Kel & the Kids
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Posts posted by Kel & the Kids
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Hmmm, I was pondering this the other day (as panic hit me for a moment), trying to put it all into perspective. As it turns out, even with 4 children, the mothering part of my life is really only going to be about 20 years - out of, let's say, 80! That's 60 years around which I have had and have to have some other kind of life! Even though it feels like my ENTIRE LIFE is wrapped up in this project, maybe it isn't ;)
Another thing I've noticed is how my IL's are still very much involved in being parents. One single son (38) who spends a lot of time at their place, another son going through a divorce living there temporarily, they are very involved in the lives of their grandchildren too, I don't think they are bored or lonely even though the dynamics are different. Part of my desire is just be of service to my family where I can, as they are. It is so wonderful the support they give.
I pray you will find the peace in the situation. That the blessings of the season will make themselves obvious!
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FWIW I need a good schedule too and I wish I would have been *more* rigorous in the early years with my 4/6th graders so we could be doing more interesting things now instead of basic grammar and math facts etc. Nevertheless with my new "rigorous" approach my 1st grader only did about 1.5 hrs of seat work this year plus read alouds with the family and the occasional Science experiment. She maxed out on Math at 30 minutes for sure even if it included a game.
My 7th grader is taking a decent online English course this year and it "requires about 1.5 hours/day including reading". Also at the request of our piano teacher mine only spend 10-15 minutes practicing daily too (although they are only in 2nd year). Anyway, just thinking maybe it's a long day for her.
I do have one that would complain about school no matter how short it was and another one who volunteers to do extra school so "liking" it has not been a good gauge at our house! But there is that glaze over the eyes...
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Wow, I had no idea that sorting was optional! My mom was a compulsive sorter and I guess I am too.
I like my whites really white and my colours really bright :001_smile: I also don't like my reds having that darkish tinge when I wash them with darks. I wash towels and cloths on hot usually with a little bleach because its so damp here and they tend to get a little smelly :ack2: Sheets are also done on hot since I heard hot kills the mites or whatever gets on them :ack2: :ack2:
I love to get hand-me-down clothes that are grey and dingy and make them look new. I think maybe I need a new hobby or something.
I'm not sure I could do it any other way but it's nice to know I have options, lol.
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No, not "The Onion". I'm talking about the onion that is my multi-faceted chronic health problems. I posted yesterday that I had a very good day physically even though it was mixed with some heart rate issues. I'm having another good day today and I'm pretty sure I know why.
As I've been droning on and on about lately, I'm taking magnesium. I had many hallmarks of a magnesium deficiency - achy muscles, fatigue, trouble with my blood sugar, trouble with asthma, nausea, muscle spasms and cramps, difficulty swallowing, irregular and rapid heartbeat, sleep problems, problems with depression, PMS, chest pain, pre-diabetes and hypertension.
I've been taking magnesium for almost a month now. As my magnesium levels have improved, my body has been using the magnesium to work on different systems starting with the most superficial first. Now I'm starting to see some improvement in some areas like my lungs that I didn't even know were affected to the extent that they were. I knew that I often felt like it was hard to even breathe, but I didn't realize that that I actually wasn't breathing deeply and getting the oxygen that I need. I just found out this morning that magnesium acts as a bronchial dilator. And that the breathing mechanism needs healthy chest wall muscles and a diaphragm. These are the types of muscles you just don't think about. But they are very necessary.
What is happening now is that my body is starting to use magnesium to address my respiratory system. I'm coughing a lot as those passages loosen up. But I'm also breathing easier and am having more energy because things are starting to work the way that God designed them to work. I'm posting this partly to let people know what is happening but also because perhaps part of my journey might be helpful to someone else out there.
Wow, this is so interesting. My Naturopath just put me on magnesium and those are most of the symptoms I've been having too for many, many years. I feel encouraged reading that it's made a difference for you!
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I just spent the last two years pulling together Canadian history with Cores 3&4/D&E and although we learned a lot I never want to do it again ;) I wish I would have at least seriously previewed a good Canadian history book before I started! It would have saved me tons of confusion.
I used the Cores as the base and then added in the Kid's Book of Canadian History and Donna Ward's Courage and Conquest and lots of books from her suggestions. I just went through and found out what my library had and used those. The problem with C&C is that it doesn't come anywhere near modern times so I've had to improvise for the last century and also it has some lame timeline pictures. (lame when you're used to using SL's book of time and stickers!)
I also used her Prime Ministers notebooking pages which have been great in conjunction with a book I stumbled upon at our library, "Unusual Heroes" that give a brief, entertaining bio on each PM.
