WIS0320
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Everything posted by WIS0320
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Annual testing: for better or worse, who will share results?
WIS0320 replied to IfIOnly's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
We use the TerraNova and I get it from Brewer Testing. We tested in early April - K. 2nd and 5th grades and my kids did beautifully even though we have not yet completed our school year. -
Does anyone know what the sale dates are for 2016? TIA!
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Logic of English vs. Phonics Road for beginner reader
WIS0320 replied to arendadee's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I am a longtime Phonics Road fan. I've used it with three children so far. My youngest child is my earliest to show interest in reading. I do not begin until my children actually seem not only interested but capable of mastery. There is no use if it will only lead to frustration. I use the first 5 weeks of PR1 in either K or first grade, gentle repetition for an entire school year. I've found most first graders are not ready to write the amount that PR1 requires. Reading, handwriting, grammar, creative writing and spelling are all very different brain tasks for young learners. There are benefits to combining them all BUT with very young children I think it is wise to focus on just reading acquisition at first. The underlying foundation of Phonics Road and the DVDs to teach a parent *how* to teach reading and spelling so a firm foundation is in place is invaluable. But looking at Level 1 as "I must complete Week 1 in 5-7 days" is faulty. You can use the program and tweak the time table depending on the student's age and ability. I think PR1 in second grade is the sweet spot after being drilled in the phonograms and Rule Tunes for a year or two. I supplement with Explode the Code and Memoria Press copywork books for my K/1 kids until they are ready for more. -
Phonics Road - it is teacher intensive and takes a lot of time to implement each day BUT it works. It is a full language arts program, not just spelling. It is one of the Spalding/OG program spin offs out there. It taught me how to teach my kids to read, write and spell and that has been invaluable for our family.
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I think slow and steady wins the race. My rising 5th grader will use PR 3 next year. My rising second grader will finish PR 1 - we did about half in first grade as his attention and retention of the material allowed. I do think for middle school I'd add in a writing program in addition to PR3.
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We are using 4A right now with my 4th grader. She does 2 pages per day unless they are "light" on problems. Then she'll do three. My 1st grader just started 2A. He also usually works 2 pages per day, sometime a little less as he's young and working ahead of grade level. I assign the entire curriculum. We do not skip problems. I've found the repetition works well for retention.
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We are covering the Renaissance and Reformation/Exploration and very early American history next year (4th and 1st graders). I would love to incorporate some American poets into our L/A mix but I am stumped on what to do because I have never really studied poetry myself! I am hesitant to always tie everything we do to history (literature, poetry, hands on stuff, etc.) as it is easy to do as a homeschooler. But I know there are some great writers and poets that would fit seamlessly into our history studies. I would like to study poetry with my 4th grader at the least next year but I'm wondering how a homeschooler goes about cultivating a love of poetry and good literature without making it part of "school work" or tied into something else, so it is simply viewed as an add on. I'm probably asking something that has an obvious answer but I feel a bit unqualified to figure this out on my own. I don't know how to teach poetry because I know almost nothing about it. I have looked at the Memoria Press Grammar Stage poetry curriculum and it looks fine but I think it seems like it would make poetry… tedious instead of interesting or exciting? I feel like our homeschool has devolved into something always having to have a point or a reason or an end scholastic goal that needs to be achieved in mind. I'd like poetry, art and literature to stay out of that somehow but I already feel strapped for time. I don't feel capable with making it be a seamless part of our day but I'd like it to be. Does that make sense? Help!
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What was your biggest curriculum mistake?
WIS0320 replied to Queserasera's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
K12 Music (first grade). Oh my. -
Has anyone enrolled their child in the weekly online Socratic discussions offered by Angelicum? Could you share your experience please? http://angelicum.net/curriculum/3570-2/
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Angelicum also has book lists for each grade. http://angelicum.net/curriculum-2/fourth-grade/
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I'm curious if anyone has used the teacher manuals for MIF through Calvert? I'm leading towards using Math Mammoth next year but I'd like to know better what kind of teacher helps Calvert provides for teaching conceptual math before I make my decision. Also, is the Discoveries in Art program worth the $285? It sounds a little like Atelier which I've used in the past. It has a steep price tag and I have a local art class option that we are already liking that only costs a bit more so I'm not sure taking on art at home is worth saving only a little money if the program isn't really excellent and worth doing. I'm also curious about Discoveries in Reading. It sounds a little more formal that I'd prefer. Thanks in advance!
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The Door In the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
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And....a 4th grade thread! Come on, people, join in!
WIS0320 replied to Halcyon's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
July Update - wow plans change! Math Mammoth Grade 4 Climbing To Good English 4 CAP Narrative CAP Rhetoric and Reasoning McRuffy Spelling 4 McRuffy Cursive A Living History of the World (Medieval/Renaissance) with added historical lit supplements HItW Middle Ages, Renaissance and Explorers CD projects (selected) Elemental Science Chem Grammar Road Trip USA (Confessions of a Homeschooler) -
Learning Adventures - I Can't Believe It Isn't More Popular!
WIS0320 replied to WIS0320's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I would say it is included in a thoughtful way that brings studying the Bible and Christianity into context but it would also be fairly easy to omit it if you are wanting to use the curriculum secularly. -
Learning Adventures - I Can't Believe It Isn't More Popular!
WIS0320 replied to WIS0320's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
It is written for 4th - 8th graders. There is a younger learners guide for K-3 but I think with careful tweaking a 3rd grader who is writing and reading well would be able to handle it as written. -
I found a used copy of the first volume for a great price, so I bought it. It is amazing. It is the most comprehensive, well-planned curriculum I've seen. This isn't "new curriculum goggles" talking, as I'm not even using it. I've literally paged through the entire first volume as my bedtime reading for the last week and I cannot believe the time and attention that went in to writing this curriculum - and it is so inexpensive! I have never found a single person who has used this curriculum in real life and it is almost impossible to find anyone online currently using it. Reviews and blog posts about it are a couple years old. Have any of you ever looked at it? Has anyone tried it? From my thorough review of it over the last week, I can't really find much wrong with it. If one wanted to make it more rigorous it would be very easy to add in extra grammar or science, etc. based on the lessons. http://learning-adventures.org
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There is a Mary Poppins lit study/lapbook on Currclick: http://www.currclick.com/product/66023/World-Study-Guide-Literature-Series---Mary-Poppins We also used the Amanda Bennett Passport: UK unit study which my daughter enjoyed: http://www.unitstudy.com/Study%20Samples/Passport-UK-Explorer-Sample.pdf
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4th Grade Language Arts recommendations please
WIS0320 replied to StephTX's topic in K-8 Curriculum Board
I'm planning for 4th grade and here's what we're going to use: Rod and Staff English 4 (grammar) Rod and Staff Spelling 4 Evan Moor Daily Language Review 4 (very short daily grammar practice) Evan Moor Daily 6 Trait Writing 4 (very short daily writing skill practice) Classical Academic Press Writing and Rhetoric: Narrative (writing skills) Queen's Pictures In Cursive 6 Moving Beyond the Page L/A units that will sync with our history studies -
Has anyone used MBtP just for their science units? Any feedback or reviews? Thanks!
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I agree. There are definitely ways to prepare ahead of time to create your own "boxed curriculum" feel while choosing your own curriculum and resources. I discovered filing for our school year on these forums 2 years ago and it has helped me so much and addresses the time management issues for both my children AND me. We know we have to complete what it is in our weekly folder before the end of the week. I don't plan pacing for math, but everything else I will use for the year either has a notecard indicating what we need to do that week, a printed schedule, worksheets are printed ahead of time, project pieces are cut out and ready to go ahead of time, etc. It all gets filed. It really is "open and go" and we really have a good daily and weekly schedule in place. It takes me about a month in the summer to get set up for the following school year but it is time very well spent. You don't have to buy a box to set pacing and get organized! :001_smile:
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Planning for 4th grade US history (exploration - 1900) next year and I want a great field trip monthly from Sept. through May. I live on the outskirts of NoVA and I'm thrilled to be so close to all the action. Here's what I have on the agenda so far: Native American National Museum Colonial Williamsburg (2-3 days) Mount Vernon Sully Plantation National Archives National Museum of Am. History (First Lady dress exhibit, Star-Spangled Banner Exhibit, etc.). Any other great ideas? My younger children will be grade 1 and PreK and YES - they affect the type and length of daily field trip that is reasonable for all of us to undertake.
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I have looked at the Learning Adventures Volumes 1-3 so many times and I have no idea what has held me back from trying them as they look educational and FUN! I have used a more textbook, formal schooling approach for K- 3rd and my 8 year old doesn't like our school time or learning. We need a change next year! Has anyone used this? I can't seem to find many reviews. http://www.learning-adventures.org/Volume_Two/volume_two.html
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Have you seen trouser style jeans anywhere recently?
WIS0320 replied to Shellydon's topic in The Chat Board
Lee jeans has trouser style and they are affordable at $28! http://www.lee.com/store/LEE_STORE_US/en_US/product/women/jeans/platinum-label-comfort-fit-angel-barely-boot-jean.html?cm_mmc=PJX-_-43737-_-affiliate-_-8-9569&utm_source=43737&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8-9569