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pgr

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Posts posted by pgr

  1.  

    ETA: the best prep for KISS would probably be for YOU to work through the Year 2 sentences. Naturally you could skim a good bit of it; but I found a surprising amount was not obvious to me, and if you have a handle on where things are going I think it will help. I suppose I should do this thoroughly over the summer, now that I think on it ...

     

    :iagree: :iagree: :iagree:

  2. We did GWG alone in the first half of the year, and then started also doing KISS. She ended up doing GWG fairly independently after I would read and highlight the explanation text (explaining/expounding as necessary) with her. KISS we do on the iPad using Notability, or orally - but together.

     

    GWG ended up being a good introduction to concepts, and KISS an exercise in implementation.

     

    FWIW, it seems I generally tend to pick and choose what works for us, and apply it in ways that work for us. I'm often combining resources... :tongue_smilie:

  3. Terrific thread!!!

     

    Some pretty random thoughts:

     

    If you don't have easy access to public transportation -how to ride a bus/subway/etc (I had a heck of a time figuring out the trolley overseas as a 17 yr old...). By this I mean - reading the map, finding out how much/where to pay, and signaling that you need off.

     

    Basic food preparation.

     

    Figuring out direction based on the location of the sun. We assume we'll always have a cell phone or GPS... I have a feeling they're just about gone, but how to use a pay phone/call collect.

     

    We were taught that if we get lost from each other (eg in a mall or park) to return to the place where we were last all together and wait there. This applys to older kids and adults - the littles should know how to find a trustworthy adult.

     

    One thing my brother told my Dad - he said the single most important thing he learned was not to be afraid to try something even if you're not exactly sure of what you're doing. He specifically was referring to DIY large scale remodeling/repairs in that case, but I think we need to teach our kids not to be afraid to fly by the seat of their pants in some instances. And to know their limitations and choose wisely ;).

  4. Blobbing the continents is explained in Leigh Borton's book, "The Core". Basically, what you do is take a 8 1/2 x11 page of plain paper. Fold it in half the long way. Draw a line across the line- that is your equator. Then, draw a line above it (Tropic of Cancer) and another line near the top (Arctic Circle). Draw a line below the equator (Tropic of Capricorn) and one near the bottom (Antarctic Circle). Then draw a line going down the page in the middle (Prime Meridian). Start with this. Have the child look at an atlas and explain what these lines are. I had my 8 year old draw these- just the lines and label them, for about a week until she was solid in her understanding of what they were and where they went. Then, we moved on to blobbing. Start with Africa right in the middle. You want to have the child look and see where the continent lies (is it north of the Tropic of Cancer? Does it go south of the equator? Does it go north of south of the Tropic of Capricorn? Does the Prime Meridian go through it?) Ask her lots of questions about "where" it goes. The, start with just drawing an oval or circle or whatever, instead of trying to outline the actual shape of the continent. What you are trying to do is have the child become familiar with "where" the continent lies in relation to the lines on the atlas and in relation to each other. Then, after they have mastered that- it took my daughter a couple of weeks- have them start trying to make the shape of Africa more realistic. Once they have mastered Africa, move on to Australia, then the other continents. This will take awhile. We have been doing this for about 2 months (probably 2-3 times a week) and my daughter can now do Africa, South America and Australia pretty well. I hope that explains it well.

     

    Thank you for taking the time to type this out- I've read a number of posts explaining "blobbing", but I think this is what finally made it click for me.

     

    :D

  5. Wondering if the op decided on a program. My understanding with A&Z was that there was an option of having the instructor's guide in English. I'm pretty sure I saw that on Amazon somewhere.

     

    We've been using N'Allenart and while it's a good basic course, it's a little dry and proceeds very slowly. I'm on the fence about it because slow is good when learning a second language but too slow and it becomes dull.

     

    I've been looking at K12's Elementary French program but it's entirely computer-based. I'm drawn to A&Z and could probably get by with the teacher's text being in French though it would be easier if it were in English. I'm unsure though what to buy. It seems there is a CDROM, a teacher's guide, a student book and a CD of songs. Not sure if that's all that's needed.

