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simka2

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  1. simka2
    Ugh, this is how I am feeling as well. I am struggling a bit with post-modern blinders and feel stunted. I remember talking with a psychologist, friend of the family, in my teen-angst years. I mentioned that I wanted to learn as much as I could, gain as much knowledge as possible, so I could never be taken advantage of and would have the upper-hand. He looked at me and said, "Think of knowledge as a huge Redwood and wisdom as a pyramid. Ask yourself which one you would rather be during the storms of life." It was pivotal moment for me as a teen. It gave me direction...purpose. It allowed me to pursue something huge, beautiful, mysterious. At the same time it released me from a very myopic view towards self-preservation. I have never been able to find another key quite lack that, to inspire my mothering and homeschooling journey. This discussion on "virtue" and "wisdom" reminds a bit of that conversation with the psychologist. If only my brain was as quick as it was back then! :tongue_smilie: I still feel a little lost, but it is a hopeful lost. :D
  2. simka2
    Those videos are very helpful!!!! I really like how they are done. :D This was my thought as well. I am seeing how this whole "teaching to the test issue" is being played out in our school system. It is faster for the kids to get the answer by cross multiplying. Then they can make a rather educated guess and move on to the next questions. Unfortunately, that does not equal understanding why it works or what equivalent fractions are. I am finding that I am running into similar problems with dd (11). They were put into ps right at the start of their fraction unit. For two days we have been working on discovering LCM's and converting fractions to LCD's. She gets factoring, but is struggling with the "why" again of it all. I am going to go through the MM videos and see what all there is. IT is very difficult to undo a specific thinking pattern.
  3. simka2
    The twins are 9 and are just begininng their fraction journey. I feel a bit concerned now. They were in the ps for two months and have learned how to work fraction problems. They just do not know why it works. Ugh! :glare:
  4. simka2
    Yes, this is it! I am so frustrated that they were taught this an acceptable way to find equivalent fractions. They are 9. If you are reading over in the circe threads andrew is talking about virtue in Math. I discovered today that there is a "virtue" in explaining to my twins that it is better for them to truly understand equivalent fractions, than to be able to quickly solve for an answer without knowing why they got it.
  5. simka2
    I hope someone else comes along to answer this, because my twins have actually managed to turn this al around in my head this morning!!! ;) Off to pull some books and reestablish what this really is in my own head!
  6. simka2
    This was my thinking as well. I could tell they were not "seeing" the equality of the fractions and that, in itself, seemed like a foundational step to me. Thanks all!
  7. simka2
    Long version is below: After typing this out I realize I have a slightly different question. My twins have come back from ps and want to solve for equivelent fractions using the butterfly. They do not understand why it works, just that it does. I want them to actually have a sense of what equivelent fractions are. What say you? Let them solve using the butterfly or make them assess and have good number sense? They are in 4th grade. Original question" Alright, my twins and I are having a bit of a disagreement. This stems from the fact that they just recently came back from ps and we are realigning their math curriculum. We are reviewing a lesson on equivelant fractions. They have a series of rectangles that are marked out in various fractions for a visual refrence. they have a whole rectangle, and the rest are divided in to 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/3, and 1/6. Then they get a series of questions. Are these fractions equivalent? Y or N. a. 1/3 2/6 b. 1/2 4/8 c. 1/2 2/3 d.3/4 5/8 Here is where we are disagreeing. Their book (and I) want them to look at the rectangle diagrams and "see" the fractions, then decide if they are equal. My boys want to multiply using the butterfly. The problem is that when they multiply they always get 1 for the equivalent and something else for the non-equivalent. So they think it is working. I am not sure that this a good way to figure out if the fractions are equivalent. Or am I wrong, is it okay to figure out if fractions are equivalent by multiplying?
  8. simka2
    I just got lost what is the Edocere site?
  9. simka2
    If I am reading this correctly, she is now admiting she is not ready for this responsibility. As a parent I would need to answer two questions: Is she ready, but just afraid? or, could she being gut level honest and needs the safety of Mom or Dad? Hard questions to answer, because I think they would look very similar. Maybe there is a middle road. Something along the lines of, "We have gone over the pro's and con's together and I am can see that this truly is a tough decision. You still needs to make this decision, but know that it would not be easy for me to make, even as an adult, and no matter the fallout I will be by your side." Just more thoughts! :001_smile: Edited" Just read your further response. I would feel the same in your shoes. Part of growing up is making tough decisions....and sometimes it is at the flip of a coin. :)
  10. simka2
    Or your dh posts gorgeous pictures from his trip to Montana....while you have a huge rain event headed your way and know you will be up to your eyeballs in mud by tomorrow night. :glare:
  11. simka2
    I just read The Recovery of Education and have tears streaming down my face. I cannot explain it, but it tugs at something I thought I was gone. Thank you, Bri!
