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Everything posted by ShutterBug
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at what age did your child learn to read?
ShutterBug replied to EthiopianFood's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Could sound out words at 2.5 and could read small sentences and simple books by 3 (no real instruction, just lots of reading to him). His interest waxed and waned for the year after that and since there was no need to push it, I didn't push it. He had a sudden resurgence in interest at 4 and by his 5th birthday was reading chapter books. -
Conservative Christians: Harry Potter
ShutterBug replied to Hedgehogs4's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
For this statement to be relevant HP would have to be poorly written. Believe me...I didn't want to fall in love with these books and the characters within. Truth be told..I can't stomach J.K. Rowling..I find her arrogant and a bit of a *itch. However..she does have a gift and a talent not only for writing, but also for character development. Severus Snape is possibly one of the most well written, layered and developed character I've ever come across. Once again..are you going to find God in HP? No. Are you going to be edified or grow a stronger and closer relationship to Christ by reading HP? Nope. Could you better spend your time doing something that glorifies God than reading HP? Sure, I mean, after all, you COULD spend time here at TWTM forums pointing out the uselessness of activities that don't edify and glorify God ;) . -
Conservative Christians: Harry Potter
ShutterBug replied to Hedgehogs4's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I *think* the major difference between HP and Narnia is that C.S. Lewis has always been very open with the fact that he purposely wrote the Narnia series as an allegory to the Bible. It was his intention and goal right from the start to write stories for children that would convey the messages of the Bible to them in a fantastical and engaging manner. Despite what folks may want to *see* or *find* in HP, JK Rowling in no way, shape or form intended for these books to be any sort of a Christ/Messiah allegory. I still LOVE them, but if you're looking for God in them, you ain't gonna find Him, lol. It's for this reason, that I believe some Christians are okay with Narnia, but not HP. -
Reviews of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
ShutterBug replied to kalphs's topic in General Education Discussion Board
Eeeek! Tried not to read this before I posted, lol. We're going tomorrow to se e it and I can't wait :) I am disappointed that our only IMAX theater isn't showing it in IMAX 3-D (just regular ol' 3D). I'm looking forward to it...the boy who portrays Eustace looks like he does a superb job! -
CrimsonWife: The Paragraph Book-can you tell me more?
ShutterBug replied to Halcyon's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Me too :) I keep coming back to these and looking at them since she posted the links earlier. -
Thanks...I think part of the problem is that I google things like "3rd grade writing samples" and come up with things like this... ...then I freak out. So, to reassure myself that my expectations are on target I look up my state ELA standards for writing and they word it with verbose educational jargon so that it seems much more complex and sophisticated than it really needs to be so I freak out some more and start searching around for stuff to supplement my already cluttered curriculum with.
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I need some input in regards to writing. Not penmanship or creative writing...more composition. Ds writes really well creatively. He can write pages and pages with wonderful descriptive stories, separated into paragraphs with excellent spelling, capitalization and punctuation. When writing original stories, he has no problem organizing and sequencing his thoughts. I'm referring more to having a given directive (compare and contrast two characters from a story, persuasive paragraphs, narrative paragraphs, etc..) and then organizing their ideas into a topic sentence with well organized supporting details and then a closing sentence. I know it's a skill, and that it takes time..but what I'm struggling with is how much practice should ds 8 be getting and what types/difficulty of assignments should he be doing. I don't know why I'm stressing about this, but I am. I've always loosely followed and agreed with the classical system for writing..copywork, narration, dication, reading and having lots of good literature read to him, etc... BUT (and I know I shouldn't), I've been looking into what is expected of ps kids in regards to writing. I know that there is a big jump in 3rd grade in regards to writing expectations and I'd like to at least try and keep those in mind as we progress on with writing (humor me). We're currently using WWE3 for narration and dictation, copywork (paragraphs) once or twice a week, and we just started Paragraph Town (still getting used to the loosey goosey, no schedule or structure format