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profmom

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Posts posted by profmom

    University Model Schools: Tried one? Would you consider a classical one?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    This is interesting, and I am bumping this with my general thoughts in the hopes that someone with more experience will chime in.

    Our town is JUST opening one (maybe the same town!) and I have been trying to gather information. I really like the IDEA of it in some ways...but all the information I have found through a couple of books and websites is decidedly vague. Especially the one here in town.

    Now I know that I is new, just taking off here, but still. And the more national websites with info are vague of course, because they will not have specific info regarding the school in your area. Add in the fact that there are two types (private Christian and public charter) and it gets murkier.

     

    I do like the idea that it is two days per week, and parent involvement is so high and expected. But it IS still a school where the parents are given what they need to teach. So some accountability might be great for some people, and I can see the distinct benefits of an umbrella organization for sports, activities, etc.

     

    But two things really stand out for me:

    Everything I have read says that it is still grade-based...so all kids of a certain age are in the same class. The information touts the model as being fantastic for tailoring education to the child, but ESPECIALLY for a more homeschool-oriented family I do not see how this is so. Kids are all over the board more often than not: third grade math, 5th grade reading, etc...I guess I don't see this as fitting a 'true university' model. Maybe I am missing something? I would love to be wrong as whilst we plan to homeschool I am always looking for that perfect setup for my social kid. Working at our own level at home but attending a couple of days a week would be great for her.

     

    Another thing that concerns me: I cannot find much AT ALL about specifics in curricula or standards. Very generic info regarding 'very rigorous' education...and that is all. I am not sure if this is because the schools themselves have more of a say? Especially since the model allows/supports the individual, albeit Christian, values of the specific school. If that is the case, I am a bit confused as to how those standards are set:(

     

    Hopefully someone with some expertise will chime in and either correct me or clarify!

     

    Thanks for your thoughts!

     

    The website for the new one here is a little vague too, but I know that their curriculum committee is still working on the details.  Based on this, I think each school is able to make its own decision on curricula.  Here, also, the exact location hasn't been announced, but they have chosen to go with 3 days a week, except for K.  

    Logic History: SOTW or MOH?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Wow!  Sounds like you guys love history!  :)  Do you find that one of the two is more interesting or works better for your daughter's age?

     

    I'm trying to figure out which to use for a group.  It seems like it might be best to use each for their target age -- SOTW for 1st-4th and MOH for 5-8, rather than adapting either for the other grades.  However, I'd love to hear opinions!

    Which history for a UMS? VP? SOTW?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I haven't personally used Veritas Press' history (through 6th grade), but I've gathered that it's structured, with a weekly format that might work well for a teacher-parent partnership where the child is at school MWF and at home on TTh.  Will you comment on that idea?  It seems like it would be one of the easier programs to implement in that format.  What do you think? 

     

    Any other suggestions?  SOTW seems too loose for that format.  What do you think?

    Logic of English vs. All About Spelling (And, which would be best in a UMS?)

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Will you compare and contrast these two programs?  How well do you think one (or both) of these programs would work in a University Model School where the kids attend class twice a week and parents handle the other three days?

     

    I'm using LOE Essentials this year, and we love it -- effective and easy to implement!  The school's founding families have been using All About Spelling and, as I tell them about LOE, it would be helpful to have a comparison of the two to help decide which would be best for the school for grades K-5th.  Do those of you who are familiar with one or both programs have an opinion on how well those would work in the University Model School format?

    Need to change Physics and World History -- ideas?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    Despite having our dc is pretty much all online classes at TPS for 2-3 years, it's caught up to us this year!  We're needing to make some changes ASAP to lighten the load and un-overwhelm my high schoolers!  It seems like replacing history might be a good place to start, and I'd like to look at options for replacing Physics as well.  And, well, maybe Spanish III?  These are all great classes with great teachers, but the workload is too much for them with all their classes at TPS.  We're considering dropping some and choosing less time-consuming options.  But, what?  Any ideas??  :bigear:

     

    Editing to say that both high schoolers had a dedicated year of ancient history last year.  It would be fine to review ancients a bit at the beginning of another course, but we couldn't do another year of only ancient history.

