Mommy to monkeys
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Posts posted by Mommy to monkeys
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My 9 year old is working through CTGE 4, and my 11 year old is working through CTGE 5. I'm considering transitioning into Rod and Staff English after we're done (around New Year's or so). By that time they'll be 10 and 12. I know the transition from CTGE4 to RS 5 should be fine, but I'm not as certain about the transition from CTGE5 to RS 6. Any thoughts, suggestions, or just general words of wisdom?
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My very creative 9 year old is really enjoying Wordsmith Apprentice.
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Bumping as I'm interested in this for the future.
And to add another question, can you buy it any places other than the Sadlier-Oxford site?
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I noticed Stephen King over and over, RL Stine I didn't personally see... and several books that were clearly of the Horror genre. Only one sentence was in any way dark in and of itself. And even that one sentence wasn't evil, but a possible foreshadowing. THis was the Middle School book.
But still...I think that it might be useful for others to know when considering Kilgallon. I'm sure I'm not the only one that would be unhappy with that.
You're not the only one. This is very good to know.
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Ginger Pye was painfully boring for us, but everyone has enjoyed the Moffats series. It is not out favorite, but still MUCH better than Ginger Pye imho.
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Does anyone have any experience with this?
I took a look at samples of a few levels just to see the poetry selections and was intrigued by the vocab sections in the upper levels.
Thoughts?
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Not exactly. When things are utterly chaotic, I have my older ones alternate between reading to my "middles" and working with me. They have said they actually prefer this to NOT reading to them, because it's calm when we're working together. This only works if my toddlers are napping.
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*Phew*
Thanks, ya'll. I think I just needed confirmation. :)
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My son is 6 years old and an upcoming 1st grader. We spent the first half of this school year in visual therapy and he is finally progressing with his reading. My older 2 children were reading chapter books with no problem by this point, while this child is just starting long vowels. I'm not worried; it's just different.
What language arts would look like if he were reading well:
Lots of reading practice
Pentime 1
FLL 1
WWE 1
What I'm thinking of doing:
Phonics, Phonics, Phonics
Lots of reading practice
Pentime 1
FLL 1
waiting of WWE
Does that make sense to anyone else besides me? Thoughts?
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I think some of the aspects of the Brave Writer lifestyle are pretty fun: Tuesday Poetry Teas, Movie Wednesdays complete with popcorn. . .
I also really want our Fridays to be dedicated to just the fun stuff this year.
In the mix:
-free write
-nature study or experiment (determined by weather)
-art!!
-History projects- I'd like to do at least one per quarter (abookintime.com has loads of ideas)
-Educational Games or maybe even NON-educational games ((GASP!!))
I know field trips would be loads of fun, but I accept that they will be few and far between right now simply because of the ages of my kids. SOO, Mama needs make home a fun place!
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Looks like a full year! I can sympathize with not being able to nail down Language Arts. That's our challenge every year.
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What do you use now?
Pam
My oldest two finished a CTGE book during the first semester of our 2013/14 school year. We've actually been taking a bit of a break from formal grammar and did a lot of Bravewriter style writing. Now we're working through Wordsmith Apprentice (which we really LOVE). I honestly don't know what we're going to be doing next year.
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I like the idea of doing level 5 for the 4th and 6th grader and using the 6th book for the 7th grader.
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I've not used it all the way through, but used levels 1, 3, and 4. It filled a void for us for a time. It was more than adequate and "got done" every day.
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Just wanted to give an update as we've been working steadily for a few weeks now trying to stick to the "simplify method".
I have to tell you, whoever mentioned Brave Writer, I love you! Seriously, you are my new. best. friend. :hurray: I'm now on Julie Bogart's email list and I've been scouring that website and her blog and utilizing her ideas. My kids are so happy! I'm so happy! I really feel as though we're getting a better balance of copywork/dictation and composition done now. We're doing copywork or dictation twice a week, Free write Fridays, Tea Time Tuesdays, and utilizing some of her other ideas on other days without pressure. AND because they're not getting bogged down and burnt out with their English workbooks, they've been voluntarily writing letters.
I found The Writer's Jungle at homeschool buyers coop at a discount and will be getting it soon. :lol:
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Oh my. . .I just typed out a long response and lost it when I clicked post! Sheesh I'll try again and I'll save it first!
