Suzannah
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Posts posted by Suzannah
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SOTW it totally easy!! The AG is there for a reference and to make your life easier. When we are pressed for time, we just read the text. Now we happen to love history in this house so we don't usually let that happen.
The next level of minimum work that we sometimes do is read the text, go over the discussion questions and do the mapwork. DS hates coloring so for 4 years we really didn't do that. Now that DD has come along I do let her color some of the pictures. But it's certainly not necessary. We've never done a test in 6 years of using it.
Narrations and outlines really don't take very long. We do very, very few of the extra activities (Make batik cloth, make a crown, play the Buccaneers! game, etc.) But every once in a while one will catch my eye and we "Travel the Silk Road" or "Have a Greek feast".
The suggested reading is totally optional. We go to the library every week and I usually try to remember to pick up some of the books for extra reading. DS also reads the Kingfisher recommended reading for every SOTW chapter. Sometimes the library books sit in the book box for 3 weeks until they are due. But most of the time we get through a few of them and some of them are really excellent books.
So, think of SOTW with the Activity Guide as a sort of buffet. You will get something, or else you wouldn't have gone to the buffet. But you don't have to get everything.
It might be adviseable to get soemthing from each food group, but if you are just in the mood for a salad, no biggie. How much about Ancient Sumer is going to be on the SAT? ;)
Blessings!
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I think one of the things people complain about is history being presented in a simplified way. But in a book for children, that is bound to happen. I happen to think the SWB did a pretty good balancing act of making the narrative flow engaging and thorough.
The other point I've seen addressed (although I didn't see the actual complaint of this) is that the myths, folktales and legends of different cultures are presented as fact. We've never had a problem with this. The text usually says something like "Here is one story the Aborigines tell about the Dreamtime" or "The Ancient Greeks told many stories about their gods and goddesses. Here is one of them."
History is complicated, but SOTW does a good job of making it accessible.
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I am definitely intrigued. I'll need to take a bit more time to look over it. Ebook would be cool.
We're actually doing WTM Earth Science this year so hopefully I'll have a good frame of reference for what would be helpful. :)
Yay! Maybe I can use your curriculum with my youngers next time around.
Blessings!
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I'm in the midst of writing an earth science curriculum for the Logic Stage.
Cool! Keep us posted!
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I third(?) the Thomas train suggestion. Older DS got his first wooden train set (another brand) for his first birthday. It was just an engine, a few cars and a small circular track. Since then it has been added to continually over the years. It falls in and out of favor, but we have more than gotten our money's worth. DS is now 11.5 and (while he wouldn't like to admit it) still plays with it when the younger kiddos have it out. All three of mine have loved it. And if it seems to not be loved, I put the box away and wait for one of them to spot a set-up at the bookstore or toys store where I have to drag them away. Then I say "We have a train set too. Why don't we get it out when we get home?"
Incidentally, the play tables are great, but if you don't want to spend the money and aren't handy enough to make it, Ikea has a coffee table that's almost exactly the same size for about $40-50. They also have a couple of narrow coffee tables which are about the same size when pushed together (makes it easier to rearrange if you need to). And I bet four of those little square end tables would be about the same size too if you really wanted versatility.
Aside from that, the toys we've gotten the most use out of are Legos, Playmobil and bicycles.
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I agree with the others, that once the kids are VERY comfortable and consistent with forming their letters, there's no need to continue with a separate handwriting program. I made an agreement with DS in 4th grade that if he showed me consistently neat handwriting in his regular work, there would be no need for handwriting as a separate activity. He didn't uphold his end of the bargain so we continued with another volume of Italics. He finished it pretty quickly (and was perfectly capable of lovely handwriting when he wanted to do it) and once again I said that if he was consistently neat in his regular work he wouldn't need another handwriting book. Well, he's a boy...he's in a rush to finish 'cause his friends are outside...he didn't want to write in cursive (Come on! You can't switch back and forth in the same paragraph!!) So towards the end of last year we began using Julie Shields' (Julie in GA from the boards here) Ancient History Copybook. This was acceptable to him, and useful for me so we've continued with her Medieval Copybook this year. At his age he probably shouldn't really need this, but it's working (and he doesnt' complain about it) so we're going to continue with copywork for the foreseeable future. FWIW we also do dictation as part of Classical Writing: Homer. I'm actually thinking of adding Italic Science as well. He groans when I make him copy a definition but has no problem with copywork first thing every morning? :glare: Hey, whatever works. ;)
Julie Shields
http://stores.lulu.com/julieshields
Italic Builders: Italic Science
http://www.italicbuilders.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=55
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We've purchased two directly from the author, both times they were autographed, both times they arrived with lightening speed! I was so excited each time I sent him an e-mail thanking him for the program and service. Both times he e-mailed back. Seems like a really nice guy! And DS loves the books. The stories are engaging enough that he doesn't complain about math like he used to.
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I've been considering TOG, thinking we might use it in a couple of years. Generally I'm much more enthusiastic about it when I haven't looked at it in a while. Once I sit down with the sample and try to get through the online tour I usually lose interest. :001_huh:
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We use/used FLL and use/used Getty-Duby Italics for handwriting.
