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ncmom2dawters

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Everything posted by ncmom2dawters

  1. Does your family do something special to celebrate the first day of school? Does your support group do a 'Not Back to School Party' on the day your local public schools start back? I'd love to hear (especially from those with high school age students) some ideas on how you make these days special.
  2. I am looking for rubric samples to help me develop one to use when evaluating projects for a high school coop class.
  3. I'm considering copywork and dictation to help my rising 9th grader with spelling. We've used several spelling programs over the years. Spelling rules mean **nothing** to her. In hindsight, I'm thinking copywork and dictation may have helped. I recently found a resource where the student copies a same paragraph/quote/literary work for a few days then is "tested" by dictation but I cannot recall the title. Any suggestions?
  4. Have you explored Math-U-See? It is very hands on and mastery. I do know they have added some review since we tried it *many* years ago but am not sure how much. I do understand what you are saying about needing mastery and review. That would be ideal for my daughter, too. Some times TT does not have enough practice in a unit and it is not until she does the review in the following unit that she gets it. I've though of using Saxon for this reason but TT is working well enough for her that we're just going to stay on that path through high school.
  5. My daughter, who is finishing 8th grade and TT pre-algebra, has been using TT for three years. The sequence, progression and visual lessons on the computer are great for her. I often sit with her through the lessons to help as needed ... especially for new concepts. Although it would be great for it to be totally independent for her, like it is for her 7th grade sister who is also doing TT pre-algebra, it is worth my time to help her solidify the concepts.
  6. I'm exploring spelling options for a 9th grader with auditory processing and dyslexic challenges. She has come a *LONG* way in this area, however, spelling is still quite a challenge...mainly because she has trouble hearing sounds in some words. We tried all the "best" and Orton Gillingham phonics based programs. She finally *started* to read in 3rd grade using Pathway Readers which are more whole word focused. We did not abandon phonics however have learned that phonics rules are often *not* helpful to her. Spell check is definitely a needed and used tool but I see that technology will not always be on hand. It is embarrassing and frustrating for her when she has to ask others how to spell words when writing something. We've learned that rules focused programs are not helpful. Over the years, some of the resources we have used included: traditional spelling programs (which were memorized by pattern for the test and often forgotten), Barton level 1 &2, All About Spelling, Reading Horizon (computer program), and Spelling Power. We used Spelling Power for a few years. It was most effective of all we've tried but she needs more practice and review. This year we went through two Megawords books. I am considering sticking with that program but the spelling portion is not really enough and the rules tend not to be helpful. I am also considering Sequential Spelling. Are there any other ideas for programs and tools like ipod or computer apps, etc...? Her weakest areas are multi-syllable words and words with unusual/unpredictable spelling. I understand we will not fix her challenges. I do think though that we can improve her spelling skills more before she graduates.
  7. I'm having a bit of a debate with someone about who can join some possible classes/activities being offered next year. She only wants to offer there activities by invite ...she has to know the person or the person joining be a friend of a friend and be recommended. She is on the board of our local support group where the criteria for new members is stated as open to 'friends and family' of members. I've always been more open to posting an invite to local homeschool yahoo loops to see who God brings that has the same need, like mindedness, etc... Are the classes, support group, etc... your family is involved with by invite only or open to families you may not yet know? Which do you prefer?
  8. I'm curious to hear if the area where you live has traditional co-ops at the high school level (where a parent for each family must stay and help or teach) or drop off co-ops. We moved from an area that had many traditional co-ops. Our new area is has several large drop-off co-ops (100++ students). Parents pay an enrollment fee of $60-$80 per family and $45-$300 per class, per semester, per student plus supply fees. They drop their children off for 1-4 hours of classes. Parents tend not to know the person teaching their children. **I am not saying this model is wrong.** I just have observed a significant difference in homeschool community and support because of it. I've also heard from teachers and group leaders of these types of co-ops of many issues arising from this model ...i.e. parents totally not involved, students not prepared for class, a co-op handbook that reads like rules found in a public school even including criteria for expulsion and fines, ... I have also observed that most of the drop-off co-ops in our area offer core classes for high school students. **Certainly I understand those classes fit the needs of some families.** I prefer to do our core subject at home. I am looking instead for elective type classes. I've been proactive in trying to start a traditional co-op. Few people know what that is. Many have expressed interest until I explain that a commit from them is required. For my children to be involved with peers, I almost feel forced to enroll them in a core class at a drop-off co-op. We did participate in one the first semester we lived here. The quality of teaching was hit or miss and we made no connections. **I appreciate the many options available to homeschoolers.** However, because of these options, I am feeling the pressure that I'm failing my children academically and socially if we HOMEschool through high school. Is the drop off co-op a national trend? Is anyone still doing a majority of their high school instruction at home taught by mom/dad?