for this but ds is enjoying it thus far). I've just started giving ds a topic about once a week to write one or two paragraphs about. Today his assigment came from a Grade 3 Test Prep book we've been working through to prepare for our state mandated standardized testing. The assignment was.. "Think about some of the changes you have experienced or new things you have recently tried to do. (Gives lots of examples) Pick one of these changes or areas of interest. Then write a few paragraphs about how you think this has made a difference in your life." Ds's paragraphs looked like this (spelling, puncution, etc. is kept as is).. Over the past year I have become a better reader. I have become a better reader by reading books with words that I didn't understand. By asking my mom what these words ment and learning their meaning I have increased my vocabulary and therefore become a better reader. Being a better reader and having a better vocabulary has helped me in many ways. One of the ways it has helped me is in school. I am much better at summerizing because I know words that combine words into one. It has also helped me in spelling because I know how to spell many more words. I know the assignment asked for a "few" paragraphs and he only did two..but this is average for a third grader, right? Soooo....if you could please oblige me by filling me in on what you're using for third grade writing and what type of assignments you assign I would so much appreciate it! Also, if you have (or have had) a child in ps third grade, could you relay what type of assignments they are working on? Thanks!
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Conservative Christians: Harry Potter
ShutterBug replied to Hedgehogs4's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I don't know if I'd say "highly moral and ethical"...Harry is, if we are to be honest, often disobedient, lazy (especially in schoolwork), an effortless liar, takes no qualm with using another's work and knowledge while claiming it to be his own and makes more than just a few poor judgement calls over the span of the books. He's also good, kind, often selfless and brave..a loyal friend and a fierce defender of what's good and true. These flaws (and strengths) in Harry's character (and all of the other characters) are what make the books such wonderful reads. BTW, we are a conservative Christian household who has allowed our now 8 yo to read the entire series and watch all of the movies. He began them at 7 and finished them while 8. I read them as he read them..always keeping just a bit ahead in case there was anything I wanted to censor or discuss. My suggestion would be to read them first then make a decision on your own judgement, not someone else's. -
The secret is sour cream :) . Each year I take one cookie recipe and try to perfect it (well...to my tastes anyway). When I did cut out cookies I didn't want them thin and crispy, but I didn't want them too cakey. I wanted them somewhere in between, but still moist and tasty. I experimented, combined, changed and ate a lot of test cookies. These are moist and soft, but not to cakey and they absolutely melt in your mouth. For icing I just use a butter/milk/confectioner's sugar combo. with a touch of orange extract (anise is yummy too!). This is what I ended up with :) Cut Out Cookies 1/2 cup of butter 1/2 cup of shortening 5 cups of flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. of baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 1/2 cups of sugar 1 cup sour cream 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. almond extract In a med. bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soday and salt. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, butter and shortening. Beat in sour cream, egg and extracts. With the mixer on low, or by hand, add in the flour mixture until no flour remains. Beat only until the flour is incorporated...don't overbeat! Divide the dough into two pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours. Preheat oven to 375. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll out 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Use a floured cookie cutter to make the desired shapes. Transfer cookies to a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 6 - 7 minutes, until the edges are slightly firm to the touch but the cookies are not browned (the bottoms should only be the slightest bit browned). Cool on a baking rack before icing. Makes 4 - 5 dozen.
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See, I've been hypothesizing for awhile that part one would end with You Know Who acquiring the Elder Wand. A friend was betting that it would end when they were captured by the snatchers...more of a cliffhanger that way, but I could tell from the previews that Malfoy Manor was included in the part one storyline sequence. Dumbledore's past will most definitely be in part two. It's too integral to the plot to skip it completely. Besides..if you check IMBD you'll see that the parts of both young Dumbledore and young Grindewald were cast. Young Dumbledore.. Young Grindewald..
