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brendag

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Posts posted by brendag

    Math advice regarding Singapore WB vs IP

    in Accelerated Learner Board

    Posted

    My DH sat down with DS last night to talk about math and when I suggested the possibility of taking out the WB, he said he still wanted to do it, but faster.  I'm starting to think he just wants more variety (and possibly to go deeper??) than what we have for him which is Miquon and Singapore.  I think he's pretty intuitive with math and definitely visual-spatial.  He is slower with the basic stuff like simple addition, but will come up with answers in his head quickly for more complex problems and when I ask him how he came up with the answer he says "I just see a picture in my head mommy."  I have read that this isn't necessarily uncommon with some

     

    Thank you everyone for all of the thoughts/suggestions.  I'm off to research "fun" math supplements to see where that takes us.  :)

    Math advice regarding Singapore WB vs IP

    in Accelerated Learner Board

    Posted

    Thank you Crimson!  You triggered a memory about there being a long thread awhile back about this, but I didn't read it all because I wasn't in that "boat" yet.  :)  Searching for "IP" isn't allowed because it's too short and "Singapore" brings up a LOAD of threads.  I'll see if I can find it searching for "Intensive Practice" as I'd love to read through it.

     

    I wouldn't even dream of it for my DD (his twin) because she is happily going through MM and needs a more step-by-step approach and more repetition, but my DS is just a whole different story with math.

     

     

    Math advice regarding Singapore WB vs IP

    in Accelerated Learner Board

    Posted

    My 6 year old son used to like Singapore and still does...sort of.  We're in 2B.  We also use CWP. He doesn't care for the CWP because he says "They try to trick me." so I know that's good for him because he is one that wants to be able to zoom through everything.  

     

    I started skipping problems because in the wb there was too much repetition for him, even though I'm a bit nervous about him having holes or forgetting.  I need to get over that because he has an excellent memory.  hehe  He's been complaining about math for the last few weeks.  When I asked him why, he said he'd rather play Lego.   :) Last week, I went ahead and brought out Singapore IP, found where it seemed to be in relation to the TB/WB and we did that for a week.  

     

    This morning I brought out the TB/WB and he did it a bit grudgingly.  He then said "Mom, I like doing the Practice one more than the regular one."  When I asked him why he said "They're harder for me to do".  So part of me was  :hurray: , but a bigger part of me is  :confused1:  I have a feeling I've still been going WAY too slow for him for awhile now...just trying not to get down on myself about that.

     

    I don't think I'm comfortable just having him go through the IP.  Has anyone had success going through the TB, IP and CWP...leave out the WB completely or would he be missing something?  I do have Beast waiting in the wings and I think he's going to love that, but I don't want him to continue feeling negative about math in the meantime.  Thoughts?

     

    Brenda

     

     

    First Grade Science?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    We did this program this year and it worked out wonderful...and it's FREE.  They have K-6 completely finished and much of secondary done, although I don't know what we'll be using at that point.  There are a few spelling/grammar errors here and there, but the kids and I all love it.  There might be some things you need to buy like a microscope, but for 1st grade, many things you will probably already have around the house.  It's also very easy to go even deeper if you're kids want to.  Science is done 3 days a week.  Pre Lab, Lab then Post Lab.  The K and 1st grade doesn't take that much time per day though.  

     

    http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/k-6.html

     

    You start at Applied Science and work your way clockwise around the subject wheel (as I like to call it).  So after Applied Science, you would move on to The Universe Cycle then Plate Techtonic Cycle, etc.  

     

    Whatever you choose...enjoy!

     

    Brenda

     

     

    What are your 2nd grade plans?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I have twins both that will be in 2nd.  Here's what I have lined up.  Thankfully I did so much research/planning before 1st and that seemed to pay off...very little planning needed for 2nd.  I thought my head was going to burst last summer!   :D

     

    Daughter:

     

    Math

    Math Mammoth/Singapore CWP/Miquon

     

    Music

    Piano/Voice/Musical Theatre

     

     

    Son:

     

    Math

    Singapore/Singapore CWP/Miquon - probably ready for BA at some point

     

    Music

    Guitar/Musical Theatre

     

     

    Both:

     

    Language Arts

    Jr. Great Books

    WWE2

    Logic of English (finish this up)

     

    History

    SOTW

    Cicero U.S. History

     

    Handwriting

    Peterson Directed Cursive

     

    Science

    MSNucleus

     

    Art

    Home Art Studio

     

    Foreign Language

    French immersion class

     

    Literature:

    What we like from Great Books Academy/Memoria Press reading lists and whatever other books the kids want to read.

