Homeschoolmom3
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Posts posted by Homeschoolmom3
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My ds is in 10th grade and this is his 2nd practice. He has had no prep either time but will probably do some before 11th...yes he goes to the local HS and he has to be there at 7:30 too...he isnt too happy either....good reminder of the advantages of homeschool! Thanks for the thread had a memory lapse about the change!
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Well my crew has done Latin for Children, Latin Alive, and Wheelocks. For no Latin experience my vote is def Latin for Children and Latin Alive!
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My original response was a little abbreviated. Here are some thoughts that I have had in the meantime.
Sitting =/= school. School =/= sitting. There is SO much to explore! Think of it like this - pretend you're going to a foreign country. Go to........Mongolia. Okay. It's totally different than 'home', and every day there is something new or interesting to learn about. When you first got there, you didn't have to worry about anything, but as you are there longer you slowly find hidden grocery stores (like one in a farmer's garage, go figure), and learn the postal system, and understand the holidays better. Even after 4 years, you still find new stuff that surprises you.
This is school. And this is what life is like for a 4yo. When a child arrives, there is no need to think about seasons, holidays, meals, etc. What's the point? As they get older and they find repetition and are able to expect what comes next, there is more excitement, more joy, in discovering something new.
There are days my K'er and I spend a few hours watching the ants, flying kites, visiting city gardens to see what has changed. We get to be in the know when the art museum moves exhibits, because we're there at least once a week.
Last week, this was school:
-visit with firefighters and try on their gear.
-read a book about a forest fire.
-watch a video on plants and how insects pollinate them.
-dissect a flower and a bud, looking at them under a microscope.
-play chess, memory, and Gobblet
-dig holes in the backyard and throw leaves up in the air
-feel the difference between alpaca and sheep's wool, attempt to spin it, weave ribbons and then work on a child's loom.
-play with play food, having a picnic
-daring to draw a picture just using straight lines
-math puzzles
-practicing one sentence until it could be written from memory.
-working with clay and watercolors
-playing with tractors and dump trucks
-jigsaw puzzles
-library story hour
-c-rod exploration
-made a compass with a needle and a cork
-made a sundial with his shadow (every hour, standing in the same spot)
-cuddling up with a good book at bedtime and evening
-legos and wooden blocks
-playdoh
-acting out stories with his Imaginext sets
-memorizing a poem
-4 math worksheets
This is FUN. These are activities he can explore, and do again and again and build that knowledge of repetition so that later he can apply it. For the reading, yes, my kid can read. He can read very well. He's not ready to sit and read long chapter books, so each week we go to the library and I pick good picture books that either I will read to him at bedtime or he will read to himself, or I'll pick books I know he loves and would like to read again. His writing is weak, but I'm more concerned with him doing one thing right than a lot of things wrong, hence the short copywork. He can concentrate on a handful of letters and be proud of that, rather than be tired of a block of them and do them poorly. Last year, writing was almost nonexistent. He drew in sand, used stencils, worked on fine motor skills individually...and then was ready to write. Next year I'll add a writing curriculum maybe.
We don't do worksheets except in math, and he really likes math. He likes alternating between using the manipulatives and writing it down (timing himself). If he wasn't down with an activity we wouldn't do it. I'd assess the skill needed, think about just the skill in isolation, and then dream up other ways to meet it if it was truly important. If he wanted to do something a different way, he could do it.
Last year we did a lot of the same sort of thing, but without the math worksheets and the copywork. We went to festivals, explored the town, focused on what happens next in predictive activities to prepare him for this year.
Next year? Well, we'll probably add again, just a little. And then the year after...and then the year after...I don't need him to have a 5th grader's workload at 5yo. Slow and steady will build skill and knowledge just fine.
Can my son come to play with you guys! :-) Having older boys I don't have as much time to do a lot of field trips and "extra" planned things. :(
Thank you so much for all of your ideas! I want to think outside the box and do other type of "learning" and decided to let him have some type of "control" to what we do each day. Granted we do have read alouds about 1-1/2 hrs. a day along with Bible devotions and memory work. He also does calendar most days these are no problems and he enjoys them. So along with that I decided with writing, math, reading instruction, etc. I would branch that out more and just have "activities" that he can choose from each day such as: work a puzzle, make a card, read a book, nature walk, work mazes, play dough, cut/paste pictures, board games, music etc. that he can choose a few to do each day so at least I feel we accomplished something! I made three glass jars one for "to do", "Daily" and "Done" jar. He picks a few things to put in his daily jar so he knows what he is doing that day and when they are done he put them in the done jar. So far he has liked the idea (maybe from newness) but at least it a start! :)
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Check to see if your library has teacher status. In our library even homeschool gets this and it eliminates all fines. I use the library a lot and this has saved us so much!
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When they were younger, they used to carry a whistle (the kind on a breakaway lanyard).
If your playground is visible from the house, I'd vote yes. If it's not, would it be possible to invest in a low-end camera kit? Maybe a couple aimed at the areas he is allowed to play, and one aimed at the driveway.
