Debbie in OR
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Posts posted by Debbie in OR
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My ds(then10/11) and dd(then8/9) LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it (maybe obsessively:tongue_smilie:)....until they beat all the levels. Then they were completely done with it. Now, it took a little while and they were doing it daily and every chance they got. But when they got to the end, that was it. They didn't want to start over or anything. But we got great mileage out of it until then. (We also don't have video games so that could have something to do with it as well...)
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I tried to read all the responses but did mostly a cursory reading so I don't know if anyone mentioned this but check out the book The Harsh Truth About Public Schools by Bruce Shortt. It is decidely Christian but it has great information on the allocation of funds in schools, etc...
It was written a few years ago so the stats will be taken from then but it is still very interesting and eye-opening reading.
By the way, Bruce Shortt's bio is pretty impressive:
Bruce Shortt attended public schools through 12th grade; his mother was public school nurse; and, both of his grandmothers were public school teachers. His is a graduate of Harvard Law School, has a Ph.D. from Stanford University, was a Fulbright Scholar, and serves on the boards of directors of the Houston Ebony Music Society and the Exodus Mandate. He is a member of the North Oaks Baptist Church and currently practices law in Houston, Texas, where he resides with his wife and homeschool their sons. Mr. Shortt and T.C. Pinckney were co-sponsors of the Christian Education Resolution that was submitted for consideration at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.
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We went through LL1 with ds (then 9/10) and enjoyed it, learned some. We got into the 3rd chapter (I believe) of LL2 and totally hit a wall. We had no idea what we were doing, didn't understand because it makes a big upward curve (at least, that was our experience). We decided to look for something else then, because I was also tired of the history part and because I was so tired of printing off the material.
That's when I found First Form and could.not be happier. It teaches everything so incrementally/broken down that we understand it. Actually, ds (now 12) has been doing it since he was 10/11 completely on his own. I heart First Form. :001_smile:
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This is very interesting timing for this thread. We just bought a house together with my parents for several reasons, the main one being we thought it would be a great opportunity for our kids to really get to know their grandparents.
We were just over at the house today cleaning the kitchen and moving yet another load (this has been two month long process) and all day, I've been wondering how this is going to be. The house is huge (around 4500 sf) and my parents have their own self-contained floor complete with private entrance, laundry room, kitchen and then we have the two upper floors. I think that will help...to have our own completely private space. We also kept our current house and will be renting it out....
In my mind, it's going to be like the Waltons. But then I hear friends say they wouldn't even consider living in the same town as their parents, much less the same house. And I think, "What in the world have we done?"
But I have always had a good relationship with them and I enjoy being around them. My kids adore them. My dh enjoys them and is a saint and he's happy to do this because he knows the kids really want to do it. So, it's going to be just fine. Right?!
I'm rambling a bit but I guess I appreciate you posting this today of all days.
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We had signed up for Essentials and then for various reasons (mainly I don't like IEW) decided against it. But I did have the EEL guide and decided I would at least give it a try.
Personally, I think that the actual material is fantastic. My only complaint is the manual...it is unbelievably complicated. But now that they have re-formatted it, hopefully that piece has been resolved.
It has aspects of several great grammar programs combined into one:
It has a several-level analysis/parsing component similar to MCT (and also the Principle Approach Classic Grammar that we have used and love).
It has the Q&A/confirmation component of Shurley.
It has diagramming.
It has spelling dictation similar to CM method (Spelling Wisdom-ish).
It has "memory loading" for grammar-age students to aid in instant recall of essentials.
It has higher-level sentence analysis for logic stage students to help them manipulate the parts of speech for more complete understanding of their jobs.
Using Our Mother Tongue for extra teaching/practice has rounded it out.
Using this method, my kids have had several "aha!" moments as they are able to "see" how the parts of speech work together using the sentence analysis, Q&A flow, and subsequent diagramming.
Now, of course, they may have gotten this from other programs but because of all the reasons listed above, we are very happy with this grammar program and now that they have re-formatted the manual, plan to continue with it.
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bumping :001_smile:
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Thank you, Kimber...I have had similar thoughts but not the eloquence to actually write it out. I so appreciate you taking the time to do so.:001_smile:
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I'm more apt to ask them to explain more than one way to solve a problem and I use composing and decomposing in my teach-talk!
Would you be willing to give the bullet points for what composing and decomposing are? (Or is this in another thread that I should look up?) :001_smile:
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This is very interesting. My husband has been wanting me to switch up math programs. We have used Saxon 1 this year, but he would prefer our daughter know why she is doing what she is doing- more conceptual math and mental math skills. He really wants her to learn to use an abacus :confused: I have no idea how those work!!!
I'm all for it, especially after reading this thread, as I was one who hated math in school too. What curriculums do you all recommend to head more in this direction?
Look at Rightstart...it's fabulous for teaching conceptual math and using varied strategies. Also uses the abacus!
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Oops, I should have read all of your post before voting. I voted for LOF, because that's what we use with MUS. But, for your stated purpose of nailing down math facts before moving into abstract, I would probably go with Key To...or something similar (Math Mammoth Fractions).
My experience of LOF is that it is great for actually using the math they have already learned in a real life (although my ds says there is nothing "real life" about a 5 year old going to college :glare:) and abstract sort of way. So, I don't know if that would serve your purposes right now.
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Our respect, and a photobook of the very best pictures from their lives before marriage, their 50 years together and the lives of their children and grandchildren. One book, carefully edited. It's what I'd want.
This is what we did for my parents' 50th. Had it done through Costco and it turned out beautifully. Of course, there was quite a bit of preparation as we had to sneak pictures for months before hand (which was a trick as they live halfway across the US from us) but we were able to pull it off.
It is hardbound with glossy pics inside. We got one for our family as well and everyone who sees it loves it.
It will be considerably less than $100 too :001_smile:
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Two suggestions, although they are not stand-alone curriculum:
The Wonders of Creation books by Master Books has a book on Geology by Dr. John Morris. You can get it at Amazon for $12 or so.
Also, two DVDs on geology:
Geology and Cave Formation (Dr. Emil Silvestru)
Geologic Evidences (Dr. Steven Austin)...deals primarily with the Grand Canyon
I think you can get both of those through AiG.
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We study Proverbs and some of the other wisdom lit, over and over again, using methods from the Principle Approach that teach them how to study. That's it...nothing else and no other books in the Bible.
We decided that if they got the whole wisdom thing and learned how to study for themselves, the rest would sort itself out. :001_smile:
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I know I'll be flamed for this, but I'll go ahead. I've seen just as much hatred, anger, and lack of tolerance from the SWB side (not her personally, but on this forum). Just like some people have said they don't want to use WTM or SOTW, there have been plenty of other people that say they'll never use AIG because of this public fiasco. I guess I'm just saying that everything the "other side" is being accused of is something I've seen in some form on "this side" of the fence. At least as far as people commenting and blogging, not the actual people involved. Personally, I didn't see anything ANGRY in Hamm's blog post. I like a lot of Hamm's things. I like and use a lot of SWB's curriculum. I've heard bad things about both people, and honestly, it's just not that big of a deal to me. If everyone would stop complaining about what the other one said or did, the subject would lose steam, and we could go back to agreeing to disagree. Hamm disagrees with Enns and SWB. So what? Really, is anyone surprised that two people disagree on creation? Obviously most people disagree about creation! As for trumping higher degrees over lower degrees, I don't think degrees are the end all, be all. Someone can be an expert on a particular subject without earning a degree (as classical educators have themselves claimed). I'm just kind of over judgemental homeschoolers. Sorry, flame away.
I agree with the bolded part. This is about to make my head explode.
There are always two sides to a story...as such, I have taken Hamm and Enns off of my hook and put them on God's hook. Let Him deal with it...He always does in the way that only He can.
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I had so many friends bugging about it, that I finally opened a FB account and promptly closed it five minutes later. Seriously.
I was opening it under duress anyhow but as soon as the account was completed and opened, all these "friends" showed up as waiting to be "friended" (OK, I don't even know if I've got the lingo right) and I panicked.
These are people I knew in college, sort of. Some of them I was interested in finding out what's going on in their lives, but I can not even keep up with my IRL friends and regular email or the chats on this group, for crying out loud.
I saw my life flash before me in those five minutes and knew that I would never again get anything done if I got on there...it's all I would want to do. This is the exact same reason we don't have cable or satellite or whatever...I would spend all day watching FOX News or the Home/Food Channel or whatever it is. My kids would be left to teach themselves, dh would have to cook, dogs would have to walk themselves...
Anyhoo, that's me...I am not disciplined with my time so it's just something I know I can't even start...
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OH, I thought you used what I use:
BraveInstituteofExcellenceinLostTools of MCTClassicalTales Trained Mind curriculum. Latest edition.