Yesterday was a hard day for him. We had a chat about why he doesn't like to write. He says writing is work, and he doesn't like it because it's hard. He also said that the more he thought about how he couldn't do anything else until he finished, the more upset he became. AND he has so many ideas but doesn't know what to write first and the order to put it into to make it "right". (side note- I took him to a psychiatrist about 3 1/2 years ago for trich and came out with a diagnosis of MILD OCD)Soooo. . .today we compromised. He can do his math and readings in the morning/afternoons and do his writing in the evening for the NEXT day, so that he feels ahead and not behind. We sat down and brainstormed on 3X5 cards and he then proceed to write 2 paragraphs on tigers, 2 paragraphs on how to draw characters from Angry Birds, AND took a paragraph from a Paddington Bear book and turned it into a mad lib (<----not my idea!)
I downloaded some story starters and will definitely keep these programs in mind for the future, but I think no matter WHAT we use that right now he needs consistency, "hand holding", and to know that his best is good enough.
Hunter, I'm not offended in the slightest. DS is used to things coming easily for him and it's hard for him to do things that don't. I do want that balance between pushing him too hard and selling him short by not pushing enough.
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DD gave me a very nice paragraph without any tears. DS had a single sentence written on his paper. He is so stinkin' intelligent, but he's soooooooo lazy. He's not stupid. I have six kids. I hate feeling like I'm DRAGGING HIM ALL DAY through something he could whip out in no time. This is why we quit. He's capable of doing as well as he feels like, but he doesn't like putting forth ANY effort.
Trying not to have a hissy fit. . . .
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I'm going to try and be consistent. My concern is that if I just keep accepting poor writing, they will get stuck and simply continue in that path.
They're both writing now, so we'll see what they come up with. I told them to write whatever they wanted, and they both gave me a "deer in the headlights" look. Soooo, I threw out some ideas.
I'm still reading through the TM from Write-On. Hopefully I can finish it up tonight and start with a lesson this week..
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Science in a Nutshell kits are great for the 12yo and 10yo. You could probably even put your 12yo science-lover in charge of leading the activity guide if they have a good relationship. If not, he could easily do it himself while you work with another dc. These kits are very well done and easy to pick and choose in units.
Writing? I'm in the same boat really, only my (almost) 11yo is my dyslexic and is not so great with spelling. We are working hard on spelling & dictation. My 8yo is advanced in LA and is ready for a leap. I'm going to be asking them for written narrations several times per week. I will give them narration prompts from a book they are reading. We will discuss them orally, and then they will choose one to write down independently. Hopefully, the discussion beforehand will ease their way into written narrations. My goal is for them to be able to put on paper what comes out of their mouths (without crying), and take writing assignments from their teacher in addition to the copious free writing my dd does (without crying). Simple. We will expand on that skill down the road. These written narrations will be in addition to the other copywork/dictation that I have them doing. I'm ramping up *quantity* this year.
Oh, and the Science in a Nutshell Kits have 3 student journals in each kit. Those journals make for good science writing assignments. I often write out their answers on the board and have them copy into their books. I'm hoping to reduce the amount of copying needed by my oldest this year.
That's where we are. I'm not sure that was helpful for you, but it helped me to type it out. :lol:
I've looked at those science kits before and while I think my oldest would love them, my daughter really really doesn't like science beyond nature type topics. She and her older brother do get along but he's very take charge and she's very. . .well. . .easy going and flighty (I mean that in a good way. She's just a free spirit)
For writing I would do these three free lessons for now, and read every word of the free TM.
It sounds like there are no immediate grammar issues that need to be taught right NOW. Do these writing lessons now, keep doing what you are doing as it seems to be working. Then reevaluate after doing these writing lessons.
It really is okay to only teach writing OR grammar for months at a time.
Once we change ONE thing in a curriculum, it sets off a snowball effect of wanting/needing to change everything else. With what you have going now, this is the thing that will fit like a perfect jigsaw puzzle piece.
I definitely don't want to change everything. We just need to handle writing. I'll definitely print out these lessons so I can get a feel for them.
Do you really want simple?
Are you sure?
Have the 9 & 11 yos write a paragraph every day about anything. Dig up oodles of prompts if they want them. Correct mainly for grammar or if it doesn't make sense.