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Maybe because this was the only one to scare him..and make him cry. He's read all the books..so he knew what was coming..but I think that you're own imagination won't produce images that are too scary for yourself to handle..someone else's interpretation of the same scenes is a different story, lol. This is the first move that we've seen in the theater too...the IMAX screen and sound can intensify things :) .
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Totally agree! If I had to bet on it, I'd place my wager on the scenes with Dumbledore's past being the opening for the second film. I'm feeling pretty cocky right now in my guesstimating abilities since I guessed that part 1 would end with Voldemort obtaining the Elder Wand. Not to mention that two actors were cast in the roles of young Dumbledore as well as young Grindewald ;) . I was wondering why they left out the Goblin's story of the fake sword, but you're right, it would just add more complexity to an already complex plotline. I was happy to see Neville too! He's one of my favorites and I love the transformation his character has made over the years :) . Yup, Neville rocks! I also thought that the scenes where Harry is seeing what Voldemort is doing were too choppy, quick and confusing. If you didn't know what was going on you might be like..what the..?
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Maybe because I was watching it alongside my fairly sensitive 8 yo. so I had my mommy goggles on the whole time, lol. I guess maybe it was just the general forboding tone of the film along with the way the cinematography was done (lots of dreary scenery with cool, blue filters). There wasn't much happiness..it was pretty much one sad or intense scene after the next.. The opening scene, with the Muggle's Studies teacher, was hard to watch..partly because of the pure evil and cruelty that Voldemort expresses, but also because of Snape having to sit and watch and do nothing leaving her feeling scared and confused before suffering a gruesome death. The Bathilda Bagshot/Nagnini scene was pretty intense and scary too, especially in the IMAX theater, lol. I had a hard time watching Hermione's torture scene...I was dreading that one the most. And of course...Dobby. I didn't cry when Dobby died in the book...but the scene in the film broke my heart.
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Yeah..you had to see it at the theater..in IMAX 3D to make it watchable, lol. The effects were A++++ while the storyline was a C- (maybe even a D). I just kept thinking..didn't we already see this..oh yeah, it was called "Fern Gully".
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Saw it today. :) Loved it. I'm so glad they decided to split this up into two movies. Yes, it was dark. Yes, it was intense. Yes, it was violent and gruesome and very difficult to watch at times. Yes, it was absolutely heartbreakingly tragic at times. But it was still incredibly well done, the actors did a phenomenol job and the cinematography was beautiful. I know that even with splitting it into two movies, decisions are going to have to be made and things are going to be cut and rearranged. There were a few personal favorite moments that I had hoped to see but were left out.. Dumbledore's Past..I don't see how they can leave this out entirely though and I have a really strong feeling that the second half will open with those scenes. Kreacher's Tale..without the retelling of how Regulus came across and stole the original locket this storyline wasn't as cohesive as it could have been. Ron's Ghoul..yeah, yeah..of course it got cut. But it would have been fun if it hadn't. Wormtail's Demise..perhaps the most fitting ending for a character in the series. I'm thinking that maybe his death has simply been "delayed" for the time being. Mad Eye's Eye..really..it would have only taken a second for Harry to reach around and take the eye with him. He didn't even have to bury it, as long as it didn't stay on her door. Luna's Bedroom..sigh..the part in the book when Harry looks up and sees himself, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville all painted on her ceiling with the words "friends" encircling them was one of my favorites...I was looking forward to seeing it in the film. Dudley's Goodbye..this one ticked me off. This sentimental yet awkward moment when Dudley finally shows some affection and concern for Harry had me welling up with tears when I read it. If I could choose one moment to add in, this would be it. Even though the dancing scene with Harry and Hermione wasn't in the book, I thought it was really well done and sweet. I thought they could have done a better job explaining exactly what it was that Hermione, Ron and Harry were up to in regards to exactly what Horcruxes are and why they needed to destroy them...I felt like those who hadn't read the books might be a little lost as to what was going on. Hoping that there are some other fans out there too!!!
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Do you use two complete math programs?