Great idea! Will have to look into that. We used to have a buzzer that sounded when someone was coming up our driveway.
Thanks for all your comments!
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I know a lot of people are saying don't do it if they are not ready and I totally agree! It is just when I know of his potential and how much he could accomplish at this ripe age of gaining so much knowledge it is hard for me to back off. He is reading so well, I hate to just not continue that but I guess I'll lay off for awhile and just do it when he wants to. So hard for this Type A mama! :) Thanks everyone for the encouragement of letting go! :001_smile:
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I love R&S for grammar and IEW for writing. I agree the R&S writing is simple and not enough probably for a 7th grader. My 7th grader did an IEW intensive class this past summer so we are just integrating what we learned into his other subjects and focusing on the grammar with R&S. You could always do R&S for grammar and then IEW History for the writing part. To cut back on time we do most of the grammar verbally if we can and can't get done with a lesson in about 10-15 minutes then use the other time for writing. HTH!
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After seeing the latest thread on the age to start reading. Got me contemplating what to do with my youngest. I am one who doesn't want to force little ones to sit and do school at an early age however, if they are ready should we do some? I have tried to do some "school" about 30 minutes a day working on calendar, playing a math "game", writing, phonics, etc. He does not like to do anything that "looks" like school.
So lately I have just not done any writing, math (unless we play uno..:-) or reading/phonics time. I know that in the WTM that in the first part discusses basically that if they are ready we should have them do some of the work whether they like it or not. My son taught himself to read about his 4th birthday without any instruction on my end. Now he doesn't have all of his special sounds, etc. down but I know if we went over them he would quickly learn it! He is the type of child that if he wants to do something he will do it no matter how difficult it might be. If I can find a book he is really interested in (that isn't too difficult) I can get him to read some to me out of it but not every day. In regards to writing, he has been writing on his own without much help from me since he was 2yrs. he has great fine motor skills so it is not a matter of ability. So the question is should I make him do some work or just let it go until he is older say 5 or 6? I so don't want to burn him out or cause him not to enjoy and like school particularly at an early age! However, don't know if I should let it go and/or could it develop into a bad "habit"? Anyone ever dealt with this?
I have to say that he has always LOVED for ME to read and has set for an hour at a time since he was 2. I never have tried more than an hour because I have to read to my other two and my voice would be gone. :-) He does sit for quite awhile 20-30 min. and "reads" by himself as well most days. So at least we do read a lot together, just didn't know about the other.
Thanks for your advice and opinions!!
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I let my dd5 go out in the fenced yard when she was about 4. She would also open the gate and go around to the open garage where we have a climbing wall, monkey bars, trapeze, and the like. Since we live in a fairly busy corner by a university, I do tend to have more rules about where/when she can do that.
Also, since she is essentially still an only child (for play purposes baby bro doesn't count!), she wants to be out but gets a bit lonely. I bought walkie-talkies so she can just 'check in' and she knows I am close. At 4 she used these more, but at 5 much less so. .
Walkie-talkie great idea! Why didn't I think of that!?! - Sorry duplicate post!
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I let my dd5 go out in the fenced yard when she was about 4. She would also open the gate and go around to the open garage where we have a climbing wall, monkey bars, trapeze, and the like. Since we live in a fairly busy corner by a university, I do tend to have more rules about where/when she can do that.
Also, since she is essentially still an only child (for play purposes baby bro doesn't count!), she wants to be out but gets a bit lonely. I bought walkie-talkies so she can just 'check in' and she knows I am close. At 4 she used these more, but at 5 much less so. .
Walkie-talkie great idea! Why didn't I think of that!?!
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The bull story is crazy!! Wow! Glad no one hurt!
In regards to him being obedient, he normally is and follows directions pretty well. I think I just need to down my constant fears of the "possible scenarios". :blush:
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I don't let my youngest two outside alone. They need to be together to make enough noise to keep bears away.
Without a wildlife concern, I'd let my 4yo out. I probably would have at 3, too.
But I have a genuine fear of bears, and they do come through our property.
Wow! I can understand that! We haven't see any bears at our property but know they have been spotted around several years ago. My concerns are snakes, spiders, and coyotes. Maybe if he was good about staying just in the clearing and not in the woods. Thanks for all your comments! A lot to think on!
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Are there snakes in your wooded area? One of my aunts used to have a big rural house and my cousins caught lots of snakes.
When cousins and I go further out from the main house, their dogs follow along.