    Homeschooling stress: How do you deal with it?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I appreciate the help, guys!  I didn't really elaborate originally.  I think my stress level was at it's highest 2 years ago, when this ds started 7th grade.  I somehow subconsciously thought he'd become more independent and responsible like his sister had at that age, and I wasn't prepared to need to work with him.  After a couple of months, I started noticing that my body seemed to overreact to situations.  I can't really explain it, but the feeling that washed over me was too much for a situation like his not starting a paper that was due the next day, etc.  So, I made a decision at that point to not be as stressed and to try to work on it.  That cut down what I was feeling quite a bit, but my body still needed to get back to normal.  At that same time, I had developed tendonitis in both feet, and I was having trouble being on my feet for long (was even on crutches for a few weeks).  I had somehow overdone it with Zumba (which I loved) and/or the treadmill (which was probably the culprit with the incline).

     

    He has improved so much over the past two years, but he still pushes things a little too close to deadlines for my comfort.  My theory is that if he would convert to allowing himself more time, he would see that it's so much less stressful and want to do that all the time.  =D  I don't read everything he turns in or monitor all his deadlines, but, if I notice something, I'll ask him about it.  I also want to see that he has planned out his assignments on his planner, which he's doing.  (I'm not completely sure that all of it is getting done according to his plan, though.)  The thing recently is that our church had a mission conference this past weekend, and ds didn't want to miss a session.  I assumed he had completed some things that he decided could wait.  

     

    The Potter's School's online class do seem to be a good fit for our family.  I understand Homeschool Mom in AZ's concerns about turning over school decisions and busy work, but I don't feel that the kids have to do busy work with these classes.  I've always been picky about curricula too (which is why we haven't joined a program like CC Challenge where everything is chosen for every subject).  We pick and choose classes, after reading the descriptions and considering books used, and are still able to customize for each student (jr. high and up) with which classes, teachers, and levels we choose and whether or not we choose what is offered at TPS.  I've also been very impressed with TPS academically and in the way they incorporate a biblical worldview into their classes.  My high schoolers love it too, and I think it keeps us on track.  Since I am happy with TPS, I don't mind that I am not their main teacher.  (I know that is a deal-breaker for many homeschoolers, and it's not something we give up easily.)  However, whether or not to do online classes with TPS is something we consider every year with each of our students -- is this still the best option.  So far, it has been for most classes.  The hardest part for ds has been managing his workload during the week, since the classes meet either once or twice a week.  That, and just continuing to improve his study skills -- how much is enough studying for a test, reviewing Spanish vocab more often, allowing plenty of time for papers & revising, etc.  He's still managed to make A-'s and B's in everything.

     

    Last year, the tendonitis was much improved, but other things became issues (neck & back, etc.)  Since the spring, I've noticed improvements in health with some supplements from a naturopathic doctor.  However, this week, I've noticed some old symptoms, even a bit of tendonitis, and I know that I need to nip stress in the bud.

     

    Anyway, I went from not giving enough information to giving too much!  Now I'm going to read through your suggestions again and click on your links!  I appreciate the help!  I already implement some of your meal and chore suggestions, and my husband does our grocery shopping from the list I prepare when I plan our meals.  Also, my oldest just started driving, and that has cut down on my driving quite a bit!  I rarely have sugar -- it's usually in something like a sauce at an Asian restaurant, but I was thinking earlier that I should switch back to decaf coffee.  I realized yesterday that, with my 3rd grader, I should set a timer for some subjects and only work for 30 minutes vs. try to finish a certain amount.  The only subject for her that I really care about a certain number of lessons a week (4) is math.

     

    Another source of stress is learning to be a high school guidance counselor for my junior!  There are just a lot of plates to keep spinning, huh?

     

    I hadn't really thought about exercise in the way you guys are describing -- how it helps with stress.  That's good, and I should read more on the topic for motivation.

     

    Thanks again, guys!  I will re-read your suggestions, go to your links, and think about more changes.  I appreciate your help!

