Mommy to monkeys
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Posts posted by Mommy to monkeys
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How does ELTL compare to LLATL as far as teacher involvement/time? I like the looks of ELTL too but it seems like it would take more of my time. LLATL requires some teacher involvement but they can do a decent amount on their own too. With four kids to teach I need them to be able to do some things at least partially independently.
Disclaimer: I haven't used it yet. But the author has said that it can be mostly independent (past 2nd grade) aside from the dictation. I've heard/read users say they have the children listen along on librivox while following in their books. Check out the amazon samples to get a really good feel.
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I've always had a love hate relationship with CLEs LA, but my kids have always liked it. My son did hit a wall this year in the 600s and I've vacillated between pushing through or dropping it completely. We are using iew swi b for writing and have for right now dropped grammar. Next year we'll continue with iew and I'm strongly considering easy grammar.
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I've always liked the *idea* of LLTL, but the samples are very "meh" to me. Not great or even good, but not terrible either. Honestly, if you like the idea of LLTL, you should take a look at English Lessons Through Literature. You'll get the all in one, but IMO it's put together so much better and with more challenging content. If you used level 6 for both your 7th and 8th grader, I think that would be more challenging that LLTL grey.
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Okay, out of curiosity, I'm going to blow this thread out of the water and start a new narrower one later. Who self-identifies as "working-class"? If you don't, do you identify with another class? Or no class at all?
I'd like to get into stigma of being working-class, and the expectations of upward mobility and some other stuff, but...I'm not so sure that won't explode so badly, that I won't get the above answers.
If you had to label your family's current class, what would it be?
Use whatever label you want. Just make it define class. Unless you see yourself or your country as classless.
This isn't about what I think, or any one else thinks. How do YOU self-identify the class of your homeschooling family?
DH was in the military for years (enlisted) and I always considered that to be middle class. I was raised middle-upper middle class.
And here I am now. We're below the poverty line, so I guess that would be lower class. DH is a craftsman, so that seems to be equal parts blue collar and starving artist.
I feel that I've been able to homeschool well this far, because my parents will help with materials when I ask. Knowing that I can afford virtually nothing on my own and knowing that affording college for my kids is totally out of reach is, well, it changes my perspective. I'm preparing my kids for community college. That's our reality. And I'm always hesitant to put that out there because of the "if you can't afford to homeschool, then put them in public school comments." Not helpful even though I know people's intentions are almost always good.
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What levels are you looking for? I have used everything from 5/4 up through Algebra II. I need different materials depending on how hard the math is.
5/4 and either 7/6 or Alg 1/2. I'm not sure where kids will place. If I can figure out what I'm going to do, I'll give placements tests and see where we land.
You can use older editions of Saxon. Virtual Homeschool Group offers free online self-paced auto-graded classes that use the older editions if you care to use their free online classes for Saxon math. The only thing you would need to buy would be the book (they list editions in the course descriptions). Of course you could also simply use the book. The books include odd answers in the back. If you are planning on assigning all problems, odd and even, you would want the answer key for all problems.
This looks like a pretty amazing resource! Free?
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I'm confronted with the almost definite possibility that I will have very VERY little budget for school next year. You can see the ages of my kids in my siggy. We've always homeschooled so I have a lot of books and I was able to get some IEW resources SUPER cheap during the after Thanksgiving sale. I have resources for MOST things. Math is my issue. We've used CLE math for years and I love it. . .but buying LU's plus a another set of answer keys for 4 kids next year? Dear Lord, we're talking close to $150 and it's CONSUMABLE. I really shouldn't do that.
I'm looking into buying older used editions of Saxon books. I'm wondering what all I would need? Book + answer keys at least, I'm thinking. What else? And is there an easy way to make sure I get books and Answer keys the same edition so they match up? Is there a perfect place for that.
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My oldest is a lefty so I have no aversion to lefties, but at 5 1/2 my daughter (now 11) had no preference. She could write equally well with both hands. I did pick the right hand just for the sake of being consistent and being able to see actual handwriting progress. It worked out fine and she has lovely penmanship. She can kick, throw, bat etc with either hand/foot.
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I went with a year behind...she suggests using it on grade level or one year behind. So my 3rd grader is in level 2, my 5th grader is in level 4. I wasn't sure about my 8th grader using it since level 5 was the highest level released...I think she may send you the first part of level 6 if you request it, and it's supposed to be out soon. Somewhere I read that children should have completed levels 4 & 5 before high school, so we ended up going with level 5. It's been a good fit for her, but I could see it being too easy for this grade if they've already done very much diagramming and writing (outlines, narrations, etc.).
I did correspond with the author and am comfortable with her suggestion for my 8th grader (next year) to use level 6. I may add in an IEW theme book. We shall see. Even though the level is below his grade level, it's still way more writing than we've done. . .which is sad. Too much grammar. Not enough writing.
