x week
Geography 60 minutes 2x week
Map reading – 30 minutes every 2 weeks
PE – 30 minutes 4x week
Math – 30 minutes 5x week
Science – 60 minutes 2x week
Reading – 30 minutes a day 3-4x week
Literature (Read Alouds)– 30 minutes a day 3-4x week
Spelling – 15 minutes 3x week
Handwriting – 15 min 2x wk
MCT LA - 30 minutes 3-4 x week
Art Appreciation – 30-45 min 1x week
Music – 15 min music lesson wk, 15 min music theory wk, 30 min music appreciation every 2 weeks
Game time – 60 min wk
Typing – 15 min 3x wk
French – 30 min 2x wk
Sinhala – 30 min 2x wk
Mandarin – 30 min 2-3x wk
Arabic – 30 min 2-3x wk
Koine Greek – 15 min 2x wk
Logic – 15 min 2x wk
1st Grader
Bible 30 minutes 5 x week
History 60 minutes 2x week
Geography 60 minutes 2x week
Map reading – 30 minutes every 2 weeks
PE – 30 minutes 4x week
Math – 30 minutes 5x week
Science – 45 min 2x week
Reading –30 minutes a day 3x week
Literature (Read Alouds) – 20 minutes day 5x week
Phonics – 20 minutes 5x week
Handwriting – 15 min 3x wk
LA – (Grammar, Writing, and extra reading) 30 minutes 3x week
Art – 35 minutes 2x week
Music – 15 min music lesson wk, 15 min music theory wk, 30 min music appreciation every 2 weeks
Game time – 60 min wk
French – 30 min 2x wk
Sinhala – 30 min 2x wk
Mandarin – 30 min 2-3x wk
Arabic – 30 min 2-3x wk
Koine Greek – 15 min 2x wk
Logic – 15 min 2x wk
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I recently compiled a big list of read alouds for my son this coming school year. He will be in first grade, but his listening skills are more like PK/K level. You can see the list here.
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My ds's family didn't let the kids believe in Santa for very long, so he didn't "get" my enthusiasm for making a big deal out of him, but I quickly converted him into a believer when he saw the joy my ds has gotten out of it.
Cat
I'm not sure you understood the point I was attempting to make. It wasn't Santa that brought the joy. It was you. You may have used Santa to bring about joy, but the magic doesn't come from a myth. It comes from people.
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Christmas is magical without a man in a red suit. I have many wonderful memories of the magic of the season from my childhood and I never believed in Santa. Santa is treated as another fairy tale around here and I would not lead my child to believe any fairy tale was true.
The magic of the season is not found in the Santa myth. It is found in people. It is found in family. It is found in the spirit of giving. Who is behind the Santa myth? Isn't it the family that facilitates the belief? And in so doing, isn't it the family that is producing the magic?
Christmas is as special as you make it. Santa isn't necessary.
Introversion and Forum Participation
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
I have a hypothesis. Those who are introverted do not hesitate participating on forums and cannot be distinguished from those who are extroverted. Yet, if we put a group of women from a thread into one room to talk about an issue we would see a big difference. Why? I'm thinking that those who are introverted don't always feel comfortable taking a turn in the conversation because conversations are erratic and it isn't always easy to know when to jump in. Forum posting, on the other hand, is methodical and it is easy to take a turn without taking someone else's turn. Okay, so am I way off base here or does this ring of at least a little truth?