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Judy in WA

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Everything posted by Judy in WA

  1. I am also glad you are having her tested. Your daughter sounds a lot like mine. She didn't really start reading until earlier this year (she is 14). Her problems were two fold: First, we tackled the vision problems. Her sight is ok, but her vision needed some work. (google vision vs. sight for more information) Long story short, vision therapy helped a lot. Second, we started working on phonics. Even with all the work we 've done, I'm still going to have her tested for dyslexia. She can read a novel, but not a text book. To be more specific, she can "read" a text book, but she can not comprehend what she is reading. I was able to find her textbooks as audio books and that has solved the problem. If you think this might help your daughter, Learning Ally has many textbooks available. https://www.learningally.org/ If your daughter says she has trouble reading, believe her. Reading ability does not equal intelligence. You need to work together to find another way she can get the information she needs to succeed. Judy
  2. Hey Saxon users - - I have a newbie question. What is the difference between the DIVE CD-ROM and DVD's? It looks like they both teach the concepts in the book. Judy
  3. Hi Everyone - My dd (now 12) has never enjoyed reading. Teaching her to read was like pulling teeth. After using every reading curriculum on the planet (only a slight exaggeration), I had her vision tested. It turns out, long story short, that she needed vision therapy to correct some problems with her eyes and the way her eyes relay information to her brain. Long story short, we are almost done with vision therapy and the amazing transformation from non-reader to reader has not materialized. Her vision therapist theorized that when she was learning to read, her brain didn't get good, clear information. In short, she needs a reading program. Does anyone have experience teaching a middle school student to read? It seems like all the curriculum I have looked at is geared for younger students. All advice is welcome, Judy
  4. After years of studying history, we took a year off and studied geography using: Trail Guide to World Geography The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide Geography through Art Eating your way around the world and quality read alouds (think Sonlight) It was the best year ever. We still talked a lot about history even reading several historical novels but the focus was clearly on geography. We had a ton of fun, ate great food, made interesting art projects. Next year we are back to history and I feel ready after taking a year off. Good luck! Judy
  5. My 8th grader is doing: Math: Life of Fred Algebra I and Chalkdust Elementary Algebra (depending on her mood) Language Arts: IEW/Easy Grammar History:Shakespeare Conquest and Keys of Liberty (TJEd classes) Science: Marine Biology class She also volunteers at Fort Nisqually
  6. My favorite is The Milagro Beanfield War. It is read brilliantly by Cheech Marin. Not educational, but fun to listen to. The kids and I have enjoyed The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud and the The Wee Free Men , A Hat full of Sky, and Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett Educational and fun to listen to: The version of To Kill a Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacek is wonderful. We have also enjoyed Your Story Hour and Adventures in Odyssey Star Spangled Stories Collection I second Winnie the Pooh read by Peter Dennis.
  7. My middle school (6th and 8th grade) girls are interested in Marine Biology. There don't seem to be any good text books out for this age group in this subject. Any ideas? Thanks- Judy in WA
  8. I second Sonlight 100. The Hakim series got a little monotonous after volume 5 so I found it on cassette at the library. I found my daughter (age 12 at the time) would listen to a volume 2 or 3 times while she folded laundry, worked on crafts, or just hung out in her room. Even a year later, she is able to recall facts she learned from that year.
  9. We are combining Chalkdust Pre-Algebra (and now Elementary Algebra) with Life Of Fred. My dd (13) likes LOF because, in her own words, "It doesn't treat you like an idiot. The problems are written as if you are clever enough to understand. In Chalkdust, they treat you like a robot."
  10. Terry Pratchet has kind of a snarky commentary on today through his Sci-fi books. We have particulary enjoyed the Disc World series - the Tiffany Aching trilogy in particular. I also enjoyed the books where DEATH was the main character. Witty and funny.
  11. I used the Hands on Heritage book for Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It's appropriate for 2-5th grades.
  12. Math-U-See Chalkdust Math Institute for Excellence in Writing: Themed lessons
  13. Trail Guide to World Geography Plaid Phonics level E Phonetic Zoo IEW All things fun and facinating RightStart math/Math-U-See Chemistry (class taught by homeschool mom) Volunteer at Living History museum
  14. This year we are using Trail Guide to World Geography by Cindy Wiggers. The official program includes The Ultimate Geography Timeline and Guide, Geography through Art, and Eat your way around the world. All fun but not necessary. The Trail guide book offers daily geography questions and map work. They also make suggestions for additional projects that can be included in a geography notebook. My kids (ages 11&13) love it. It's the first subject they ask to cover.
  15. I've had to learn this more than once. I'll switch from what is working for them to something I like or something I think looks fun. The trick is to find what your child likes and what works for him. Judy
  16. My dd has been in RS from the beginning. She is just about to finish level E. We will not continue with RS into the geometry program (re-named Intermediate Math) because it relies to much on drawing. I'm worried she's not getting enough of the practical skills like long division and opperations with fractions. My biggest beef with RS is the time it takes to do a lesson. I don't always have 45 minutes to an hour a day to spend on math and as a result, it's easy to fall behind. Both my dd and I are looking forward to a program she can do more independently. I'm going to use a combination of MUS and Chalkdust. The one positive thing about RS - - Math is one of my dd favorite subjects. This curriculum makes her feel smart.
  17. If it was my kid, I'd use accutane as a last resort. You might try some dietary help in the form of Futurebiotics AcneAdvance. My dd, who just has regular teen acne, has cleared up significantly on just 1/3 the recommended dosage. This is available at Vitacost. ++++++++++++++++ Clinical research has shown that the ingredients in AcneAdvance™, including Praventin®, LinumLife® and Zinc help improve the look of skin by helping to balance hormone levels and by reducing redness and inflammation associated with a poor complexion. Praventin® is a patent-pending, natural protein complex derived from milk. Clinical studies have shown that Praventin® significantly reduced blemishes, with visual results seen within two weeks. This all-natural ingredient promotes a healthier complexion by enhancing the body’s natural defenses to assist in fighting bacteria, reducing redness from inflammation, and helping to repair damaged cells caused by blemishes. LinumLife® Complex provides lignans from Flax, a well-recognized group of phytoestrogens with estrogenic and anti-estrogenic action, which may help in the treatment of acne. Produced through a proprietary process, LinumLife® Complex is concentrated and provides between 10 to 30 times more lignans than whole flax or other flax ingredients. AcneAdvance™ is further enhanced with select herbs and nutrients. A recent study using an “inflammatory score†showed the effectiveness of Zinc Gluconate on acne, while Chromium has been reported to improve acne by supporting glucose tolerance. Burdock, Yellow Dock and Red Clover act as natural internal cleansers to help remove toxins. Centellin®+, a standardized extract of Gotu Kola, helps increase blood circulation to the skin’s surface and provides cleansing and healing actions. Whole, unextracted Gotu Kola is included to provide natural plant co-factors. AcneAdvance™ is potency-enhanced with Futurebiotics BioAccelerators™. Clinically-proven Bioperine®+ (Piper nigrum extract) improves nutrient bioavailability, while our proprietary natural compound of Ginger extract, Trikatu, super-potent Digezyme®+ and Lactospore®+ boosts digestion and absorption.
  18. In order to ride the ferry for field trips and take advantage of the school rate, I needed a letter signed by the principal on official letterhead. It was fun to think of a name, but that is the only time we use it. Judy
  19. I second the Janice Van Cleave suggestion and have one more. This isn't an experiment book, but my daughter and I really enjoyed playing the game Planet Quest.
  20. For those of you who have used Chalkdust - How important is it that the book match the DVD? I'm purchasing the DVD's separate from the book. The text that is supposed to go with the DVD's I bought is much more expensive than other editions and certainly more than buying the Elementary Algebra book from Houghton Mifflin. Any thoughts? Thanks, Judy
  21. I felt exactly the same way so I started a "Mom school". I asked other homeschooling families if they wanted to join me using IEW. Two families took me up on my offer. They purchased their own notebooks (I used TWSS and SWI-B). Every week the adults watched TWSS and the kids watched SWI-B. It worked so well I'm going to do it again with the continuation course for level B. Just to qualify - I didn't TEACH the class, I HOSTED the class. I only "graded" my own child's papers. The other benefit to the class is it gave the kids a chance to read their work outloud. I didnt' read all the posts, so this may be a repeat of what someone else has already said, but there is an IEWfamilies board on Yahoo. Not only is the support priceless, but the files section is packed with great information. I think you will really like the program. Everyone I know that has used it has commented on how much their child's writing has improved. Remember - worry ceases when action begins. Judy
  22. Menu #1 - Salad Licoise (serve with french bread) 4 new potatoes 2 hard boiled eggs 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 4 tablespoons olive oil ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon sugar 1 bag baby spinach or salad greens 2 ripe tomatoes, diced 1 cup snow peas ¼ cup kalamata olives ¼ cup nuts (I use toasted pine nuts, but the original recipe called for pistachios or slivered almonds) ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese Tuna, or any white fish, grilled or baked. Heck, you can microwave if you like. Boil potatoes until fork tender. To make dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, oil, and salt until they are emulsified (well blended and thickened). Allow the potatoes and cool for a few minutes, then cut into wedges and toss them with 1 tablespoon of the dressing. On serving plates, neatly assemble the salads, starting with the greens, and then adding layers of the other ingredients. Spread the potatoes around the edges. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salads. Lastly, add the grilled fish. Serves 4 From The Six O’Clock Scramble by Aviva Goldfarb Menu #2 - Thai Chicken Wraps and Fruit Salad Tortillas Rice, cooked Boneless Chicken Breasts or use a rotisserie chicken Ginger Slaw (recipe follows) Peanut Sauce – buy or make your own Marinade the chicken (I use Kikkoman roasted garlic and herbs. If I forget, I just salt and pepper the chicken). Cook the chicken (grill, George Foreman, slice and stir fry… or use leftover cooked chicken) Slice into strips. Ginger Slaw Salad: 2 cups cabbage, shredded or sliced thin 1 cup carrot, shredded 1 cup snow peas, slivered 2 tablespoons cilantro Dressing: use Paul Newman Asian dressing. It's the one with ginger in it. OR Wisk together all ingredients. Let stand overnight in the fridge (if you have time) to blend flavors. ¼ cup soy sauce ¼ cup rice vinegar 3 tablespoons sesame oil 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons mirin (which I never have. I use a splash of sherry) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice ¼ teaspoon cayenne Heat the tortillas. Fill with cooked rice, chicken, ginger slaw, and peanut sauce. Roll up and enjoy.
  23. This post came just in time! I've got one with a sore throat but otherwise not feeling too bad. The games will be a big hit. Thanks, Judy
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