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Just to play devil's advocate.... Are you an all-in-one LA person? Once every 4 or 5 years or so I think it sounds like a great idea. But when I've tried all-in-ones I haven't lasted long. It won't be enough grammar, or spelling, or I'd rather they read something else at the moment for whatever reason, or I don't like the required book in the first place, or whatever. I'd rather address goals for each part separately and have flexibility to adjust each one separately if needed. So that might be something to think about.
Actually all-in-one is a plus for me. I'm much more consistent with less "things" to pull from. More things on my list is really stressful for me.
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I can totally see why others love it. It really does look great and fills the need for many.
However, this thread has actually helped me to decide that I don't want to switch, and that what we're doing really does work for us.
The realization that something ISN'T for you is every bit as important as finding something does.
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This is our first year using ELTL and I love it, my kids love it. I'm using levels 1, 3, and 5.
I don't use the grammar memory work yet, but I have written flashcards for it when we need it. So far they are not struggling with the grammar yet. When they do we will use the flashcards, and if necessary supplement from another grammar book for more practice,but so fast I haven't had to do that.
I use the workbook for level 1, but my level 3 & 5 kids write it in a composition book. They will do the grammar, copy work, and dictation all on the same page. Not a big deal here. They are also independent with this program, except I have started having then read the poem aloud to me and then we talk about it, otherwise they tend to skip the poetry bc they found the selections difficult to understand. And of course I do the picture study and dictation with them.
Another thing I love about ELTL is that the literature is in the public domain and much of it is in librivox too. I have my level 1 kid listening to her book chapter while following along in her book. This helps me because I have a 2, 4, and 5 year old at home that don't leave me alone for long enough periods of time to let me read aloud without many interruptions.
In conclusion, I puffy-heart ELTL and highly recommend it.
I really like the idea of using librivox with it. That's how we did our brief stint with AO a few years ago and the kids liked listening and reading along. The more I stare at the samples, the more I think I puffy-heart ELTL too.
You made me look you know....
Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk
Sorry! Human nature, I suppose. ;)
For those of you using it, how did you determine placement?
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I'd like to look at the samples, but the process is much messier than what I'm willing to deal with. :glare:
Take a look at the samples that are up at Amazon.
This is helpful.I typed up the first term of Levels 2 and 4, but when I got to level 5, I bought the PDF workbook. I didn't feel up to typing it all out since the passages were much longer. :blush: The workbooks are really just a time saver. There are lots of free online programs for making your own handwriting pages (for the upper levels, the kids pick their own passages), and the grammar lessons can be typed up in any word processing program. My oldest just does her copywork in a journal from Dollar General. The other two are using Print to Cursive Proverbs from SCM in place of the copywork. Once they learn cursive, they'll go back to handwriting pages or a copywork journal.
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I don't know of anyone who's used it that long. The memory work repeats somewhat from year to year though, so it seems like it should be a successful program to me. I love that the younger grades learn things like months of the year or their address and phone number. The grammar memory has been things like the definition of a noun, pronoun, verb, list of helping verbs, etc. I have 3 DC using it and some have the same things, but each level goes in a slightly different order and speed. We do the memory together and they just join in with the definitions they have written in their index card notebooks.
I like the repetition aspect. And I see that you have lots of kids with a toddler in the mix. This gives me hope that I may actually be able to pull it off. Do you use the workbook?
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What is ELTL ? :confused1:
English Lessons Through Literature
http://barefootmeandering.com/site/lessons-through-literature/eltl/
DON'T look at the samples!!
There. You've been warned.
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I know! I keep looking at it. But the reason I'm not using it is because it's new. I don't want to give up what is working for us for something without a track record.
Yes. This exactly. I don't WANT (or do I?) to quit using what we're using in case there's something in this that doesn't "work" long term. Kinks to be worked out. But I can foresee regretting NOT using it a few years from now when it proves to be effective. I'm so wishy washy.
I think it's amazing. :leaving: I only wish I'd seen it before using LLATL last year...I have no idea why I didn't take a closer look at this first!
One common complaint that I've seen is that their DC aren't retaining what they are learning. However, we review the grammar definitions and other memory work 3x per week (when we work on poetry memorization)...I wonder if some families skip this part.
The LLATL comparison/contrast is a good one. I've always like the idea of LLATL but have been unimpressed with the samples of what's actually in there. This. just. looks. perfect.
As far as retention, I'd be very curious to see how it's going for children who've used it for a couple years or more AS INTENDED with memory work and all.
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I've seen ELTL mentioned many many times in the past year or so on the forums but hadn't paid much attention to it. Must be just another English program.
Today I made the mistake of looking at samples.
Nooooooooo! I love it. Yet another program that I want to try even though what I'm using is perfectly ok.
(If everyone could stop writing awesome curriculum that tempts me, that would be awesome.)
