Roxy Roller
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Posts posted by Roxy Roller
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Wouldn't you like to do one for yourself, Hillary? I sometimes wish I had the time. It would be fun - hey, we could have a mom's lapbook contest.
My kids do notebook pages, they sketch and do a narration of something that interested them from the weeks worth of work that we have done. I think that if I got them to do lapbooks, my love of paper and my perfectionistic qualities might take over, so I just haven't gone there yet. It is tempting, especially because 3 of my 5 kids are quite artisitic.
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What would you do for extra literature and lit study with RtoR?
I am thinking about using RtoR next year and my children will be in 7th, 5th, 4th and 1st Grade.
I have not been able to find a Book Basket list for RtoR, and I like to be looking at library sales and second-hand stores for books ahead of time.
Do you do any lit guides? If so, which ones?
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Hi,
Sounds like you are on top of things and understand the issues involved. Your plan to go with Saxon sounds good to me. Saxon has the continuous review so that you don't forget what you were taught.
TT isn't as rigorous as Saxon. I would recommend the Life of Fred or Saxon or Jacobs over TT if I were in your shoes. Life of Fred is a thorough program if you do the extra workbooks, or you can always supplement LOF with something else. The stories in the books help to connect the math to real life, so it's both more interesting and makes sense.
Jacobs is also a good program but I'm not sure why you added it in the middle of the Saxon books.
If your real concern is the SAT test, rather than learning math, I would suggest studying for the SAT. There are SAT prep books you can get from Barrons, College Board, Princeton Review, etc. with lots of practice questions. While your daughter probably isn't ready for these questions yet, if you add SAT prep as a subject a year or two before she has to take the actual SAT, her test results will be outstanding, regardless of which math curriculum she uses.
I have some of the SAT prep books and have looked at the questions. They aren't so much testing the knowledge as they are testing the applications, critical thinking and problem-solving. It's not as much content as it is higher-order thinking skills and problem-solving ability.
So, I think it's important to not just use a simple program that will teach you the rules, but to use a curriculum that will go deeper into more problem-solving and higher order thinking.
Best wishes.
Thank you for your comments. I know it might sound like I am concerned about the SAT, and I am, but I am much more concerned that my DD learns and understands math and then can apply it. I am leaning towards Saxon. What are your thoughts on a sequence for Saxon. She is not strong in math and I am planning for next year, when she is in 7th Grade. Can I still put her in Saxon 7/6, because she will also have to get used to the format, as well. Then go on to Saxon 8/7 or Pre-Algebra for 8th and Algebra I for 9th, Algebra II for 10th and then possibly take 11th and 12th to complete Advanced Math(or move to Pre-Calculus if she is ready).
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One thing you might want to consider is in regards to the 4 year plan of MFW for high school. Because you are going to do Canadian history for 12th, some of the world history in depth may be missed. This is done during MFW's American history 4th year. I was told that MFW focuses more on Modern World history along with American history in 12th grade.
I had inquired about this because I am a bit concerned about the depth of WHL in matters of world history (and their British lit offerings). I am using AHL right now and am undecided about continuing with their next year. I am also a longtime Sonlight user and my son has done Core 300. Doing one whole year of 20th century made me realize that it is a BIG topic. It is completed in only 10 weeks time in WHL. And they only take ONE week to do both World War I and II, something that really requires more time, in my humble opinion. :001_smile:
I guess I was thinking in terms of just doing AHL and WHL(which I thought went up to current times), then I would take 12th Grade to do Canadian History, which would cover back from the 1800's up to current times, including World War I and II again.
Or, in high school I might switch to Diana Warings three year cycle, adding Canadian history along the way, although that would take a lot of planning. I don't know. At least I have a few years to plan that.
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I've done a lot of advance planning too. :tongue_smilie: My dd is getting other ideas. :lol:
:lol:That is exactly what I am worried about!
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The Advanced Math book is often done in two years. So she could do the first half in 11th and the second half in 12th.
