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ally

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Everything posted by ally

  1. We adopted two girls from Ethiopia in March 2007. They were 5 and 6 1/2 at the time. I tried figuring out how to school them for the first 6 months they were home but couldn't wrap my mind around it. We sent them to the local elementary school for Kindergarten and 1st grade. They received ESL and extra attention. The older has struggled a bit with reading but I think it's due to the English factor although she speaks very good English now. Her younger sister is reading very well. I am bringing them home for 2nd. They will be a bit disappointed because they had a good experience at school. I've missed them though and now feel confident teaching them. I think being surrounded by all the talking all day long was very good for their language development. I know I tend to not be a real talker and I don't think they would have had as much exposure. It also gave me good insight to our local public schools and they are actually pretty good. I know it's not a popular choice but a person has to know their limitations. I'm happy with the choice I made and I'm looking forward to homeschooling them now that they have a better handle on the language.
  2. Could you use these to supplement a different math program? Or would they be too difficult to figure out if you haven't been taught with Singapore? thanks
  3. I purchased the activity guide used and forgot to verify if it was the revised edition. Can I use it with the revised SOTW 1 book? Will it line up? I've posted on the WTB to try to purchase a non-revised copy of SOTW 1 but so far, I've had no luck. Should I just bag it and purchase the revised versions of both the activity guide and the text?
  4. I'm a little confused. If you go to the Meet the Masters website, they are offering Track A for $29.95. At the Homeschool Buyers Co-op, it's more expensive. Is there a difference that I'm not seeing?
  5. I would prefer a non-textbook approach but I'm not crazy about Apologia's Elementary books for this age. It seems the programs I think look good are secular and don't weave in The Creator of science into their programs. So while most of the content looks good to me, they leave me flat by missing such and important component. Any ideas? I'll have two 2nd graders and a 1st grader to teach next year. Ally
  6. Thanks for all the input. I have purchased MFW Adventures and 1st grade along with Beyond Little Hearts used off these boards. I can't wait to line them up and evaluate. So far I've only received Adventures which looks good. I can see one potential issue with flipping back and forth in manual. I like what I've seen in HOD with the two page spread open and go. I'll let you know more after the rest come in. Then you'll see what I decided against on the For Sale Board. :)
  7. I prefer a spiral math program for my kids. I like Saxon in the older grades but I'll have 2 possibly 3 levels next year in primary grades 1-3rd. It's rather cumbersome to teach Saxon's primary math for that many levels so I'm looking for something a bit easier to implement. I already own Saxon 1st and 2nd grade so even if I only find something easier for 1st that would help. Thanks!
  8. I am bringing my kids home next year. I will have 2 second graders and 1 first grader. I am trying to choose between HOD Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory or MFW 1st grade and MFW Adventures. My younger girl is beginning to read this year but I don't think she'll be a strong reader by fall. I plan to reinforce the phonics with all of them since public school has not taught phonics. I am not a new homeschooler, in fact I'm OLD! I started in 1992 with my daughter in 4th grade when Sonlight was a wee little company and their IG was less than 1/2 inch thick!! Anyway, I am intrigued with both of these curriculum and was wondering if anyone had any ideas about which would be best for my youngest 3 little girls.
  9. Did you try posting this question on the special needs board? Some of them have some experience with this program. Sorry that I don't have anything to tell you but try over there. Ally
  10. Next year I will have a 1st grader who is a beginning reader, and two 2nd graders, one who is reading very well, and one who is reading so-so. I'm thinking of using MFW 1st and MFW Adventures. Is it doable to do these two programs and sort of combine on certain subjects. I thought I'd have my weak 2nd grader do the phonics part of MFW 1 with my 1st grader. Or should I add a stronger phonics program for the 1st and 2nd grader. A little background, the two second graders are from Ethiopia and have been home 2 years. The 7 yr old is reading great. The 8 yr old is struggling. All of the girls have been in a good public school for K and 1st. They have been taught to read with a combination sight/phonics method. Needless to say, I prefer phonics. I am not new to homeschooling but it's been a while since I've had kids in these early grades. I felt like the girls needed the ESL program so I sent them to school knowing I'd bring them home at some point. The other program I am looking at is HOD Beyond or Bigger. I would prefer to do American History this year and start the Ancients next year. Thanks for any advice you have.:) Ally
  11. The only thing I remember from the book was something about masturbation. I wouldn't want my daughter to read about that in that sort of context. My memory may be wrong though. It could have been a different book I read since it was over 35 yrs ago! Gosh, I feel old!!! Ally
  12. Calvert spelling cd's are easy to use independently. I love them for kids who are basically decent spellers. They are probably not the best for kids who struggle with spelling.
  13. We use K9 protection. It's a free download and has many easy to use features. Here's the link: http://www1.k9webprotection.com Ally
  14. Another mom to later readers chiming in. I have 9 kids from 26-6. Currently I have 2 first graders and a K. None of my older kids read chapter books in 1st grade, and dare I say, even read alone for enjoyment. My two oldest completed college with ease, with one being an English major. All of the others are great students with the exception of one who struggles across the board academically. I don't expect my 1st graders to read fluently! We just continue working together. Studies have shown that later readers catch up to the early readers around 4th grade. Relax and enjoy your children!!! Life is too short to sweat the small things. ally
  15. I found this to be an open and go curriculum for me. I assigned 1 lesson per day. Once a week, I'd go over some of the oral review. My children would read the lesson and do the written part. I always grade the same day, so I would know if they didn't understand the lesson. I didn't use the extra worksheets or the tests. This and Saxon math have always been my easiest to implement curriculums. Ally (mom to 9 and only 6 left at home)
  16. It does sound as if she is depressed or lonely. I think it would be good if you could get her into some outside classes or extracurricular activities. One caution is while she is still a minor you can enforce treatment ie still have a say if she needs anti-depressants. After she turns 18, you'll no longer have any power. I wish I would have been more pro-active with my daughter's depression treatment while she was still a minor. She needs to be on medication and refuses it. She no longer lives at home and isn't a minor so I have no say so. Ally
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