We've done a notebooking page on each of the 1st Nations tribes as we encountered them throughout.
I have Modern History Through Canadian Eyes but didn't use it like I thought I would. I also started off with Donalda Dickie's "First History of Canada" but got discouraged when it didn't even include the War of 1812 :confused:
It's felt like a jumbled, unorganized journey, but as I look back my kids each have a decent "History of North America" notebook that I'm going to have bound. I'll be much more organized by the time my littles come along to do it and I'll purposely do more notebooking. All in all not bad for 2 kids and teacher who knew *NOTHING* about Canadian History 2 year ago! You can do it :)
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I have one who has lovely long fingers and finds it difficult to hold pencils and forks properly (I think the muscles are long and weak?). She also loves sweets. So now I bribe her with chocolate chips. She starts with 10 and for every time I have to remind her to hold her pencil correctly during school time (total of about 90 minutes) she loses a chip. In 3 weeks she has learned to retain all of her chocolate chips. I'm really pleased since it's been 1.5 years of reminding and re-gripping every 30 seconds and now it's over! I need to think of a new challenge to capitalize on the momentum :)
Hope you find something that works!
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I'll post since it seems we do it a bit differently but enjoying it all the same. I'm finally learning Grammar and I'm excited about it! :tongue_smilie:
1) How long generally do you find the lessons take?
15 minutes tops for my students
2) Do you do the lessons 5x per week or less?
We started at 3x a week but have moved it up to 4 or 5 depending on our week.
3) Should I buy the worksheets, etc. (I have the TM&student text)?
I bought the worksheets for level's 3 and 5 but haven't used them. I do use the tests.
4) How do you all "do" the lessons and/or what have you found to work best with your kids?
My dc do the lesson on their own and I've gone through the text book and marked what numbers to do for each written portion, like "odds" for ex. Since I have 4 kids to use the books, I figured this was a good use of my time :001_smile: I mark their work everyday so I know if they are "getting it" or not. If not we do oral work the next day on whatever they need help with and the oral review portions at the end of the chapter.
This means I do not "teach" the lesson beforehand but I find they generally do not have problems more than 1x/week if that and then get a "tutoring" lesson. We do most of our subjects like this and it works well for us.
5) For those with upper elementary/middleschool kids, how far in R&S do you plan to go before switching to another program or not doing anymore "formal" grammar program?
My 6th Grader is in R&S 5 since we started late (he did 3 also). My 4th Grader is working in R&S 3, same reason. We'll probably go at least through R&S 7, but since I don't know Grammar I'll have to see! I've got plans to start my little girls on schedule with R&S 3 slow, skip 4 and move into 5 in grade 5ish.
6) Who uses the composition portion, and do you like it? Or do most of you skip it and only use the grammar part?
I just started doing this part but it seems very straightforward and easy-enough to do so we'll stick with it through 5 anyway.
Anyway, just a different idea of how to get it done! Blessings!
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We have a huge white board (2 together actually). This isn't scientific evidence or anything but DS 11, for a while, could only seem to do long division at the board! It was the strangest thing! So I let him and he got through it and can now do it on paper.
Overall all of mine seem to grasp concepts more easily and complain less when I write - preferably in different colours - on the white board and even more so when they get to work out things there themselves.
Plus, I really like writing on the whiteboard :D
I'll be reading this thread with interest!
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I love it... I like it for a totally different reason than TWTM... in my thoughts... they should both be read... and they are the 2 most important books to read ;)
Funny, I just picked up Bluedorn's book again yesterday, leafed through and thought the same thing! They are an excellent complement to each other. Lots of food for thought, worth reviewing every year. I can't think of another book that approaches classical ed. from a conservative perspective without largely dismissing it.
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We are just finishing up a Canadianized version of Sonlight Core 3. I've found it extremely difficult to combine the two since SL US history is so thorough and Canadian history resources are abysmal imo. For example there are next to no timeline figures that I have found (although I've been in contact with Homeschool in the Woods and Amy Pak is considering making a Canadian set :D !!) Finding maps has also been a challenge.
We used Donna Ward's Courage and Conquest and it's been ok, just so "nothing" compared to the Sonlight stuff we've been used to. If I had to do it again I'd use Courage and Conquest as my Canadian spine and add in the recommended resources from Modern History Through Canadian Eyes. We'll be continuing on this way for next year as we finish up Core 4.
We have enjoyed a lot of the Canadian Historical Fiction listed in Ward's catalogue and found a few interesting videos through the library. We used Kids' Book of Canadian History as a pictorial spine, it's good. A People's History was too violent for my crew and a little dry.