    Homeschooling stress: How do you deal with it?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I need some help dealing with stress because I can feel it affecting my health.  I try to be organized and also plan meals because that helps me not feel as stressed.  However, I am feeling more stress than I did in the summer!  Here, it's making sure my 9th grade ds stays on top of his school work, and also just the tightness of our routine/schedule for everything else.  I really tried not to over-do it!  This is our 12th year of homeschooling, and I know it's not possible to do it all.  However, I did choose a few teacher-dependent curricula for my 3rd grader, and I did think we could handle a day at co-op and a half day at CC each week. 

     

    I bet exercise would help, but I've been having some annoying little health problems that make exercise difficult or impossible at times.  When those aren't bothering me, I'm afraid that exercise will aggravate them, so I don't do it.  Maybe I do need some kind of plan for gentle exercise, though.

     

    Anyway, in general, I need strategies to help me to not feel stressed in the moments, such as when I ask my ds if he's finished something that is due soon for an online class.  What works for you?!  :bigear:

    CC Connected -- do you use it?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Bumping for you. Are you using CC on your own or in a community? We are loving the cycle 1 app as well, but we are doing it on our own.

     

    Thanks!  

     

    We're with a community.  I've heard that the cycle 2 app won't be out for awhile -- sad!  We really like it and used it for our main way to review cycle 1!

    CC Connected -- do you use it?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I'm not a tutor and don't want to complicate things.  Is there a reason I should use CC Connected?  If so, what do you download from it?  I've downloaded the timeline motions we use, but I'm not convinced I'll use it for anything else.

     

    We loved the app for cycle 1 and can't wait for them to release the cycle 2 app.  Otherwise, we use Everything You Need to Know about World History Homework and the Science one from the same publisher for background on that memory work, and we use Sonlight Core C for World History reading.

     

    Would you recommend CC Connected too?  If so, why?

     

    Thanks!

    Best service for Email groups? (Been using Yahoo)

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I've been using Yahoo for our group of about 50 local homeschooling moms, but I see that Yahoo has taken away the feature to directly add members.  I understand that they do this because of spammers.  However, having members, who actually want to join, understand that they need to respond to the Yahoo invitation to confirm membership has been a problem.  Is there another service that would allow me to directly add our members, without needing confirmations from them? 

     

    What service do you like and recommend?

     

    Thanks!

     

    Spanish: Something between Song School & Spanish for Children?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    My dd is in 3rd grade and eager to learn Spanish.  However, I think she kind of falls through the crack between Song School and Spanish for Children.  We have Song School, but, as we've started it, I think it's too light and too little for her.  Plus, she doesn't like the songs!! 

     

    Is there something that is lighter than Spanish for Children, but beefier than Song School?  Or, what do you think about Spanish for Children for 3rd grade?  I think all CAP's _______ For Children products were originally marketed as 3rd grade and up, but I was envisioning a bit gentler Spanish for 3rd (just not as gentle as Song School!)

     

    Any ideas?  :)

    Microscopes: does a 100X lens require oil immersion?

    in High School and Self-Education Board

    Posted

    I tutor at a community college. Only the microbiology labs use oil immersion. Biology for science majors does not use oil immersion. I'm a medical technologist and am used to working with oil immersion. I would not buy one for home use. Remember, the oil is really icky and can ruin the other lenses if you get it on them.

     

    I appreciate your saying this!  I won't give it a second thought now!  :)

    Qs about O-G spelling programs. Also, what's your favorite? What about LoE?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I appreciate all your help!  :thumbup1:   I used R & S for a couple of years with my older kids, and they didn't really learn the rules with it.  However, maybe I should have emphasized them more or taught it differently.  I also used Sequential Spelling at one point (also with my older kids), but it didn't click with us.

     

    Thanks for the suggestions and clarifications!

    Teaching reading after 100 Easy Lessons

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I've used 100EZ to teach all three of mine to read.  With my oldest, we used a book called Simply Phonics.  However, by #2, I found Funnix!  Back then I had to pay big bucks for it, but now it's inexpensive!  It's a software & book combination that follows a similar philosophy to 100EZ.  My kids loved the stories!  Funnix 2 is about right for after 100EZ, but I usually backed up a little into Funnix 1 to get them used to the program first.  It was a smooth transition, though!

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