     

    P.E.

    Fitness 4 Homeschool

     

     

     

     

     

    Does anyone use 2 math curriculums?

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    I have twins both in what would be considered 1st grade.  One uses Singapore/Singapore CWP/Miquon and the other Math Mammoth/Miquon/Singapore CWP.  They each spend no more than 20-30 minutes a day on math...some days less depending on the lesson.

     

    It's definitely common for people to use more than one in the younger years, but if we were pressed for time, I would still feel comfortable only using Singapore or Math Mammoth alone as they both are great programs in my opinion.  The kids just both love Miquon as an addition.

     

    I say go for it and just see how it works out.  You can always adjust.  :)

     

     

    Does Common Core math = Singapore Math???

    in K-8 Curriculum Board

    Posted

    Remember what I said about that little extra push needed to bring those just-under-proficient-level students up to "proficiency" so that test scores go up?  This is how you do it. The "good" students don't need teaching, the just-under-proficient students need a little extra help, and you put the slow kid in there so they can imitate the others. This way you don't lecture students, because teachers who lecture are bad.  And, this way the students police their own behavior, because they need to work in order to get a grade. "You have to show them through directed teaching and modeling that once the lesson has been taught, the responsibility for learning shifts in total from you to them." This helps with classroom management--a principal who sees a quiet, studious class is a happy principal, regardless of the mechanism.

     

     

    A dear friend of mine (teacher) has been going through this with her gifted son (5th grade).  He gets one hour a week to use a computer math program that goes along at his speed.  He scored perfect on the math portion of the test here in CA.  The other 4 hours of math instruction, he has been grouped with lower performing kids so the teacher can focus on the other kids.  He scored almost perfect on the Language portion of the test. The teacher just has him read what he wants during Language Arts.  It's so sad because he's not being challenged at all.  In fact, now if something doesn't come easily to him, he gives up really fast.  Next year, he may not have access to the math computer program and when she asked about what level he would be taught at, she was told he might just have to sit through lessons on things he already knows...for the whole year.  This is in one of the better districts in CA as well.  

     

    Nothing surprises me after hearing this.  :(

    Steel cut oats in crockpot?

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    We do steel cut oat in a rice cooker. I've never tried it in a crockpot. Do you have a rice cooker? We set it the night before and the oatmeal is perfect in the morning. Easy to clean up too.

     

    Do you just use the white rice setting?  For how long?  I have one that I can program that has options for white, brown, sweet, etc.

     

    Brenda

    having 1st grade issues???

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    Sounds a lot like my ds6 (Sept. bday) who is advanced in many areas.  I'm attributing it to the asynchronous development thing. The writing is what is holding my ds back a bit so I scribe for him in some areas so he doesn't get frustrated.  The part of your post quoted below is pretty much what I've got going on here as well.  I've tried breaks in between each subject, plugging through a couple at a time before a break, etc.  He's also got some intensities that just add to the party.  He asked me the other day why I need to meditate every day.   :tongue_smilie:   I don't really have much advice except to suggest having an extra cup of coffee/tea or whatever you need to try and make the day go better.  If you figure something out, please post!  ;)

     

    "General attitude: pretty much can't sit still and hates even trying to sit still. A typical 10 minutes at a table to do a few pages of math etc usually involves giggling, wiggling, dropped pencils, chewed pencils, scrunched papers, falling out of chair, random noises, interruptions, unrelated doodling, tears, more giggling, scattered c-rods, "are we done yet's?" sliding under tables...I wouldn't be surprised if he started standing on his head. He pretty much holds the rest of us hostage to the interruptions."

     

     

    Brenda

    Science?

    in Accelerated Learner Board

    Posted

    Have you looked at MSNucleus.org?  It's free except for the cost of printing out the guides/workbooks.  Love, love, love this program and so do my kids.  The website looks dated, but the info definitely isn't from what I've seen.  You start at Applied Science and work your way around the topics clockwise.  It reminds me of BFSU, but I'm not a big talker about science.  Now if my husband was teaching it, he could go on and on and answer questions for hours.  Unfortunately he isn't able to teach it regularly enough.  When we went through the MSNucleus materials together, he was sold.  This is not lightweight material, but the presentation is so straightforward and that is what I need.  Science is so much FUN now!!!  I found it after reading a thread in which lewelma talked about it.  I actually gather/buy all the science supplies we will use for the whole year during the summer and only bought like 2 of the kits.   