Hope you find something great - and that you share it! :bigear:
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This is something I have just run up against with my DS 11/ DD 9. I'm wishing I would have started formal Grammar earlier because we are running up against nouns, verbs, objects and subjects in our language studies (Greek and we'll be starting another language next year) and none of us have a good enough grasp of Grammar for this not to be an issue :blush: I even ran across a problem using the 5th grade Handwriting Without Tears book which dabbles in Grammar while practicing cursive.
I started DS in R&S 3 this year (I just happened to have that on hand) and things are much easier for him even though he's just started. My poor DD is really struggling. It's just too much to learn a language plus grammar at the same time. I had the same trouble in college French, I just couldn't keep up since I was expected to understand and use basic Grammar ( I had next to no Grammar in school)
Anyway, that's our situation, I'll be starting Grammar earlier with my two little ones, and a stronger Phonics program too (Abeka). Just tools so they can move on to learn other things more easily. I can see where this will be beneficial in what I have planned for them down the road. Ymmv! :)
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This coming year in addition to discussions, short morning (fun) devotions and the ongoing effort to have some family bible time when Dad is home I've decided to schedule R&S Bible. I realized my children have not systematically been covering the bible and fundamental doctrine and I think they need to. This will replace their personal bible reading time which some in my house do better than others :D My DH is going to do R&S Bible 6 alongside DS since *he* has such a poor understanding of the OT. I think good solid instruction in bible fundamentals is very profitable.
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Homeschooling is a huge commitment - even if you are doing it a year at a time. It takes a certain amount of virtue to be a good teacher and I think that applies to being a good homeschooling parent as well.
I have not done an A+ performance the entire 9 years I've been homeschooling my kids. But I think our overall experience has been more good than bad. There was a time though when dd9 told me that she did not want to homeschool her kids and in fact wasn't sure she even wanted kids. Now I wouldn't have paid any attention to her words (she was 7 at the time) but her reasons made me sit up and pay attention anyway. Her reason was because I was stressed and "mean" all the time. That wouldn't be acceptable if I taught outside the home and I think it was even less acceptable in my home. I've worked hard to change and while I'm still not perfect (!), I think I am now getting a passing grade as a homeschooling mom & teacher.
This exact thing happened here a few months ago. I've changed my attitude big time. I keep asking myself if I would pay myself to teach my children (as in if this was the private school they were going to), I'm getting better!
How tragic if my life seems so terrible to my children that they want no part of it for themselves! A big eye opener for me.
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We're using BJU. I like BJU, but it's starting to really bother me. And it's probably not BJU, it's math in general. It's an hour, sometimes more with dd. Today, an hour and a half. Everytime I pick up math, I dread it. It's so long and puts us behind in everything else.
Do we really need an hour of math a day or more? That's not even teaching it. Ugh. If anyone uses BJU can we just do the back side (because it contains the new concept on front and some review. Do the front side together or not at all? It looks duplicated anyway. How much is overkill, how much is enough? What isn't enough? I've seen other posts that it should all be done. As far as BJU both sides. Really? One page isn't enough? Even Saxon was like that. I know I can do what I want, but would I be doing dd a disservice? I just think less is more, you know? DD seems to be doing okay in math. She didn't forget anything over the summer; I'd say she's about a B. If she gets things wrong, it's not because she doesn't understand the concept, but just carried wrong or just made a simple mistake. If she doesn't understand the concept, we'll do another day of a review sheet on the new concept and move on. But no real troubles.
Elementary...3-6.:001_smile:
It's driving me batty. I hate it.
I've been using BJU Math for DS K-5 and DD K-3 and its been great. It works for us to go over any new concepts on the front of the wkbk page until he or she understands it and then I assign the back for the next day. Sometimes I cross questions off if they've got it, sometimes we do 2 days' lessons in one day and I only assign one "back page" for practice the next day in that case. I really find this curriculum easy to use and totally flexible. I don't do anything I don't feel is totally necessary for comprehension :)
I don't use the TM much but I like to have it handy. We do the mental math problems and I use it to check answers if needed. I have rarely used the little punch out manipulative pkg, we just grab some blocks or pencils, unifix cubes etc. to demonstrate and that seems to do the trick. I don't use the flip charts etc. Our time is led completely by the concept for the day in the workbook and whether they get it or not. Some days take no time, others up to 30 mins of us working together, never an hour.
Note: I'm not counting the HOUR it might take DS to get over his bad attitude about work in general and get the practice page done :lol:, just the time we spend together.
