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5Wizards

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    ES Logic Biology - what are your thoughts?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    My 5th grader is enjoying ES Biology. We are trying to do at least some of the "Get More" ideas as they do add to the program. My DD is retaining quite a bit, but that's partially because she remembers things that she reads well. I like the sketches every week and the independence of much (but not all) of the program. I also like that the teacher's manual has discussion questions with answers. We normally don't do tests, but I've been having her review her material and take the tests at the end of the units just for practice and to reinforce the material, and my DD surprisingly really likes to do this. I give it a thumbs up.

    Have You Heard of Elfie?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Thank you for replying! I know my 5YO will love it, and we do have friends who will participate with us. I've read a lot of the manual now, and it is similar to how we discuss other subjects after reading selections (more of a tutor setup than a teacher / student).

     

    That is a very valuable idea about not using the text at all, especially because of the depression issue the poster below you mentioned. I may or may not use it and also possibly edit the stories. I really appreciate you bringing that possibility to my attention.

     

    Really, there are a ton of pages of learning materials that cover just about a ten-sentence selection, so I think this might be fine.

     

    I would love to hear an update after a few months of use, as I have wondered about the material for the younger age groups. It has been such a great addition for my 10 year old, but I've been wishy-washy about whether or not I should spend the money on a lower level. I wish they had samples of their manuals, but I haven't seen any available. Anyway, good luck, and please do update later!

    Have You Heard of Elfie?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We will begin using Elfie philosophy for children in January. I'd like to hear your experiences with it, and all suggestions are welcome.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Hi,

     

    I haven't used Elfie, but this year my 5th grader and I (along with another 5th grader) are using Nous (by the same company), and both girls are really enjoying it. I lucked out and found the teacher manual used really cheap. We honestly don't even use the student story book (not sure if Elfie is set up the same way or not, but I think it is). Every time I get out the book, they both cheer. :001_smile: Everyone gets comfy on the couch or floor, and then we use the teacher manual to spur our discussions. It's provided a framework for us to discuss some interesting topics while exploring both their thoughts/feelings as well as my own. I will definitely use it with my other 2 kids. If you can find a friend or two who would be interested in doing it with you it can really add to the conversations. Have fun!

    Differences between REAL Science Odyssey and Mr. Q?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by 5Wizards

    RSO doesn't have the students doing notebooking? The samples I've seen certainly make it look that way. I guess I just assumed that the sample pages marked "student notebook" were intended to be narrated a la WTM.

     

    The student notebook pages are just meant for their notebook. I don't remember seeing anything that suggested narration, copywork, etc ala WTM (but maybe I missed that?). We discuss the readings, but we'd do that with whatever program we used. Most of the pages where the child does writing tie in specifically with whatever lab is being worked on that day - such as charting results, sometimes labeling a drawing, etc.... It's pretty typical stuff that I personally would not label WTM science (other than the fact that it focuses on one arm of science for the whole year).

    Differences between REAL Science Odyssey and Mr. Q?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    :lurk5:

     

    Were you saying RSO relies on notebooking or Mr.Q? RSO doesn't have notebooking. There are worksheets, but not narrations which it seems is what ala WTM would be.

     

    We love RSO, but woudn't like the style of the Mr.Q student sheets. We also don't even use the RSO reading lists, if a topic interests my kids they'll seek out more info on their own or ask me to help them find books on the topic.

     

    :iagree:

     

    We really enjoy RSO for the experiments, which is what I want out of an early elementary science program. At first I thought that I'd use the reading list, but I don't. If I want something more, I find books on the topic on my own.

     

    I haven't tried Mr. Q so can't comment on it.

    Is this LA overkill?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I'm going to bump you so that maybe you'll get some responses.

     

    I'm not familiar with most of the programs you list, but it does seem to be heavy on grammar. You say that she hasn't had much writing, so which of those programs, besides Sentence Composing, will help with that? I have seen Sentence Composing and while I think it probably can be valuable in helping with writing, I personally wouldn't use it as my only writing curriculum. Is there good writing instruction in ILL or R&S?

     

    Anyway, if nothing else, this gives you that bump. :001_smile:

    Okay, so now I too am wondering....(scheduling help please)

    in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

    Posted

    I just wanted to say thank you for all of your BTDT comments on this. I struggle every year with how much is too much/enough, and I really do think that balance is important. I am constantly reminding myself that my 10 year old is still a child and needs a lot of free time to just BE. I think I do give her that, but then I have my moments every now and then where I start stressing that I should be giving her more on the scholastic side (but really, she's doing great and is very bright......it's just me worrying). It's so hard with ones oldest child. :) Anyway, thank you again for some perspective.

     

    I wish I could really allay your fears. The transition to 5th grade really is no different than moving a child from K to 1st or 1st to 2nd. Simply keep moving forward and developing appropriate skills.

     

    There is no need to add 2 languages in a single yr. If your child really wants it, than there is no pressure b/c they typically grab hold and run w/it. But if your child is reluctant, there is no reason why they need 2 languages in 5th grade. My 7th grader loves languages. She has been doing them w/her older siblings since she was in 3rd grade. But you know what......this yr she asked me to separate her from her brother. She didn't want to move at his pace but simply have the freedom to move on her own. We even ended up altering French curriculum. She had been doing a combination of Breaking the Barrier, Tell Me More, and French in Action. After a vacation in Quebec, she decided she wanted to go more immersion vs. text and so she is now doing strictly French in Action and loving it. (Ds, OTOH, is focusing more on Breaking the Barrier, a grammar approach.)

     

    This is the time for freedom to explore what you/they want, how you/they want. The time will come soon enough when their days are full of "have to's." High school is far more dictorial in content/hrs. There is no need to turn middle school into high school. (though I consider 5th grade elementary school and full of complete freedom and exploring w/wonder.)

     

    FWIW, I burned out my oldest. I expected too much and dictated too much of our content. If you think it is hard to recover from burn out as an adult, it is triply hard for a child. There is really no need at all to expect lab write-ups and lists of other requirements from the 7th grade down crowd. My kids never write labs prior to high school level courses (which a couple have started in 8th grade w/zero difficulty) and have never had any problem w/them. Some things can be mastered simply when they are older vs. taking lots of time to master when younger.

     

    Just my btdt thoughts for whatever they are worth.

    REAL Science Odyssey OR Nancy Larson Science?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    ok, I wasn't going to post because I've never used NL science, but have used RSO. My kids love it and I honestly haven't had any issues gathering supplies.

     

    :iagree:

     

    I've never used NL either, but I just wanted to agree that we really like RSO. This year my 6 year old is doing Life (with 3 year old tag-along), and last year my then 4th grader did Chemistry (with tag-along younger sister). I don't have a problem getting the things together for experiments (but that may just be where I am right now in life...a few years ago my answer probably would have been different). There are also suggestions for extra reading for every unit (not just encyclopedias). If you like to buy books in advance, there's a bunch of choices and you could do that, or you could just go to the library and pick out books on the topic. My 6 year old doesn't need much more than what's provided, so if we have a book or two at home we read them, but if we don't, I don't stress about it. Life has been fun and full of giggles for her, so I'm happy.

    What would you do if...

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted · Edited by 5Wizards

    Although they don't "allow" resale, it wouldn't bother me to buy it used. It this point in time, there aren't too many listings on ebay, but come April or so there will be a bunch of listings. I realize that many people would have an issue with buying it used when they say not to, but it wouldn't bother me personally to do so.

     

    So to answer the question.......if I really wanted that curriculum but it would cause me serious financial hardship, I would buy it on ebay.

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