     

    To the OP, I have bought N'Allenart from this site with no issues.

     

    I ended up buying the first level in download version from the N'Allenart website. We're just now starting with it, so no reviews on my part really. I do get the impression that A&Z might have been a better fit for our family personality :tongue_smilie:

    I thought the teacher text was only available in French? If there's an English version, we may switch over...

  6. What exactly do you want to know?

     

    The are 2 hospitals and it is in close proximity to Akron Childrens, about 30 minutes. Everywhere has gangs, I don't think there are loads in canton. there are neighborhoods to avoid, just like anywhere else. Akrons crime is higher than canton's, but it is bigger.

    Canton misses the snowbelt. Akron is in the snowbelt. Hartville/Uniontown/Louisville may be more rural for you.

     

    I was having issues posting on my phone, and only got a short message in. However, you answered my questions exactly! Thank you so much!

    :)

  7. Ho hum is a good description. I bought it, but used it very briefly after looking through it. It IS just open, read, do....probably more on par with the PS writing. I mean, if you NEED a different writing program, and try for a no stress year about it, it may work. It is easy to just get done.

     

    ETA: I really think you can jump in to this one at grade level.

     

    We did WWW level 3 after WWE 3. I don't know. It's ok. I did find it somewhat helpful for some skills. Sorry I can't give more of an opinion than that. It really was kinda ho hum to be honest.

     

    We are now using WWE 4. I skip the dictations. So we just do narrations. That is working out very well. Maybe that is something to consider because I suspect that might be the part turning your son off?

     

    You could either use the dictations as copywork, or just don't do them. We just don't do them. The narrations are good practice though and the reading selections are interesting and varied.

     

    I initially went with WWS. I felt my son needed more time with narrations so I plan to do them for awhile and reevaluate after a few months. So either we continue with WWE 4 or move onto WWS.

     

    I'll mention we have also used MCT Sentence Island and Paragraph Town, but there aren't a ton of assignments in them.

     

     

    Unfortunately, :iagree:

     

    Ho hum. We loved GWG this year, but WWW was very dry. Definitely reminiscent of PS wrinting. We ended up sticking with WWE, and adding in elements from Bravewriter. I don't know if BW would appeal to your son; its given my DD a different perspective that she's enjoyed.

     

    I was dissapointed with WWW, as was my DD - GWG was her favorite part of the school day.

  8. If it were me, I'd look for someone else. If it were a temporary situation, eg for the summer, etc, then I'd stick it out. In this case, her coming sounds like something to dread every other day. From what you've described, I think that's just her personality; I would doubt talking to her would change her approach (of course, you can try - you're the better judge of whether it'd be worth it). Though it's not easy to find someone good that is also a terrific match as far as personality goes, there really are excellent specialists out there. Maybe ask your pediatrician? You need someone to help you care for your son, not a supervisor to report to....

    :grouphug:

  9. We love GWG. I go over the "teaching" part of it, and DD does the exercises independently. We have started dabbling in KISS as well, and she's able to apply what she's learned with GWG. Retention appears to be good. I did make it a point to read/highlight the instruction part of it with her. She's really enjoyed it - probably the most of all our resources.

     

    We tried WWW- suffered through level one, but DD hated it, and I felt it was reminiscent of PS writing instruction, if that makes sense.

     

    We've not tried the spelling.

  10. We use Singapore as the core program, and DD works on it daily. She also completes an alternating "extra": Miquon, Singapore Intensive Practice, Singapore Challenging Word Problems. In the fall, she was doing Singapore Extra Practice and a second day if Miquon. This spring we swapped that for Beast Academy at her request.

     

    I don't assign how much to do, only what to do (e.g. SM and CWP, or SM and BA). She works at her own pace, but is steadily moving forward.

     

    Sometimes I've seen she needs reinforcement, and I've looked for the same topic in the "extra".

     

    It took us some time (and trial/error), but we found a plan that works for us!

     

    :)

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