trailofsparks
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Posts posted by trailofsparks
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Veggie fajita burrito in a bowl - black beans, guacamole, hot sauce and all the rest of the fixins. Wish I could have one right now!
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Diana Waring's Reaping the Harvest - lots of humility with personal failures and successes, humorous too!
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For those of you who are suffering due to unemployment: A friend of my dh's was unemployed for a while. He found the organization and position where he wanted to gain employment, then he did a few creative things to catch their attention. When they said he was overqualified, he submitted this Harvard Business Review article to them. From there, within a total of 3-4 interviews, he also negotiated a higher pay for himself. He starts his new job next week.
http://blogs.hbr.org/hmu/2011/03/should-you-hire-an-overqualifi.html
When I heard this, I thought of you all b/c I had read a thread someone started about this. I tried to find the thread, but gave up after a few minutes. I hope this can inspire or help someone.
And I just realized I posted this originally to the K-8 forum - sorry for the crosspost.
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For those of you who are suffering due to unemployment: A friend of my dh's was unemployed for a while. He found the organization and position where he wanted to gain employment, then he did a few creative things to catch their attention. When they said he was overqualified, he submitted this Harvard Business Review article to them. From there, within a total of 3-4 interviews, he also negotiated a higher pay for himself. He starts his new job next week.
http://blogs.hbr.org/hmu/2011/03/should-you-hire-an-overqualifi.html
When I heard this, I thought of you all b/c I had read a thread someone started about this. I tried to find the thread, but gave up after a few minutes. I hope this can inspire or help someone.
Just realized I started this thread in the wrong place! Sorry - crosspost in General now.
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My oldest used IEW from 4th-7th grade, and by late 7th grade, he will really irritated at having to use a certain number of dress-ups per paragraph and he was complaining about having to do a keyword outline because he felt like he could order things in his head and start writing. When I saw the results of letting him work out his own, I knew that it was time to let him stray from the IEW way of writing, which can indeed seem artificial at times.
I really haven't used one source. I've assigned various chapters from Warriner's here and there, and I plan to put him through IEW's Elegant Essay, although that is a high school book. Teaching the Classics has some good material too. Basically once they have structure-and-mechanics , you want to hone their ability to build an argument. I would ask over and over when reading his work, "Do you have enough detail? How can you prove this? What else do you need to say?"
Boy, does this sound familiar. My ds has mechanics and dress-ups down, does not like to use the ouline format any more (though I have him use it for research type papers to avoid plagiarism), etc.
Thanks - I'll have to look into Warriner's and keep Elegant Essay in mind. I have TtC - pulled it off the shelf. Do you just analyze the literature together and try to apply it to your ds's writing style? Thanks!
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Thanks, Aubrey and 1Togo. A question for you: How does BW (WJ) get a student to write what is in their head or to communicate their interests, etc. Do they use a format? a starter of some sort? Teach them to outline or brainstorm?
Does WJ teach how to write persuasive, research, informative, etc papers?
Thank you. I still can't get my brain around this program. I probably haven't asked the best questions for clarification. Did I already say we've been using IEW - and I'm trying to find a next step? That may have been another thread (which flopped) LOL
Thank you,
Cheryl
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What can you tell me about it that I would not find on Brave Writer's website?
Is it good for dialectic/logic stage learners? What is the emphasis - is it structure and mechanics? Creativity? Rewriting? Can you tell me about the writing process?
I know I'm being vague, but basically tell me anything and it will be more than I know.
TIA,
Cheryl
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but remember that it is all about structure and mechanics at this stage. Developing solid expression and individual style will come later if you keep at it.
GVA, may I ask you a question? My ds12 has used two IEW them-based books (pretty well finsihed both of them). I am very impressed with his writing improvements (from reluctant to confident).
You say it's all about structure and mechanics at first - yes, I agree. Are you saying if we continue to use IEW, he will develop expression and individual style? Have you seen this in your students, I guess? Can you say why this happens? It isn't intuitive to me. I have been thinking we may want to move on from IEW now that he has structure and mechanics down so well, so he can grow in self-expression and creativity. Are there other IEW aids that I might consider to help us along?
Thanks for any input.
