mommy4ever
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Posts posted by mommy4ever
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Planning grade 2 was easy :) Grade 6 is harder for me, there are some gaps, and need as many suggestions as possible to explore in order to fill them, or even point them out to me, as this is still quite new to me. A note to the below, we schooling this spring. So in many ways Spring is the 'new year/grade'. The girls and I have decided to do light schooling through summer, science experiments, lots of the fun stuff, so gently move use so that our new year will in fact be in the Fall...eventually. As well, it will keep the girls from being completely bored and eliminate quite a bit of review, as we start new curriculum.
- History: We are completing SOTW 1 using Usbourne book of World History: including timeline, outlines, and evaluations of primary sources where we can find them. We will move into SOTW 2, and considering using FK History, if she is feeling confident enough to tackle the more advanced text. We are using that actual SOTW for her as well, as dd6 and her are at the same years within logic and grammar. DD11 has never read them prior. So it's a nice second resource for her. Plus the AG has lots of fun things to do too. More fun with 2 than 1 :)
- Math: Completing Math Mammoth 4 if it isn't completed yet, and moving into Math Mammoth 5. If her pace, drive and comprehension remain as they are now, we may possibly commence the 6th as well. But I don't expect it of her. She loves the books, and in the evening when the weather is too cool to be outside, and she has used up her tv or pc time, she will pull out her math and work through it. I won't stop her, and both dh and myself are around to help if needed. I also grabbed Wrap Ups for her to fortify her math facts so they become more second nature. She's competitive, loves the challenge of racing the clock.
- English: One of our biggest areas of challenge here.
- Writing is being covered in History, Science and Literature, I loved the lecture by SWB. And love the fact that dd11 isn't considering it as writing :lol: 2 birds one stone, IMO.
- Spelling: We are going to go through AAS 5/6. To be sure there aren't too many gaps in her learning there. Her spelling is not bad, but still some silly errors that pop up that a light and quick review wouldn't hurt. Plus she loves listening in on dd6 doing AAS 1. And there is a little jealousy, as dd6 requires more one on one. So this gives us that within the scope of learning.
- Grammar - Will are going to go with Analytical Grammar.
- Reading - lots of narrations, lots of reading - I am compiling a list of quality books for her. As well as she is doing her fun reading. And reading out loud to her sister and the daycare kids.
- Writing is being covered in History, Science and Literature, I loved the lecture by SWB. And love the fact that dd11 isn't considering it as writing :lol: 2 birds one stone, IMO.
- Science: We are continuing in Life science, finishing it when SOTW 1 is done. And moving to Astronomy and Earth Science. We are using Creepy Crawlies and the Scientific Method through spring right now, As well as we are doing botany now and through summer, as things are alive and growing. We will look at animals in the fall as we complete SOTW 1 and do any dissections then. And from there move on to SOTW 2. Using WTM recommendations and methods. We will purchase the spines, but use the library for most of everything else. I am still trying to figure out how to do the science.
- Music : Weekly piano and theory lessons
- Sports: Ringette, power skating, swimming
- Art: lessons locally (drawing, painting, sculpting, pottery, mixed media, ethnic and historic)
- Latin: Gently introducing Latina Prima, and possibly move to Latina Christiana
- French: reading, grammar, writing, spelling. She has been in a french program for the last 5 years, we will be continuing her learning.
- History: We are completing SOTW 1 using Usbourne book of World History: including timeline, outlines, and evaluations of primary sources where we can find them. We will move into SOTW 2, and considering using FK History, if she is feeling confident enough to tackle the more advanced text. We are using that actual SOTW for her as well, as dd6 and her are at the same years within logic and grammar. DD11 has never read them prior. So it's a nice second resource for her. Plus the AG has lots of fun things to do too. More fun with 2 than 1 :)
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Yes, she does that in her OPGTR as well as with AAS, we have the readers...forgot to mention that.
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Math : Complete Math Mammoth 1 and start 2.
History: Complete SOTW 1 and start 2
English: AAS 2, OPGTR, WWE 1/2, FFL 1/2, Beehive Readers for level 2, for reading out loud, and many more from the library.
Science: We are using the WTM recommendations following following along with SOTW. We will complete studying life on earth as we complete SOTW 1, then move on to Astronomy and Earth Sciences as we move to SOTW2. We will be using the Usborne Encyclopedias and a couple other books.
Art: Art classes at local center(drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media)
Dance classes weekly tap/jazz
Sports: Ringette, swimming, possibility of basketball this year.