I guess you won't know if it's too rigorous until you try. I think starting in 7/6 and following that up with 8/7 would give her an excellent foundation for algebra. If she does the work each day and corrects any she gets wrong' date=' she should do fine, but you'll know better when you get to 8/7 and algebra. I think it's hard to carve a schedule in stone in 7th grade. :) Even if she only makes it through algebra 11, she'll have most of the math she'll need for the SAT. But it may not be enough to test out of college math, so she may need to take some classes in college. I think it's more important to thoroughly master each level rather than to worry about making it through a set number of levels, especially for a student who struggles with math.[/quote']
Thank you for this. I did not know that Advanced Math is often done in two years.
I also agree that I am more concerned about mastery, but that silly little test called, SAT, keeps popping up and causing me concern.:tongue_smilie:
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I am currently using TOG Year 1 with my DC(see ages in my signature). We love it. My only problem is that I am not sure that I can see myself using the program as it is intended for high school. I am feeling like we are learning lots this year, but I find that I am really only using TOG as a book list and I tend to do maps and notebook pages with the kids, with a few projects thrown in here and there. It feels like a really expensive book list. I can see the benefits paying off if I was to do the cycle again in high school(and I am being educated now), but I don't think that I am leaning towards that level of rigor in my history/lit studies. My children all seem to be a little more math/science inclined. I still want the basic components of TOG, but maybe in a little lighter program. Is this MFW? I would be moving into RtoR with them next year and would continue the cycle and finish it when my oldest is in 9th Grade. My oldest would go to the 2 year high school world history program with MFW and then I would cover Canadian history in 12th Grade.
I would really like to find a program and stick with it, if that is even possible. :tongue_smilie:
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I think your schedule looks good. Unless she really enjoys geometry' date=' I'd recommend skipping doing a separate geometry course - it's all incorporated into the Saxon, and that would put her right on schedule too. When she gets to the point of taking the SAT, if there's something she hasn't covered in geometry yet, she can get some of that from the SAT prep books, but you have the majority of what's needed for the SAT covered at the end of Algebra II. If you skip a separate geometry, she'll be done with Algebra II at the end of 10th and will have part of Advanced done before she takes the PSAT or SAT (the ones that count anyway). :)[/quote']
This sounds good, but I am not sure what I would do in 12th Grade. I don't really think that she would want to do Pre-Calculus, but I guess it would give us choices. Is this too schedule too rigorous for someone that does not excel in math?
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If you go the TT route, I really recommend Alg 1 in 8th grade and I don't think it's too difficult for the majority of students out there. This puts the schedule like this:
Alg 1 - 8th
Geometry - 9th
Alg 2 - 10th
Pre-Calc 11th
SAT/ACT near or at the end of Junior year
My oldest two did Alg 1 in 7th, so it can be sped up.
I had my oldest do SAT prep/Dave Ramsey's Consumer Math in 10th, Pre-Calc in 11th and Calc in 12th (no problems - got a 700 on the SAT - taking it in March of his junior year and a 32 on the ACT Math fall of his senior year).
My middle did Pre-Calc his sophomore year and got a 34 on the ACT Math spring of that year. He's doing Stats now (junior year) and will do Calc next year. I only plan to have him take the SAT if he qualifies for National Merit Status and needs it. We'll have an idea on that in Dec, but won't truly know till next spring.
For any student using any curriculum, I feel it is worth it to do the SAT Question of the Day and some prep with an ACT or SAT book to be ready for the test. That said... other than the question of the day, my middle son did very little prep for his sophomore ACT since I knew he probably would redo it junior year. In hindsight, I wish I had him prep 'cause if he'd matched his math/English scores with similar science/reading scores he'd have been done testing with an awesome score. Since I didn't have him prep, he was unprepared for the way those two were and scored lower bringing his composite down. Hence, I now recommend a prep book first in pretty much all cases.
Going back to TT, I seriously wouldn't recommend taking the SAT/ACT without having Pre-Calc first since some Alg 2 topics are in it.
And continually reviewing the basics (whether on their own or through subjects like Chemistry and Physics) is always good. It keeps the brain fresh.
So would I do TT 7 or TT Pre-Algebra in 7th Grade?
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That is it, thank you!
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My DD11 is struggling with MUS Zeta. Some of it might be attitude:tongue_smilie:, but she has always struggled a bit in Math. I was planning on switching to Saxon 7/6 in 7th Grade, although I know she should probably be in 8/7. But I am wondering if TT would be a better plan. I don't think that she will be going into a field that needs high maths, but I do want her to be able to write the SAT.