  12. simka2
    Here's how I am working the TOG lit angle. I am taking the best of the historical lit (those with the most discussion and writing prompts), I am dropping a few in favor of some better lit choices and adding in a heftier read aloud component. I hope that made some sense. I am not sure how long I will be using TOG, it is really going to depend on how good the notes, discussions, and writing aspects are. Also, I would have to become a much better planner in and of myself. :D
  13. simka2
    Eleanor, it is helpful! Thanks for sacrificing your kids to Wordgirl for the rest of our children's sake. ;) I am going to spend a little more time looking at them and seeing if this thread digs up any additional info.
  14. simka2
    I wanted to start a separate thread. Does anyone have these and can you tell me what is included? I am very curious about the 4th-6th grade guides. http://www.academybookstore.org/AngelicumStore/Detail.bok?no=2269
  15. simka2
    This is the direction I am heading as well. I looked long and hard at SL and TOG, among others. I specifically chose not go with SL, because it looked like it was trying to rework/reestablish itself into a company I could not support. I am also giving a lot of attention to the CIRCE threads.
  16. simka2
    Here's an old thread discussing Providential history. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267734 I am off to read it in more detail. Then I am going to be watching this thread with interest.
  17. simka2
    :iagree: This is my thinking as well. I did similar things to my mom, and spoke in a similar fashion. I was really convinced I would parent differently. Now, I can tell you that I most likely will parent very similarly to my mother. (she's a good mom ;)) Making decisions is not clear cut. It is a messy process and can often leave us questioning if we are making the right one. It sounds like your dd does not want to deal with her own conscience, so you are the scapegoat. Seems developmetaly appropriate to me. I would just calmly and rationally acknowledge the fact to her. "You say that you would do things differently. As a mother this tells me you are not at peace with your decision. I think that is a part of real life and you will need to live with that." She sounds very bright, just trying to figure out how to "feel" okay about something she is not totally okay with ;)
  18. simka2
    A question about the bolded. How did you revitalize this part? What really spoke to you on this issue. I feel like I am trying to meld to very important worlds. Academics and Virtue. Not really sure I am doing a great job. Anyone else, please feel free to answer as well! :D
  19. simka2
    It varies by priest and Bishop. Some like to have a certificate others just want to talk it out with you and get a decent feel for what the previous baptism was. I do know this. If you had a Trinitarian baptism AND felt strongly about not being baptized again, talk about it. I am happy to talk about this a little more via pm. :)
  20. simka2
    No problem! ...and when I say liberal, I mean....VERY DARN LIBERAL! ;) I would be happy to chat about how I have dealt with some of these issues inside myself. It won't work for everyone, but I am reasonably content.
  21. simka2
    I :001_wub: you!
  22. simka2
    I asked a similar question in the Judaism 101 sub-group. It was along the lines of sin/temptation/demons. The Jewish theology of these is so different , that it makes the understanding of why the OT says, "God caused, or felt" a certain way very different. Not sure if that makes sense. That group would be a great place to ask some more questions! http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/group.php?groupid=167 :confused: We have a lot of couples married in our church, by EO priests, where one spouse is not EO and often not necessarily baptized. This is the first I have heard about this. We were in catechism with a man who (he is still a chatechumen), but he is married (in the EO church) and has a child with his wife. Now years later he is deciding to convert. I am sure there would be some conversation with the priest, but I have not heard that they won't. :grouphug: I am extremely liberal as well, so I do know some of your struggle.
  23. simka2
    PrincessMommy, I am sorry you didn't get to "vent" in typical forum fashion. :grouphug: For what it is worth (even though my kids are younger) it was very foolish of dd to completely turn off phone AND not think to let you know she was not tied up in some strangers basement ;) In other circumstances, with known friends, my mother had a simple rule. When I got home I was to go in her bedroom and wake her up. She had to sleep (she had and infant and a toddler), but she would not sleep soundly until I came in and let her know I was home. I did my fair share of foolishness and it was seeing the genuine fear for my safety and becoming a mother myself that allowed me to finally understand my own mom. :grouphug:
  24. simka2
    I think the quote below illustrates why RC and EO can feel ownership issues. Basically what does the "just" christian mean? It could mean "just" christian, as in, "There is only one type of christian...RC/EO." Or it could mean something else like, "He was just christian...not RC/EO." Not picking on you!!!! It was just a perfect opportunity. ;)
  25. simka2
    I was just glad they did not charge an emergency fee. I got him there on a Sat, after hours and they had to keep staff late.
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