Music: she wants to learn to play recorder, so we are looking at that possibility, but also exploring the recommendations in WTM for learning piano at home. (mom has a 5 years piano. She doesn't want to have formal lessons as her older sister does.
French: continue with learning vocabulary, reading, grammar and spelling. Still trying to find the right fit for us in terms of curriculum. (Note: mom is bilingual, so we do speak it some of the time at home, and working on doing so more often)
Am I missing anything? I think I have our basic plan nearly ready for fine tuning and setting up our schedule.
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Math Mammoth is not tremendously colorful, but has some color, but has lots of games suggestions, even some online sites the kids can go to. DD6 has liked that. I'm finding she is pretty much a wiggly monkey most days too, but she does it with little fuss.
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Actually, it was 6 paragraphs. IMO, 2 could have been 1, but we literally started a paragraph at each indent.
She does have good spelling and punctuation. I was pleasantly surprised. Now to get her diagramming is my next goal in few weeks.
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REALLY??? Ok, I wasn't sure how she was doing with it. I thought it was a good first effort. Thanks for letting me know ;) that she is doing ok with it!
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DD11 did a better job than dd13. It was a first for both. I am doing some afterschooling with dd13, as of today..lol
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We started outlining today. I wasn't sure if dd11 was ready, but both dd11 and dd13 each were given a couple pages of reading. DD11 read a couple pages in SOTW 1 , how the nomads became farmers. Here is her 1st attempt. I coached the first couple, the rest were independent.
I. The best place for the nomads to live is the Fertile Crescent.
II. It is called fertile because lots of food was able to grow.
III. Some of the nomads began living in the Fertile Crescent all year long.
IV. The nomads began planting their own food, they were becoming farmers.
V. The nomads began digging canals to water their crops when there was no rain.
VI. The shaduf was lowered into the canals and then swung around to water the crops.
I would think a pretty good first effort. She even used cursive writing! There were a few supporting details that could have been left out, but I didn't want to critique too much. It was a solid first effort! I tried the KF Book of the Ancient World, but the watering eyes started so I took out SOTW and let her start with that. She dug right in after the first little bit. These are her spellings and punctuations as well :) I did mention that the 'It', 'They' 'She' were generalized terms and if this was being used for writing a paper, she'd want to have more specific details.
Any other critiques I should be aware of to coach her in the future?
Today was a good day :)
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Ok, this is absolutely getting frustrating! DD11 is being unreasonable in working in LA... or really anything other than math or coloring.
Yesterday, we were using WWE level THREE workbook. So I backed up 2 levels really, to be sure it wasn't too difficult, but I pick and chose which passages I use, to be sure it would interest her. I had her read the passage. We went over any words she didn't understand, and had her re-read it so it was clear. Then we went to the questions. She answered the first question easily(side note, how do you get them to STOP repeating the question in their answer?). Next question - instant tears. 'it's too hard'. So I look at it. There is no way it was too hard. The only words that were hard were the names of the ship, but even not knowing what those words meant, didn't affect the comprehension of the passage. I know her comprehension is high. She can read at a much higher level. She has read at a higher level than that. So I read it to her, perhaps too quickly. But she answered the questions immediately. I don't think there was ever an issue other than not wanting to think about it. Before you say perhaps she doesn't absorb what she reads, she has no problem with doing it in history. Or that she wasn't interested in it. IF there's an animal, she's into it. This was about a mistreated animal. She's all over that, she's an animal lover. An hour or so later, she started talking about the passage with her older sister with lots of interest.
Let's look at working on her lapbook. If she doesn't find the answer immediately, she sits and pouts or cries. It's worse when I ask her more questions to direct her in the right direction, to have her think outside the box. She just wants the answer now. Not even so much given to her by me, but instant. I have a few books now, that are our references, some are internet linked, so again more info for her. But if that answer isn't on that first page she looks at, the first link she looks at, instant frustration.
French - OMG. This is the worst one. I looked long and hard to see where she was at. She was in french immersion for 6 years. She speaks it decently, in comparison to her classmates. She has a pretty big vocab. But to sit down and start to do work. If it involves asking a questions(other than for the answer), she refuses, she'd rather cry. I have brought home books from the library, fun, well written books. I was pre-reading it to be sure it wasn't beyond her level one laughing, she wanted to read it so bad. It was a very basic vocabulary with a few new words. She read 3 pages, set it aside, it's too hard. I had her read a passage out loud, she read it flawlessly, there were no words that she couldn't say. Even some challenging one didn't stop her. I had her give me a narration, and she did so. I didn't push, it was supposed to be for fun reading.
She's been out of school over a month now, her issues at school were bullies not learning issues.
We have essentially only been reading and working on math. We have only just started history, she enjoys learning that, the work has been really light as I feel my way through and wait for our resources to come in from the library. Science, the lap book was her idea, I think because she thought there would be little work. I am trying to start LA now, at her request, and if she has to think about the answer, or can't say it prefectly or write it perfectly the first time.... forget it.
How do you deal with it? I'm about to tell her to suck it up princess we're going to do it. I really feel, it's about giving me a hard time, testing the waters, not the work being too hard.
In order to learn, it has to challenge, or no learning is occurring. I have backtracked a couple of YEARS in a few areas because there was a complete blank in her education. Grammar... nonexistent - starting from the basics, this frustrates her as the little one is doing some of the same things, even though I have explained to her, that it has nothing to do with dd6 being smarter, it has to do with the schools messing up and NOT teaching, it's not her fault. Long division? They didn't touch it, so we are starting from square 1 - that is easier than fixing the mess they have left behind so far. Multiplying by 2 or more digits, complete lack of comprehension - so we backed up, strengthening the basic building blocks to that, and now she's loving it.
How can we get past the tears? And get her learning? I waste so much time dealing with this it's not even funny. And now the little one is starting to mimick.
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OMG! I LOVED this! It made SO much sense! I had been struggling with dd11. Now I know exactly how to progress with her!
Loved the comment in there "Crying is an inarticulate form of frustration."
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Thanks for the clarification on it. The girls like it enough, sometimes I have to 'fight' to get dd11 to put it away. She gets on a roll and just wants to do more. Which is awesome. Although she is grade 5, she is working through the grade 4. But at the pace she is going, she is going to complete it over summer and complete grade 5 and start grade 6 next fall.
There is lots that I like about it.
- It's a PDF. I know printing is costly, but I only need purchase it and pay shipping again. If she loses her pages when we are out, no big deal. It's easier to pack when we are out for appointments, just bring a few sheets, not the whole book. And dd6 can use it when she hits that level.
- I like the flow, the repetition, the built in review sections. DD6 was struggling when we brought her home. Now she often just 'knows' the answer, doesn't need to count it out every time. She is on track, that she will finish grade 1 books in early fall and move into the grade 2 ones!
- The explanations are clear. I was hesitant not sure I could do it. MM makes that pretty simple.
- supplements included. As I mentioned in OP the Canadian money was exciting to me..lol. I love my neighbors, but it will be a long time before dd6 needs to learn the US monies by sight, as we don't travel. One day we will, but not in immediate future.
- The links to math games online. Instructions for simple math games. It keeps it interesting. DD11 doesn't have as many and gets pouty, but she is invited to come and learn them and play with her sister and help her sister learn it(She feels so grown up during these times).
I'm sure there is more I love about it. I just was uncertain if it was a solid curriculum, since it is so new, and more so because I am so new at this. This thread has helped and I did further searching as well. I think we'll stay with it for next year and go from there.
- It's a PDF. I know printing is costly, but I only need purchase it and pay shipping again. If she loses her pages when we are out, no big deal. It's easier to pack when we are out for appointments, just bring a few sheets, not the whole book. And dd6 can use it when she hits that level.
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This is our first year of homeschooling, but I am intending to work through the summer. It will be lighter, but I want to keep moving forward, so we don't lose what ground we have gained. Mostly reading and math, but we are doing plants and insects through the summer as we have a ready supply :lol: Come fall, we'll dial it up a bit and be more thorough.
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DD11 is currently using Math Mammoth level 4, as our math program here is set up a little different, and most of the level 5 items in most programs was well above her. We chose it, 1 - it was recommended by a few people. 2 - it was a download and we had to start the homeschool process suddenly so it was a quick solution. 3 - it had supplements to include Canadian money! And the metric system. Being Canadian, that was great!
Now, I have more time to decide next year So I'm investigating what to use?
Can one move from Math Mammoth to another program easily? Is Math Mammoth a solid, complete program? Are there any holes in it that I need to be aware of if I stay with it, so I can supplement.
I see many families use it as a supplement rather than a main program. Why is that?
I am also using it for dd6. We started with 1 and working through it from the beginning, to be sure she has a strong beginning.... but is she?
What are your recommendations for grade 2 and grade 6(math is more of a level 5 for her next year).
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I run a home daycare. It's a busy house with homeschooling too, but we are making it work. It provides us with a nice second income.
