Suzannah
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Posts posted by Suzannah
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I've been using WTM for 16 years now and used to rely heavily on the WTM forum each year for research and planning purposes. But the last few years I've been pretty set in my ways--until now. DD wants to learn French and while it's obvious there are zillions of options out there, I'm a little overwhelmed at the thought of sorting through them all. What is your experience with curricula for high school French that is DVD, software or online (not just workbooks) and won't break the bank. DD has passing acquaintance with French as well as a year of high school Latin. Plan to study for 3 years.
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LOL! I almost didn't mention Audible. My husband subscribes and gets a couple of books a month I think. So we've gotten some classics that way (Like the version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" read by Jim Dale which we listen to every year, and I LOVE). Mostly DD's books are from the library or NLS BARD or gifts.
I was in the Blind Homeschoolers group for several years. I had some very good back and forth with a blind mom who is homeschooling her kids, and a few other suggestions. But mostly it wasn't very active and the topics weren't often useful to us. I did look into free services when DD was in Kindergarten. But we were able to find so many mainstream curricula (science, FLL and SOTW read out loud or on CD, Saxon Math 1-3 is large print, then we moved to Teaching Textbooks on the computer...we just didn't need much, so I didn't push too hard to try to get services. I do pay the extra $$$ for a large print version of the Stanford test each spring. It costs a lot more, but she tests very well in almost everything (except spelling...that's always going to be a challenge I'm afraid.)
She has both an opthalmologist and optometrist. We love the former. The latter is "eh".
Interesting that your daughter is also likes art. DD has been drawing since she was itty bitty. As she got older she started putting lots of detail into things like fabric and hair. And yet faces were often kind of blurry. I think that must be an indication of how she sees things. A few years ago we did Drawing with Children, then we got her some books on how to draw specific things (fruit, faces, etc.) and she's taken off.
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Thanks provenance!
Yes, it is a visual impairment--legally blind in one eye, greatly reduced vision in the other. (complications from cataract surgery and resulting glaucoma as an infant) My husband has similar, though less severe vision issues and relied heavily on LOC and Recording for the Blind audio textbooks as well as large print texts from elementary through law school. DD loves audio books (CD, audible and NLS BARD, but also enjoys visual arts (she draws lovely pictures). We do have an enormous computer monitor (by most standards) where she does computer work. And she has a magnifier lamp which she uses when she's drawing. So, while it's not so much that I'm looking specifically for print options, I'm happy to go in any direction that is useful and affordable.
Back when DD was in Kindergarten (or maybe earlier) I did a lot of digging to try to find resources for low-vision kids. There wasn't much that I could find which seemed very useful to us in our situation. After some searching I was able to choose mainstream curricula for her which worked well. Since she has done well academically, I stopped searching for outside help.
This is the first I've heard of Bookshare. Thank you!
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Thank you! We did something like "Fix-it" this year after it became clear that Abeka wasn't a good fit. And by that I mean, neither of us was making much of an effort to follow through with it. Targeting specific grammar points sounds like a neat idea too.
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Thank you! Will look into those suggestions.
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Cross-posted from K-8 main...
Hi all! I haven't posted in quite a while, but am just checking in to see if there are any grammar options I might not have already considered. I just graduated my oldest (HS all the way through with WTM, YAY!). Last year, with a senior, a move, a death in the extended family and all the other craziness of life, DD's grammar studies sort of fell by the wayside.
She used FLL through 5th grade, then Abeka. We liked FLL because of the format which seemed to work well for her given her vision issues. She does read well, and enjoys reading books by sight for fun. But it is a strain and is very slow (most reading is via audiobooks). I'm not asking about vision therapy (thank you, but she is not a candidate). Just wondering if there's anything out there which would allow her to work independently and doesn't have very small print or cluttered-looking pages which contribute to eye strain and fatigue. I would be willing to consider video or computer-based options (she uses Phonetic Zoo and Teaching Textbooks and Apologia Science with audio) but would like to keep the cost down as much as possible.
Any ideas?
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Hi all! I haven't posted in quite a while, but am just checking in to see if there are any grammar options I might not have already considered. I just graduated my oldest (HS all the way through with WTM, YAY!). Last year with a senior, a move, a death in the extended family and all the other craziness of life, DD's grammar studies sort of fell by the wayside.
She used FLL through 5th grade, then Abeka. We liked FLL because of the format which seemed to work well for her given her vision issues. She does read well, and enjoys reading books by sight for fun. But it is a strain and is very slow (most reading is via audiobooks). I'm not asking about vision therapy (thank you, but she is not a candidate). Just wondering if there's anything out there which would allow her to work independently and doesn't have very small print or cluttered-looking pages which contribute to eye strain and fatigue. I would be willing to consider video or computer-based options (she uses Phonetic Zoo and Teaching Textbooks and Apologia Science with audio) but would like to keep the cost down as much as possible.
