KLA
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Posts posted by KLA
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I like your ideas. Thank you.
By fundamentals, I mean things like math facts or two digit multiplication or long division. Here is an example, right now, we are finishing up Saxon 3. She understands everything we have covered and knows her math facts (not super fast but accurate). I have a feeling I could stop Saxon 3 (we are on lesson 120) and start Saxon 5/4 ans she would be just fine. But this goes so against the grain. Would finishing Saxon 3 be great practice and solidify things or would it be overkill and unnecessary. She's not a complainer and just works pretty diligently on whatever I give her - so thats no an indicator.
I might just be overthinking it all - just that end of the year pressure of "am i doing enough?" - thank you for your time and thoughts. Its helpful.
KLA
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Thank you for all the suggestions. I will ponder them.
I'd love to hear more about how you evaluate when and how to advance them. Like I said, I do not want them to miss practicing the fundamentals by moving them ahead but i certainly do not want to stifle them with boredom. I face this in every subject.
Thank you for your wisdom!
KLA
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Just because they are quick to learn new concepts and understand them - does that mean they should work faster or skip stuff??
Both my children (2nd and 3rd grade) work ahead in all subject areas but I feel uncertain about how to decide how and when and how much to advance them. For example, they have both worked quickly through Spelling Workout but rarely miss even one word on the pre-test. I still have them do the exercises for fear that they will miss something. My daughter wants "harder words" but I'm afraid to skip lessons.
In math, they both do Saxon a year ahead and never struggle to learn the new concept. They make careless mistakes in their work (copy wrong or label wrong) but rarely b/c they didn't understand. I just have them plug along, rarely skipping anything because i want them to have strong in fundamentals.
But I wonder if I'm holding them back? How do you know and make these decisions? I'm not interested in moving them fast forward just because I can but I do want them challenged and not stagnating. Ideas? Thank you.
KLA
ds 9, 3rd grade
dd, 8 2nd grade
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Phonics Museum - LOVED it
Saxon Math
Lots and lots of library books and field trips
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We have really liked it here. I used it alongside Writing Tales 1 and it has been the perfect amount of grammar. I think mine could have handled R&S just fine but they really like FLL and its style. The poetry memorization, copywork and dictation are all pluses. I used it with my 2nd and 3rd grader combined.
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I was thinking of just doing 4B and 5B to get in as much physical science as I can. Would that work well do you think? And is the activity guide like an teachers manual for the activity book? Thats my guess from the sample pages online. Thank you for all your help so far!
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Next year we will be doing 4B and 5B since it fits best for Physics. Do I need the Activity book and Activity Guide and Higher Order Thinking Skills in addition to textbook and workbook? I was thinking I would not buy the Teacher's guide. Thanks.
KLA
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We love the audio cd's of SOTW here. It gives the kids a break from my voice and they listen better. Sometimes they have to sit together in a chair and follow along in the book (did this when they were early readers) and now they get to color their coloring page while the cd plays. Many times they play it back again that day or the next and they often chooses to listen to them in free time. In addition, we listen to them over the summer and on road trips for review.
I'm very pleased with their retention (shown in their narrations) and when i suggested not getting the cd's for next year - i was met with great opposition. Its been worth every penny (look for them used)!
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It may seem like "everyone" you read about is jumping ship from Saxon to something else, but there are plenty of happy Saxon users out there. I have used Saxon now for 4 years and clung to the "if it ain't broke" mentality every time I have been tempted to try something else. I have 2 different style learners who have "learned" Saxon differently, and yet they have both done fine with it. Perhaps something out there is "better" but since things are running smoothly, I have resisted changing. Also, my husband is excellent at bringing me back to Earth and reminding me to stay the course. I think someone on these boards said something to the effect that consistency in one program that is generally working is better than jumping all around until you find the perfect one.
Blessings:)
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Animated Hero Tales
Elementary Spanish
Grammar videos (search topically)
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I combined my 2nd and 3rd grader in both FLL3 and WT1 and its been great (My 2nd grader is advances in language arts skills). FLL3 is so gentle thats its been great. I made modifications for my 2nd grader when I felt like she was weary of writing in WT. For example, I allowed her to break up writing her story into two days and doubled up the easy grammar pages to stay on course. I have also allowed just two drafts (instead of 3) if her work is neat and mistakes are minimal in her 2nd re-write. I liked combining for the simplicity and time saving.
For next year (3rd and 4th) - I am contemplating switching to separate GWG programs and slowing her down in WT if need be.
I hope it goes well for you!
For those of you in SC
in K-8 Curriculum Board
Posted
It's in Lyman outside of Greer/Greenville. Its great. Their prices are amazing.
KLA