ShutterBug replied to Snowfall's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
Haven't read the whole thread, but yes we use two full curriculums. We're currently using Math U See Delta and Horizons 4 for ds 8. With Horizons it's mostly just review and extra practice with the stuff MUS is light on, such as money, time, graphs, shapes, weight, measurement, Roman numerals, etc... so I don't really have to "teach" anything there. MUS comes with those handy dandy DVD lessons for each week so I only need to help out when he's unsure about something. He also does a couple of word problems out of CWP 4 each day, a Math Perplexor once a week and some Math Olympiad questions tossed in there for fun too :) On average, math takes 45 min to 1 hr per day. -
Hi all :) I came across this curriculum recently and was wondering if anyone has tried it or heard anything (positive or negative) about it. I'm particularly interested as to whether it's anymore fitting for a gifted child than any other curriculum out there. http://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/ Thanks in advance!
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You're absolutely right, and from an objective standpoint, it's a perfectly lovely movie :) . At tournaments, just for fun, we'll ask eachother "Can I get you anything? A tuna sandwhich? I'm getting you a tuna sandwhich." I guess I'm just turned off by the notion of basing a character off of a real life child and then downplaying his talent and abilities to make the book/movie about your own son better/more interesting. It was convenient that the book was released after Jeff Sarwer's dad went into hiding with he and his sister...there was nobody there to defend the integrity of this little boy whose character had been trampled on. It makes me sad. Also, our International Grandmaster friend taught Josh Waitzkin for a season..he said that Josh's dad pushed him really hard, that Josh never really had a true love for the game and that he suffered from regular bouts of anxiety over playing. Josh didn't just fall into chess and beat his dad immediately..his dad drove him to be the best and gave him a hard time when he wasn't. Once you know that so much of the real story has been changed, no matter how lovely of a film it its, it's hard to watch it without leaving a bad taste in your mouth.
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Ds is an avid chess player and has seen it a few times. It's good, but some of the "creative liberties" Josh's dad took with the truth annoy me. For example, Josh's rival in the movie, Jonathon Poe, was based off of a real life chess prodigy by the name of Jeff Sarwer. Despite being raised in a very unconventional way, Jeff was two years younger and light years more talented than Josh. The actual game they played ended in a draw and they shared the championship. You can read more about him here . "When Jeff was eight, he was believed by many to be one of the strongest prodigies in the history of the game. Allen Kaufman, head of the American Chess Foundation, said, "Jeff at nine is stronger than Bobby was at 11." Bruce Pandolfini said, "Of the several thousand kids I've taught, Jeff is certainly the most amazing young player I've ever seen." "At the age of 7 Jeff's enthusiasm for the game caught the attention of Grandmaster Edmar Mednis and he invited him to analyze the 1986 World Championship Match between Kasparov-Karpov on PBS." Ds's chess career parallels Josh Waitzkin's a bit. Ds began competing in tournaments when he was 6 (8 now), was a natural, and quickly climbed to the top. By the time he was 7 he was rated in the top 20 for his age group in the country. It's also funny, because ds has two main mentor/teachers and they're very much like the Lawrence Fishburne and Ben Kingsley characters. One is a more aggressive player who plays in the city with a bunch of guys who talk smack to eachother during their games. The other is a European International Grandmaster who sees chess as more of an art and has a more sophisticated respect for the game. Our Grandmaster friend was actually in the movie as an extra in some of the park scenes :) . Last year when ds competed in the NY Scholastic Championship we met Paul Shaeffer from the Letterman Show (his son was competing). Ds had no idea who he was but almost passed out when he spotted Bruce Pandolfini (the real life person who Ben Kingsley's character was based off of and who is completely different from how he was portrayed in the movie). It makes me sad that Josh doesn't play chess at all anymore, but he has found great success and excels in martial arts. In his book, "The Art of Learning", he talks about how the release of the movie, and his sudden celebrity brought his chess career to a screeching halt.