I don't know if that helps. My kids are not Math superstars for sure and they struggle being independent, they *need* me to go over most concepts with them apparently. I use Math Mammoth for extra practice and I hear some kids can do that on their own - not mine:001_huh:
All that to say: experiment with how little you can do and know your dd is still getting it. No way do you have to do back and front of both pages with all the bells and whistles if she can do the questions, imo. I've relaxed a little more with my younger DD also because the same topics (like division) are there *every* year for years and we'll get another shot at it in a few months, I nearly drove my DS into the ground making sure he got EVERYTHING the first time it showed up ;)
Hope you find a good solution to your Math woes!
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I've used Abeka LA and CLE LA.
I like Abeka's grammar if you have a child that understands grammar and picks it up quickly. I have not used their spelling so I can't comment on that one.
I don't know if I do or not! I guess I'll find out this year.
Their grammar though really didn't stick with my girls. I think it was more them than the program.
I like CLE's grammar and plan on using it again this year when my girls return home. I used it previously with my oldest and it was like Saxon for Grammar. She seemed to need this to understand grammar. It gives them plenty of practice and is very thorough. I did use the spelling but added to it since she had to start with their 300 level ( that is where the grammar really gets going). My oldest isnt the best speller in the world so the level she was working at was fine for her. But if you have a good speller you could always supplement with Abeka's spelling and vocab and skip the spelling in the grammar. Its possible to do and you won't detract from the program. Or use something like All About Spelling or whatever.
Does CLE Spelling include rules or roots or is it just a list of words?
They are both good programs. I will admit Abeka's grammar does include more writing practice than CLEs Grammar. Which again isn't a big deal if your supplementing with some other writing program. I used IEW at the time so it didn't matter. I just wanted CLEs grammar.
This is where I'm at, currently using IEW so writing isn't a huge issue. I do like seeing all those writing topics laid out in a workbook though - it feels like security :D
Thanks, I appreciate your perspective of having used both.
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I have used ABEKA in the past and liked it. I didn't like their Spelling though. I'm going to try to do CLE this year because of some of the reviews. It sounds like a good, solid, thorough program without overkill like ABEKA. I think I'm going to try their spelling but if I don't like it I'm going back to "All About Spelling" which is what I used when my kids did ABEKA. I'm very interested in what people say and will be following this thread. I will say though that the kids that did ABEKA have done well when they went on to PS and then to college.
Are you saying that you feel Abeka's Spelling and Grammar are both overkill? Can you say what you didn't like about the Spelling? Too many words?
AAS sounds like it would be too much on my end to get done these days so I'm hoping for something more independent.
Thanks for your comments!
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Just my 2 cents - I have loved the combo we used of Megawords for spelling and Rod and Staff for grammar for my ds in both 4th and 5th grades. Both are very thorough programs seem to fit what you are looking for - though they are separate.
Not to complicate things - but it sounds like you may not be sold on either CLE or Abeka..
No I'm not sold on either CLE or Abeka! I wish I were then I'd just buy it and get it over with :D
I forgot to mention that we're doing R&S 3 this year. It's ok, I'm hoping for something a little more independent (maybe I'm hoping for too much?). I'll check out Megawords, thanks for the suggestion!
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I'm new here, mostly reading the great advice.
I've been researching on and on because I need to go a different route next year than I've been on. We've been using mostly SL LA which is not working and we just started IEW but I need some good, sequential, solid Grammar and Spelling that's as independent as possible for my 4th and 6th graders (and something my 1st and PreK'er can slide into in the next few years).
A decent Grammar program with diagramming and Spelling that includes rules and root studies, preferably in a workbook format is what I'm looking for.
I've narrowed it down to CLE and Abeka, BJU's layout just didn't appeal to me even though we use their Math, but I could be swayed!
Abeka seems so nice and linear, almost self explanatory, thorough and I like the workbooks and graphics, plus Spelling and Grammar are both available and it moves into Vocab. later. Is Abeka's LA flakey though? (My K'er is using their Phonics wkbk and it's been great which what led me to check Abeka out further)
CLE seems like a great Grammar program, very independent but then I have to find something else for Spelling since I don't think their approach is deep enough and I don't see that they have an accompanying vocab. study.
Does anyone have any thoughts for me? This is driving me mad, I need to make a decision!
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I'm Kelly, I have 4 dc (see siggy) and a hubby. I came here due to so many references on the SL forum. We've been SL'ing since 2004. I'm leaning in a classical direction but not sure how far :D I'm also leaning toward some online/workbook type options too since I'm trying to be realistic about how I want our family to run. I LOVE thinking about this stuff! There is so much great info here.