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Ds has gone through testing (HFA, SPD, SID and many other issues) and found out his Verbal IQ is MUCH MUCH higher than his Non Verbal IQ. Not only is his VIQ much higher but his NVIQ is that of a 2-3 year old (he is 6.5) I am cross posting this in the special needs board but I am asking here as well. I am planning on SOTW audio as well as reading the sections to him (he needs repetition) but what else? I have the MUS skip counting CD but that is it. Any and all suggestions very welcomed. :001_smile:
Oops sorry thought this was the K-8 board- I didn't pay attention :blush: Guess I am cross posting on that board as well :blush:
I'm not experienced enough here on the WTM boards to know whether I should post to your cross post! Guess I'll find out.
Sounds like memory work would be good for your ds. So often we tend to want to focus on weaknesses, but should build on strengths. Have you considered Classical Conversations (Foundations program) memory work? You can do this at home in short lessons each day.
After he listend to audio, you could have him narrate back to you - retell in his own words what he recalls. Also, copy work of good literature would be good in the grammar stage. You can use the same literature to do all this - worthwhile repetition.
HTH
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If you use the Form series, understand there is no significant translation work. I have used First and Second Form with my younger children as well as Henle and Wheelock with my oldest daughter. To truly learn this language (any language) there must be substantial translation work involved. Of course, there are great books out there for this purpose also along with Roman history supplements, many of which I have used with my children with great success. The sources are endless, the ultimate questions being how much you want to invest and what your goals are.
Thanks for weighing in here. I know so little about Latin that I wouldn't have known translation is so key. It makes sense though. I think I'm ready to purchase FF w/DVDs so even my youngers will learn something by osmosis :D plus we don't use much in the way of media. I'll also go ahead and get Henle I - to use some of that for translation.
Would you recommend a different, perhaps more fun or interesting to my ds (likes history, mythology, humor)? Or just stick w/Henle I. I understand there's a lot of history/culture packed in - one reason I am drawn to it for ds.
Thank you!
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First Form will probably be fine.
If you want to be more efficient, you could start Henle I along with your ds. It's nothing to be afraid of, honestly!!! If it makes you nervous, you could both do GSWL first, which is a fantastic, easy/gentle, and very brief, introduction to Latin. That's what my dd10 did, and it really, really helped (we did most of the exercises orally). She started Henle a few months ago, and we're getting through it slowly. I'm loosely following a syllabus from MODG. If you did GSWL first, it would take all of two months, tops. But seriously, once you get started with Henle, it's NOT scary.
I've been intrigued by FF, but I've read that there isn't much translation. I like lots and lots of translation, ASAP. I don't see any reason to shy away from it - I think that is how dd and I learn best, by using it. I guess one could do FF and add translation from Henle - I hadn't thought of that before we started Henle.
Also, I believe that even adding in the grammar book, an answer key and syllabi, Henle's still cheaper ;)
Thank you for weighing in here. I actually like the idea of adding in translation from Henle. That is a GREAT idea. Dh told me days ago "just buy both - you'll use them both eventually anyway". LOL but what does he know?? :D
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As far as the bridge from SF to Henle, I have looked at the bridge lessons from SF to Henle, but I think we'll do just as well on our own, just doing the things he needs review on and moving on. He was so well prepared by FF & SF, he doesn't need a lot of review. We will mostly just hit the couple of things that he didn't get in the first 5 units, then on to Unit 6.
My goal for him is to finish Henle I next year if possible and then move on to start Henle II sometime in 8th grade. I would like for him to get through all 4 years of Henle and take some kind of subject tests in Latin -- I haven't researched this so I don't know if that would be the national Latin exam or AP tests or SAT subject tests or what.
But if you spent 7th and 8th grade on FF/SF, you could move through the rest of Henle I in 9th grade (that is what it was originally intended for anyway), and do a year of Henle each year of school and finish his senior year, if you want to go that far. I had looked at Henle before starting FF and was very intimidated. But now, having taught FF & SF, I have learned enough to where Henle doesn't seem so hard anymore!
Thank you so much for your time and encouragement. Yes, Henle seems a little intense. When I spoke with a rep at MP, she said she "doesn't know too many families who finish all (4?) years of Henle - that's a lot of translation". So, I sort of relaxed after that. It seems no matter which one I choose, we'll be fine for finishing Henle I and II, plus a year or even two of translation, which should do the job of making him (us!) proficient users of Latin. Again, many thanks.