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I did follow the WTM plans for science up until last spring. It was all great, but with a new infant (and serious lack of school planning on my part) I sort of flubbed our first semester of biology. I opted to use Apologia's "Botany" for the end of the year. We enjoyed that so much that we began this year with their astronomy book. We are currently back to the WTM method for earth science.
Next year DS has the opportunity to take Apologia General Science with a friend so I think he'll do that. But I haven't decided yet what to do with DD. We might continue into WTM chemistry (DS loved it in 3rd grade) but we may take the opportunity to do Apologia's other Elementary Science books on zoology.
I think I like both ways about equally well, but I wanted to try out the Apologia books since I'd heard so much about them. They were fun and we were easily able to do the experiments together (note my kiddos' ages). I did require DS to keep a page of definitions and they both kept notebooks but DS had more detailed diagrams and things.
Blessings!
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I kept my schedules/ lessons plans all on paper until the very end of last year when I downloaded the free version of Homeschool Tracker http://www.tghomesoft.com/ . I did some mega planning over the summer (thanks to recommendations by Kendra over on www.preschoolersandpeace.com ) so really all I do during the week is check things off. Then Sunday night I'll look over my plans for the upcoming week, deleting or moving things around as necessary.
I print out an assignment sheet each week for DS so he can see what he needs to do and can (fingers crossed) work ahead if he is so inclined. He usually isn't, but sometime in first grade I realized that he thought I was just piling on the work and there was no end in sight. He needs to see what's expected of him and feel the sense of accomplishment in checking things off once it's done.
I'm notoriously cheap, but I do think I'll spring for the full version of HST since I've not only enjoyed it for a year now, but I want to take advantage of some of the other features in the full version.
Best wishes!
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Just wanted to offer a little encouragement. You have good suggestions here and in TWTM. Your older ones will begin doing more independent work (yes, they will...eventually). Your younger will probably want to be included in what the big kids are doing too, but don't require too much.
Here's an example of history in our family. Last year when my school-agers were 5th grade and K, we did history readings together with SOTW. I would sometimes print a coloring page for DD since she likes to color, but DS truly hates coloring so we don't normally do that. DS would do mapwork, narration and read supplementary material. If we had a movie we would watch that together.
This year they are 6th and 1st. We still read together and discuss the reading (sadly I've neglected narrations for the last few months...must correct that). They locate the places we've read about on the globe (DD goes first) then do the mapwork together. DD is then free to color a related picture or take a break. Sometime later in the week we might read an additional book. DS adds the main people and events to the timeline and does supplementary reading. I printed made forms for him to fill in on significant people because writing a summary on each one wasn't happening. He does write summaries of some of the lessons, but we use Classical Writing and Omnibus so I try not to overwhelm him.
Does that help? The thing that makes it doable for me is to just go ahead and make a shedule. Once I can see how the day looks I can understand it better. (I help DD with math while DS does math on his own. I check his math while DD works on handwriting. I check handwriting while DS works on writing assignment. etc.) And actually, at this point I don't really look at my schedule anymore. I remember what I need to know about which days we do which things and what should be done first thing in the morning rather than afternoon.
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Thank you! I was looking at it for a little while, but I hate to spend so much. Did you like it? Is it very teacher intensive?
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Apologies for the cross-post. I've asked several times on the Special Needs board and this one for spelling recommendations for my daughter who has low-vision. She is reading, but we usually need a magnifier and it is slow work. I asked DH who also had vision issues what he thought I should do about spelling and he said "Face it, she'll always be a bad speller." Don't get me wrong, he's all for homeschooling and he wants her to excel. But since he's a poor speller (or thinks he is) and doesn't know much about the curriculum choices available, that's his default.
Someone here recommended All About Spelling and we began the year with is. It's a great program and we enjoyed it, but I have other kids. The fact that it takes so much time means it usually doesn't get done. Even when I have time, the thought of getting out the letters and cards and figuring out where we were just doesn't motivate me. I don't mean to be a wimp here. We just have a very full schedule and I know there has to be a better way.
So, is there any sort of a computer program that has audio and would allow us to make the print size larger?
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I almost certainly would be totally wiped out on Fridays except that I generally weight our schoolwork to the first four days of the week so Friday is a little more flexible for field trips, co-op (twice a month) errands or goof-off days.
I can't get away with a four-day week, but we mostly just do memory work, copywork, math, fine arts (if we get to it) and any make-up work that wasn't completed during the rest of the week.
If you really can't adjust your schedule, maybe you could put off some of the household chores you're feeling guilty about until Saturday?
My condolences on the dishwasher. Ours died a couple of months ago. SHEESH! What a nuisance to handwash dishes for 5 people (in a very small kitchen I might add) when you've become accustomed to a dishwasher! That is a very time-consuming chore. Thankfully we are back up and running now and I hope the same for you.
Blessings!
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Yep, cooked honey is o.k. And I think it's only until age 1 that they are supposed to avoid raw honey.
Blessings!