  9. Last month I attended a workshop at The Great Homeschool Convention with a man who had been an admissions person at three universities. He said they are looking for grades, SAT/ACT scores, and involvement (community service, leadership, clubs, jobs, ...). Not once did he mention anything about enrichments camps/programs.
  10. Conference season is upon us. What are some ideas you have for saving money and eating healthy meals while at a multi-day conference? Do you bring a crockpot for the hotel room? Do you eat sandwiches for most meals?
  11. We are hiring a teen who lives a few minutes from us to come once a day to feed our two cats and clean out the litter box while we are at a homeschool conference. What is the going rate these days to pay a teen for this type of work?
  12. During the high school years, do you use a Bible curriculum? We've used various Bible/worldview curriculum over the years. Next year my oldest with be 9th grade. I have been considering programs/guides to take her through the entire Bible in 3 or 4 years. However, we are in a family Bible study at church where we study through one book of the Bible at a time. In addition we study through a different book during church services. (One hour church service + one hour Bible study + one hour of homework = 3 hours of Bible each week). I am thinking of using what we are doing at Bible study and church service as the core of her Bible "course" ... adding in related reading/study and some worldview and/or study of other religions. Does anyone count their church service/Bible study class time toward a Bible credit?
  13. I'm curious if anyone on this board lives near Red Lodge or Bearcreek, MT. We're heading to those areas in July with others from our church for a mission trip.
  14. Thanks for offering this information. My understanding is the parents pulled their oldest out of public school last year after mom happened to be in the hallway and observed the teacher treating her son poorly. They were staying with a family member but very recently were forced by the landlord to move since they were not on the lease. They were homeschooling prior to this move. There are many challenges facing this family.
  15. I am trying to help a mom who has no $ for educational materials and does not get to the library much due to lack of transportation. The family is currently living in a motel and has access to free wifi. Besides Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, what are some favorite web sites for K-2nd grade level?
  16. Our family is exploring ways to raise some extra $ to help pay for a mission trip we will be taking with our church. We do not want to ask people to give us money nor want to knock on doors selling a product. What are some creative ways to raise funds?
  17. Another option you might explore is American Heritage Girls. ahgonline.org
  18. My plan has been to have my children read novels for their high school literature studies. I was talking with a mom with a different perspecitive. She is using BJU lit. Her thinking is that an excerpt and synopsis of a literature work is sufficient to grasp the idea of the story and the author's style. She feels they can can cover more types of lit. and authors....especially for a student who is not a fast reader. I'm curious to hear thoughts on reading entire novels vs just portions and a summary.
  19. I am thinking of trying Sequential Spelling with my 8th grader who has dyslexic and auditory processing challenges. We've tried SEVERAL well know programs over the years with slow progress. Spelling rules do not stick nor are helpful. I think the computer version of SS would be helpful to her with the visual aspect and color. I am also though wondering if we should instead do the adult program since we have only a little over four years before graduation. I am going to give her the pretest tomorrow. I am guessing she will test in book 1 or 2.
  20. My 8th grader (with dyslexia and auditory processing challenges) does great as long as the answer is a fact or definition that can be copied and memorized...although memory is not a strength. She has a very difficult time summarizing information and putting a response in her own words. With high school around the corner, I have gradually been trying to make her more independent. There has been success with this in areas that do not require this higher level thinking. I have considered that she may not be developmentally ready for this skill. I am wondering for these type of assignments if I should go back to having her respond orally and dictate so we can discuss responses...i.e. outlining the science chapter instead of answering questions. I do already spend A LOT more one-on-one time with her than my other middle schooler. Has anyone else crossed this challenge and can share how you dealt with it?
  21. We read a lot of literature but not much poetry. Last year we completed one half of Grammar of Poetry. It was interesting but did not spur an interest in poets nor for reading poetry. I am looking for resources that will direct a casual study of poets and poetry.
  22. I am exploring history options for our high school years. I would love a combination of book reading and some type of dvd / online /lecture component to make the history come alive for my dyslexic child who is not a fast reader. I prefer a chronological study over several years but am not set on that. The last four years we've been using Veritas online-self paced along with related historical fiction, Netflix dvds, etc... I'm considering Omnibus self-paced but for several reasons I am not sure it will be a good fit nor if the levels we'll need will be finished when we need them.
  23. My daughter is interested in cake decorating. I am thinking of designing an elective for her 9th grade year. Is cake decorating to specific? Should it be more broad, like baking, home ec., ..., to count for 1/2 or 1 elective credit? Some ideas I have is for her to take Wilton classes, practice by making cakes for our church's hospice ministry 2x a month and possibly making cakes to donate to other ministries. Are there some additional suggestions? Is there a good dvd type resource that she could use?
  24. Moms who have or are nearing the end of your homeschooling journey ... what happens next? Did you go back into the work force? Did you continue with a career you had before homeschooling? How did you or are you preparing for the transition?
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