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. A lot of it seems to be the mechanical act of writing, whether with a pen, pencil, or typing, seems to wear out her hands very fast. But even if I have her dictate to me and I write down the words, we end up with very mechanical pieces - which confuses me because she is very creative in ordinary conversation and playing with friends!
So, will IEW help? If so, where do we start - I've been to the website and just got CONFUSED. Can we use IEW with our current grammar program (Saxon Grammar, which I am NOT switching from because it makes sense to her and she is LEARNING it for the first time ever!)? We are a secular family - is IEW very religious?
Thanks for any help!
IEW is great at teaching organization of a paragraph: topic sentence, body, and clincher sentence, using parts of speech to enhance stylistic technique. Rewriting (to avoid plagiarism) is a great skill taught here. After reading the text source (yours from a literature book, or short piece from IEW), students learn to outline from memory, using key words. Then they take those key words which trigger their memory a bit - but not enough to plagiarize - and rewrite truly wonderful paragraphs.
We did this in a co-op, and each student did a great job, using the same text, though created very different papers from each other. Students can add any prior knowledge they may have, or experiences, or use other resources to make their point - maybe a famous quote can be thrown in there. IEW teaches all of this and more. Truly is a great program! HTH.
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Is her dc looking forward to homeschooling or is she coming out kickin and screamin? I know you asked for curricula, but to me homeschooling is all about relationships. It would seem that if they spent time together, doing educational activities (maybe nature walks and nature journal for science) among other "loose" but worthwhile educational pursuits, they would get a feel for their teaching style vs. learning style and build on. Getting a successful start. . . .
Math is important, though, and I can't help you with that, sorry. I use RightStart but starting that in 6th grade might be tough. Although, maybe it would be good to look into. The homeschool version is listed by Levels and starting with the Transitions book and going to level C or D might just be a great idea, come to think of it. It is a very strong program conceptually, uses an abacus rather than loose manipulatives (which might offend a 6th grader), and other tools. HTH
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That's wonderful! Thanks for posting. Do all that you can do to keep THIS fire alive!!! (Smilling) Congrats!:hurray:
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I am planning on using the DVDs for First Form and I'd really like to do the subject with her (and learn more Latin myself).
So with both subjects I'm looking at adding a good 1-1.5 hours a day of work it sounds like.
Not sure about the time factor for FF. As for IEW, you also have the TWSS (teacher book), right? I would recommend teaching yourself the first few lessons before starting with your dd. I just think it would go smoother if you familiarize yourself with it first - and maybe you already have/are planning to do this.
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If you aren't comfortable with just starting in Henle (there are syllabi available from various sources to plan it out for you), I would recommend First Form. He should be able to get through FF in a year without a lot of trouble, and it is easy to teach if you are learning along with him (that's what I did). My oldest did FF last year and Second Form this year (he is 12 now) and he is moving into Henle in a couple of months (Third Form won't be ready until fall so we decided to go ahead and move to Henle). I think the Forms series (well, the two that are out so far) are great. If Third Form was already out, we'd be using it. But I figured if we have to use Henle for a couple of months as a gap, we might as well move into it now.
Thank you, AmericanMom! I just spoke with MP about First Form vs. Henle as starting points. The rep advised me, since I have no Latin background, to start at First Form. I was a little panicked about this b/c I feel I am getting a late start on Latin, but she said most families she knows do not get through all of Henle - the translation books. She also said she has a transition guide that bridges the gap from Second Form to Henle. Are you using that? May I ask what your goal is for your ds? How far will he go w/Henle?
Thanks so much for your input. Glad to hear about your experience w/FF and Henle.
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I'm thinking of using First Form, too. Did you know they have a DVD teaching the lessons? Are you planning to use that?
I have used IEW. Yes, it's teacher intensive the first year, I would say. Will you be using their theme-based books or will you use your own literature? What are your goals for your dd? Do you want her to finish a paper per week, bi-weekly, or ? If you want her to produce a paper per week, you could spend 45 min to an hour per day (4x per week) to accomplish this.
We did IEW this way (paper per week, theme-based book) in a co-op and spent an hour per day 3-4x per week. The pace was faster than I liked, but certainly doable. Didn't have to pull any teeth :D
Personally, I would rather spend 30 min per day and produce a paper every 2 weeks. This is what we're planning for next school year - more relaxed. Since your dd enjoys writing, this shouldn't be a problem. And stopping an IEW lesson in the middle (if you're going by the clock) is fine, as long as your dd is OK with it. My ds12 enjoys writing as well, and had no problem putting away the IEW and picking it up again.
