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Roxy Roller

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Posts posted by Roxy Roller

    If you did cursive first, please share your experiences. All opinions welcomed.

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by Roxy Roller
    spelling

    I did cursive with my DD starting at 4YO, using the Abeka K4, K5, Grade 1 and Grade 2 books. She had beautiful handwriting from the beginning, and I did not have to teach her manuscript, she just picked it up from her reading. This is how 'cursive first' is supposed to work.

     

    I also started my 3 sons in the middle at 4YO with Abeka cursive. We struggled through until my oldest DS was in 1st Grade and my twins were in Kindergarten. Halfway through these grades, I gave up. My sons just were not wired the same as my daughter, and even though they had no physical limitations in their dexterity, they were struggling(mainly with remembering how to form and connect each letter). We switched to manuscript and all three of them started cursive in 3rd Grade. Now in 4th and 5th Grades, their handwriting is great.

     

    My son who is just starting 1st Grade has been asking to learn cursive(and he probably could, as he has great pencil control). I have told him that he needs to run through a manuscript book, to make sure he can form all of the letters correctly, then we will switch to a cursive book, probably at the end of 1st or the beginning of 2nd Grade.

     

    HTH

    Hit a wall with MUS multi-digit multiplication - can we just move on.

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We are long time MUS users here and my suggestion is to take a break. Just stop for a few weeks. Work on something else or nothing at all. Sometimes the brain just needs time to absorb a concept, not more practice. Come back to it with a fresh attitude and she may pick it right up.

     

    This has worked for us many times.

     

    HTH,

    Holly

     

    :iagree:We are long time users too. I find that sometimes my DC need time for assimilation. We take a total break, then pick it up again. Many times this is one week, or up to three weeks. (I have tried to use other programs like MM, Dad, or Grandpa, in the interim, to teach differently, but I have found that most of the time, my DC's minds just need the time to organize what they have learned into 'files' that they can access on demand later.) FYI, we usually hit a wall in Delta, once my DC hit multiple digit division. When it starts to get difficult, and my DC start getting really frustrated, we take the break.

     

    Go for mastery, it will pay off in the end!

    Please help me with math!

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    If you decide to switch, I'd strongly recommend looking at the placement tests first, for whichever program you choose.

     

    MM can be pretty independent, but different kids may react differently. I don't know if the review chapter at the start of 6A would be basic enough - it's hard to say without knowing what sort of basic math you're looking for, and how much - just a quickie, or several weeks. The first chapter of 5A has a more extensive review of basic math. I'd look closely at the TOCs and samples to see if this curriculum is in the ballpark of what you're looking for.

     

    Successful completion of MM6 (and probably the Horizons and Saxon levels you mention, though I don't know those programs) should also leave a student well prepared for any prealgebra. In other words, I wouldn't feel limited to MUS for prealgebra if you find success with another program in the interim.[/Quote]

     

    We have tried the dark blue series of MM in the past, but maybe I need to revisit the light blue series and look at the TOC.

     

    I am looking for something to use for the entire 7th grade year. I know that pushing my DD through to pre-algebra would not be a good thing. She needs a year to mature and to review the 'grammar' stage of math.

    Please help me with math!

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Horizons 6 is pretty independent, although not slow.

     

    We're trying Thinkwell this year for shorter, sweeter video segments. It goes 6th grade and up.

     

    I agree that Horizons is not slow. My 3 boys in the middle are doing a combination of MUS and Horizons Math. They are doing Horizons Math a year behind as review.

     

    I will look into Thinkwell, I had not really thought about using it.

    Please help me with math!

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    We just started our summer session on Monday. DD started BCM(ChalkDust clone), and it did not go well. The lectures were way too long for her. I can see that if we continue, there will be loads of tears this year, and not a whole lot of learning happening. My DD11 is not a strong math student, and she has just finished MUS Zeta. She did well, but it was not easy for her. I had hoped that BCM would solidify her understanding of basic math before pre-algebra. I should also add that she seems to be an auditory learner, and she likes lessons to be 'short and sweet'.