My original thoughts were:
7th - Saxon 7/6
8th - Saxon 8/7 or Saxon Pre-Algebra
9th - Saxon Algebra 1
10th - Jacobs Geometry
11th - Saxon Algebra 2
12th - Saxon Advanced Math
Is this too rigorous for her?
Is there a little bit easier path with TT? What about SAT results?
By the way, I am drilling all of the basic operations this year, to make sure she is up to speed with them.
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I seem to remember someone posting a chart that shows which SOTW chapters correspond to which MOH chapters. I think there might have also been CHOW thrown in there too.
Will someone please post a link if they have it?
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I also have one that is VERY motivated to complete her school work quickly and get through her books 'faster'. This naturally leads to her being more willing to learn than the other. It's a little frustrating when you know they are both capable of the same work, but one chooses to do less.
:iagree:
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My (fraternal) twins are in 7th grade now.
I managed to keep them together on all academic subjects and teach them together until this year, when I separated them for math. All of a sudden last year it was not working having them in the same math program. Competition and tears. They're still together for all other subjects (they do totally different extracurriculars). I think it depends on the kids, their strengths, and personalities.
One of mine is definitlely more competitive than the other. She took off with reading first, but the other one didn't seem to care (but I did spend time with her one-on-one with reading skills at that point). But it was the competitive one struggling in math last year, and it really bothered her.
:iagree:My twins are fraternal and in 3rd Grade.
I have them at the same place in all curriculums right now, but this year I am seeing that one is pulling ahead of the other. I am feeling like I am holding him back in almost everything. It is not that one is slower than the other, it is more like one is way more interested in all things 'school', and the other is not. The one that is ahead is pretty much teaching himself, because he wants to learn more. All of the other kids call him the 'scientist' and say that he is smart. They don't seem to care, because they always see his head in a book or doing an experiment, and they don't have any desire to do it with him. I think they expect that he will know more, and that is okay.
I am already planning on different tracks for them, but I am not sure when and how to implement them. The twin that is ahead is already saying he wants to be an engineer - technical. I know that his math and sciences will have to be strong. The other twin wants to be a vet or a nurse(maybe doctor) - he is more people/animal person. So his track will be similar, but not as math focused, more sciences. I can see the twin that is ahead, possibly finishing high school early, whereas the other will probably take his time.
Thank you for posting this thread! :bigear:
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Thank you, all!
I am leaning towards MFW, and I think that I will email their office to see if they have recommendations for a condensed version and also to see if they have recommendations for adding Canadian content.
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Thank you for your insights, everyone!
I do have a question about the Book Basket I see on the sample schedule. Do they list books for that? Or do I have to find my own? In the 2-8th Grade schedule, is there literature comprehension? Or is it just the Progeny Press guides that they recommend you should do in 7th and 8th?
I was also wondering if it would be possible to squeeze Rome to current times, into 2 years. My DD is 11, and in 6th Grade right now, and we are doing TOG Year 1 this year. I really want her to start on a full history rotation in 9th Grade, so we need to condense to get to that point.
Another question, we are Canadian. I am wondering how much American history is in the last couple of years - of both the 2-8th program and the high school program. I want my DC to know both American and Canadian history, so I need to know if I can add it, or if it just would not be worth it.
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I agree that WP is not user friendly. We love MFW at our house. It is a great program that is doable and we are in it for the long haul.
:D
Stacey...does this mean you are doing MFW through high school? How rigorous is it?
I am at a place right now, where I am not sure how rigorous I want my DC high school to be. I know that for at least three of my boys, I need to concentrate on the maths and sciences. I want them to have a well-rounded education, but I don't want them to spend so much time doing school-work, that they don't get to pursue their passions.
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:bigear:
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If you have experience with these programs, what do you like or dislike? Can you compare them? Is there another program I am missing? Is there going to be a WP written for after the middle ages?
I am looking for a multi-level history/lit program, that is a little lighter than TOG. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I am just not doing it justice right now, with 5 kids in K-6th.
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I am wondering if anyone has used these to supplement math instruction in the early years.