Hope I didn't ramble too much and this was somewhat helpful,
Cheryl
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Ds12 has used IEW w/success for 2 yrs. He has become a very good writer when he has the IEW format to follow. When he is rewriting a paper or doing a research paper, he comes across as a strong writer. But, recently he had to write an introductory speech about himself, and it just wasn't creative. He has a hard time thinking outside the box of just giving the reader "information", rather than combining that info in a creative, fun-to-listen-to way. I feel he needs something more - something to come along and open him up and help him to express himself through his writing.
Do you think I am asking too much at this age? He is definitely dialectic (logic stage) in a lot of areas at this point.
Are there any other programs you would recommend me looking at? Do you think I should stick with IEW a while longer, then plan to switch - why and to what?
Thank you so much! I feel like entering 7th grade is a colossal event - it's racking me a bit. I appreciate the help.
TIA,
Cheryl
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Hello,
I'd appreciate any input here. My ds12 will be in 7th grade in a couple months, when we start our new school year.
I'm regretting that I didn't have my ds begin Latin sooner, but maybe it's not such a bad starting point. A little background: he memorizes easily (nearly photographic memory), is strong in lang arts, has enjoyed the little bit of Latin he has memorized, wants to learn foreign languages.
My concerns are: I don't want to start him in a program that is a time-waster for him - or one that we will have to "move quickly through". I would rather start him in a program that is more challenging and take it slower, iykwim. I don't want to waste time or money. My goal is to have him proficient in Latin and make it through Henle I & II, and probably III (or some other work in translation) by end of high school.
I have NO Latin background, so I won't be much help to him. I don't want to do online classes for this subject. I do want to learn latin myself, but will opt to do that with my younger dc, who I am starting next year as well :D
Thank you for any input. Please ask me questions if you think I should be open to other curricula, and please state why.
Thanks so much,
Cheryl
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the 2011 Honda Pilot is WONDERFUL. Everyone loves my car when they get inside it! We almost spent 57k on a Suburban, and I'm SO GLAD it didn't work out. The 2011 has a lot more space. I brought my 6'3 son to test out the middle seat before we purchased it. I've had it almost a year now and I absolutely LOVE it.
Here's a 2nd for Honda Pilot - just the right size for 8. Ours is '07 and very reliable!
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A few books I have (given to me by very successful friend) . . .
Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought)
Kathleen Krull
The Sky's the Limit: Stories of Discovery by Women and Girls
Catherine Thimmesh
Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women Catherine Thimmesh
33 Things Every Girl Should Know about Women's History: From Suffragettes to Skirt Lengths to the E.R.A.
edited by Tonya Bolden
Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evolving) Story of Women in Politics
Catherine Thimmesh
Women Warriors: Myths and Legends of Heroic Women
Marianna Mayer
Thank you, Tiffnkids. I appreciate it. The titles look interesting! Thanks for taking the time to post this.
Cheryl
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Thank you! :) Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder. He can't eat wheat, oats, barley, or rye.
It is a royal pain but possible for a civilian to follow this diet, but the military can't handle such an intricate special diet, especially on the field somewhere.
So he tries to focus on what he can do instead of what he can't do. I am proud of him for that! ;)
Yes, I recognized it when I googled. You ds has the right idea with that kind of attitude. Lots to be proud of :)
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Back 60 years ago or so, cake mixes were rather expensive, and my mother didn't allow my sister to use them. She decided that she would bake a cake while the folks were out and PROVE she could do a good job, and therefore get to do it again.
The cake failed. It didn't rise, and my sister buried the evidence under a spirea bush. A year later the thing died, and my father dug it up. When he found the cake, he thought it was Indian bread left by a squaw 50 or more years ago (this was in the Flint Hills in Kansas). He drove it down to the University and left it with a puzzled professor in the archeology department, for testing. Once home, my sister confessed what it was, and my father sheepishly drove back and retrieved the cake.
:lol: Yup, you win! This takes the cake :D
My son was injured! Prayers and Legal advice.
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
I'm so sorry to hear about your ds. Made my stomach turn at the thought! Prayers for him and you right now. Thank you for posting this. . . . I've never pre-checked park equipment before. Prayers :grouphug:
Cheryl