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Not sure about MFW, but I have seen FIAR addressed...maybe on the old boards. Here's my take on it. It is fabulous for preschool, K-4, K-5 and enrichment for older kids. I love it and continue to recommend it every chance I get for those levels. The creators of the curriculum, however, intend for this approach to be used through 3rd...or maybe even middle grades. While I'm sure older kids enjoy it and learn a lot from it, the classical approach requires something a little more systematic, I think.
I noticed when I frequented the FIAR boards (which I don't do at the moment since A. I've used all of the books and have a pretty good handle on what I need to do and B. I'm not at the moment utilizing FIAR) that there was a little bit of, well, friction between FIAR advocates and classical educators, in that direction. I didn't ever see outright unpleasantness, but generally Classical was frowned upon.
Once again, I LOVE FIAR for the early years. It's delightful. But chronological history, systematic rather than incidental learning, rigorous emphasis on the three Rs are more appropriate for older students.
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When you are on the phone it isn't always convenient to stop and explain to DS (again) that you're on the phone and for him to please wait a few minutes until you are finished and then you will be happy to help him with whatever he needs. But since the universal hand signal of pointing at the phone and mouthing the word doesn't work, maybe you could work out your own hand signal or short response to indicate the above.
Good luck!
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I'm here asking (once again) for spelling recommendations. Last year someone suggested All About Spelling and we began the first grade with it. But man, that flopped! We liked it well enough, but it was such a pain to get all the letters and cards out and rather teacher intensive...although perhaps I need to just suck it up with this child's spelling program. I'd kind of like to see a computer program for her to work with independently. Or maybe something like Lyrical Science--CDs with catchy songs about spelling rules? I don't know. Any ideas?
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My daughter has a visual impairment/low vision. She was born with cataracts (as was DH and youngest son...autosomal dominant bilateral cataracts). As a result of her cataract surgery she developed glaucoma that has been difficult to control. The growth of the optic nerve in her left eye was stunted and she has only limited peripheral vision in that eye. The vision in her other eye is a little better. She does wear contact lenses and glasses for reading, but that is a long, slow process. Took an hour to answer four reading questions on the Stanford test Monday. I just about gave up, but my friend administering the test said she didn't mind waiting on her and she did actually speed up a bit.
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Well, I'm planning 7th grade based on our success with 6th grade. I compared the recommended reading from WTM with the Middle Ages reading suggestions for Omnibus II from Veritas Press and saw that there was a lot of overlap. So we used Omnibus. DS would read the introduction to the book, then do the selected readings, discussing them with me. Often we used the discussion questions but sometimes I would just wing it. We didn't do the writing assignments since we are working through the progymn with CW. But we did most of both the Primary and Secondary readings each semester. Sometimes when WTM recommended a particular edition we went with that instead of the one recommended by Veritas for use with Omnibus. That sometimes upset the reading schedule and discussion questions, but we worked around it.
All in all I think it went really well. I'm hoping to use Omnibus III for 7th doing the same thing as last year since there's still quite a bit of overlap in the reading list. But we may need to do something else for 8th grade since there isn't as much from the modern period in Omnibus that is recommended in WTM and that I particularly want to tackle.
So, take that for what it's worth.
Blessings!
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We began SW with DS at the beginning of first grade and it was too much so we waited until the end of the year to pick it up again. I assumed we'd be able to pick up the pace and get back on track, but somehow that didn't happen. We'll try to finish up G & H next year.
As it turns out, he tests well in spelling so I haven't been too concerned about it.
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Hi Clara:seeya:
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I wish I had begun with CW for OB last year. Instead we began with Aesop B and are finishing up Homer this year. Since DS had had plenty of practice narrating, it was really unnecessary for us to have spent so much time re-writing fables, etc.
DS didn't mind though. He was perfectly happy. I just kept looking ahead thinking "When on earth are we going to do something else?" So I finally asked permission on the boards here to speed-up what we were doing to finish Homer by the end of the year. Then we're going to use Poetry for Older beginners before moving on to Diogenes. That's the plan for now anyway. :)
I would say go ahead and put your 7th grader into CW for OB if it's the program you want to use. I can't see any reason to wait unless he seriously doesn't have a clue how to tell a story back.
Incidentally, most of DS' stories have been altered to include zombies or other strange or funny components. :tongue_smilie:
Oh, and I let DS use the computer to type his stories. He must print out the drafts though for me to mark up. Then he goes back and makes corrections.
Spelling Program for Visually Impaired
in The Learning Challenges Board
Posted
Thank you. I've looked at it a few times and cant' decide whether I want to get involved in flashcards with pictures of animals to help you remember the sound. Seems like an unnecessary extra step. However, I used to be against young children using computers and now I see that it really is a good thing for DD. She can see things more easily on a screen sometimes than on paper. Not to mention that we can enlarge it on the computer more easily than my enlarging them with the copier (aligning and copying, re-aligning and recopying--it can very time-consuming and wasteful)
Has anyone used iSpellwell? I'm thinking of downloading their free 60-day trial. http://www.ispellwell.com/