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CoffeeMusicLaughs

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Everything posted by CoffeeMusicLaughs

  1. Hello all, I'm trying to get a head start on some curriculum purchases for the upcoming fall. I'm happy with a lot of what we have been using, but it's been difficult to find a good fit for math for my oldest. He's a very bright 9-and-a-half-year-old, entering 4th grade. The first couple years I did a combo of Saxon and Singapore. Saxon is too easy and repetitive for the most part, but he still needed some reinforcement on arithmetic facts, which is why I included it. I wanted to switch math curricula this year for his younger brother, so I went ahead and switched my oldest, also, to RightStart Math. We're a Montessori family, so I appreciated how the author incorporated Montessori ideals into this curriculum. I started my 9-year-old on Level D, based on the brief placement test. He recently said that math has been too easy this year and a waste of time. I have been so wrapped up in everything that I really didn't pay too much attention to this, but he's probably right. So, my question is, what do I do for next year? My two main priorities are: -that he be able to do most, if not all, of the work on his own, without my assistance (having to read problems, etc.) RightStart Level D still expects me to teach concepts and read portions to him. We're adding child #3 to homeschooling in the fall, and I'm going to be pressed for one-on-one time. -that he not be bored, but be engaged and challenged. Does anyone know about RightStart level E, or the levels after that? What grade levels is level G equivalent to? What happens after that? Should I just skip a couple of grade levels ahead with Saxon? Or keep it close to grade level but supplement with something? I assume I shouldn't get too far ahead with grade levels because he wouldn't be ready for the abstract concepts of algebra, is that right? I would appreciate any recommendations. I feel guilty for not doing a better job with meeting his math needs this year, especially since I'm a certified math teacher! (high school, though) Thanks, Erin
  2. Hi there, My oldest is entering 3rd grade in the fall, and my second is entering 2nd grade. I'm thinking I might want to do Spanish instead of Latin (adding Latin maybe in 5th grade), because it's important to me that my kids learn the language. We fiddled around a little with Power Glide when my oldest was in 1st grade, but we didn't get very far. I was re-reading WTM and was reminded that if I really want them to learn to speak for real, they need regular conversation in the language with other people. The suggestion was to have a tutor come over twice a week (or more) or have them in a conversation class. I'm looking into this. Here are my questions. Have any of you used tutors? Where did you find them? How much did you pay them? What kind of Spanish curriculum did you use along with this? Have you had your kids in language classes? How much did they cost? Any recommendations or advice in this area? I'm interested about any thoughts you have about Spanish curricula in general. I have an old version of Rosetta Stone Spanish for adults, and I wasn't very impressed. My son wasn't crazy about Power Glide. He thinks Muzzy is too juvenile (he's pretty advanced academically). Thanks for all your thoughts! Erin
  3. Hi there, I'm currently homeschooling my two oldest boys, who are about to turn 7 and 9. We go to a co-op that meets for a few hours once a week, and we go to Sunday school and church every week. That's where my boys get the majority of their social time. I'm wondering if this is enough. There's one boy who lives a couple doors down who comes over occasionally, but he doesn't get home until after 4pm so it's hard to find the time. I don't know of any other kids their age in the neighborhood. My oldest son does gymnastics, but he hasn't made any friends through it yet. My second son goes to karate, but he also doesn't have friends there. They both did little league for the first time this past spring, but I don't know if they're going to have any friendships come out of that. It seems like the kids who did little league all knew each other already, and I don't know if we're going to get any playdates out of it. I'm particularly concerned for my oldest son because all 3 of his friends that were his age at church have moved, so now he doesn't have any friends there. He has one good friend at co-op, but I'm wondering if that's enough. How much social time is enough? How many friends is enough? How do you know? I must confess that my husband and I both carry baggage from our childhoods when it comes to lack of friends and not fitting in, and I'm concerned for my kids. I don't want them to conform, but I do want them to feel ok with who they are and to feel that they are wanted as friends. Does that make sense? I don't know if I'm being paranoid. I'd appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Erin
  4. Hi! We're in Lafayette Hill, PA, which is a Philly suburb. There's a Facebook group that started recently called Southeastern PA Homeschoolers- you should check it out. I don't know specifically about Phoenixville. We belong to a Co-op in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia, but there are various homeschool co-ops in different areas- I know there's one in Wayne, one in Upper Darby, one in Lansdale, two in Bryn Mawr, and there are probably many more. Feel free to message me with questions. Good luck! Erin
  5. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone, and for the e-hugs! I might look into meetup.com. I really want a face-to-face friend, but I'm probably going to do more online stuff in the interim.
