5Wizards
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Posts posted by 5Wizards
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I am right where you are as far as trying to find a secular program. I'm going to try Mosdos for the 2nd half of this year probably, and I have purchased some used Literature teacher and student pages from K12 for 5th grade to look through, but I haven't had a chance to look at them yet (arrived today).
I bought this used to check out for next year as well (5th grade):
It looks fantastic so far! They have Best Nonfiction, Best Plays, Poems, Chapters, and Short Stories. The introductory level is for approximately grades 5 and 6 from what I understand. There are 8-10 units, each covering something different (plot, character, setting, etc...). When I looked at Best Chapters, I really felt like I had found what I was looking for at an affordable price, but I need to really sit down now and compare what I have before making a decision (plus I am waiting on Mosdos, which someone else is purchasing for me).
I'm all ears for any other suggestions.
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Mapping the World with Art by McHenry? I really want to try this program in the future.
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Ok, I've been pushed over the edge. I've been waiting to buy these books, but I'm off to spend money now. Sigh. :tongue_smilie:
By the way, great sentences!
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For my kids, school IS fun - because they think learning is fun.
I do not see a contradiction between "work" and "fun". because they can follow their passion. I would prefer my children to develop an attitude like this - instead of viewing work as something unpleasant and fun as its opposite.
This does not mean that every single task at schoolwork or job is joyful, but it is a general attitude.
:iagree:
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I haven't seen FLL yet as it's on order right now so I can check it out, so I don't know if this would be similar or not, but have you looked at Growing With Grammar (GWG)? My 9 year old can do it independently, retains the info., and it's pretty cheap. I think it goes from level 1-8 (used to be 1st - 8th grade, but they changed it to levels). Oh, and it's secular.
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We started it today, too and it was a hit. We have already covered FLL1/2 Fall semester so this was a review, but I already had it in the closet and figured I'd use it this semester. DS got a kick out of it and also wanted just a few more pages!
I hope he continues to enjoy it! Am I correct in thinking that your son is 5 years old? Wow! My 5 year old definitely enjoyed taking part in her own way, but she's nowhere near ready for the program itself. If I'm correct, you have a very bright boy there!
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Yay! Sounds like a good day!
Keep us updated on your thoughts...I love reading the MCT threads, especially with new users. I'm pretty sure I am going to get it for my son for the fall.
I read so many MCT threads before actually buying the program, so I know what you mean. I'll definitely update once we've been doing it for awhile. There's actually a good chance that we'll finish Grammar Island this week as we did about 1/2 of the book already (including appropriate exercises from the back teacher manual part). I'm sure we'll slow down though once we get to the next book as we'll have more writing assignment choices. Right now it's just an overview of the grammar with a few exercise sentences. My daughter's really looking forward to the poetry.
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We started Grammar Island today and had a great time. My daughter does have prior grammar experience, so there wasn't anything she didn't know so far, but it was a nice overview and made her giggle. My 5 year old also sat with us and read some of the sentences for us which was fun. I'm really happy that I went ahead and bought it at this point even though it was a lot of money. I'm hoping that it will bring more fun into our language arts studies. I probably could have easily started with Town based upon what seems to be covered in Island, but I'm ok with that as I'll have 2 more kids using the program someday. I just didn't want to miss anything by skipping Island.
My daughter kept wanting to "just do a few more pages." :)
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I've used it with my oldest one when I've had young babies just to make sure she was doing something once in awhile, but we only used the LA and Math (loosely). She loved it and found it to be fun. It was pretty easy for her at grade level, but you can always move up or down grade levels if you want to by subject. I've heard that some people use it and are happy with it as a stand-alone program, but I personally would never do that long term as I don't think it's enough. However, for a temporary fix or some extra fun, I think it's a good option for some kids. My oldest doesn't use it anymore at all.
I'm currently using the language arts with my 5 year old as she really enjoys it. She is doing the 1st grade reading, which we do together. I don't leave her to herself as the whole purpose for me is to work on her reading skills, and she's at a place where my input/presence is important. We also use many other things for reading/phonics as well depending upon what kind of mood we're in for the day. :tongue_smilie: Again, I see it as a supplement, not as a stand alone program.
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This year we're doing the following:
ETC
A number of different phonics reading activities (T4L, Starfall, BOB, easy readers, etc....whatever we feel like each day)
HWT
Elemental Science Intro. to Science
Tried slow SOTW, but it's too much for me right now
Starting MM 1A this month
We play a lot of math and phonics games as well. It's really been a very laid-back year.