Any ideas?
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Some very dear homeschooling friends of mine who are very science-y (biology and engineering/physics) both said they wished everyone would take biology after chemistry and physics, but it is totally math-driven. If you haven't mastered Algebra 1 at least, chemistry will be very difficult.
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If you have any homeschooling friends with older kids you might ask them if they have a microscope you could buy or borrow. That's what we did. Also check Ebay, Craigslist and Sale/Swap board. You might find one for less than new.
Another idea would be to find someone willing to let you use their microscope for a day or two and you do whatever labs you can get done in that time all together.
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We're trying it this year. I asked for other sources a while back. You can see the thread here. We're planning to use Rosetta Stone with the MFW plans and perhaps Russian Grammar (I haven't actually seen it yet.)
Good luck.
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It's been a while since I read it, but I do recall some lengthy explanations of the history of the...Benedictine order? Not sure. At any rate, I was determined to read every word (loved the soundtrack from the musical so much and was going to see it performed live) But even forcing myself to look at the words during that long passage, it didn't take it in. I found myself just sort of mechanically moving my eyes across the pages to get to the next part with characters. :) It's an amazing story though. Definitely worth a read, even if you have to skip a few bits here and there.
Good luck!
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My friend and I were specifically broached with the idea of chartering at the church we both attended so for us that wasn't much of an issue. I know of troops who meet at YMCA/YWCA, schools and churches. I don't know what other options there may be, but I would suggest if you have any sort of a connection with an organization like that, you start there.
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You've already had quite a bit of feedback so I almost didn't post. But I have been very involved with my son's Cub and Boy Scout Troops as well as my daughter's American Heritage Girls (AHG) troop. Last year I was asked to help start a new AHG troop in the same area as our old troop because there were so many new girls they were running out of space to accomodate them. So, while it's not exactly the same thing, I am in the midst of a similar process right now.
All last year, since we knew we were beginning the new troop, the other leader and I had informal fun days with girls who were interested in the new troop but for whatever reason couldn't participate in the current troop (scheduling conflicts mostly). That allowed for some bonding opportunities and since they weren't official scout activities, just get-togethers (like at a park or working on a service project together) we didn't have to worry about going through the official channels of insurance, getting permission, etc.
We also spent the year looking for people willing to join us in leadership roles, both from the old troop, the new chartering organization, word of mouth and people who were directed to us from the National organization.
The chartering process was VERY paperwork-intensive. I don't know whether it would be the same for you, but becoming a leader in an established troop is not the same as becoming the Coordinator (like a Scoutmaster) in a brand new troop. We had to get letters of recommendation, background checks and do some basic training as well as fill a minimum number of leadership roles just to charter.
At this point, we are officially chartered, have all of our leadership positions filled and most of our new leaders have undergone the necessary training or will within the next month or so (First Aid/CPR is on the calendar).
So, all of that to say, it is a big job, but doable. I think seeking out other parent leaders is first and foremost the most important part of establishing a troop. I don't know whether you need to go so far as to REQUIRE parental involvement, but just starting out, you would do well to have some sort of commitment from other parents to help with various aspects or you will be utterly overwhelmed.
Out of curiosity, as you pointed out, the names are different. What age group would this troop be? I'm not sure whether you are talking about Cubs/Webelos (6-8, 9-10) or Boy Scouts (10-18).
Blessings!
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I can't tell you how it's all going to work out, but if you are suffering from extreme fatigue already, it might be worth getting your thyroid checked. My sister-in-law had a really hard time getting back into things after her third was born last year. Someone suggested it might be her thyroid and she had it checked. It was out of whack and she is doing much better now.
But, since I see you are a veteran HS-er, I'll just offer the encouragement that "this too shall pass." I would recommend really planning out your upcoming year this summer. By that I mean go ahead and make lesson plans, do the photo copies, buy supplies, make actual lists of books to read and things to memorize, make sure each child has a place for their books, etc. It makes the school year so much smoother--much more "grab and go."
Blessings!
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In a similar discussion recently on the boards, I was surprised to learn that some scholarships are specific to graduating seniors who will pursue college work in the upcoming year. I don't know whether that would affect any scholarship plans your daughter might have, but it is something to be aware of.
If that's not an issue, I would think a gap year which allowed her to work and develop a year of maturity would be perfectly reasonable.