  6. Hi there, This is my second year homeschooling. I homeschool my 2 boys (1st & 2nd grade), I have a 4-year-old daughter who goes to preschool part-time, and an 18-month-old who's at home with us. I am a certified teacher, and I love to teach. I like being able to choose curricula, and learning along with my kids (I never got much history growing up). Also, growing up, both my husband and I had negative experiences with other kids in school, so I'm glad to be able to have more control over the socialization my kids receive. BUT... I am really lonely. I enjoy talking with my kids, but it's not the same as adult contact. All of my family lives 1500 miles away, and I only see them a couple times a year. I used to be really involved in my church, but all the ministries I was involved in stopped happening, and all but one of my friends have left the church (and she's barely around because of busyness). I don't have much time to see other adults. We joined a co-op this year, but I end up having to keep an eye on my kids the whole time, so I don't get many chances to chat with parents. I'm an extrovert, but my husband is a major introvert, and by the time he gets home from work he doesn't really want to talk. I also am fairly insecure socially and have a hard time befriending new people, but I am really hungry for human contact. (I also have a part-time job doing college campus ministry, which is cool, and allows me to talk to young adults, but they're not my peers.) I need a friend. I'm wondering if I can handle homeschooling emotionally, or if I need to get a more regular job to find people to talk to. Any advice or ideas?
  7. Hi there, I started homeschooling my second son this year, and he's having a hard time adjusting to it. He's 6 years old (we're doing 1st grade), and he fights me on a lot of activities. He says he "hates school" (he said the same thing about the preschool he used to attend), and he doesn't want to do any kind of school. He really loves animals, and I was hoping to find some kind of club or activity that we could do to help him be motivated. We have the Creepy Crawlies book, and we're planning on doing some of the experiments in there, but I would like to give him opportunities to interact with big animals (mammals and such) as well. The kids are begging us to get a dog, but we're not ready to do that yet. I'm wondering if any of you have ideas for clubs or groups that interact with animals. I looked up 4-H, but he won't be old enough for another 2 years. We're in the Philadelphia suburbs. If you have any ideas, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! Erin
  8. Hi folks, I am new to homeschooling, and I'm in the process of buying curriculum for my son who will be in 1st grade in the fall. I'm interested in the Classical Kids series (Mr. Bach Comes to Call, Beethoven Lives Upstairs, etc.), as recommended in WTM. I noticed that there is both a CD and a book with teacher's notes for each of the volumes. I'm wondering, are both necessary, or is the CD enough? What is the book for? How have you used this series? I appreciate any input you can provide. Thanks!
  9. I like NIV best, and ESV is also good. I like using a Study Bible. Study Bibles have notes at the bottom of each page that explain different details about verses. There are also cross-references, which point you to other verses in the Bible that are similar to the verse you just read. There tend to be a lot of cross-references, though, so it can be overwhelming to try to read all of them. I usually read a section of Scripture carefully, read it again and think about it, and then look at the notes at the bottom of the page for that section. With reading the Bible, the more you do it, the easier it is to understand. The King James Version is beautiful to listen to, especially when reading the Psalms, but it's probably the hardest to understand since the language is so old. I also go to www.biblegateway.com to look up passages in different versions if I want to know what a different translation says about a passage. It's also helpful to hear clear, systematic preaching through Scripture to help understand what's happening there. I listen to Christian radio sometimes, and sometimes there will be a good teacher explaining a passage. I encourage you not to lean on other people's interpretations completely, though. It's important to learn how to read on your own, too. I also like going to Bible studies, where there are opportunities to go through a passage with other people, ask questions, and discuss. These vary in quality, but there are good ones out there. Are you a member of a local church? I haven't read this book, but I've heard some people talk about the book "How To Read the Bible for All Its Worth," which might be helpful. I also agree that it helps to start with certain portions of Scripture. My favorite book is Luke. There are some tough sections of it, but overall it's pretty accessible. The other gospels (Matthew, Mark and John) are great. I also like Ephesians and James, 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. I hope this helps! The Bible is awesome, and it's definitely worth pursuing.
  10. Thanks for your input. I'm also noticing there are both a "Teacher's Guide" and a "Home Instructor's Guide." What is the difference between these two? Do I need both of them?
  11. Hello, everyone. I'm beginning homeschooling in the fall with my oldest son who will be in 1st grade. I'm looking at doing a combination of Saxon and Singapore math. I'm wondering about the two editions of Singapore: U.S. and Standards. What is the difference? Do you have a preference? Does it matter what I pick? I appreciate your help. Thanks!
  12. Hi there, I'm starting homeschooling for the first time this coming fall with my oldest son, who will be in 1st grade. I read WTM, and I notice they recommend not beginning Latin until 3rd grade. I'm wondering if that's what most of you do, or do you start something small in 1st grade? If you start in 1st grade, what do you use? I know I want my son to learn Spanish. Would it be better to do that first? I'm interested in your opinions. Erin
  13. Hi everyone, I'm planning on starting homeschooling for the first time with my oldest son in the fall. He'll be in 1st grade. I read The Well-Trained Mind, and I'm in the process of gathering materials for the coming year. In the book, they recommend Zaner-Bloser continuous stroke method for handwriting, but when I look for this, I don't see "continuous stroke" anywhere, including on ZB's website. Does anyone know anything about this? Did Zaner-Bloser move away from this method, or am I just confused? How does this compare to D'Nealian? I'd appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks! Erin
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