     

    http://www.msnucleus.org/curriculum/curriculum.html

     

    http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/434309-has-anyone-used-this-science-program/

     

    I'm not affiliated with it in any way...just a truly happy mom relearning science along with my kids.  Good luck with whatever you decide to use!

     

    Brenda

     

    ETA:  My b/g twins are soon to be 6 and I find this a great fit for them.  We do science 3 times a week, but it does not take that long.

     

    The Smartest Kids in the World..anyone read this?

    in General Education Discussion Board

    Posted

    I just got the book for my Kindle.  One thing I do when looking at whether I want to buy a book is also look at the negative reviews to see if there is a reason I might not want to buy.  Well thought out and written reviews, not just the "this was horrible" type as that usually doesn't help anyone decide.  :)  

     

    In looking at one of the reviews on Amazon, someone gave the book 2 stars.  I still decided to get the book, but the person who wrote the review had this in their review:

     

    The statistics are much more concise and much, much better explained with all the nuances in the in the OECD paper. "Viewing Education in the United States Through the Prism of PIsa" 2010; 63 pages.
    (free on the Internet at: http://www.oecd.org/unitedstates/46579895.pdf)

     

    I have not even begun to look at this paper yet, so I can't comment on it, but I love looking at research.  For those waiting for the books from their libraries, maybe this will be an interesting read if you like research.  My inkling is that the book is still worth the read (and easier), but since I just bought it 10 minutes ago, I can't compare.  :)

     

    Brenda

    dd12, car sickness and long car trips....suggestions please

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    I used to get car sick after only 10 minutes in the car. Luckily I outgrew that, although I still can get woozy in the back of a van on a long trip. I don't know about your daughter, but once I got car sick, the feeling lasted all day. No fun! I did do the wrist band on a cruise dh and I took and even during a severe storm and major rocking (I can still get seasick), I didn't actually get sick. Woohoo! I tend to agree with the previous posters who say let her do whatever she needs to do not to get sick. :D It looks like there have been some great ideas for alternatives put out there.

    How often do you feel....(a short series of questions)

    in The Chat Board

    Posted

    So my question is how often you feel behind, overwhelmed, like you're not doing enough in some areas, that you still have a ways to go to get on top of things, etc?

     

    A lot

     

    For those of you who feel that way, what do you think contributes to that feeling? Is your to-do list only X% complete each day? Or is it a mindset or something else?

     

    I have a tendency to be a worrier in general, but I must say that until I had twins at 35, I was feeling pretty "together" most of the time. ;) Being a rather new homeschool family has just added to the feeling of needing to do more, although I'm pretty good at setting boundaries now and that is helping some. I'm still developing my thick skin with regards to homeschooling. As to my to-do list...it is endless, but I do write it all down so that I'm not thinking about EVERY single thing and getting completely overwhelmed by "the details". I think I still have to work on lowering my expectations of myself and that is going to be the real challenge.

     

     

    For those who DON"T feel that way, do you think it is because you are so much more on top of things? Or that you view things differently?

     

    How do other people view you and your running of life (house, children, homeschooling, unforeseen occurrences)? Do you struggle with that view (either direction)?

     

    There are comments made from both sides. I know the intentions of the people making them are not meant negatively and those don't bother me. I have always been non-traditional in a certain sense, so I don't think people are surprised by just about anything I do or don't do, although homeschooling was. I think there are a couple who feel I will "crack under the pressure" at some point, but I tend to be pretty aware of my limitations and will take appropriate measures when I need to like getting my monthly massage started again. :D

     

    Do you think most people are handling life better than you do? If so, do you just justify it (fewer kids, not homeschooling too, no special need, fewer health issues, whatever)? Or do you think there is something wrong with you?

     

    I think it's only natural for many people to keep quiet about those things that they are struggling with. I'm an introvert and don't tend to share a lot of details until I really trust someone. If all I'm ever getting from someone is a rosy picture of their life, I take into account that we probably aren't close enough for them to feel comfortable to talk about the not-so-good that might be going on or past struggles. I hear the good, bad and ugly from most of my family and my close friends and they get that from me. Also, I do not want to be so wrapped in the details that I crash and burn and it feels like the homeschooling journey is having me learn even more about myself and that's ALWAYS considered a good thing in my book! :)

     

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