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I have started dd6 in AAS 1 and she is doing extremely well.
I'm still figuring out dd11 in terms of LA. I have AAS 5 coming for her, but WTM suggests SWO, so I'm wondering if one is better for the other?
I know everyone has spoken highly of one or the other. I know the tiles can be tedious at times, when dd6 is bored of them, we do something different, but fun. But the same principles used.
DD11 has loved listening in on lessons while I'm working with dd6. So I don't know. Do I stay with what I am comfortable with and see how it goes?
She seems to be a pretty decent speller. We haven't done a tremendous amount of writing yet. So I am on the fence :tongue_smilie:
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I don't know if you were looking for suggestions or not but do you have spelling\vocabulary or writing in your plan?
Yes, I was looking for some suggestions. Thanks for replying :)
I have some of the higher level AAS coming for her, to start with, but we need to add vocabulary and keep it growing.
She loves to read. She's not like dd13, who loves to read essentially anything, dd11 likes books of substance. I have started accumulating a reading list for her, thanks to the great people on the forums :)I seems she is reading enough. If she is a good speller you may want to just look at some type of vocab program for her. Maybe something that teaches Latin or Greek roots. Is she doing any writing in History or Science? If you don't want to look at purchasing a writing curriculum you could implement the methods suggested in WTM or SWB's lectures on PHP.
Thanks!! I will look into that. I have been following WTM, as dh didn't want to spend much this year, so my operating budget is pretty low. If there are some ways for me to expand my knowledge on how to educate her, without spending too much, that is always great :)If you are looking at really beefing up her history you could look at History Odyssey. They have a try before you buy link where you could download several of the first lessons. Even if you weren't wanting to purchase HO it would give you some ideas on a few extra writing\research assignments.I wanted to mention that I am going to be using AG with my dd11 next year (July) too. I was concerned it might be a little too much for her so my plan is to break the first section of 10 weeks into 20 weeks adding in extra reinforcement if needed. Whereas I haven't actually done this I thought I would mention it as an alternative to purchasing JAG for her.Good to know! DD11 has NO background in grammar, well, none of the older kids do, for that matter. Our schools seem to touch on it maybe in 2nd or 3rd grade and never build on it. So I am doing a writing/grammar program with ds15 starting when AG gets here, so he is better prepared for his diploma exams in a couple years, as he struggles horribly in writing. So there will be 3 moving through AG together. But likely at different rates..lol.
I am going to go back to the drawing board. I'm stuck on LA, because she has so many holes in what she has learned so far, that a 'box set' may be find in some areas, but leave her struggling in others, leading to much frustration.
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English language arts, I'm still struggling with this. I can't get it to flow. And I can't figure out what level she is at. She reads daily. She's reading the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I ask her to tell me about it, in full sentences. I have her read out loud daily as well. She'll read some of the WTM recommends for SOTW, the storybooks or poetry to her younger sister. I don't know what else she should be doing. We are waiting on AG to arrive, I opted for this one, as my older 2 require it as well. If it too complex, we'll go to JAG, and the younger can use it in a few years. What else should we be doing? Oh, :tongue_smilie: I can't even begin to plan for next year, as I still don't know what I should do with her.
The rest is coming a little easier....
History - I'm still trying to figure out how to make it more challenging for her, but she's enjoying what we are doing. Today we picked up a TON of books on Ancient Egypt, so we'll have more references, some are pretty funny. I don't not see the point of embalming your bull.... but there are eccentric people every where and apparently during any millennium. I hope to delve a little deeper into this for her. Still not sure of how, but we'll get there.
Science - she is starting to study insects, and other small creatures. She brought home some frog eggs tonight, I hesitate to allow it as frogs are soon all going to be protected, however where they were found in the next week or so will be dug up for a new residential area, so their survival rate in the city is low, regardless. Some time this week, we are picking up a butterfly kit. Plus we have the recommended book from WTM arriving at any time. So she will be having some fun. We are also out in the country every weekend, and lots of other things to observe there too.
French - we are plugging along with that, she is reading daily in french and giving a narration on it. She also makes notes of words she's unsure of, and looks them up.
Math - We've been plugging along not to bad. DD11 is making progress in math. And she's relaxed and enjoying it. Laughing at me for being stumped here and there, but we're doing well. We are using Math Mammoth. We quickly go over it, then she goes to work. Right now some of it she HAS done :001_huh: at school previously, but the stuff before she hadn't, so we are moving at a good pace.
She is enrolled in a variety of art classes that have been set up for homeschool families.
She is in piano lessons.