Although I must point out that my birthday is at the end of September so I graduated at 17 and went away to college in Arkansas while my family was stationed overseas. Granted, I did attend a private, Christian university, but there was a learning curve and I (like most of my classmates) rose to the challenge.
Blessings!
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Well, I know Rosetta Stone and Pimsleur have "Irish" programs. I know nothing of the rigor or usefulness or whether colleges would count that as a foreign language. Another option might be Welsh.
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I hear you. My DS keeps throwing curves at me regarding electives. But for piano, if he really, REALLY wants to do it, there may be a work-around. Yes, to truly master the instrument, you need the feel of weighted keys and the use of the pedals. But if this is an introductory thing for a 1/2 credit or as the base for further music study in another instrument, there is nothing wrong with learning on a keyboard. You may find a used one on Craigslist, Ebay or yard sales. You may even find among your friends and acquaintances someone who has one they'd be willing to give, sell or lend to you. The things you would need to be mindful of are full-sized keys and at least 4 octaves of keys.
As for lessons, there are ways to do that too. Self-study is always an option. Any of the Alfred or Bastien beginning level books would probably be fine although most series have a book for older beginners as well which would move a little more quickly and get into "real" music quicker. But you may find that a friend or neighbor would be willing to give lessons or at least guidance for a small fee. They might even be willing to swap piano lessons for say yardwork or tutoring in another subject if they also have kids.
After an introduction, your son would not only be able to put it on his high school transcript as a fine-arts elective, but would also have a better idea of whether it's something he'd like to pursue further.
The nerve of him! <grin>I would love for him to be able to pick whatever he wants. I'd love for him to take piano lessons, but we don't have a piano or the money for lessons. He says, "They're my electives. It's not fair. <whine, whine> I should get to pick which electives I do."
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I believe SWB recommends skipping all writing exercises in the Abeka books if you are doing a different writing program.
HTH
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No stressing here;)
I just want to get this started before I have 4 yrs. worth to do at one time!!:tongue_smilie:
I would rather get a plan & keep it going!
Keep the ideas coming!!
Yep, me too. I'm trying to maintain the transcripts as we go.:001_smile:
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I came back to this thread and was reminded of a few more "movement" things that we do. I see that your children are older, but maybe it'll spark some ideas.
We visited Colonial Williamsburg for the first time when my oldest was about 2 I think. I bought a print of the alphabet which shows "Hodge & Podge" forming all but two of the letters with their bodies. DS and now all three kids have really enjoyed making these letters. Sometimes we'll take turns guessing what they're doing and sometimes we challenge them to try to make an "M" or some of the other more awkward ones. http://photoseek.photoshelter.com/image/I0000uWcg.MbNMNw
Another activity I've done for a long time is to put numbers on each stair on the main staircase and have them practice counting forward and backward as they go up and down. Then when they're pretty good at that, they can practice counting by twos.
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I have spoken with a friend who has a recent hs graduate and reading other comments here, I think what I'll do is keep a list of all books read for school each year, then divvy up many, but not all of them, into History and Literature. Since we did Ancients this year, I feel like we have fewer fiction selections and more primary sources. But suspect they will even out a bit in subsequent years.
I've also seen it suggested that a Great Book can be listed both under History and Literature if it fits both categories.
My IRL friend says for the colleges her daughter applied and was accepted to, she actually didn't get much of a grilling on her course descriptions. So, don't neglect them, but don't stress too much.
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If you do Italic Handwriting as we do, you might also like Italic Builders. I've only used their Science Italic book (used as non-consumable) but we liked it and I have considered getting their Character Traits books. Oh, I see they have a choice of scripts: Getty-Dubay, D'Nealian and HWT, print or cursive.
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She posts here as Julie in GA. You can see Julie Shields's Copywork here on Lulu We've really gotten a lot of use out of her history themed copywork. I don't think she ever did a modern era, but we've used the other three: Ancient, Middle Ages and Renaissance to Early Modern. I like that you can get the model in different styles (Zaner-Bloser, Getty-Dubay Italic and Handwriting Without Tears) in either print or cursive. And, since I purchased it as a download, I can print as many copies as I need if there's a sibling who needs another copy, a spill at the table or a need to re-do. Then in four years when we cover the topic again, we print it out again.
Blessings!
Recommendations for high school French?
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
I also asked on the WTM Facebook Page and got the following response. Looks very promising...this was what I used in College.
Dali Cintra Bartharès From a college French major and current tutor: You can't beat French in Action. I have used it with much success with teens and adults. The videos are available free on-demand at learner.org. Books, workbooks and study guide are available used. You'll have to get your hands on the audio accompaniment as it is crucial, but it's the crown jewel of the method.