     

    My question is, where do I go from here? I was really hoping to have Professor Mosely teach her, as I really do not have the time in our schedule this year.

     

    So...do I continue on with MUS and do pre-algebra? I really did not want to do pre-algebra until 8th grade, as my DD is still quite immature. As of right now, she is not bound for university, rather, she wants to attend college to become a veterinary technician. Of course, that could all change.

     

    What if I did Horizons Math 6 this year and then moved to MUS Pre-Algebra next year? Or should I consider Math Mammoth 6? I have Saxon 7/6, but I think it would take a lot of teaching on my part, and I really need her to be fairly independent this year.

     

    Any help would be appreciated!

    ALL for my 7th grader?

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Thank you, Roxanne! As I read your post I breathed a sigh of relief because I think you are right! Even as I attended our local homeschool conference this weekend I searched high and low, not seeing anything that would be a good fit for us for grammar. I was sure to looked through R&S 6 again too, and I realized it really isn't what I'm looking for. So after all that, I think I just may go ahead and stick with my plans to do ALL.

     

    Blessings,

    Lucinda

     

    I am glad I could help. I sometimes get caught up in feeling like we are behind grade levels, but when I take a few moments to breathe, I realize that some things like grammar and writing need to be mastered and practiced continually. I keep reminding myself that it isn't a race we are running, it is a process. I also have no doubt that my DD(and DSs for that matter), are going to be much better prepared for high school and college level classes than some of their counterparts, due to the quality of curriculum(or is it curricula) that we as homeschoolers have, as compared with the school system. Add that to the fact that we can meet our children where they are at and work with them one on one, we can't help but produce bright, capable children.

    ALL for my 7th grader?

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    My DD11 - 6th grade, started R&S 5 this past year, but I had to take her down to R&S 4, because 5 moved too fast. It was our first year doing grammar, as I tend to lean a little toward agreeing with CM in the grammar department(although I am starting my boys at 4th grade, not 6th). That being said, we are going to start this summer with Growing With Grammar 5, double-time, so we will finished before Christmas, when all of level 1 ALL should be out. Then I will go to it, and I will double up on lessons as long as I can, hoping that 6 will be out next summer to get a head start on it. I really like the fact that ALL and WWS are supposed to coincide, but this year may not match up.

     

    My daughter will not be finished ALL or WWS until 10th grade - or maybe a little sooner if it gets released so we can work on it during the summers. I don't think that is a bad thing. I am more interested in grammar(language) mastery, than rushing through levels. I think you would be fine to do ALL and WWS this year, and if you are wondering what to do until all of level 1 of ALL comes out, you could always get some of R&S's English worksheets to do review.

    How to Teach Spelling for 8th grade?... Need quick & effective help w/spelling

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted · Edited by Roxy Roller
    Adding content

    I, too, have a struggling speller.

     

    We just started Spelling Plus by Susan Anthony along with her dictation book. It contains the 1000 most commonly used words, including those most spelled incorrectly in high school(although it is written for K-6).

     

    I started back near the beginning, and we are testing through each level, just to make sure we fill in the cracks. We are also doing lots of dictation with Susan's book. The sentences are easy, but that is not the point. The point is to get your child to the point where they don't have to think about how to spell a word - it is just automatic. Susan does recommend her dictation book as a starting point, stating that they are beginning sentences. She encourages you to spend the time making your own sentences, utilizing the time to work on other language skills. She gives lots of ideas in her book. Her recommendations are similar to SWB's, in that she recommends adding things like contractions, until they are automatic, then moving on to adding possessives. Dictation is an important step between learning how to spell a word and actually using it in your writing.

     

    I have 5 children between 6 and 12, and I am concerned about the time that dictation will take, so right now, we are doing it before my daughter goes to bed, as she is up a little later than the rest. She knows she needs to improve her spelling and is willing to work hard. I think that your child needs to understand the importance of spelling, and they need to understand that for some people it comes easy, and for the rest, they have to work hard to achieve spelling proficiency. When we start our full school schedule in the fall, I will use a digital recorder to record my daughter's dictation, so that she can do it independently, to save time in my busy schedule.