I don't post much unless what I have to say hasn't been said or it's totally relevant, I just can't find the time by the time I've read through "New Posts". I'd like to post more!
Thanks for the welcome!
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I just switched to CLE for my oldest son and he loves it. As he was going to bed tonight he suggested that maybe he could do some tomorrow even though it is the weekend.
The cost would add up if I bought it for each child so I am going a different route. I put a page protector on each page he is supposed to complete with a paperclip to hold it in place. He does his lessons (aside from the writing) on the page protector with a wet erase marker. It works and I have an unused workbook for my other kids to use.
Well, I have no delusions that ANY curriculum would make my ds want to do school on a weekend :D however any improvement in his outlook on grammar would be welcome. I forgot about the page protector idea, I'll keep it in mind!
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The 2nd edition of level 100 was to fix the overlap with the Learn To Read program. You can call and ask but I am fairly certain no revisions are planned for the 200 on up. Now don't quote me on that as I am in no way infalliable. You can also join the CLE Yahoo group and ask there.
We tried CLE LA. We wanted to love it but for mine, it jumps around too much. So we are back to R&S all oral and whiteboard with worksheets. Working fine and takes very little time.
I will say the best grammar we used was FLL 3 and 4. I wish 5 had been ready for my olders but the youngers will get the benefits of it.
Thanks for the info! I wasn't able to find revision info on the CLP site. I'm hoping we love CLE, but I guess I won't know unless we try.
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Thanks everyone for your reply. It sounds like CLE might be less work for me (which sounds really lazy, but my time is at a premium!), and a better review for ds. This is good.
The major downside I see is the cost (if you have, say, 4 kids!) over R&S. I assume the workbooks are not reproducible. I also see that they are coming out with a 2nd edition for which they only have the 100 level done so maybe I wouldn't want to copy them anyway!
I think we'll do the diagnostic test and see where we're at and hopefully I'll get to have a good look at a convention this spring. Now I'm curious about the Blble Light Units ;)
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Rod and Staff is mastery with continuous review in the teacher's manuals. My daughter used it for 3rd grade per WTM at that time after FLL 1/2. I followed it exactly - and it was too, too, too much handwriting. Plus, I wasn't always faithful implementing the teacher's manual so the review was getting lost. We didn't do well that year. We both dreaded it, and she didn't retain what she learned.
We switched to CLE LA for 4th and it has been great ever since. CLE LA is spiral and doesn't rely on the teacher for review. Although I grade daily and teach anything confusing or that they miss in their daily work. It doesn't have the writing in it that R&S includes. It includes spelling (which is weak imo). We supplement that. The grammar in CLE LA is so rigorous and painless though that it is worth it. And a few minutes extra spelling doesn't hurt us at all. My younger son has always used CLE LA and they both score high 90's on state mandated standardized tests each year. HTH.
Thanks for the great explanation! That is very helpful. The review is where I've been lacking as well, obviously. The grammar is what I'm after, I think this may be a better approach for all of us.
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I don't know yet but I am switching my 9yo from Rod and Staff to CLE LA :) My 11 yo thrives on R&S but my 9yo certainly does not and just wants to cry to even look at the book (magically it keeps getting lost). CLE LA has grammar, punctuation, handwriting, as well as sentence/paragraph and essay writing. Things like that. I also think the workbook approach may be better for my daughter. Time will tell.... I have friends who love CLE LA and find it rigorous but great.
Well my ds is getting to the point of hating the sight of his book too. I can just never tell if it's the book or him :glare: I don't know anyone who actually uses CLE so I'll take your friends' opinions into account. Thanks!
Almost-empty-nest syndrome: how do you deal with this?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Robin, my mom was a widow, and I'm an only child. From watching her I totally hear what you are saying! It was very hard for her to find friends and with only me there was only so much she could be part of as far as my life was concerned. I have a very soft spot my widowed friends! I will pray for you.
The passage about not worrying about tomorrow comes to mind as today has enough worries of its own. Who knows what may happen at any time! Things may not look anything like you are anticipating and if they do I pray grace will come when you need it most. Maybe it's like planning through grade 12 on the first day of Kindergarten. So many things change that we can't anticipate and some of those changes don't hurt as much we thought they would, some are seamless! And sometimes there are just extra blessings we didn't count on.
Blessings, I couldn't resist posting for a fellow Canuck (btw I think I may have bought your R&S items recently ;) )