Work up to half a page, then a full page a day, by about 7th grade.
The end.
My boys were able to get As in freshman comp doing only this. Oh, they both took college freshman comp at age 15.
Oh mercy. My son's issue with writing is that he has a "get it done" attitude, so if I ask him to write a paragraph it will contain the shortest and least detailed sentences that the world has ever known (slight exaggeration) while dd just freezes and doesn't know where to start.
Perhaps getting them excited about a prompt topic would help.
Could it be my lack of consistency that's killing it? They get frustrated. I get frustrated. Then we quit. ((Sigh))
Between those sample lessons from write on and some prompts, hopefully I can get some writing juices flowing.
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(Update at post 27)
I'm looking to STREAMLINE and SIMPLIFY our school year next year. I'm getting bogged down trying to teach everything well and then feeling guilty over not doing well enough.
I'm starting to really "get it". . .cover the basics and do more in the things they love.
I'll have a Ker and 1st grader next year: I've got that age down.
I'll also have a 9 and 11 year old (who will be 10 and 12. . . How did THAT happen!?!)
I love my CLE math. simple
I like Core Knowledge's What your Grader needs to know books-helps me with my IHIPs and making sure we cover the basics. (Yes HUNTER, I LOVE your posts!)
My oldest is really into science, so I'll let him focus more on that. He LOVES to read about science and DO science experiments and he's old enough to be able to do them well. I've looked at some of the science textbooks I like, and he know most of that already, so I know setting him free with that is working.
My next oldest loves music. She is VERY gifted. I'm teaching her piano. She also makes up melodies (with words), can find them on the piano, and is able to play it with the chords in the left hand if I show her how first. So, I'll definitely let her explore that.
Writing is our weak area, which makes sense considering that it is my weak area as well. Yes, they've done copy work to death, but they're old enough that they need to be able to write better than they do. They're excellent narrators, but their writing is not great. The grammar is almost almost always perfect, though. Their spelling is excellent, so I don't feel the need for that right now. I'm looking for something and some way to teach this efficiently without getting bogged down in grammar. I still want SOME grammar, but I want writing with grammar mixed in as opposed to grammar with some writing mixed in. Does that make sense? AND I know if I'm pulling for several different things (one thing for grammar, another for one kind of writing, another supplement here or there), then we'll crash and burn. . . What would ya'll recommend to really work on writing that still ties in with keeping things simple? I have 6 kids, so it really can't be super complicated or it won't happen.
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I have had success with the 1969 Perfect Boot jean at The Gap. I was stunned when I put them on and there was no huge gap at the waist! They are a bit low-waisted, but not crazy-low. Try on a bunch of pairs because they vary.
Good luck. My waist is two sizes smaller than my hips so jean shopping is kind of a joke.
My hips are two sizes bigger as well, but my thighs are bigger still. . .That's always my biggest issue.
Gonna second the Buckle. Though, I get measured and then take the card with measurements and buy used off eBay. :)
That's a great idea! I would have to try them on first definitely before ordering something. I think my first try is going to be looking at consignment for all the brands mentioned and seeing what (if anything!) fits well and doesn't make me look so proportionally distorted.
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Spoon shape carries any "extra" in the tummy. Pear shaped carries the "extra" in butt/thighs. Both have hips. So you may need more thigh room than I do, but I'm more likely to have a muffin top :)
Got it.
Thank you for the ideas ladies. Hopefully I'll come back from vacation with some awesome jeans!
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I bought a pair of Angel jeans and they fit my big butt well. :laugh:
Are those Junior's sizing? I don't think I can pull that off anymore. My waist is small but I have "twin tummy" so I NEED a bit more rise on my pants.
I shop at the Buckle. They can look you up and down and give you a pair that'll fit like a glove. They are expensive and so worth it. Super cute too.
I'll check it out. Definitely worth a shot. If I can have 2 pair that fit well for going oot and aboot and then just wear yoga pants around the rest of the time, I'll be good to go.
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What's the difference between spoon shaped and pear shaped?
Rod and Staff English Question
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
The textbook format is what I don't think they'll be thrilled about, but they're growing up and I think they should be able to handle it. Thanks for the input, y'all.