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carolyndsg

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  • Location
    California, MD
  • Occupation
    Mom, also have been a librarian and math teacher
  1. My ds(7 this week!) is fascinated with the Roman Army and Knights, but he's not quite reading chapter books on his own. He did enjoy reading together with me The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short by Gerald Morris (relatively new). We've also picked up the Dragon Slayer's Academy. For independent reads, we look in the "Easy Reader" section at the local library. Like many here he is often more motivated my nonfiction titles. When studying India, I stumbled across "The King's Warrior: A story of Ancient India" by Jessica Gunderson. It tied in with the chapter about Asoka perfectly including his change of heart! I did help him read that and he enjoyed it because the protagonist was about a boy who wanted to be a great general whatever the cost. She has other titles in the series. Does your local library have a database that helps you find a book with similiar topics or themes as the one you just read? It can be dig out some titles I would never find on my own. In our system it's called NoveList. Carolyn
  2. I cannot add much except that it depends. My dd4 had no interested this year with SOTW1 with ds6. Next year is SOTWII with dd7 and dd5. I'm going to include my "Kindergartener" but let her opt out when she's not interested. I'm planning to spend more time with some of the craft projects too this year (and go easier on narrations w dd7).
  3. I have used Miquon, Singapore and RS B. I love Right Start! I agree that the best practice is games, because that is an "application". We have the RS games kit which has all kinds of games and the card decks. We use our abacus to keep score for games, like tri-Ominos, Dominos, Mexican Train, etc. My husband wants to start my ds7 on cribbage soon, but I will vote for using the abacus, then move him to the cribbage board once the game is easier for him. Singapore does have some good workbook type work sheets if you have a child that thrives on it. Miquon offers work with the rods, and groups their skills differently. Since I have the books I use a little of each, but think games and more games is the best supplement/reinforcement method. Carolyn
  4. For a K student, 5-15 minutes each subject, i.e. Phonics, handwriting or writing-related activity (coloring, lines, art!) and math games is plenty!! Have fun...I was too intense for my ds7 when we did K
  5. I listend to both in the car, with my kids riding along. I suspect they did not catch everything, but I enjoyed both. I wish I could recommend an alternate. Try asking your local public librarian. Our system has a database you can access through the online catalog called NoveList that can help find similar books the title you have in mind. One idea I've read in discussions about children's literature (can't find reference at the moment), is that the time for a child to read about characters dealing with difficult, real life problems is before he or she child may experience them. Favorite or well-remembered stories provide an internal narrative for children to use when they might experience hardship or difficulties on their own. Think of some of your favorite books or stories. What did the main character have to overcome? Did this story every inspire you later in life or perhaps is it a book you retreat to when you need encouragement or regroup? Stories of characters who face adverisity, but keep going, find some sort of resolution, teach that their are ways to solve problems, but it might not always be easy and there may be consequences to your solution. Just my two cents. :tongue_smilie:
  6. We do 2 1/2 to 3 hours a day including a snack/play break, but it fits us. I would not recommend everything I do to all, but thought you might appreciate seeing an "upper limit". :tongue_smilie: Reading and occassionally reviewing MOTH (Managers of our Homes) helps me be realistic about what I, an "I-need-to-be-organized" person, can accomplish! My ds does best when I stick to time limits, but I certainly flex lessons so we can spend extra time on something really catches his interest. Getty-Dubay Italic Writing (3 days a week, 10 min) OPGTR - (4 days a week, 20-15 min) FLL (2-3 days a week, 15 minutes) All About Spelling (10-15 min.) [NOTE: Even though it wasn't my original plan, I decided to start spelling before finishing OPGTR. My ds likes to write letters, notes and label his pictures and wants to do it "right". If he were NOT such a good reader and writer I would have held off until we completed Phonics. He enjoys AAS lessons!] Bible Study (15 min. 3-4 days a week) Math (5 days a week, 30 min. + games are fun) SOTW (2 days a week, 30-45 minutes, I try to include a related art project once a week for my art loving brood!) R.E.A.L. Science - (2 days a week, 30 minutes) - Curriculum is mostly labs where your child gets to observe and/or DO! Science days are also anticipated by my dd4. Recorder lesson or pratice (4-5 days a week, 15 min.) We also participate in a local coop which is a whole day once a week. His spends the mornings in "1st & 2nd Core" with a wonderful Homeschool mom & teacher (Charlotte Mason stlye learning) and gets Art, Music and PE in the afternoon with specialist teachers. This one day is probably a big reason I am able to accomplish so much the other 4 days. We both like the break and I get a day dedicated to my dd's.:) Have fun with what you do choose to do!