     

    I hope this makes sense, as I haven't had my daily quota of coffee yet.

     

    ETA: I have emailed Susan and she has been very helpful, so you might do that if you have any questions.

    Advanced Language Lessons

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    The PDF should be available well before December--I'm not exactly sure of a target date, but I'll let you know when the timeline is clearer.

     

    For anyone who's interested, I just posted the first five weeks at the welltrainedmind.com blog:

     

    http://www.welltrainedmind.com/resource-roundup/new-grammar-and-writing-resources/

     

    Full table of contents and updated samples of Writing With Skill coming shortly...

     

    Susan

     

    Thanks for the update, Susan. I really want to use ALL with WWS. I love the direction you are heading!

    Advanced Language Lessons

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    I am just printing the 5 week Advanced Language Lesson sample that I received this morning. It is not going to be available in pdf form until at least December, and possibly print in January.

     

    I am thinking that I will go ahead and start on GWG5 this summer, maybe doubling up the lessons, and then we will review with ALL5, when it is available. There is no such thing as too much grammar is there?:tongue_smilie:I say this, because I take a CM approach to grammar and do not start until 3rd Grade.

    Advanced Language Lessons

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Does anyone happen to know when this will be released?

     

    I have been looking over the WWS5 sample and I really want to use it with my DD11. I am now re-thinking grammar, because WWS5 states that the lessons correspond to ALL. I am wondering if we will have samples of ALL to use alongside the WWS5 sample.

     

    Unfortunately I start my school year in July, so I am a little worried about changing my grammar choice this late, but I would if the sample of ALL is as fabulous as WWS.

    Is WWE3 really third grade level??

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We only started using WWE last fall, so we are 'behind'.

     

    My DS10 will be starting WWE3 in July - he is entering 5th Grade. WWE3 seems to be a big jump from WWE2, which we finished in May.

     

    My DD11 just finished WWE3. She was a late reader, but she did all the reading independently. I am moving her into WWS5 in July - she is entering 7th Grade.

    Pls help me pick a "spine" for MARR

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I am driving myself crazy and I am hoping that you can help me.

     

    We are moving into the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation in the fall, and I can't make up my mind which spine to use. I will be mainly using it with my 4th to 7th Graders.

     

    Here are the ones that I have looked at, but I think I have decided against. Although if you have a good argument, I will revisit them.

     

    Story of the World 2/3 - Bauer

    Mystery of History 2/3

    Kingfisher History of the World - I have the white and the red.

     

    I am not sure about the following:

     

    Story of the Middle Ages - Miller/Guerber

    Story of the Renaissance and Reformation - Miller/Guerber

    Middle Ages - Mills

    Renaissance and Reformation Times - Mills

    Our Island Story - Marshall

    This Country of Ours - Marshall

    Story of the Thirteen Colonies - Guerber

    Story of Liberty - Coffin

     

    I also have Famous Men of the Middle Ages and Famous Men of the Renaissance and Reformation, but I don't want to use them as a spine, they will be used for enrichment. I will also be having my DD outline/rewrite from various books as we go.

     

    I really want to find a spine that will 'be enough', meaning, if we don't do anything but read and narrate when things get busy, we will not suffer. Although I am planning to add additional books and literature.

     

    We are evangelical protestants, if that makes any difference.

     

    Thanks in advance,

    Primary Sources for Medival History

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    Actually, I made a schedule and study guides for what we've covered so far....unfortunately we've moved twice this year and have really fallen behind in school. We are just now getting settled again (we've been here over two weeks now) and are starting lessons again for the entire summer. (Good thing we school year round and my girls have been prepared for this...:001_smile:). I can share my schedule in the very near future (I just need time to transfer from the Term schedules where I have it written.) and your welcome to the study guides I have so far. I have two sample ones on my blog if you'd like to just look at them first. These were created with a CM approach in mind so if something is confusing, please feel free to ask.

     

    Wow, your blog is fantastic!

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