Well, I haven't "seen" any this year but that doesn't mean we don't have them! Last year we saw the remains of a snake skin on our deck so they are still probably around. We do have 2 outdoor cats who occasionally catch a baby one but I only recall one this past season. Hoping we don't have to worry about that now that winter is coming. That is probably my biggest concern aside of him possibly falling off of the play set. He does very well but there is always that chance! He does like to dig and I am afraid one day might dig in a wrong hole! :ohmy: We live in VA woods so we do have copperheads around. :sad:
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Granted I live on 8 acres of wooded area and our driveway is about 1/4 mile long to get to the main road. Wanting to let my 4 1/2 yr. old play outside more but not sure if I can let go yet. He would be alone without siblings. I do allow him to play on our porch while I am in the kitchen okay but was wondering at what age would it be okay to let them venture out a bit more, say on our playground. :)
My oldest was SO mature for his age I remember letting him go at about 4 1/2 old and even letting him take his younger brother who was only 2 with him! Granted I check on them every 10-15 minutes. My current 4 yr. old is pretty responsible but he is a typical boy, hard to know. With such a large gap in their ages and starting this phase over again, and now being older I seem to find myself analyzing every decision and at times I feel like I am going nuts! Thanks for your responses!
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I am with you...readers can be yuck! We have had lots of success with what MP uses. They are little stories that build on each other focuses on certain special sounds/words. I am not doing their actual phonics program have been using OPGTR as a guide and making sure I don't forget any special sounds/blends, etc. They are: Scamp and Tramp, Soft and White for beginning ones. I will also find beginning reader books that I like and we will read together. If he doesn't know a certain rule and there is a special sound to learn I will tell him it and then we move on.
Once there is a good foundation we have liked these early reader books: Any science book by Milicent Selsam, Dan Frontier series are great because they are stories that increasingly get harder through the series and works on different rules (if you can find them!) Great for boys..:) HTH
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If I remember right, mine took about an hour to complete. If you want to cut it a bit shorter I would recommend doing the mixed practice just the odd problems one day and then the next lesson to the even problems. HTH
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Simply Charlotte Mason has combined History/Geography/Bible into one curriculum and would be very doable to do both kids together. I think it is fine for elementary ages and you could always add a few books in the mix to beef it up a bit however many find it find to leave as is for those ages. Very easy to implement!! www.simplycharlottemason.com/store/genesis-deuteronomy-ancient-egypt
This was the best I found that combines the Bible reading with the time period I am studying. It moves a bit slow so instead of finishing a cycle of history in 4 yrs. it is 6 yrs. so the cycle is completed 2 times instead of 3. I use it but add additional subjects/reading for upper grades but feel it would be just fine as is for your grade level kids. Like I said, could just add a few more books if wanted or could move at a bit of a faster pace. HTH
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I taught my older kids with Abeka but now having to do school with my older boys and the fact that my youngest already knew beyond what Abeka does for 4 yr. olds I knew it wouldn't work for him. I love the simplicity of OPGTR no games and all the extras that I don't have time for. My youngest is just "get to it" type of learning he wants to do it and then be done. He likes playing games but I could tell for us Abeka would be hard to place him correctly without worrying of missing something. So with OPGTR I can review the lesson and make sure he has got the concept and move on. I have used Memoria Press readers along side with the Bob books and it has worked well. We are 1/3 of he way through but it is going well for us.
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I agree that songs work well. My older kids can still sing a song they learned memorizing the different countries in Africa (and others we learned) which was 6 yrs. ago. :)
I am trying these with my little one they look awesome but haven't implemented yet along with Little Pim and Muzzy videos:
www.cherrydalepress.com (CM type of learning) Has Spanish and French
Lyric Language (has both Spanish and French)
We haven't used it but Classical Academic Press offers a Spanish book called: Song School for Spanish (we have used the Latin in the past) and have enjoyed it based on songs and has a workbook with it.
Good luck!
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My husband got a great deal on a life subscription. I agree with the previous post, great for review but don't think it is enough to be inclusive. I have my kids use it to practice old concepts or if my kids finish the year early we use this to supplement so we don't forget what we have learned. :-P
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I have not used them but stumbled on her as I am searching for ideas for next year. Currclick.com has a lady teaching several levels in an online format.
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What language are you looking at? My kids liked Muzzy when they were little but it depends on the language about quality. Buy used only otherwise new is not worth it. Little Pim videos are good. We like CDs that we can listen in the car, can tell you what we like depending on the language you choose.
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If you look in my signature I have a website that you can go to that describes what a typical day looked like for us in 6th grade. (look under heading schedules). To get outside more I encourage outside reading and we also have our morning time outside while my 4 yr. old plays so we can accomplish all we need in an hour without the constant interruptions. Hope this helps.
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I second the Snap Circuits, I know it is meant for ages 6 and up but my 4 yr. old LOVES them and has been something he can do himself without me being right there now that he has gotten the hang of it.
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PSAT - next week
in High School and Self-Education Board
Posted
Dropped mine off at 7:30, it is hard to see so many police cars, security, etc. Can't help but stress about him being at a public school with so much violence lately....having chest pains this morning! :-( I know you have to let them go and have faith, but it sure is hard these days! Praying hard for all of the kids today that they can concentrate and for their safety!
I believe it is a little longer test almost 3 hrs. and with breaks they might not be done until 11:30.