She is in a swimming/diving/gymnastics program.
I try to plan a weekly project. Last week it was sock monsters :lol: We used hand sewing - back stitch, and she learned to sew on buttons. The week before she did nanaimo bars(yummy!) Not sure what this week will hold. Hmm maybe she should learn to do laundry?
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I can't wait to hear these!!!! But with ummm.... 6 kids in the house, 4 under 3... earbuds aren't a good option for it..lol
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Sounds like mom needs a time out for herself! (said in a positive way).
When my kids start that, I tell them, mom is going for a time out, no one is to disturb her, no one is to cause trouble, no one is going to scream, tantrum or whine.
Mom doesn't have to do this often, but the kids KNOW they have pushed too far and if mom doesn't get a moment, there's going to be an eruption!
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My reaction would have been something similar to yours. Growing up, I had friends that were burn victims, so I am always always scared of mixing kids with fire. The first I met was in 1st grade with me. His situation was sad, it was due to neglect, when he was 3, mom wouldn't get out of bed to cook him and his baby sister breakfast, so he tried to do it. He lit a gas stove and set himself on first. Burned 60% of his body.
The second was a girlfriend I met as a teen. Her brother was playing with matches in the back yard, he caught his baby sister on fire, he was about 10, she was 3, when he burnt his fingers and dropped the match on the dry grass and it surrounded her. It could have been much worse, she was burnt from the knees down, but badly, she still has pain to this day, she's 38.
So I would be sure, that she understands that the danger just isn't to trees, garbage or wood...but to her friends, her family and herself.
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I was wondering about these too. I just might need to track down an mp3 for mom just for these..lol. And the only time I can listen would be at night when we require quiet.
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I casually mentioned before that MIL and FIL weren't in support of us homeschooling the kids. I think I made some ground today
We stopped by MIL and FIL today, drop something off, pick up dd11 and to wish MIL Happy Mother's day.
While on our visit, I made a point to talk about school with dd11. I have found some really cool art lessons that are Tuesday mornings for homeschool kids :thumbup:. They do all age groups during the same time period! This is good. I told her about the park day her sister and I went to, she was a little sad she missed out, but was happy to hear there was a girl or two I thought she'd like. There are classes on drawing, sculpting, painting, mask making, faces.... a few more, and that is just for May and June. MIL commented that that sounded good, but going to get expensive. I told her we were paying about $60 a month for field trips plus $45 for bussing a month. So the $17/week for the art classes was a savings of $38 a month. She looked a little surprised..lol
Then I spoke to MIL, telling her how shocked I was that dd6 was so left behind at school. Told her the marks of the papers we'd found in her bag. Then I started telling her about the things that NONE of the kids have learned. She was shocked, even outraged, especially that the little one had been left behind. Appalled that none of the kids had a good grammar foundation. And when dd6 said "Mama showed me how to READ!" and she started sound out words from different things and did quite well, Nana could only smile and tell her "Awesome!"
So I don't think dh is going to get much more flack from his mom about the girls falling behind by being home..lol
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I am very much a newbie to homeschooling, and the book was recommended to me. I loved the approach, and that a lot of research for subject matter and extra books was done for me. I looked at the curriculum packages, and didn't feel right about it, too one size fits all. And maybe in a year or so a package like Sonlight might be what I want. But I like the flexibility in it. It involves the kids in choosing some materials, in seeking it out in choosing experiments.
I have deviated some from her suggestions, but she does say point blank that there are other quality books out there too, I use AAS with dd6, but it's going well, I had that before deciding on the WTM way.
I'm always in the book, dh laughs at me. During dance competition, the book was with me before it started I read. At swim Gym, the book is with me and I take notes...lol. And while he laughs, he is seeing how much the youngest is learning, he sees the elder daughter relaxing and enjoying the reading time, the coloring, the worksheets. He sees them becoming young girls again, less mini teens/adults.
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Tonight, dd6 and I read the first Boxcar Kids book! They are so sweet! (DD read some to me!!). She loved it. Of course, when I went to reserve more at the library.... the my account feature is still down, so I can't log in!!:tongue_smilie:
Oh well, tomorrow is another day. We'll try again.
Plan for grade 6 - need some help
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I should add that we are doing some practical learning too. Sewing, cooking, home management, menu planning, etc. We do this with our older daughter that isn't yet home, as well. She gets home Thursdays at noon, so we do it as a group project. In a couple years, I want dh to teach them how to change a tire, check/change oil, general car repairs so they at least have a background knowledge to know when some one is trying to pull one over on them.