Here is the link for the Fractions one - http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Fractions+and+Mixed+Numbers+DVD+Volume+2/045534/1288801174-286880
If you have used it, how? Did it help?
Oops, I spelled Mosely incorrectly in the thread title!
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Does anyone else have an 11yo doing WWE 3, and/or a 9yo doing WWE 2?
Yes - my DD11 is just starting WWE3. I fast-tracked the last half of WWE2 for her up until now. I am not sure how it is going to go. I am hoping to do this double-time as well.
Yes - my DS9 is just starting WWE2, after going through the last half of WWE1 at double speed. I will continue doing WWE2 quickly - 2 weeks worth of WWE2 in one calendar week.
My twin DSs8, are just starting WWE1, and we are doing it double-time.
I do think that WWE3 jumps in difficulty. Your child is expected to read the passages for themselves, and they are longer. The narrations are expected to be more concise and the dictations are longer. We do have a little more trouble with the dictations and I am working to get my children to hold more information in at a time, but for some reason, it just seems to fall out.:tongue_smilie:I am considering going back to a more CM style of studied dictation with my DD11, if things do not improve.
A little while ago there was a link on this board for a You Tube demonstration of SWB doing dictation with her son. Hopefully someone will post it here, or you could do a search for it. It helped me understand her method of dictation. It also helped me realize that it is not easy.
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I was wondering about Intervention because I didn't know if it covered everything K-2 did or not?
Also...can a K'er start in 1? I heard Level 1 basically covers everything.
I CAN NOT believe I didn't know about Saxon Phonics. I have been wanting a good thorough OG program w/ really good lesson plans that was not $300 a level ..ha!
I also really want this to cover spelling though!
Do you feel that they will get a good grasp on spelling also?
Intervention covers phonics, spelling, vocab and reading comprehension. I may have my DD11 complete it next year, if I still feel like she needs more work. She was a late reader and is not a great speller. I think it is more for a child that is 4th or 5th grade and older.
I think that Saxon Phonics K is really just a letter-sound recognition program, along with beginning words. I'm skipping it in favor of OPGTTR and Phonics Pathways. I think that if your child is already past that stage, you could do Phonics 1. Here is the link for the Saxon Phonics 1 Teachers Manual Table of Contents - http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_slideshow?sku=75323&actual_sku=75323&slide=1. It also has sample lessons to look through.
I love that it is scripted and thorough and I don't have to do any kind of planning.
As to your last question, I believe that it will help with spelling, but I am a new user, hopefully someone else will answer that question. I sure hope it will.
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I am using Saxon Phonics 2 with four of my children - DD11, DS9 and twins DSs8.
I decided that this year I needed to spend the time to make sure there were not any phonics gaps and to improve everyone's spelling. I wanted a program that covers everything quickly in the space of a year.
We are only on Lesson 16 out of 140ish, and it moves very quickly, with tons of review each day. For example, it covers both sounds of th in one lesson(day), then moves on. You review everything all the time and the lessons tell you when to retire cards - similar to AAS. I make it fun, and the kids are really enjoying the 'classroom' feel. I make them put their hands up to answer questions and when reviewing, I go around the room, just like a classroom would. It is easy for them right now, and it may be all the way through, but I know in the end, we will have covered everything. I do follow the script and I do all of the review. Best of all, my DC all look forward to doing Phonics!;)
Just a note - I also purchased Saxon Phonics Intervention for my DD11, because I wasn't sure she would want to work with her brothers. Once I received both programs, I compared them and decided that at the end of the year, she would maybe even be further along if she was to do Phonics 2 with the boys. Intervention seems to really be written for a ESL student just starting to learn English. There were some good components, but I felt Phonics 2 was stronger.
My youngest son is doing OPGTTR right now, but if Saxon Phonics 1 is as good as 2 seems to be, I will probably do it with him next year.
If you have any more questions, I will try to answer them. I know there are a few people on the board that use Saxon Phonics, hopefully they will chime in.
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I am trying to find history texts that I can use as the backbone for my history sequences in the logic and then the rhetoric stages. I am looking for a Canadian-based, Christian, sequential text for both stages. Do these exist?
Thank you,
Classical Education and the feeling of failure (CC, long - sorry)
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
:grouphug: and prayers have been sent!