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Someone recently recommended this program to me. I haven't seen it yet, but 2 families I know use it and like it.
http://www.allbilingual.com/SpanishforKindergartenandFirstGrade.html
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You might want to look at Time4learning
http://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/scope-sequence/index.shtml
I'm not sure if a 1st grader would do too well completely on their own with a computer based program though, but it may work for you. My kids have liked what they've done on it, but I've never used it as a stand-alone program (although I know some people do).
You can get a discount if you pay by the year or by 3 months at a time in advance (normally $19.95/month I think but it's $45 for 3 months at a time per student).
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-Oak Meadow History and English 5 is American History and I think it can easily be used with younger students
-Complete Book of US History
-This one seems interesting but I haven't seen in person
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I would have to answer no to all of the above questions......He can add and subtract, but didn't do well with carrying and borrowing, and it is hit or miss with knowing the times tables...
I would back up to at least MM 3 if I were you. Due to a number of reasons and decisions on my part, my oldest (who is 4th grade) didn't really do much in the way of formal math until this year, and we started with 3A. It has been so worth it! She has been working hard and the plan is to get through 4B by the end of this summer, but we'll see. We'll just keep plugging away, making sure she really gets everything and see where we end up by next September. If we only complete up to 4A, then in September we'll start 4B and plan to complete 5B by the end of that summer.
I have also purchased downloads of certain topics from math mammoth to start at the beginning (embarrassed to admit that she didn't know how to tell time at all), and we quickly went through that material......she went through all of it in a week. If 3A seems too difficult, back up further. It's better to make sure you get the basics down and have him experience a sense of accomplishment I think than to flounder around with stuff that is too hard. Maybe you could buy the MM dark blue subject for addition/subtraction and work your way through that first, then do the multiplication subject? If you just print the pages out for him, he doesn't necessarily even need to know which "grade level" he's doing if that will bother him.
Anyway, good luck to you, and try not to stress too much. :grouphug:
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Math: MM (starting 1A in January slowly, so wherever we end up)
LA: Maybe WWE1, FLL1 (waiting to get it to see if I like it) or GWG; Continue wherever she is with reading, start cursive at some point
Science: Biology (probably RSO or ES, but may throw my own together
History: Sister will be doing American, so I may just throw her into the mix with that; Maybe do a Galloping the Globe type thing
PE: dance and maybe soccer
Music: start piano lessons or buy Pianimals
Art: Either Atelier or Artistic Pursuits
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I would say that with a 5 year old you should just put it aside for a few months and then try again. He just may not be developmentally ready (it's a pretty advanced skill for a 5 year old IMO).
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SWB is working on a writing program currently that follows WW4. There are members on the board who are doing some of the beta exercises for it. Two of her recommendations for writing are writing strands and IEW.
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I didn't care that much for RS4K, so I would say don't spend the money. I personally think it's way overpriced for what you get. I think your plan to buy some experiment books and to continue reading library books sounds great.
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I have the books from Lulu and don't have a problem with the black and white. My kids don't seem to care either. I'm like you in that I like to have things already printed and ready for me. :001_smile:
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I'm trying to decide on a Latin program for my 9 year old right now. I'm also considering Mosdos Press 4th grade level.
My 5 year old tells me that she wants harder math (we've just been doing K math on T4L as I'm always afraid that we'll "miss" something if we skip....like there's so much to worry about with K! :lol:). Anyway, I think we'll slowly start MM 1A in January, but luckily I already own it so no need to purchase.
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You can do a google search and find released test questions by grade to give you an idea of what's covered. They are on the CDE website. HTH
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Here are some of our tentative plans for next year:
Math: MM 5A and 5B, LoF
LA: (undecided) Maybe MCT, some kind of Latin root study, maybe Literature from K12, maybe Mosdos, writing across the curriculum (no formal program, although I am considering TWSS I guess) (still looking at what's out there and trying to figure out what will meet her needs); GWG
Science: Biology - possibly RSO or ES if either available, considering Classiquest as well
History: putting together my own 1 year American History but still pulling together resources. Who knows, I may end up picking someone else's program
Language: Spanish (probably Rosetta Stone); also looking into Lively Latin as a possibility
Logic: probably Mindbenders or something similar
PE: Soccer and dance class
Music: Start piano lessons, continue informal composer study
Art: will probably bite the bullet and buy Atelier this year; may do A Child's History of Art: Painting from Calvert.
As you can see, I am still very undecided. :tongue_smilie: We're in a transitional phase currently where I'm reevaluating everything we've been doing/where we're going.
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I did not do a formal printing program with my 9 year old and she has nice writing (we did do a cursive program starting in 1st grade, and her printing improved immensely through that). I'm doing HWT with my 5 year old now because she likes it and it helps me to make sure that I actually sit and write with her. :tongue_smilie:
Secular Blogs, Sound Off !!
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
I don't have a blog, but now I at least have some reading to do. :tongue_smilie: