pgr
-
Posts
581 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by pgr
-
-
We have similar problems. Thing 1 taught himself to read phonetically, and at 7 he's an amazing natural speller. He gets mixed up with words like "chauffeur". Seriously.
Thing 2 is 5yo and reading at what is probably a 3rd/4th grade level at least, but she seems to have learned to read predominantly by sight. Generally she'll make a stab at new words, but she has a hard time sounding things out. Spelling is also a problem. (Well, not really a "problem" -- I mean, she's only 5!) The biggest problem we've had, though, is that we homeschool through a cyber charter school and we take online standardized tests. Because the K tests for reading are based solely on kids' understanding of phonics and are mostly auditory (after all, they're not supposed to be able to ready yet!), she doesn't score well. She's just about average for her age, test-wise. To see her test scores, you would assume that she's struggling with pronouncing words!
I know that you're in a different place, because you're probably finishing first grade while we've not yet started it, but here are some of the things I'm doing for what I'm jokingly calling "remedial phonics." My daughter thought it was babyish at first, but I was able to hide behind the mantle of the school tests and convince her that sometimes we just have to appease others. (You will have to come up with another excuse!)
Over the last few months, we've used phonics sliders, which give a good sense of how/why words rhyme, and I make her deliberately sound out each sound before we say the word. (Reading "cat" was no trouble, but I was amazed by how much trouble she had separating the three sounds.)
We also do exercises where I say the word and she has to break it into its individual sounds. This is trickier for her, because she's very visual. In total, we do probably less than 20 minutes of phonics a week, so it's obviously not something we're doing lessons about, but it's enough to make a change.
Any time she asks me to spell a word, I sound out each letter and ask her what letter makes the sound (assuming that the letters/sounds make sense -- if it's a sound like /er/ I'll say, "The /er/ sound in this word is spelled...")
Our local dollar store also carries basic phonics wall posters/charts that can be useful for hints. ("It's like the /o/ in octopus.")
I know that none of these are curricula, but I'm finding that she's growing by leaps and bounds in just the past few months. I have a hunch that kids who are already self-taught readers just need to get to the point where the the visual and the audible "click," and I think we're making it. A good spelling curriculum should help with the patterns in words and all the rest, but I don't have one to recommend yet.
My only other recommendations are exposure to really good phonics entertainment, if you're not opposed to it. Starfall is fantastic, and even my oldest still enjoys it. It's free, and although they now have an expanded pay site (which we are enjoying), the pay site doesn't add much for phonics. Don't feel compelled to use it. Your daughter would probably enjoy/benefit from level 2 -- Learn to Read. Phonetically, it's probably what she needs, and it's silly enough that she'll enjoy it even though the reading and stories are below her level.
I also love the PBS show Between the Lions, if it's available in your area. (If you've never seen it before, you can see clips at http://skylinktest.com/btl.htm; it's about a lion family who runs a library.) Our library also carries the videos of the show. I don't know if you're amenable to TV shows, but each show stresses different phonetic sounds, and it is perfect for her age -- not babyish, not too grown up. The new Electric Company show is also strong on phonics, but some of the skits/kids are rude enough that I've banned that show from our house. ;)
I realize that this isn't a curriculum, but the reinforcement is still there.
Good luck!
--Pamela
Out of curiosity, what was your approach with your son? Did you go through phonics (I'm assuming probably not) or spelling with him?
-
:lurk5:
I've been very curious about this as well - though it does seem like quite a bit of money...(especially over all the HS'ing years with multiple kiddos).
-
This is exactly the problem I'm having - these all look good!
:lol:
Thank you for sharing - this helps narrow it down a little!
-
Do you have a favorite dictionary for the elementary ages? I'm looking for something with substance, not just cute and kiddie; something age appropriate that's also a real reference book they can use. I've looked at various reviews on Amazon - I'm wondering if anyone here can weigh in.:)
-
I have no BTDT experience, but you can read about what is on the CAT-E here:
Thank you very much!
-
I used to feel like that, too. I totally understand. What helped the whole thing click for me was to go to the scheduling pages and not only read them, but print them out. I saw how it was accomplished every day (you eat the elephant in small bites :D)
Also, the book WHEN CHILDREN LOVE TO LEARN helped a lot.