In all seriousness, though, this looks like a really well done and user friendly program. Concise, 3 days a week, great selections, no busy work. What am I missing? Can someone convince me that I shouldn't use this with my middle two kids next year? Please. Or tell me I'm right and I'll love it and want to draw hearts all over it.
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We school year round with January being when we promote to the next grade. Eldest will be starting second grade work, and I'd like to work on him doing things independently. I know what works for one wont work for other. But I'm not in love with anything we are currently using, so I'm all ears
If you have a second grader:
-How strong of a reader are they? (Eldest is not a great reader. He can read, but we are talking Cat in the Hat level. He would drown if I handed him Magic Tree House.)
-What are you using? and could you label what level of independence (teacher intensive the whole time, quick lesson but work done independently, can read the lesson and does it all by themselves, etc) each one is?
-And if they had two hours to do whatever they wanted what would they do? (Mine would play video games: Minecraft or Wii U. If I make screen time not an option he'd build something probably with Legos or draw something.
Thanks in Advance. :D
Edit to add: I think he is at a normal reading level for his age. But I think it's an important reference point. What a Magic Tree House reader can do independently is not the same as what Cat in the Hat kid can do.
-How strong of a reader?-
He reads at MTH level and a bit higher. The Littles, Borrowers etc are all right up his alley.
-What are we using and how independent?
-CLE math- semi independent
-Pentime- independent
-CTGE- mostly independent
-Abeka science plus library books- with mom the whole time
-RS for Social Studies plus thematic library books - with mom the whole time
-Modern Speller - with mom the whole time
-Reading- semi independent (he either reads to himself then narrates to me or reads aloud to me and then narrates)
There's other stuff we do as a family, but that's the bulk of it. I hadn't planned on having ANY of his work be independent this year, but he shoos me away. ;)
-2 free hours?
-read
-legos
-play outside
-play monopoly or whatever game with his siblings
-turn my living room into a fort
-build an extensive railway system for my toddlers
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I'm not familiar with that particular book, but we use Abeka science which is VERY short in the younger years.
The way we stretch it is by using library books. For example, when the text talks about weather, go to the library and grab all the books that you can find on that topic. Let's Read and Find Out books and Magic School Bus are particular favorites.
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I have no experience with RS science, but I really REALLY like CLP nature readers. We own all of them. I can't see using JUST those, but then again, we never notebooked with them. If you already own them, then why not try it that way and see how it works for you. If it doesn't feel like enough, you can add more. If you're hitting the library regularly and check out a bunch of science books regularly, then you're totally fine.
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Caddie Woodlawn, Caddie Woodlawn, and Caddie Woodlawn. This was our favorite read aloud EVER and we still pull it out and read chapters from it. Come to think of it, it may be time to read it again.
If you haven't already read the Little House of the Prairie Series, you really should.
The Ordinary Princess
All of a Kind Family series
Chronicles of Narnia
Just off the top of my head! Happy Reading. :)
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We start by 9 (usually), but my daughter starts at the butt crack of dawn. She's one of those crazy morning people and does better working before anyone else is awake. Everyone has a checklist and has things to finish before lunch and things to do in the afternoon. Some things require me and some don't. If they're done with that list, they're free for the rest of the morning. My oldest is not a morning person and has the heaviest workload, so he works up to 12 or 12:30 every day on his morning list. Then we eat lunch and play outside or in. We clean up, lay the twins down, have circle time for about an hour, and then I rotate amongst the big kids for another hour or so. They read when I'm not working with them in the afternoon. Around 3:30 we have a snack and do something like art, or poetry tea, or play outside together depending on the day. Then everyone's free till 5:30 when they get to keep the twins busy while I make dinner.
I'm a pretty structured person by nature, but having the little boxes of time where everything is scheduled to the minute has not worked for my toddlers or my school age kids. Having a little bit of freedom in choosing what to do when makes them happy. And them being happy makes me happy.
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I like Matthew Henry's. It has a very devotional feel.
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/toc/
I also really like Keil and Delitzch but it is more for serious study.
http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/
Bible Gateway has a few commentaries you can look through to get a feel for what you're looking for
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I have the ancients guide that covers the intermediate grades and high school. For my standards, a lot of work is scheduled for one day. I've taken ideas from it but it's just too much as written...for my family.
Thank you for you feedback as well. I would really love to get eyes on an actual guide to get a feel for how much is scheduled for each day. I think we toe the line between being relaxed and structured.
Rod and Staff English 2 Question
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted · Edited by Mommy to monkeys
I see no reason to switch right now. They're still young. If your heart is set on switching, I'd wait till the fall. You can jump right into RS's 3rd grade English.
Something to keep in mind. . .RS is a solid program, but it is more teacher intensive that ACE. If you're looking for the independence of ACE but with more rigor, I second the previous poster's recommendation for CLE's Language Arts. If you don't need the independence, just disregard. ;)