  7. I've dropped Writing with Ease, though I refer to it occassionally for ideas or the conecpts. I may use it more in 2nd grade. We do enough writing with our handwriting book, FLL and narration with history. I skip FLL lessons that seem redundant. I've let go of Keyboard Capers, though my ds6 likes the beginning recorder lessons we squeeze in about every other week. I may try again next year when my dd4 is five. I'm a musician so it's a priority, but it must be fun! Artistic Pursuits has become a supplement to history lessons, or a resource when my children as to do art. My dd4 loves coloring, drawing and painting, so we try to get in at least one project a week. They love using the drawing pencils, oil pastels and watercolor crayons recommended in this book. I may not do even half the lessons, but now my kids ask to use the special art supples for fun. I'm grateful to this program for showing how easy and rewarding it is to let kids use higher quality (not necessarily more expensive) art supplies. Carolyn
  8. What a wonderful collection of lists, with many that have been read in our house. You may already know this, but child-selected books can also be treasures waiting to be discovered. When we visit the public library each of my children may check out their own stack of books in addition to the titles I get. My dd4 has pulled off many wonderful picture books, I would never have found, that have proved to be favorites. Some currently on loan that she "found" are: Red Red Red by Valeri Gorvachev Little Donkey and The Birthday Present by Rindert Kromhout Fold Me a Poem by Kristine O'Connell George Playground Day! by Jennifer Merz We also like Early Reader nonfiction books on topics of interest! My ds of course likes anything on wheels while my older dd likes books on animals, bugs and ballet. Lists are useful and helpful (what can we read next?), but browsing also has its own rewards! We also listen to many audiobooks when in the car, which is a nice way to expose kids to "bigger" books such as Charlotte's Web, and the like. My dd4's favorite audiobook is a RabbitEars production that includes Thumbelina and The Emperor and the Nightingale.
  9. Hi Dian, I've used Start Write for the past year and have found it easy to use once I created a few templates for each child. I've not used HWT so I am not able to compare it directly. It should do everything on your list, with the exception of an outright function to "insert border" . I've not tried it but I would assume you could insert a border that's a graphics file, since you can add other art. The program includes: HWT (named HWOT) among others. the ability to use top, middle, baseline and descender lines, which can be thickened. You can create lines with or without text. The letters themselves can be customized by dot density, dot shading, or stroke arrows. There are various color settings, but I have not used these. Graphics or pictures are easy to insert with some provided by the program. Hope this helps. Carolyn
  10. Hi all, Thank you for the variety of comments. You have all helped me think ponder this question as "do I need this" or "do I want this". It so helps to hear others have been in my shoes! I was reviewing my states' requirements (MD) and saw "Health". I'm not with an umbrella school hence I will be reporting directly to the school district. I'm not overtly concerned about this in general since I was a public school teacher awhile back. Nevertheless, since this is my first "official" year, I think I was looking for a workbook to provide an outline to soothe my thorough soul! In addition, my ds also likes some workbook work and aside from Math and the Handwriting program, this may be it. I may also consider the Abeka health book. It sounds like a possiblity. My ds is interested in safety topics (he loves fire engines, police cars, ambulances, etc.) so we often have safety discussions when a vehicle drives by or after reading his library book choices. I'm something of a cook, and am conscious of teaching nutrition and kitchen safety as part of our routine. Indeed, I do cover much of a "health curriculum" in daily life so I might just come up with an outline and use the library. Assuming of course that I make the time. :tongue_smilie: Carolyn
  11. Hi Shannon, Thanks for the suggestion. I've requested it via interlibrary loan to take a look at it. It certainly has potential! Carolyn
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