Ooo... good idea - thanks for sharing this!
:)
-
anyone?
:o
-
Satori, I want to live with you.
:iagree:
-
I don't know the answer to this, but maybe someone else will - is Math On the Level something that would be along those lines?
It may be more "life based" curricululm than ideas to incorporate math into real life, I'm not sure. It's something I've heard/read about but not used myself.
-
:lurk5:
:bigear:
-
We'll be moving to PA, which requires standardized testing in LA and math in certain grades (3, 5, 8).
I know there are many tests to choose from, so it probably may vary somewhat.
Can anyone share from their experience - do they test grammar (and/or spelling) rules or, rather, correct rule application?
-
:grouphug:
How exciting! Most major changes in life or plans for life can be bittersweet, I think (we'll be following in your footsteps this fall; I'm over the moon excited and totally scared :D). Enjoy time with your sweet boy!
-
I'm just barely starting down the homeschooling road, so I'm not an expert in this area by any stretch of the imagination - our 5 1/2 yr. old is in K half day and will be at home starting this fall. I have been working with her "part-time" all year, though, and I have noticed some trends.
I'm sure every child is different, just by being an individual person. Things that I've noticed that make things go more smoothly -
- she is a sensitive child that needs a certain number of hours of sleep. If shes sleeps even 30 min less, she's much less able to control her behavior (this part she gets from me ;) )
- I agree with the person who said that a lot of it has been helping her find acceptable ways to deal with/express intense emotions, rather than addressing whether she *should* be feeling those emotions (or with that intensity)
- I have to stay calm myself (emphasis on TRY) if I expect her to try to be calm
- I have been trying to listen to her cues, and take a break or switch to something else when her circuits are close to being overloaded (easier to do, obviously, with a kindergartener than it will be with an older child - I don't really have to get through any material)
- it's helped me to remind myself that, even though she's a very bright kid, and very intelligent, she's still only 5 (i.e. I need to make sure I'm expecting developmentally appropriate behavior/control)
- I talk to her about expectations when she's calm, and remind/reinforce when she's not
- consistency (ha! Easier said than done...)
I'm afraid I'm not much help as far as the learning aspect goes - I've just tried to apply what has worked in other spheres of life to her learning as well. I will also say that a year has made a lot of difference. She was an angel during the "terrible twos", then turned into a "threenager", was very intense at 3 1/2 - 4, and now, at 5 1/2 has really grown emotionally as far as learning to act more appropriately.
Regardless - you're not alone, hang in there!
-
-
The very strange thing about all this is that I am, in general, a rather quiet, tactful and non-confrontational person.
I have been learning to spin (yarn), and recently posted a few questions on a spinning forum. I was very surprised to get a bunch of responses saying "well, with your initials, one would expect...." :001_huh:
Now this.
I guess I have me some *special* initials!
(Off to go look for a goatee :D)
And sorry for the inadvertent mini-hijack of this post!
-
There is a poster pqr who IMO, would NEVER have agreed with that statement.
When you read your name quickly, it looks like pqr.
Thank you for clarifying - I was starting to feel a little weird...:)
-
Wow! I think this makes some really uncharitable assumptions.
IMO, a SOF is not intended to outline what one thinks all Christians should be, think, believe and do. It's just a way of saying, "We are a group who does believe this." It doesn't mean we think you should believe this; just that we do and this is the identity of this group.
In no way is a SOF (generally speaking) a way of saying you are not a good enough Christian and I think the assumption that it is is "icky.";)
You have a valid point here. I still hate the fact that, in *many* cases, a SOF ends up being a point of exclusion rather than inclusion...
-
I think the earth just shifted a bit.
pgr, welcome to the boards.
OK, I'm obviously missing something here.....:confused:
-
It's disconcerting when it is so-called Christians writing a SOF that delineates what they think all Christians should be, think, believe and do.
In practice and actuality, the understanding of scripture of a "Christian" is much wider and broader than many people inclined to insist on a SOF are likely to accept.
So, when a SOF is involved, it is like being told: you are not a "good enough" Christian. To a person who self identifies as Christian, that is exclusionary, personal and icky.