Oh my goodness...now that is really funny :lol: (And, by the way, I do not resonate with that. At.all. Nope.)
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My very *kewl*, very athletic brother who could have/almost did go to the Air Force Academy but fell in love and got married instead and who is now a pilot in the Air Force, working on a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering. Still the kewlest (and wisest) man I have ever known. :001_smile:
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Have him pick up some Bonnie Brae ice cream on his way home from work :)
Oh my word! Bonnie Brae was just a few blocks from our house...we would go to the dive-of-a-Mexican-food place on the end of the street (can't think of the name) and walk down to Bonnie Brae afterwards. Oh, the memories....
I need a moment of silence, I think...:crying:
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Oh my goodness....dh and I lived in Washington Park for the first couple years we were married. Both graduated from Denver Seminary. Love, love, love Colorado. So very excited for you! (And really, I am not jealous. At.all. Nope.):lol:
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I'm not seeing that it's on sale...am I missing something?
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Have you checked the website of your state's Health Dept. ?
This is the press release from our state concerning the Japan nuclear plants:
Thank you for that suggestion...I just checked ours and feel like I have a much better explanation of what happened and its effect on us...
Saturday's hydrogen explosion ripped through a concrete shell around the reactor, but didn't tear the primary steel container that housed the nuclear reactor. That means the plant's radioactive materials remain largely contained, said Brian Woods, an Oregon State nuclear engineering professor who studies reactor safety.
"Although it sounds really, really bad, the reality is that this primary containment is in contact," Woods said. "And as long as it's intact, no large amounts or radioactive material will make it out."
For that reason, Woods characterized Saturday's explosion as entirely different than the Chernobyl disaster. The reactor lacked the critical primary container, Woods said, and the reactor burned in the open-air.
Although Saturday's explosion likely released some radioactive material into the air, Woods called the amount relatively small. Areas closest to the reactor would be the most affected, he said.
"We're 3,000 miles away," Woods said. "I would really anticipate a very, very negligible amount of radioactive material making it as far as the U.S."
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It was the first musical I had ever seen live (in Portland). It was beautiful...I wept through it (and I am neither very emotive or sentimental).
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I really wanted either SCOUT or WREN for a girl...dh said "You do know she's going to have to have one of those names when she's 65 years old, right?":glare:
For a boy, Bowden ("Bo" for short). DH hated it. It was a moot point, though, because we already had planned to name our son after dh's grandfather since he had two daughters and his line died out with him. If not for that, I would have named him Lincoln (as in Abraham)....
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Although I do believe that we are "one flesh" and therefore COULD in all good conscience share secrets with him, I ALWAYS ask person telling me the secret if it is ok to share with my dh. I have had only one person ever tell me she didn't want me telling my dh. I have honored that.
Coffee Maker Recommendations????
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted · Edited by Debbie in OR
If you are interested in a drip, we use and love the Cuisinart DCC-2000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-cup Programmable Coffeemaker.
We like our coffee strong and hot and smooth and won't drink unfiltered (paper) coffee and have tried so many coffee makers. We started with a basic Braun, moved on to a Krups, then a Krups Thermal, then to a percolator (which actually made the best coffee I have ever had but it was just too messy and I don't like grounds in my coffee...even with a paper filter, some get in), then a Bunn. We had just about given up when we came across this Cuisinart.
It didn't have excellent ratings but the comments were interesting enough that we decided to try it. I am so glad we did because this is The One.
It makes the coffee and then holds it in a stainless steel tank and you just set your cup underneath a "spigot" and push a lever...voila! Fresh coffee on demand! There is a timer on it that you set for how long you want it to keep the coffee warm (up to 4 hours, I believe). There is no glass or thermal carafe. The coffee stays so hot and because it's not in a glass container on a hot plate, it doesn't oxidize quickly. My coffee poured two hours after the first cup tastes just as smooth and fresh and hot.
However, I have noticed that it will begin to break down after two hours so by hour 3 and 4 in the tank, it is beginning to oxidize. It's nothing like a glass carafe, though...I couldn't stand drinking coffee 4 hours after it had been made when we had one. And coffee wasn't warm 4 hours later(actually, it was NEVER warm) in our thermal carafe.
This one is just about perfect for us.
ETA: We were thinking about getting a Keurig (before we found the Cuisinart) but had heard that you can't make strong coffee with them so we checked that one off our list...we don't do "what's-the-point coffee, as my girlfriend calls it :tongue_smilie:)