:iagree:
-
OK, I can't get my message to "multi-quote", but all you PR followers really must be pushing something....:blink: (what? There's no "suspicious" smiley...)
:lol:
OK, OK, I'll go look at it!
In all seriousness, Is PR DVD based or am I misunderstanding something?
Boscopup - I'll also look at R&S - thank you for that thought; we're also Christian, but good to know what the curriculum is all about ahead of time!
:grouphug: to you all!
-
Thank you for the welcome!
Embarking on this journey is scary enough without the worry of whether I'll do it well enough according to some standards the state puts forward. *Sigh*...why don't they have to be accountable to the parents if a child is in school?
I agree that it's nuts they just want a list of the books - though I'm grateful they don't want minutes spent on each resource. Do they want page numbers also or just names of books? :confused: Nuts.
Thank you for the reassurance as well - I'm very thankful I have a year or so for a dress rehearsal! :D
-
We're currently in NY, but moving to Pittsburgh this summer.
This fall will be our first year HS'ing our eldest, who will be in first grade.
Looking at the PA laws - yikes! Of course, NY laws are rather scary as well...
As far as I understand, we don't have to report until she's 8. Regardless, I'm more worried about finding curricula that will have her up to speed when it comes times to test than I would be living in a relaxed state.
It would be great to hear from others!
:D
-
Thank you all for the continuing insight! :)
It's also so nice to meet others at the same stage of the game - I appreciate that you've shared your own plans for first grade; it gives me great perspective!
I guess now that I'm not needing to shop for cloth diapers or baby carriers, it's time to have a curriculum obsession! :lol:
Oh, SOOOOOO true!!!! :lol: (and now I'm definitely feeling reassured! :D)
History/Geography:Combined at this stage. Planning to use as a spine the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History, lots of living library books, and see how we go.
Also BBC history website.
I really love the WTM theory using the 4 year cycle, I'm just not in love with any of the curriculum...
Have you looked at "All Through the Ages" by Christine Miller? It's a list of books, arranged by time period, student age, etc. All Through the Ages
I had the same issue, and ended up deciding to use this as a resource, along with "A Child's History of the World" by Hillyer A Childs History of the World and the Usborne books.
I also absolutely agree with what you said about real life learning and enjoying the journey - those are two of the main reasons I want to homeschool in the first place!!!
:)
-
Thank you for all the replies!
Our DD will be starting first grade in the fall, however, I am looking at all our options spanning all the early elementary/grammar years. That doesn't mean I plan to implement it all in first grade. I'd love to avoid jumping from curriculum to curriculum as the years pass, though it's understandable that that's not always avoidable.
She is an advanced reader, but I understand that that does not at all mean that she's ready for more complex *thought* processes as well. (That was my main hesitation about the HOD lit analysis, even though there is a package labeled for the early elementary years).
I would love to use an AIO package, I just can't seem to find one that would be a good (albeit theoretical) fit for our family. I may just have to pick something to start with and go from there, reevaluating as we go forward.
Thank you!
:D
Is there anyone who found PR didn't work for them?
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
Inspired by a current thread asking the same question about MM... and feeling sucked into all the PR hoopla I've been seeing lately ;)
... I have to ask - is there anyone who hasn't found PR to be a good fit? I think I saw one person comment that they found something that worked better. Is that it? Is everyone else in love?
I'm very PR curious - there are several things holding me back. One is that watching the DVD's is going to be a serious problem - our TV is very near our children's bedrooms, and they are incredibly light sleepers. I can't see getting it done during their waking hours. And we have a new baby due soon, so time will be an even greater commodity. Like many have mentioned, I, too, do much better with paper instructions...
Also, I've found LA programs I like and have looked into using at different stages of the elementary education (no, not all at once in first grade, and not all of them - I'm just choosing from this list!:D): CQLA, thinking about AAS, I'm reading through the textbook of WWE, CW, JAG.
Finally, I obviously can't know until I actually try it, but my DD seems like she does better with patterns and thinking things through, rather than memorizing a bunch of rules - correct me if I'm wrong, but I've gotten the impression that PR is more rule based?
After all that - my main question remains the same: I'm curious to hear from those that didn't find PR to be a good fit, and why it didn't work (and what did!).
Thank you!
:)